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diff --git a/old/53176-h/53176-h.htm b/old/53176-h/53176-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index bbc7cab..0000000 --- a/old/53176-h/53176-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9204 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> -<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Kasba (White Partridge), by George R. Ray</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"/> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left:8%;margin-right:10%; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border:1px solid silver; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration:none; } - .pageno:after { color: gray; content: attr(title); } - .it { font-style:italic; } - .sc { font-variant:small-caps; } - p { text-indent:0; margin-top:0.5em; margin-bottom:0.5em; - text-align: justify; } - div.lgc { } - div.lgl { } - div.lgc p { text-align:center; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } - div.lgl p { text-indent: -17px; margin-left:17px; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } - div.lgp { } - div.lgp p { text-align:left; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } - .poetry-container { display:inline-block; text-align:left; margin-left:2em; } - h1 { text-align:center; font-weight:normal; - font-size:1.2em; margin:2em auto 1em auto} - hr.tbk100{ border:none; border-bottom:3px solid black; width:10%; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align:center; margin-left:45%; margin-right:45% } - hr.tbk101{ border:none; border-bottom:3px solid black; width:10%; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align:center; margin-left:45%; margin-right:45% } - hr.tbk102{ border:none; border-bottom:1px solid white; width:30%; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; text-align:center; margin-left:35%; margin-right:35% } - hr.tbk103{ border:none; border-bottom:1px solid white; width:30%; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; text-align:center; margin-left:35%; margin-right:35% } - hr.tbk104{ border:none; border-bottom:1px solid white; width:30%; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; text-align:center; margin-left:35%; margin-right:35% } - hr.tbk105{ border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:90%; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; text-align:center; margin-left:5%; margin-right:5% } - hr.pbk { border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:100%; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em } - hr.footnotemark { border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:10%; margin:1em auto 1em 0; } - .figcenter { text-align:center; margin:1em auto;} - div.blockquote { margin:1em 2em; text-align:justify; } - div.blockquote0r9 { margin:1em 2em; } - div.blockquote0r9 p { font-size: 0.9em } - .footnote td p.pindent:first-child { text-indent: 0; } - .footnote { margin:0 4em 0 0; } - h1.nobreak { page-break-before: avoid; } - p.line { text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } - div.lgp p.line0 { text-indent:-3em; margin:0 auto 0 3em; } - table.center { margin:0.5em auto; border-collapse: collapse; padding:3px; } - table.flushleft { margin:0.5em 0em; border-collapse: collapse; padding:3px; } - table.left { margin:0.5em 1.2em; border-collapse: collapse; padding:3px; } - .tab1c1 { } - .tab1c2 { } - .tab1c3 { } - .tab1c4 { } - .tab1c5 { } - .tab1c6 { } - .tdStyle0 { -padding: 2px 5px; text-align:right; vertical-align:top; -} - .tdStyle1 { -padding: 2px 5px; text-align:left; vertical-align:top; -} - .tdStyle2 { -padding: 2px 5px; text-align:left; vertical-align:top;padding-left:29px; text-indent:-24px; -} - .pindent { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-indent:1.5em; } - .noindent { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-indent:0; } - .hang { padding-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } - .literal-container { text-align:center; margin:0 0; } - .literal { display:inline-block; text-align:left; } - - h1.pg { font-weight: bold; - clear: both; - font-size: 190%; - margin-top: 0em; } - h2,h3,h4 { text-align: center; - clear: both; } - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - - </style> - <style type="text/css"> - h1 { font-size: 1.3em; font-weight:bold;} - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Kasba (White Partridge), by George R. Ray</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: Kasba (White Partridge)</p> -<p> A Story of Hudson Bay</p> -<p>Author: George R. Ray</p> -<p>Release Date: September 30, 2016 [eBook #53176]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KASBA (WHITE PARTRIDGE)***</p> -<p> </p> -<h3>E-text prepared by Mardi Desjardins<br /> - and the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdpcanada.net">http://www.pgdpcanada.net</a>)<br /></h3> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0000' style='width:375px;height:auto;'/> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:2.5em;font-weight:bold;'>KASBA</p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:1em;font-weight:bold;'>(<span class='it'>White Partridge</span>)</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:1.5em;'>A Story of Hudson Bay</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'>BY</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:1.7em;'>George R. Ray, M.P.P.</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<hr class='tbk100'/> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:1.1em;'>AUTHOR’S EDITION</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>Printed by</p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>WILLIAM BRIGGS</p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>Toronto, 1915</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'>Copyright, Canada, 1915</p> -<p class='line'>By GEORGE R. RAY.</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1 class='nobreak'>AUTHOR’S NOTE</h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>I have always regarded the writing of prefaces to -be, for the most part, work thrown away; nevertheless, -I am tempted to prefix a few words to this novel, -in the form of a note, in order to defend myself -against charges which may possibly be made against -me by the critics, and to which I may be unable to -revert after they shall have been preferred. It may -be said, in the first place, that all the characters in -this story speak ordinary English, which I admit. -The natural language of the natives is, of course, the -tongue of their race, Chipewyan or Eskimo, as the -case may be, but in order that the reader might -understand it, a translation was necessary. Since -this was the case, why not have the translation in -good English, instead of in pigeon-English, which no -one properly understands and which is misleading -and equally untrue to life? Then, again, my description -of Chesterfield Inlet may be found fault with, -and with good reason, for I have written of trees -where no trees exist. Chesterfield Inlet is in the -barren lands, as most people know. But a wooded -district was necessary to my plot, and in describing -the country I have changed the topography to suit -the requirements of my story. And now, as a last -word, I would assure my readers that the incidents -in this novel, though they may appear untrue to life -and far-fetched, are nevertheless mostly made up of -my own personal experiences and properly authenticated -stories of curious happenings to other people in -these northern regions.</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:2em;margin-top:0.5em;'>—G. R. R.</p> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'>“Here feel we but the penalty of Adam,</p> -<p class='line'> The seasons’ difference, as the icy fang</p> -<p class='line'> And churlish chiding of the winter’s wind,</p> -<p class='line'> Which, when it bites and blows upon my body</p> -<p class='line'> Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say</p> -<p class='line'> This is no flattery: these are counsellors</p> -<p class='line'> That feelingly persuade me what I am.”</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;margin-top:0.5em;'>—“<span class='it'>As You Like It,” Act II., Sc. I.</span></p> -</div></div> <!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div><h1>CONTENTS</h1></div> - -<table id='tab1' summary='' class='center'> -<colgroup> -<col span='1' style='width: 3em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 17em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 2em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 1em;'/> -</colgroup> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'>CHAPTER.</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>PAGE.</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>I.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>An Unpleasant Incident</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>II.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Fort Future</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_25'>25</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>III.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Kasba Fights a Bitter Fight</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_46'>46</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>The Man of the Shadows</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>V.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>An Eskimo Conjurer and a Pugilistic Encounter</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_77'>77</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Lost in the Drifting Snow</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>“The Packet” at Last</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_101'>101</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Delgezie’s Despair</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_113'>113</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Entertaining the “Packet” Men</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_127'>127</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>X.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>A Trip to an Eskimo Encampment</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_134'>134</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Broom Has Conscientious Scruples and a Sore Temptation</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_142'>142</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>An Eskimo Encampment</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_157'>157</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>A Dastardly Deed</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_168'>168</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Gruesome Discoveries</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_184'>184</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XV.