"This tells the whole story, father!" ex-
claimed the young man at last. "Magaska-
wee's note--just listen!" and he read it aloud.
"I shall start to-morrow. We can take
enough provision and ammunition on two sleds,
with six dogs to each. I shall want three good
men to go with me." Angus spoke with deci-
sion.
"Well, we can't afford to lose our best hunt-
ers; and you might also bring home with you
what furs and robes they have on hand," was
his father's prudent reply.
"I don't care particularly for the skins,"
Angus declared; but he at once began hurried
preparations for departure.
In the meantime affairs grew daily more
desperate in the exile village on the far-away
Mouse River, and a sort of Indian hopelessness
and resignation settled down upon the little
community. There were few who really ex-
pected their messenger to reach the fort, or be-
lieved that even if he did so, relief would be
sent in time to save them. White Lodge, the
father of his people, was determined to share
with them the last mouthful of food, and every
morning Winona and Magaskawee went with
scanty portions in their hands to those whose
supply had entirely failed.
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