She was more mystified than ever when ere long they came in sight of a log cabin nestling on the hillside at the entrance of the valley.  In front of the house was a small clearing surrounded by a rough pole fence, causing Jean to believe that the owner had lived there for some time, and did a little gardening.

When, however, she entered the building her surprise was greater than ever.  The main room was as comfortable and cosy as hands could make it.  The floor was covered with fur rugs of various shapes and sizes.  The walls, too, were adorned with skins of the bear, fox, otter, wolverine, and other animals.  At the farther end of the room was a large fire-place, above which was a fine moose head with great branching antlers.  Several hardwood sticks were burning upon the hearth, showing that the owner had not been long away from home.  There were also other articles on the walls, such as Indian curios, bows and arrows, as well as a few pictures.  In the middle of the room was a table, covered with a cloth of rich design.  In the centre of this stood a candle-stick, made of wood, evidently hand-wrought.  It had seven branches, and in each was a dip-candle.  A well-polished silver tray, containing a pair of snuffers, was lying near.  There were several books upon the table, one of which was lying open, as if the reader had hurriedly laid it down as he rose from the deep, comfortable chair nearby.  There were other chairs in the room, as well as stools and benches, but this big chair excelled them all in size and quaint workmanship.  It was evidently the owner’s special favourite, for it showed signs of much use.

To the left of the fire-place was the one couch the room contained, and to this the injured man at once made his way.  He sat upon the edge and rested for a few minutes.  He was breathing hard, and most of the time he kept his right hand to his suffering side.  He seemed to pay no heed to what was taking place around him, but stared straight before him as if in a dream.  He aroused at length, and glanced at the three standing before him.

“Make yourselves at home,” he said.  “There is plenty of food in the next room.  It is quite warm there, for I always keep a fire going.  The women, I think, will find it comfortable.  Sam, I want to speak to you alone.”

Jean was not slow in taking this hint, so she opened a door to the right of the fire-place and passed into the adjoining room.  This was somewhat similar to the one they had just left, excepting that it was not so cosy.  The table had no cloth covering it, and upon it stood a single candle stuck in a wooden candle-stick.  This she lighted with a coal from the fire-place, and then looked curiously around.  Along one side of the room was an abundance of provisions, all in bags, and carefully arranged.  There were blankets, too, piles of them, and nearby a stack of furs.  Jean thought of the Loyalists on the A-jem-sek.  Here was sufficient food and clothing to last them for some time.  And why should they not have them?  She would speak to the owner just as soon as possible, and no doubt he would be willing to send something to the needy ones.