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>A Bitter Sorrow</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_195'>195</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVI.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Retribution</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_205'>205</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>A Narrow Escape</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_223'>223</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVIII.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>An Ingenious Expedient</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_238'>238</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIX.</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'><span class='sc'>Kasba’s Sacrifice</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_251'>251</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle2'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:2em;font-weight:bold;'>KASBA</p> - -<hr class='tbk101'/> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='11' id='Page_11'></span><h1 class='nobreak'>CHAPTER I.<br/> <span class='it'><span style='font-size:smaller'>AN UNPLEASANT INCIDENT.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a bright, bitter-cold day in the short -days of winter. The sun shone forlornly upon the -bleak, ice-bound shores of Hudson Bay, as if in -despair at its utter inability to warm the intensely -cold atmosphere, or change in the slightest degree -the frozen face of nature. Limitless fields of dazzling -Whiteness stretched to the horizon on either -hand; a tremendous expanse of turbulent ice-fields, -of hills and ridges, of plains and dells; a great white -world, apparently empty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Over all was the silence of death; a silence of awful -profundity, yet at the same time an indescribably -beautiful revelation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Near at hand a trapped Arctic fox lay dishevelled -and bleeding, its little green eyes glittering evilly -and watching with some apprehension the movements -of an object which had sprung up, apparently from -nowhere, to advance upon it with startling directness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The object was Roy Thursby, an intrepid young -officer of the Hudson’s Bay Company, visiting his -“line” of traps; a big fellow of five-and-twenty, -with muscles of iron; a clean-shaven face—a noble -face that betrayed a high-minded nature; eyes that -as a rule were hard, but could soften; and a heart -that never quailed. He was dressed in moleskin -trousers, a pair of long blue stroud leggings, a coat -made of hairy-deerskin (that is to say, deerskin -dressed on the one side only), with a hood edged with -fur, a l’Assumption belt that encircled his waist, and -large deerskin moccasins, under which he undoubtedly -wore at least two pairs of hairy-deerskin socks. -Mittens of dressed deerskin were suspended from his -shoulders by a worsted cord, and a fur cap with earpieces -completed his costume. He wore snowshoes -and carried a hunting-bag across his back and a rifle -over his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Over the undulating plain he came, pausing occasionally, -diverging rarely, and ever nearer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length there was the sound of crunching snow, -the swish of snowshoes; a short, stifled bark, and a -white, furry, inanimate thing lay on the snow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without doffing his mitts Roy reset the trap. It -was a steel trap, destitute of teeth, with two springs. -The jaws when spread out flat were exactly on a level -with the snow. He hid the chain and brushed a thin -layer of snow on top of the trap. A few scraps of -fish were scattered about for bait and the whole carefully -smoothed over, so that it was almost impossible -to tell that anything was there.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then he straightened himself. The air had -needles in it, and he readjusted the hood of his hairy -coat and tightened the wide ribbed belt around his -waist.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slipping the fox into his bag, he reached for his -axe and gun, and with the long, even strides of one -who could never tire, continued his “rounds,” pausing -now and then to “trim” a trap when nothing -was in it, or killing an animal when caught and -dropping it into his trapping-bag.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he pressed on, his keen eyes, ever alert, caught -a glimpse of a small dark blot moving along the face -of a ridge of rocks in the foreground. He paused -in his stride to scrutinize the moving object; then, -apparently satisfied, he resumed his tramp.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yowl, yowl; kum-pack, kum-pack—ptarmigan ran -uneasily together in an adjacent clump of willows. -Whir-r-r, and a flock flew up at his very feet. Other -flocks followed on the right and left of him, but he -heeded them not, for his thoughts were on the -“packet.” Somewhere in the wilderness of snow -and ice to the south, two men and a train of dogs -were laboring and straining every nerve to reach -Fort Future. Of this the Company’s hard and fast -regulations made him cognizant: but where were -they? Already they were several days overdue. -What could have happened to detain them? Would -they reach the Fort that day? These and like questions -occupied his mind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon he was winding his way up a gully in the -ridge of rocks, and right before him was the object -he had previously descried. As he drew near, it -took on the form of an Indian girl, a young and -beautiful Chipewyan of about eighteen summers. -She wore a blanket-skirt, very short as to length; a -pair of red stroud leggings, beadwork moccasins and -a thick woollen shawl, which ordinarily muffled the -head and face but had now slipped back, leaving -them exposed to view. She was a Chipewyan, but -had scarcely a feature like them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her face was exquisitely moulded, and of a rich -golden brown; her cheeks of coral red; her eyes -large, dark and liquid, very strongly marked brows -and long, thick lashes; her mouth was small and -expressive, with very beautiful teeth. Her hair was -neatly braided, crossed at the back of the head and -tied on either side with a piece of narrow ribbon. -She turned as he approached, and, dropping a bundle -of short sticks and an axe, stood with heightened -color and a pretty, embarrassed look on her finely -cut features, waiting for him to come up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With eyes intent upon the trader, the girl was -quite oblivious of the presence of the middle-aged -man of unprepossessing appearance, who had been -skulking behind her for some time. Perceiving her -preoccupation, he now approached her with a stealthy -tread. In a flash he leaped from the background and -caught her in his arms, drew her to him with a force -she could not resist, and kissed her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was about to repeat this, when she gaspingly -cried out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was an answering shout, the sound of someone -running, a voice that imparted courage, crying, -“I am here, Kasba!” and suddenly she was wrested -from the man’s clutches and he was sent violently to -the snow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Palpitating with fear, the girl crouched down, -hiding her face in her hands.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy stood breathing sharply, waiting for the man -to rise. “By heaven, Broom,” he thundered, in a -wrath that was terrible, “this is too much! I will -not stand this!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom picked himself up. Instinctively his hand -felt for his revolver; he evidently had no scruples -against attacking an unarmed man (when Roy -rushed to Kasba’s assistance he had dropped his gun -and it lay some few yards away), and inwardly he -cursed himself for not having the weapon upon his -person. “Curse you,” he cried hoarsely, a paroxysm -of rage almost preventing the utterance. “I’ll kill -you for that!” and, roaring like a wild beast, he -hurled himself upon his opponent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The other’s blazing eyes narrowed ominously. He -met Broom’s mad rush with a swing of his heavy -arm. The impact resounded sharply, and there was -considerable force behind the blow, for the brute -staggered and again fell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Recovering himself, he stood sucking his bleeding -lips, and glaring venomously at his antagonist. -“<span class='it'>You</span> won’t stand this!” he shouted with a blast of -profanity; “and who are <span class='it'>you</span>?” Then with an insolent -laugh: “Oh, I see now how ’tis, I was poaching -on your preserves.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trader made a quick step toward him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But defiantly the fellow went on: “Of course if -I’d known how matters stood between you and this -little——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Silence!” roared Roy, rushing upon him. -“Silence! Speak another word and I will kill you! -By heaven, I will! I will kill you where you stand!” -His eyes fixed upon the other’s blazing orbs and held -them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom was no coward, but there was such fierce -wrath in the trader’s look that it caused him to hesitate, -and in that moment of hesitation he remembered -what he had lost all thought of in his baffled -fury—remembered that Roy was all-powerful in -those parts, where he held the food supply and controlled -the natives; that the trader could turn him -adrift in the trackless wilderness to meet a certain -death. And in another moment he had recovered -himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He laughed awkwardly. “I beg pardon,” he said -with a sneer; “I will leave you with the—lady.” -Then, bowing mockingly to Kasba, who was now on -her feet, he left them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When the fellow had gone, Roy went up to the -girl, and taking one of her hands softly in both his, -began to comfort her. She was breathing heavily -and her face was pale. “Oh, I am so terrified!” she -said; “I know he will do you harm. He will kill -you! Heaven! It would be terrible!