"I'm sorry you're going to leave us, my boys.
You've done your duty well while here, and I would willingly have
kept you a little longer with me, but our governor wills it
otherwise. However, I trust that you'll be happy wherever you may be
sent. Don't forget to write to me. God bless you. Farewell."
Mr. Rogan shook them heartily by the hand, turned short round, and
walked slowly up to his house, with an expression of sadness on his
mild face; while Harry and Hamilton, having once more waved farewell
to their friends, marched up the river side by side in silence. They
followed the track left by the dog-sledge, which guided them with
unerring certainty, although their Indian leader and his team were
out of sight in advance.
A week previous to this time an Indian arrived from the interior,
bearing a letter from headquarters, which directed that Messrs.
Somerville and Hamilton should be forthwith despatched on snow-shoes
to Norway House. As this establishment is about three hundred miles
from the sea-coast, the order involved a journey of nearly two weeks'
duration through a country that was utterly destitute of inhabitants.
On receiving a command from Mr. Rogan to prepare for an early start,
Harry retired precipitately to his own room, and there, after cutting
unheard of capers, and giving vent to sudden, incomprehensible
shouts, all indicative of the highest state of delight, he
condescended to tell his companions of his good fortune, and set
about preparations without delay.
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