CHAPTER XVII.
'Duke Radford's New Friend Mr.Selincourt suffered but little ill effects from his accident.
He stayed in bed two days to ward off any danger of swamp fever, but on the third morning got up at his usual hour, and after breakfast had himself rowed across the river, and paid a visit to the store.

Early as it was, Katherine and Phil had already started for an Indian encampment on Ochre Lake, so Mr.Selincourt found only Miles in the store, and he was busy sweeping dead flies from the molasses traps, and spreading fresh molasses for the catching of another batch.
"Hullo, young man! is it you who pulled me out of the mud the other day ?" he asked.
"No, sir," replied Miles promptly; "I'm as heavy as Katherine, so not adapted for walking on soft spots.

It was Phil who put the rope round you, but Katherine pulled you out." "A plucky pair they were too, for it must have been difficult work.
Are they at home ?" Mr.Selincourt asked, as he gazed round the store, and thought what a bare-looking place it was.
"No, they started for Ochre Lake a good time ago.

Where there is portage work it is easiest to get it done in the morning this hot weather.

Can I have the pleasure of showing you anything this morning, sir ?" Miles asked, with his very best business manner, which always had its due effect on the Seal Cove people.
Mr.Selincourt laughed.