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It wouldn’t be the first time it was tried,” Roy -answered with an easy laugh. “Don’t worry, little -friend,” he added, patting her hand tenderly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A wave of color flooded the girl’s face. “Oh, you -are so strong, and so brave,” she cried, then stopped, -lost in admiration. She stood looking at him now out -of half-closed eyes. Her lashes were long, and -shadowed the orbs so that he could not see the expression -in them. Then she smiled dazzlingly and -turned her face aside, but one full blushing cheek -was kept towards him and one shell-like little ear—I -am afraid this heroine of ours was a natural little -coquette.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy started a little and tried to scrutinize the -girl’s face more closely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba’s breath came quickly, her heart palpitated -wildly, the crimson deepened in her cheeks and brow. -Her secret was there—plain for him to read, and he -would have been blind, indeed, had he not read it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Surprised, and somewhat startled, he dropped her -hand and stepped back, looking at her uncertainly -for a moment. Then Kasba laughed, a nervous little -laugh, and tossing her head back, and opening her -eyes wide, looked at him roguishly,—brown as a -berry but a veritable little beauty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a few moments there was silence, then Roy -turned and walked away. A profound pity was in -his eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the girl’s flashed and she stamped her little -foot furiously. Her teeth set tightly, her breath -coming and going swiftly. Then tears trembled in -her eyes, and in an irresistible impulse of yearning -she threw out her arms and softly called his name. -But he did not pause or look back, and she dropped -her arms and bent her head with a sigh of pain. She -was a little bundle of opposites, this dusky maiden.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hitherto she had roamed the country unattended -and unmolested, pure, happy, serene. Now at one -blow all this was changed. Broom’s assault on her -had opened her eyes to the danger of wandering -alone. Her violent struggles to free herself from his -tight embrace had bruised her arms and bosom, and -she ached in every limb. But her agony of body -was as nothing compared with her agony of mind. -Ignorant of the world, she knew nothing of the -prejudices of rank or race, but Roy’s walking away -had somehow revealed their relative positions; and -Kasba considered it folly to think anything good -could possibly come from her unwise affection.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a time she stooped down, and, lifting up the -bundle of sticks, threw it across her back, then moved -away. Erect and supple, gently swaying under her -burden, she glided along.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crossing a small pond in a deep hollow in the -summit of the rocks, she came in sight of her father’s -hut, which stood quite alone, at some little distance -from the Fort, in the sheltering angle of a ridge of -rocks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie, her father, was a widower, and as Kasba -was his only child he showered all the love of his -poor old heart upon her. Nothing was too good for -her, no sacrifice too great. She had been brought up -at Churchill, and though he still clung to many of the -superstitions of his race, he had allowed her to attend -the day school conducted by the missionary, and in -the end to spend most of her childhood at the Mission, -for the missionary’s wife had soon become fond of -the bright little motherless girl, and had easily persuaded -the doting old man that it was to the girl’s -advantage. So it had come about that it was to this -good lady Kasba owed her superior manners and -refinement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba had been exceedingly happy in those days. -But since she had come with her father to Fort -Future a deep shadow had come into her young life. -She had offered Roy Thursby all the love of her -warm little heart and he had turned from it. She -was intensely miserable. In her present misery she -thought of those cloudless days, and a sigh escaped -her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are sad, Kasba,” said a voice in Chipewyan -at her side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl stopped and looked up. It was Sahanderry, -a tall, active-looking native.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba turned to him with a wan smile. She was -fond of Sahanderry, for she had known him all her -life; besides, he wished to marry her. Remembering -how quickly Roy had turned away on discovering -her secret love for him, a feeling of tenderness came -over her for this Indian. “Should she spoil his -life?” she asked herself. “What had she to do with -love? The girls of her race,” she argued, “had no -voice in the choosing of their husbands.” For the -first time in her life she felt discontented with her -lot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Leave it, Sahanderry,” she said, a trifle bitterly, -as he reached up to take the bundle from her back. -“It’s contrary to the customs of our race for men to -carry wood; that’s woman’s work.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry looked at her a moment in surprise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you are not like the other women of our -race,” he urged, quietly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Still I am a Chipewyan,” she burst forth. Then -seeing the pained, puzzled expression on his face, -she put out her hand tenderly and touched him on -the arm. “Forgive me,” she said, “I am sorry. I -did not mean to be unkind. What I meant to say -was that I’m a Chipewyan and must follow the customs -of my people.” With this she walked on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man stood bewildered. He could not understand -Kasba in her present mood. He had often met -her in this way and she had never before objected -to his taking her burden. He felt she was behaving -unfairly. He watched her for a moment, then, like -a faithful dog, slowly followed after. He had not -gone far, however, before he saw her stop and look -round. At this, he quickened his footsteps, caught -up with her and walked close behind her, for the rest -of the way in silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Arriving at the hut, the girl dropped her load and -entered, and instantly attended to the fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The hut was built of logs, caulked with moss, and -had a flat roof. It comprised only one room. In the -centre of this was a large Carron stove, the pipes -from which completely encircled the room before -bolting out of a hole in the roof to carry off the -smoke. The walls were bare of paint and ornamented -with snowshoes, dog-whips, shotbags and such other -paraphernalia of the chase. A few rude shelves held -such articles as a clock and a lamp, while the table -was of rough plank, and a few empty cases did duty -for chairs. Pushed against the rear wall and opposite -the door were two narrow beds, neatly covered -with deerskin robes. High overhead several long -sticks or poles had been suspended horizontally to -form a rack or shelf, on the theory that heat rises, -and half-a-dozen fish lay there slowly thawing out, -while several pairs of moccasins, in various stages -of dryness, dangled from it by their strings. The -place, though primitive, was clean and tidy, and bore -unmistakable signs of a woman’s careful attention.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry brought in an armful of wood, which -he dropped beside the stove. Kasba reached out her -hand blindly, placed a few of the pieces gingerly -upon the embers and blew the whole into a blaze; -then, satisfied that the fire was well under way, she -rose from her knees, and putting off her outdoor -clothing, selected half-a-dozen ptarmigan from a -number on the table, and, seating herself on an empty -sugar-case, commenced to pluck the birds into a large -tin bowl at her feet. She worked the faster because -a dull pain was making itself felt in her heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was silence. Presently the man fumbled in -his pocket and brought forth a knife and a plug of -nigger-head, which he proceeded to cut up on a -corner of the table. He glanced at the girl slyly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The noise of the tobacco-cutting and the crackling -of the fire were the only sounds to break the stillness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Having duly and solemnly finished the operation, -Sahanderry took out his pipe, which he leisurely -filled. Presently there was a grunt of satisfaction, -and a cloud of smoke issued from his mouth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl threw him a furtive glance. He happened -to be looking at her at that instant and caught -her in the act. Kasba dropped her head. A wistful -expression came into the man’s face, and laying -aside his pipe, he leaned forward, as if to get a -closer look at her countenance, but she dropped her -head still lower.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Kasba,” he said earnestly, then stooped over -her, gently tilting her chin upwards so that he could -see her face more closely, “why won’t you promise -to marry me when we get back to Churchill?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because I am a bad, wicked Indian,” she said -presently with a show of impulse, and tearing herself -free.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man stood staring at her, thunderstruck. -“<span class='it'>You</span> bad! <span class='it'>You</span> wicked!” he ejaculated, greatly -amazed. Then, suddenly his look of amazement -changed to one of outrage. His brow darkened and -his eyes struck fire. “If <span class='it'>Bekothrie</span> (master) -has——” he began, shaking his fist in the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the girl sprang to her feet and stopped him -with some little excitement. The bird she was -plucking fell from her lap to the feathers in the bowl -and sank out of sight. “Hush, Sahanderry!” she -cried, severely. “Remember, it is of the master -you are speaking.