“se

~{ TO CARIBOO AND BACK }>--

and a capote, or belted tunic. This was the
usual half-breed costume. When they got into
the mountains it would be time enough to don
buckskins and moccasins, to protect the legs and
feet from rocks and brush.

Late one afternoon Jim rode up beside the
oxcart, handed a brace of duck to his mother
for safe keeping and passed the time.of day
with Betty.

“Hello Bet! Reading again? I guess you'll
know that book by heart soon.” He completely
ignored Arthur, who plodded along beside the
wheel.

Every one except Jim thought that the Eng-

lish boy had improved very much. Though he

did not tan brown like the rest, but kept his
fine white skin in spite of sun and weather,
he had grown sturdier and stronger and was
more ready for physical exertion. In the last
few days he had earned the reputation of being
handy, not with the axe, which was too heavy
for him, but with the hatchet. They put him
to trimming poles to lay across the logs of the
makeshift bridges that had so often to be built,
and he was quick and capable at the work. Best

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