The old man, who had set his heart on obtaining a companion of some sort, succeeded in persuading a half-breed to accompany him.  This was a man named Sandy McColl, whose father was a Scotchman and his mother an Indian, and who had long been accustomed to the wild life of the prairies.  He had come to the settlement intending to remain, and had built a hut and begun to cultivate a garden, with the intention, as was supposed, of taking unto himself a wife; but the damsel on whom he had set his affections had refused him.  Sandy after this became very downcast; he neglected his garden, and spent most of his time wandering about gun in hand, shooting any game he could come across.  He had few associates, and was of a morose disposition.  People, indeed, whispered that he had been guilty of some crime or other, and was forced to leave the part of the country where he had before resided.  Uncle Stephen, who occasionally exchanged a few words with him, did not believe that this was the case, and declared that Sandy, in spite of his taciturnity and love of solitude, was an honest fellow.  Be that as it may, Samson was satisfied with him, and the two agreed to start together.