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man fairly hung his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now Kasba with all her impetuosity possessed -considerable sense of justice and grasping his arm -tightly, she went on resolutely. “You must not -speak against Mr. Thursby. This trouble is all of -my own making. I alone am to blame. I have been -very silly, and—if you will forgive me and be patient -with me, I—I—” she dropped her head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You will love me?” he suggested, eagerly, his -face betraying the liveliest emotions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She was silent several moments, then raised her -face, a little paler than it had been, but with a -passionless resolve set on it. “If I can,” she responded -bravely, giving him her hands. “I will -<span class='it'>try</span> to love you, I—” she stopped and his arms went -about her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You make me very happy!” he said. Then he -kissed her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She closed her eyes to shut out the look on his -face, and pushed him gently from her. “No, no; -not now!” she said, all in a tremble. “Give me time. -Give this evil spell time to pass away, and be good -and patient with me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will be patient, Kasba,” he said, pressing her -hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man’s actions reminded her sharply of how -soothingly another had patted her hand shortly before, -how the other’s touch had caused the blood to -dance in her veins and to rush to her face and her -heart to beat so wildly with joy that it had shown -itself in her eyes; and she withdrew her hand -quickly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is the matter?” enquired Sahanderry, -feeling the rebuke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nothing,” replied the girl a trifle coldly and -drawing back a little. “You had better go now, the -master will be wanting you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man bowed his head mutely, and turned -slowly on his heel. At the door he looked back. She -smiled at him, but there was a great deal of sadness -in the look. He returned the smile and went out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl stood still and watched him go. Then -with her handkerchief she rubbed vigorously at her -cheek—the place where Sahanderry had kissed her.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='25' id='Page_25'></span><h1>CHAPTER II.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>FORT FUTURE.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Fort Future consisted of a solitary group of -small buildings situated near the mouth of Chesterfield -Inlet, which is in the Barren Lands. It seemed -as if the buildings must have sprung up there of -themselves, like so many mushrooms; or must have -been dropped from the heavens, or else carried there -by one of those raging, tearing windstorms that sweep -over that part of the country, so incongruous did they -appear in that vast northern wilderness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nevertheless, Fort Future was a comfortable place -in its way—at least so said Roy Thursby; for he, -like most of the Company’s officers, was acquainted -with starvation, solitude and desolation, and knew -there were posts compared with which Fort Future, -with its unfailing supply of country provisions, was a -veritable paradise. Broom called it “a rotten hole,” -“the last place that God Almighty made,” and by -much worse names; all of which Roy would laughingly -refute by telling him that he was a sailor, and -therefore never satisfied; that for himself he had no -objections to banishment; and Broom would retaliate -by asserting that Roy was a Hudson’s Bay man, -that the Company owned him body and soul, and -that he was there because he had been sent—which -was true as to the last part. The Hudson’s Bay -Company had required a fearless and staunch man -to establish a post at Chesterfield Inlet, and after -some correspondence with his chief—Roy was then -second in charge at York Factory—Thursby had -been chosen. His willingness to go, if ever thought -of at all, had been looked upon as a mere matter of -course. The Company’s interests had to be attended -to, therefore go he must, willing or unwilling. -Luckily for him, and perhaps for the Company too, -the enterprise had appealed to the strong spirit of -adventure in the young officer, and he had entered -into the scheme with eagerness and made his arrangements -with all enthusiasm, treating the prospective -dangers with total indifference. The wonderful Far -North breeds men of this stamp: men of courage, -resourcefulness and self-reliance; men who fear -nothing and live hard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That was more than a year ago, and in the interval -he had established the post and enthroned himself, -so to speak, monarch of all he surveyed. He held -his kingdom and ruled his subjects—wandering -bands of Eskimo, who displayed a curious mixture -of simplicity and fear and a disposition to high-handed -robbery with an indomitable will and daring -courage. The works of some Arctic voyagers describe -the Eskimos as inveterate thieves and of murderous -dispositions, while others speak of them as -honest, good-natured fellows, which is perplexing. -But the fact is, both descriptions are true, even of -people of the same tribe, which proves the Eskimo -character is a difficult problem to solve. At one time -he may be good and amiable, and at another all that -is bad and treacherous. Much depends upon conditions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Besides himself, the resident population of Fort -Future consisted of five other human beings, to wit: -the man Broom, Kasba, Delgezie, Sahanderry, and a -boy named David. The last four were Chipewyan -Indians from Churchill. In fact, save these and a -few wandering bands of Eskimo, there was not another -human being to be found within a hundred -miles of this desolate spot in any direction, and then -only a few transient visitors such as came with -American and other whalers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy Thursby was a bachelor, though not indisposed -to change his estate under favorable conditions, -as we shall see; Sahanderry cooked for him and did -the general housework, while Kasba washed and -mended his clothes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Fort stood on an old gravel beach about five -miles from the coast. The inlet or river widened immediately -before it, and miles of ice hummocks extended -where once the restless wave had raised its -angry crest; countless masses thrown up into weird, -fantastic shapes by the peculiar workings of some -mysterious submarine power, their formation was -constantly changing in these strange upheavals. The -establishment consisted of a few one-storey log buildings. -The trading-store, warehouse, and one or two -minor stores were grouped together, while the -“master’s” house stood apart in the background. A -small coast-boat, hauled well above high-water mark, -lay propped up in its winter quarters; a flagstaff -reared its head skywards; and a number of Eskimo -dogs ran about among the buildings or lay curled up -in the snow, their long hairy coats covered with -rime.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy Thursby was worried. Broom’s assault on -Kasba foreshadowed trouble, and much of it, in the -future. Also, Roy was greatly annoyed. At first he -was determined to make Broom “hit the track.” His -presence at the Fort would now be a constant menace -to his peace of mind. Therefore the fellow must go.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But as he became calmer, Roy’s better nature -asserted itself. He remembered that terms of familiarity -prevailed among Broom’s late associates, and -he decided, after severely cautioning him, to let the -unpleasant incident drop.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom had lived two years among the Eskimos. -A man of a different nature and a higher moral tone -might have improved the natives during this two -years. But the fellow had drifted with the current -of popular custom and had adopted tribal manners -and usages. I do not think he would have ill-treated -a woman; but he looked upon them as being created -solely for the use and pleasure of man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, too, Roy was distressed at discovering -Kasba’s secret. The knowledge that Kasba loved -him surprised and pained him beyond measure. For -he was not a vain man. He had always admired the -girl, she was so quiet, and had such pretty, shy little -ways and gestures; but beyond thinking of her as a -pleasant little thing to have about him, he had never -given her a thought. Under the new conditions he -hardly knew what to do. There was a deep tinge of -pity for her in his thoughts. The matter was still -puzzling him when he arrived at the door of his -dwelling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The dogs greeted him with suppressed growls of -welcome. Jumping up, they sniffed enquiringly at -the bag on his back. With a “Down, Flyer, Mush, -Klondike!” he slipped his feet out of his snowshoe -lines and crossed the threshold.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two-roomed house contained a kitchen and -what served as a bed-room and living-room; had only -one door, and very few windows. There was little -of luxury. In the kitchen a large cookstove, on which -several kettles stood simmering and emitting little -clouds of steam, was the chief ornament. A very -serviceable water-barrel stood in one corner, while a -large wood-box occupied another. Pots and pans -hung from nails in the walls and a heavy table of -rough plank occupied a position near the stove. The -floor was of plank and well swept, for Roy was fastidious. -The walls of the other room were white-washed, -the chairs and table all country-made and -unpainted. A large wooden clock ticked solemnly -on the wall, and there were pictures and photographs -tacked up or standing on shelves, with a conglomeration -of other small articles more or less useful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy dropped the bag from his shoulders and -emptied its contents on the kitchen floor. There were -three white foxes and a blue one. These he hung up -to thaw. Then he stepped into the inner room and -there pulled off his outdoor clothing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seated in a chair, with his feet resting on the lower -of two bunks which were fitted on one side of the -room, was Broom. He was reading a book with a -paper cover brilliantly illuminated—one of those -“Three-Fingered Jack” series of stories so eagerly -devoured by uncultured minds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom shut the book as Roy entered the room. -He nodded familiarly, distorted his swollen lips into -a smile and dropped his feet to the floor. “Well, -what luck?” he inquired with feigned interest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Three whites and a blue,” replied the trader. -He tried to put some heartiness into his words, but -the irritation he still felt at the man held him back. -He went back to the kitchen to wash his hands, and -Broom returned to his book.