"Well, we'll camp here for to-night. They couldn't accommodate us in yonder village if we did cross."
And so the order was issued.
His men by this time were well accustomed to the oft-repeated duty. Putting up tents, cutting down trees, trimming poles, building temporary huts, flooring them with boughs of cedar, arranging timber and evergreens to protect the inmates from prevailing winds, and gathering dry wood for necessary fires, were matters of detail which they accomplished with alacrity. It was marvellous how neat and cozy a camp the two companies, assisted by the trained drivers, could build in an hour or two of twilight.
Sir George and the Doctor, leaving Cummings in the rig, joined Harold, who was helping his wife out of their sleigh.
"You are not ill, Mrs. Manning, I hope," exclaimed Sir George, who had never before seen her require so much assistance to alight.
"Just stiff and cold after the long drive," was her answer, as with a sudden effort she straightened herself.
"Madame tired long tam, no let 'em spak," said Emmiline, who on Bateese's example was learning to speak "Angleese quick." She was already attached to her new mistress.
"It is lucky to find houses here, such as they are," said Harold, as he folded Helen's fur coat more closely around her, while he noticed that her teeth were chattering.
"We'll try this shanty," said the Doctor, approaching one. A large dog jumped out as the door opened, barking vociferously, and followed a moment later by a half-breed Indian.
"We have a sick woman with us," said Beaumont, "and want to put her in your cabin for the night."