Sam now directed his attention to the rude abodes, and as he examined them he emitted several grunts of disgust.  Early the next morning he found an excellent camping-spot, and took Jean over to see it.

“Good camp here,” he told her.  “Plenty tree, plenty wood.”

“Will you help those people to build new lodges?” she asked.

“A-ha-ha, Sam help.”

“And can you get more meat?  Perhaps you can shoot a moose.”

“Sam get feesh bimeby.  Kai-u-hus, mebbe.”

“What is that?”

“All sam’ rat.  Swim in water, build house.”

“Do you mean muskrat?”

“A-ha-ha.  White man call’m ‘Injun turkey.’  Good.”

“You are a great man, Sam.  You saved my life, and now you are saving the lives of those poor people.”

“Sam glad,” was the quiet reply.  “Sam King George man.  Sam help King George peep’l.”

Jean went over and explained to the Loyalists Sam’s idea about building the new abodes.  They were much pleased at this suggestion, and the men at once followed Sam to the spot he had chosen, and began work.  After he had given them full instructions, and helped them to make a start upon their new homes, he provided himself with a small supply of food, and started forth upon a hunting expedition.  He took with him his sled and a single blanket.

“Will you be away all night?” Jean asked as she stood watching him ere his departure.

“Mebbe.  See bimeby.”

“Don’t stay too long, Sam, for if you do we shall all starve.  Kitty says that we have very little food left.”

The Indian smiled as he stooped and arranged his right snow-shoe.

“Kitty no starve, Babby no starve,” he replied.  “Sam come bimeby.  Plenty grub.”

This was an anxious day for Jean, as she was well aware that the entire camp was on the verge of starvation.  The children were already picking and sucking the bones of the partridges, and there was no food in the place.  Even the little they had brought with them was gone, so she and Kitty went without any dinner.  She did her best to cheer and encourage the dispirited Loyalists, telling them that Sam would soon return with plenty of meat.  He was their sole dependence now, and suppose anything should happen to him!  But she had confidence in his skill and judgment, so hoped for the best.

Much of the day she spent with the women and children, listening to the hardships they had endured, and playing with the little ones.  At times she visited the men, and watched them as they toiled bravely at their houses.  They were weak and hungry, but they uttered no word of complaint.  Occasionally she saw them gnawing and chewing the bark of tender birch twigs, while some tried to find sustenance in pine, spruce, and cedar cones.  But for the hope that Sam would return with a supply of food, they would have given up in despair.