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Pausing in his ablutions, Roy threw the man a -searching glance. He now had a great mistrust of -him. And here I may perhaps best explain who -Broom was, as he is a gentleman with whom we -shall have much concern in these pages.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom was a runaway sailor. Deserting his ship -at Cape Fullerton, he had one day turned up at Fort -Future. He might be one of those worthless characters -found in all occupations, but he was a white -man, and that had been enough for Roy Thursby. -Besides he had shown considerable courage in -attempting a solitary journey down the coast to the -Fort. This appealed to Roy and he had allowed him -to stay on, intending to give him a passage in the -coast-boat that went south in the spring. At first the -runaway had been very energetic. He had made -himself useful about the place and regularly attended -the few traps he had put down, as he laughingly remarked, -to keep himself in tobacco, but latterly he -had slackened off and appeared discontented. He -displayed fits of irritability and moodiness. Roy -had noticed this, and after Broom’s late outbreak he -seriously doubted his wisdom in having harbored -him. Debating the question, he went back to the -inner room and sat down; then in very plain language -told the sailor what he thought of his conduct. -Broom looked at him through half-closed lids; his -lips were still parted, but the smile was gone. Then -he exploded. “Hang it all!” he said sulkily; “you -needn’t be hard on a fellow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, behave yourself, then,” said Roy, firmly, -and having spoken his mind he would have dropped -the subject.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the other did not seem disposed to allow him. -“She’s a pretty little baggage for an Indian,” he -asserted, “and what’s more, she knows it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy directed a searching glance at the sneering -face of the speaker, but paid no attention to the remark -except, perhaps, that he raised his eyebrows a -little. He naturally possessed more self-control than -most young men of five and twenty. He was high-spirited, -and could not brook an insult; but he was -inclined to consider the source of a remark before he -retaliated. Besides, he wished to avoid another -quarrel, for he knew it would serve to widen the -breach already broad enough between them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wonder some Indian brave hasn’t snapped her -up and carried her off to his happy wigwam,” Broom -went on. “But there!” he added, “I suppose she’d -turn up her pretty little nose at a native. She wants -a white man.” Then, with emphasis there was no -misunderstanding, “and no understrapper at that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jumping to his feet, Roy stood before the fellow. -A flush of manifest vexation burned upon his cheek. -His hands clenched involuntarily. His eyes flashed, -but restraining himself, he said: “Look here, Broom, -that’s enough! I’ll have no more of your veiled insinuations, -or hear any more disrespectful remarks -about that girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sailor laughed quietly for a moment as if he -had some mighty good joke in his mind, then with a -half-deprecative, half-protesting movement of the -hand, “All right,” he said, “don’t get on your ear. -There’s no need for us to quarrel over a native.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I strongly object to the tone you adopt when -speaking of the girl,” persisted Roy, indignantly, -“and while we are on the subject I may as well tell -you that I will not tolerate any more of it. You are -my guest, so to speak, but my patience has an end, -and my hospitality its limits.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom’s jaw dropped; he was evidently nonplussed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a silence. Broom’s eyes were fixed upon -the floor. He seemed to be considering. Roy turned -away to walk up and down.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, stow it!” exclaimed Broom at last, without -raising his eyes. “You Hudson’s Bay men are not -so dashed good yourselves that you can afford to -lecture others.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is as may be,” returned the trader sharply, -“but you see, I’m master here and——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The king can do no wrong,” finished the other -sententiously. Then he laughed and suddenly extended -his hand. “Come, shake hands,” he cried. -“You’re not a bad chap in spite of your sanctimonious -airs.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This remark was evidently intended as an overture -of reconciliation. Roy stared hard at him for -a moment, then glanced at the outstretched hand. He -hated quarrelling, but he was feeling too angry at the -man to forgive him thus easily. The other noticed -Roy’s hesitation and look, and quickly dropped his -hand. Somewhat staggered, the fellow sat twisting -his moustache, pulling at his shaggy beard and -scowling at the trader, who had resumed his pacing. -After spending a portion of his discomfiture in this -manner, Broom again essayed a remark.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Guess I was in the wrong,” he said, as if by way -of general retraction. “You’ve been a good friend -to me, in fact you saved my life. For when I drifted -in here, after deserting that blighted whaler, I was -all in; the winter was upon me, and, why! I hadn’t -enough clothes to flag a train.” At this he laughed -heartily. “You took me in, clothed me, and killed -the fatted caribou. Hang it, shake!” and he thrust -forth his hand again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy stopped perambulating. “Perhaps I’ve been -a little hasty,” he said, and took the man’s hand, -though he was still only half mollified, for this -sudden warmth of gratitude struck him as feigned. -“She is a demure, soft-hearted little thing, and I do -not like to hear her spoken of in that way,” he explained, -dropping into a chair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, of course not!” observed Broom with a suggestion -of sarcasm in his tone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Her father, Delgezie, works for me; he has -worked for the Company all his life,” continued Roy -severely, his eyes beginning to flash again. “He is -a pure-blooded Indian, a faithful servant, a gentle, -God-fearing old man, and his daughter, who was -orphaned at a very early age, is a very remarkable -girl. She was practically brought up by the missionary’s -wife at Churchill, you know, and her polite, -civilized manner and extraordinary intelligence -have attracted great attention and remark from -people travelling through the country; and I now -warn you: The man who fools with that girl will -have <span class='it'>me</span> to reckon with.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sailor started and glanced at him for an instant -under his brows; the veins swelled at his -temples, and a dull, angry light came into his eyes. -“Oh, he will, will he?” he sneered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Almost as these words were uttered a dark face -was thrust into the room and a voice cried out in -Chipewyan. Roy answered in the same language -and the face disappeared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom looked enquiringly at the trader, who was -pulling on a coat. The angry light was still in -Broom’s eyes, but his tone changed very much when -he spoke again. “What’s that he says?” he asked, -suavely. “I don’t understand that lingo.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He says there are Eskimo arriving,” replied Roy -shortly; and he went out to watch the approach of -the natives.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Broom half closed his eyes and an expression -of malignant and devilish hatred came over his face. -“So you threaten me, my Hudson’s Bay rooster,” he -murmured. “Well, you may crow in your own yard, -curse you, but don’t crow too loudly, for you don’t -own the earth.” Then, gently rubbing his wounded -lips, he added, almost in a whisper, and there was a -low hiss in the words: “And you shall pay dearly -for that blow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The wind was fair and the Eskimos came racing -before it at a great speed. Relieved of any effort by -the wind and sails, the dogs ran beside the flying -<span class='it'>com-it-uks</span> (Eskimo sleds) in apparent jubilation, -while the natives—with the exception of the two required -to steer each of these unwieldy, improvised -ice-boats—were sitting on the loads with smiles of -satisfaction, feeling that all was as it should be. As -they neared the Fort the big parchment sails were -dropped and the dogs brought into action. The number -of dogs attached to each <span class='it'>com-it-uk</span> varied, not -according to the weight of the load, as one would -imagine, but according to the total number possessed -by the Eskimos travelling with it. Where dogs were -lacking natives dropped into the vacant places and -hauled on the “bridles” (traces) as substitutes. -The heavily-laden sleds<a id='r1'/><a href='#f1' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[1]</span></sup></a> were with difficulty dragged -to the warehouse where Roy stood, with door wide -open, ready to receive them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The odd commingling of tongues was confusing. -Roy was giving occasional sharp orders in Eskimo, -and holding scraps of conversation in his own tongue -with Broom, whom he had suddenly found standing -beside him, while the voluble Sahanderry ran about -loudly vociferating in Chipewyan. Added to this -was the hum occasioned by the Eskimos speaking -among themselves and the chorus of a few dozen dogs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The new arrivals were all dressed alike in hairy -deerskin clothing, and scarcely anyone but a native -could have distinguished male from female, except -for a band of brass which some of the women wore -around their foreheads. Yet the trader was able to -greet each of the natives by name without making a -mistake, even when two brothers appeared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, Oulybuck,” he cried, shaking hands with -a young Eskimo. “Where’s Piglinick? Isn’t he -here?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No. He’s dead,” returned the native.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dead!” echoed Roy, with a look of profound -astonishment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” continued the native, dryly, “we hung -him last moon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hung him last moon!” repeated the horrified -trader, staring blankly at the broad-smiling Eskimo -for a few seconds, then bursting into a roar of -laughter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beats cock-fighting,” observed Broom, sententiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Roy, recovering himself somewhat. -Then turning to Oulybuck, “Why did you hang -him?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Oulybuck ignored the question. “Hung Kinnicky, -too,” he said, smiling as if proud of this double -achievement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Goodness me; why, he’s hung his father also!” -cried the astonished Roy. His face now changed its -expression to one of consternation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A regular Jack Ketch,” asserted Broom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Tell us about it, Oulybuck. Why did you do -it?” asked Roy, who had become grave. He scarcely -knew what to make of such summary proceedings.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The native, nothing loth, told his story in a few -words, interspersed with long pauses.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It appeared that his father, Kinnicky, and his -brother, Piglinick, who had accompanied him the -last time he had come to the Fort, had been taken ill -shortly after starting on their return journey. As -days passed by and he got no better, Kinnicky decided -to end his sufferings. He bade Oulybuck build -him an <span class='it'>iglo</span> without the complete dome. This Oulybuck -dutifully did, and with the aid of a sled runner, -which was placed across the top of the structure -reaching from wall to wall, and a piece of clapmatch -line, which hung from the runner and terminated in -a noose, Kinnicky was left dancing in the air. This -somewhat unique cure seems to have recommended -itself to Piglinick also, for soon he was hanging beside -his father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Oulybuck finished his story with a look of conscious -pride at the part he had played in the matter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wonder where they got the idea of hanging,” -said Broom, breaking the silence that followed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy shook his head. He was puzzled by the strange -yarn of the Eskimo; such proceedings appeared so -very barbarous, even in that remote country, far -from all law and order. Yet he thoroughly understood, -from his knowledge of the Eskimo character, -that the whole astounding performance had been carried -out by Oulybuck in perfect good faith. The -Eskimo had merely obeyed his father and elder -brother’s commands in assisting them to commit suicide, -the same as he would have implicitly obeyed -any other order they might have given him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While Oulybuck was engaged with his story the -other Eskimos had chosen a suitable spot on which -to erect their <span class='it'>iglos</span> (snow-houses) and had started -to make them. Working in three gangs, they labored -on as many <span class='it'>iglos</span>. Cutting large blocks of snow from -an adjacent drift they carried them to other Eskimos, -who built them into walls around themselves. Dexterously -they trimmed the blocks with the <span class='it'>pin-uks</span> -(snow-knives), fitting them into place with great -exactness. Speedily the walls went up, and as they -grew in height so they decreased in circumference, -till at last only the heads of the builders could be -seen. Snow blocks were then neatly fitted to the -remaining spaces, and the men were immured in -prisons of their own construction; but they were -quickly released by their friends on the outside, who -cut holes through the walls near the base of the <span class='it'>iglos</span> -to serve as entrances. In front of these holes blocks -of snow were placed to act as doors; and the cracks in -the walls were sealed with loose snow. This completed -these primitive but serviceable snow houses -and they were quickly tenanted. In fact the whole -performance was marked by the expeditious way in -which it was accomplished.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile the trader and his companion had returned -to the house and were now blowing clouds of -blue smoke. Broom sat in his favorite position with -feet resting on the bottom bunk, while Roy lounged -comfortably back with one leg dangling over the arm -of his chair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jumping up suddenly, Roy put a box of cigars and -two enamelled mugs upon the table, then produced -a bottle of whiskey from a locked box. He had resolved -to spend the evening as pleasantly as possible. -Pushing the cigars toward the sailor, he said, “Have -a cigar? Help yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom grinned appreciatively and complied with -ready acquiescence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t care if I do,” he answered, taking one and -brightening.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trader drew the cork and passed the bottle to -his companion, who took it with sundry little chuckles -of satisfaction, and after several long approving -sniffs, poured out a goodly potation, which he tossed -off with a whimsical wink and a curt nod. Then his -hand went quickly to his mouth, and for a fleeting -second his face assumed a most unpleasant expression, -for the raw spirits stung his lips, which were -cut and bruised by contact with the trader’s fist.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The look, however, passed unobserved by Roy, who -had taken the bottle and was helping himself moderately.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good stuff,” sighed Broom, presently, gazing -affectionately into his empty mug.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and very precious in these parts,” said Roy. -“I got only one case last fall; but I’ve managed to -make it hold out pretty well.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You certainly have,” returned Broom, putting -up his mug with apparent reluctance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the two men settled themselves in their -chairs and blew more clouds of smoke. Broom made -free with the box of cigars and sprawled himself out -comfortably, his face wearing an expression which -indicated that he was highly satisfied with himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly he started chuckling to himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the joke,” inquired Roy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I was thinking of a fellow on the whaler,” -replied Broom, removing the cigar from his mouth -and gazing meditatively at the burning tip. “He was -hammering a dog one day when the skipper interposed. -‘You seem to have a spite against that dog,’ -said the skipper. ‘No, I ain’t got no grudge against -the dog,’ said the fellow, ‘I’m just showing my -author-<span class='it'>i</span>-ity.’”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After this the sailor fairly surpassed himself in -wit and good humor, and Roy was in constant bursts -of laughter at his stories and metaphors. Curious to -know the cause of this unusual mirth, Sahanderry -hastily finished his work in the kitchen, and stood in -the doorway listening to the conversation. The Indian’s -presence seemed to irritate Broom, who frequently -threw him a contemptuous glance and seemed -impatient to order him away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come, Sahanderry,” said the trader, at length; -“you’re a hunter; give us a yarn.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The moment the Indian’s name was mentioned -Broom’s face assumed a sneer and his eyes flashed -spitefully, for even in the short time he had been at -the Fort he and the Indian had for some reason -become bitter enemies. He shifted uncomfortably in -his chair, and appeared about to make some scornful -remark, but changed his mind and sat twisting his -moustache instead. Sahanderry’s face was immediately -suffused with smiles. He wiped his mouth -and cleared his throat. Then the smiles vanished -and his countenance took a solemn, mournful expression.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll tell you about a <span class='it'>na-ra-yah</span> (wolverine),” he -said, moistening his lips with a thick tongue.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fire away, then!” cried Roy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Indian stood and preened himself a moment, -then started off in a stentorian voice, moving his -arms in unison. He told how a wolverine had been -caught in a trap that he had set for a fox, and how in -its struggles to get free it had broken the chain and -gone off with the trap attached to its foot. Gesticulating -wildly, the man got more and more excited as -he progressed with his story. A graphic description -of a <span class='it'>na-ra-yah</span> in <span class='it'>rigor mortis</span> was given. The Indian’s -uncouth antics and profound gravity in the -portrayal created great amusement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Upon my word, Sahanderry,” said Broom, when -the Indian had finished, “you are a most delightful -liar.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry’s eyes flashed at this doubtful comment. -He appeared about to spring at his tormentor, -who was still twisting the ends of his moustache. -There was a moment of silence. The sailor sat looking -at the Indian with exasperating calmness. The -Indian breathed heavily, glaring at the sailor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What right has Broom to call me a liar?” he -demanded, turning to Roy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Broom! you black scoundrel, Broom!” cried the -man of the sea, “I’ll have you remember that I’ve -a handle to my name.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, Broom-handle, then,” retorted Sahanderry -sharply.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sailor half rose from his chair in a gust of -passion as if he would make for Sahanderry, but -evidently changed his mind, for he dropped slowly -back to his seat. At a wave of the hand from the -trader, Sahanderry retired in a sulky mood to the -kitchen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a time Broom forced a smile to his face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not bad for an Indian!” he admitted with dubious -praise, and with an attempt at a laugh.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” returned Roy shortly. Then he spoke of -the destructive habits of the wolverine.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this juncture there was a slight shuffling noise -in the kitchen, accompanied by a sound of heavy -breathing. The noise drew nearer, and presently -with a long “Phew!” an Eskimo ushered himself -into the room. He paused for a moment as if to -make sure of his welcome, then at a nod from the -<span class='it'>A-hoo-mit-uk</span> (master) he squatted down where he -stood. It was Ocpic the Murderer, a sobriquet he -had earned, it was said by killing seven other -Eskimos.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seating himself on his haunches in the doorway, -he divested himself of his <span class='it'>tko-ti-tok</span> (coat) by pulling -it over his head, and sat in his <span class='it'>at-ti-yi</span> (shirt), smiling -blandly, his little black, oblique eyes alertly -watching.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While the two white men were engaged in conversation, -the Eskimo’s eyes wandered about the room -and eventually fixed themselves on a large key which -hung on a nail at the head of one of the bunks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The little black eyes flashed and twinkled, for -their owner was aware that this key opened the trading -store—that little paradise which contained everything -dear to the Eskimo heart. Ocpic knew where -a new net hung, a fine new salmon net, made and just -ready to drop in the water; and he would be badly -in need of a net in the spring. There was nothing to -prevent his obtaining the net, nothing but that key. -He gave it a long earnest look, then suddenly dropped -his gaze and a crafty expression came on his face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Neither Roy nor Broom noticed Ocpic’s prolonged -gaze at the key, nor observed the stealthy gleam -which came to Ocpic’s eye. They were speaking of -the manners and mode of life of these strange, littoral -people, who inhabit nearly five thousand miles -of seaboard from East Greenland to the Peninsula of -Alaska, and who throughout all that vast range speak -essentially the same language.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They certainly are a peculiar race,” remarked -Roy in conclusion. “I have read somewhere that -they are an intermediate species between man and -the sea-cow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Both men looked across at the Eskimo. He was -sitting in the same position and smiled it them as -they looked his way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then there was a voice at the door crying, “<span class='it'>Delgezie -yu-cuzz-ie, Bekothrie</span>” (Delgezie is coming, -master).</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy jumped excitedly to his feet. He had heard -the voice, but had not distinguished the words, and -thought for a moment that the anxiously awaited -“packet” had been sighted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Delgezie,” said Sahanderry, shortly, putting his -head into the room.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” and the trader’s face lengthened visibly. -He paused irresolutely, then reached down his -“hairy-coat” and fur cap and strode out of the -house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yawning prodigiously, Broom slowly rose to his -feet. Then he deliberately filled and lit his pipe, -pulled on a coat and stuck a cap on his head and -leisurely followed Roy, leaving Ocpic alone with -the key.</p> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<div class='footnote'> -<table summary='footnote_1'> -<colgroup> -<col span='1' style='width: 3em;'/> -<col span='1'/> -</colgroup> -<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'> -<div id='f1'><a href='#r1'>[1]</a></div> -</td><td> - -<p class='pindent'>These sleds, generally known as Eskimo sleds, are made -of two runners some thirty feet long, four inches deep -and two inches thick, and are mostly shod with whalebone, -but in its absence mud is used. This latter is put on hot -and allowed to freeze, then planed smooth and “iced” by -quickly drawing a streaming-wet piece of white bearskin -or blanket over it. This process of icing takes place every -night. Whalebone does not require icing, so has this -advantage over mud and is used altogether by the most -Northern Eskimo. Wooden bars are fastened across these -long runners at intervals of six inches, and a ground-lashing -of clapmatch line, or rope, run fore and aft on -either side. The load is lashed down to this. Very heavy -loads can be hauled on this kind of sled; in fact, ten -hundred pounds’ weight on an Eskimo sled is merely -equivalent to four hundred on a flat sled (toboggan). The -serious disadvantage of mud is felt in the spring, when the -mud thaws out and drops off in chunks.</p> - -</td></tr> -</table> -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='46' id='Page_46'></span><h1>CHAPTER III.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>KASBA FIGHTS A BITTER FIGHT.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba sat on her narrow bed in a thoughtful and -melancholy posture. Her pretty oval chin rested in -the palm of her hand, and she leaned forward so that -her elbow rested on her knee and upheld the forearm. -She was gazing at her reflection in a small -hand-mirror, but without interest. In fact her gaze -was one of disparagement rather than of admiration, -and with a heavy sigh she let the glass fall into her -lap and sat lost in thought. The master was not in -love with her and she knew, as if by direct intuition, -that he had no intention of becoming so. There was -not the least chance for her any longer, and she threw -the glass behind her, somewhat petulantly it must -be admitted, and dropped her face into her hands; -for of what use was beauty if it did not win her the -man she loved? She had known him a long time, -many years it seemed to her, and had grown to love -him. Love him! oh, how she loved him! Yet in all -that time he had not spoken one word of love to her. -And now that she had showed him her heart perhaps -he despised her, or pitied her, which was worse. At -that she sprang to her feet. She was no longer the -calm, gentle-natured Kasba, but Kasba the Indian -in whose veins ran the blood of a great race. She -was a strange mixture of humility and pride, this -Indian maid. As she stood there, her head raised -proudly, her nostrils quivering, her eyes flashing, her -form rounded yet slight, her varying color, her tender -youth and singular grace of attitude would have inspired -an artist with the ideal of Indian beauty. -Then her eyes filled and she gulped down a sob. She -was feeling very bitter and rebellious. She felt that -she had a grudge against Fate.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To every pure and innocent young girl, we are told, -love is a condition of mind, not a strain on the senses. -But Kasba knew nothing of this. She had not the -conventional and sensitive delicacy of white -girls. She was well aware of life’s evil truths, and -knew that Broom would have gone to any lengths to -have possessed her. Roy was not that kind of a man; -though in her secret heart she wished that he had -been. Poor Kasba! She was such a child. Physically -she was quite grown up, but her mind was a -child’s mind. So confiding, so unprotected even by -her own sense of right, she would have gone to him -and not been aware of the fall. Was he not the -<span class='it'>Master</span>? And was she not his, body and soul? -Which goes to prove that Kasba’s notions of love were -very simple, rudimentary, and, certes, in no way coy. -How should they be?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>If the good lady at Churchill could have known -the girl’s state of mind at that moment she would -have been greatly startled and appalled and had serious -doubts as to whether her instruction, instead of -the service she had intended, had not unsettled the -girl and done her a deadly injury. It cannot be -denied that it was shocking, but all that the girl felt -was very natural. How should it be otherwise? Her -people had never been married, that is to say in the -white man’s way, until after the missionary had -come amongst them; still they had been happy, while -she had seen properly married white people who had -not lived happily together. She, who had seen but -few white people, had seen that, so what did it matter, -married or unmarried, as long as they were together? -So argued the girl, but deep down in her heart there -was the Churchill lady’s teaching, which was confused, -dim, uncertain, but clamoring to be heard, -and a guilty blush rushed to her cheek as she sat and -covered her eyes with her hands in very shame; for -she was conscious of the wickedness of what she felt -and longed for, though she could not understand it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly she dropped her hands from her eyes -and sat bolt upright, staring at the wall opposite, and -gave a little shuddering sigh. For all at once she -understood that Roy had turned away because he -was honorable, because he wished to be true to another, -a girl of his own race, whom he loved. The -girl’s name was Lena. She knew that, for she had -once heard someone chaffing him about a girl of that -name and he had grown very red and confused. That -was very long ago, but it all came back to her now, -and she hated the girl Lena with her whole heart and -soul. Why did he love that other girl? In striving -to solve this riddle she was struck by a new idea. “He -cannot care for me,” she thought, “because my skin is -not white and I do not dress like the women of his -people,”—like the women did in the drawings she -had seen in some papers Roy had given her some time -or other. Doubtless this other girl’s—this Lena’s—dresses -covered her whole body, as the women’s did -in the pictures. She looked down at her own scanty -garment, which was nevertheless very serviceable -and becoming, though in sooth it might have displayed -the curves of her form to better perfection, -which left a considerable expanse of blue stroud legging -exposed; the blood mounted in a wave to her -face and throat and she kicked out her legs vexatiously, -viewing them with offence; then drew them -up beneath her as if to hide them forever from sight. -You could not see the women’s legs in the drawings -because their dresses covered them to the ankles. -Also they wore pretty hats instead of shawls, and -boots instead of ugly moccasins. Still they looked -very uncomfortable. Then she remembered how -heartily she and the boy David had laughed over the -pictures and wondered how white women could run -before dogs, or paddle a canoe, or even make bannocks -in such tight-fitting garments. As for herself, she -would be suffocated, she was sure she would. And -David had declared that he wouldn’t have one of -them for his partner on a trip for anything, not even -if she promised him a new gun, which was saying -much, and together they had poked fun and laughed -uproariously at the idea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Poor Kasba! Had she known how little Roy -really troubled his head about her dress she might -have saved herself all this vexation of spirit. In -saying this I do not for one moment wish to make -our hero appear superior to other men. He was a -man, with all a man’s appreciation of what was beautiful -in women; but if truth forbids me to depict -Roy Thursby as a highly virtuous young man, justice -forces me to declare that the sight of this young -girl’s legs had never caused him an untoward thought, -though they were certainly not objects of offence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Kasba did not know what was in Roy’s mind, -and just then she would have risked suffocation or -any such horrible calamity to be able to display herself -before Roy for a few moments clothed after the -fashion of the women of his race. She snapped her -pretty white teeth like a little savage animal at the -thought of the white girl, whom she envied the possession -of civilized garments. She sat for a long -time cogitating over the shocking immodesty of her -costume. She could not have explained her thoughts -in these words, it is true; but this is really what -vexed her mind. Then her mood changed. A creature -of many moods was this Indian girl. Why -should she be ashamed of wearing her clothing -according to the custom of her tribe? Then she was -ashamed for ever having felt ashamed. Suddenly -she stopped this train of thought, also, and her face -clouded. Broom’s name had crossed her mind. -Then she remembered Sahanderry and her promise -to him, and thoughts crowded in upon her till her -brain reeled. She was a wicked girl, a very wicked -girl. How shocked her dear father would be if he -knew. And the man she loved who had turned away -that she might be an honest girl, what would he -think? Yes, she was very, very wicked. Filled -with disgust and loathing of herself she turned on -her face and lay violently sobbing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently she got up and lit a lamp. The fight -was over; she had conquered the evil thoughts that -had so cruelly beset her, which was due to her own -nature, in which there was much good and hardly -any evil. She had determined to face the situation -bravely, and do what was right, according to her ideas -of right, without any regard for her own feelings and -inclination.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Probably Kasba had never heard of Satan’s proclivity -to provide employment for idle hands, but she -was seldom found idle, and chiding herself now for -the time she had wasted, in what she somewhat -vaguely called “her folly,” she began to make -“cakes” (bannocks) against her father’s return, for -she was expecting him home hourly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So engrossed was she in her work that she did not -hear the door open, nor was she aware that David, -an orphan Indian boy whom Delgezie had adopted, -was in the house till a pair of cold arms caught her -round the neck, and a still colder face was pressed -against her own. Kasba drew the boy towards her -and stroked his cold face with her warm hands.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, dear,” she said with a welcoming smile, -“you gave me quite a start!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What were you thinking about, Kasba?” he -asked. Then, “Oh, I’ve shot three deer!” he cried -with boyish enthusiasm, without waiting for a reply. -Kasba was glad of the boy’s abstraction and bent a -tell-tale face over the half-cooked cakes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you must be hungry,” she said, handing the -boy one newly-baked which he took and began to -devour ravenously. He threw himself on the empty -sugar case and the cake disappeared in big mouthfuls, -while his large dark eyes flashed about the room.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He was a healthy-looking boy, with a bright, -happy face. The blood in his cheeks shone through -the dark skin, giving him a ruddy color pleasant to -look upon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a remarkably short space of time David finished -his meal and his wandering eyes came back to the -girl by the stove. She was brewing a kettle of tea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We will go for the deer to-morrow,” she said. -“Why, you are getting quite a hunter! Is it far?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just this side of the ‘big hill.’” Then he -paused and his brow grew suddenly dark. “You’ve -been crying!” he exclaimed, fiercely, springing to his -feet. Then catching Kasba by the arm, he gazed -searchingly into her face. “What is it?” he cried -sharply. Dropping the girl’s arm he stood with -angry eyes and clenched fists. “Was it Ball-eye?” -(white-man, in this case meaning Broom) he asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl hesitated and dropped her eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was Ball-eye,” he cried with conviction. “I -can see by your face it was.” Then waving his -clenched hands in the air he danced about the room -in fiery anger. “Curse him!” he shouted. “If -ever I catch him sneaking round after you, I’ll—I’ll -put a bullet in him, that’s what I’ll do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“David! David! Please don’t!” cried Kasba in -great dismay, seizing him round the neck. “You -must not talk like that. You will get into trouble.” -With this she sank on the seat he had vacated and -drew him down beside her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David’s anger died suddenly. He was now struggling -manfully to keep back the big tears which -threatened to overwhelm him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Three deer! Why, David, you are getting quite -a man!” said Kasba, with a proud smile, changing -the subject.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and I have something very funny to tell -you,” he said quickly, forgetting his previous agitation -in his excitement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba gave him a smile of encouragement, while -he curled himself up comfortably at her feet, gazing -up into her face with bright, eager eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And what is this very funny thing you have to -tell me?” she asked, with lively interest, playfully -pinching his ear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well,” he began seriously, “I was near the ‘big -lake,’ you know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl nodded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I was watching a large buck deer. He was -windward of me and came right up close, quite unconscious -of my presence.” He paused and the girl -nodded again comprehendingly. “Go on,” she said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well,” continued the boy, “I raised my rifle and -was about to fire when I heard a slight noise at my -back. I looked, and there on the edge of the lake -I saw three large wolves.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl started and drew in her breath sharply. -“Three?” she asked, bending over and placing her -hand on his.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, three,” repeated the boy. “They were -watching the deer, too, and acting so strangely that -I lowered my rifle and waited to see what they would -do. Presently two of them crouched down while -the other made off. Keeping out of sight it slunk -along till it got behind the deer, then the buck -‘winded’ it and sprang away straight to where the -two other wolves were crouching.” The boy paused -for breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, yes,” cried the girl, “go on, go on!” In -her heated imagination she saw it all: the majestic -buck deer, the three fierce, gaunt wolves, and the -fearless boy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David smiled again, pleased at the girl’s excitement. -“Just as the buck came up with the wolf at -his heels they sprang from their ambush and pulled -him down.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And then—” prompted the girl, looking at him -with her big, dark eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, then I fired two bullets at them. I think -I wounded one. They stood and snarled.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl shuddered and pressed his hand tighter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I fired again. This time I killed a big -grey fellow, the one which had run after the deer, -and the others made off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl drew a long, sharp breath, then, hugging -him tightly around the neck, kissed him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David laughed and fought for breath. “Don’t -you think the wolves were very cunning?” he asked. -“Have you ever heard anything like that before?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They were very, very cunning,” declared the -girl. “It was wonderful, I have never heard the -like.” Then, stroking his hair caressingly, she -added very seriously: “It was very brave of you to -tackle three large wolves, David, but it was dangerous, -and I wish you would not go so far from the -Fort alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy smiled derisively at these girlish fears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I have my rifle!” he said bravely. Then -with a swagger he added: “But I must ‘ice’ my sled -ready for the morning,” and filling a tin mug with -lukewarm water, and taking a piece of bearskin from -off a shelf, he went out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a sigh Kasba took down a pair of birchwood -snowshoe frames from the rack overhead and sat -down to net them. The frames were her own handiwork -and well made; the wood had been cleverly -pared down, the cross-pieces and toes and heels beautifully -fitted and turned—all done, too, with only a -small knife, called a “crooked knife,” and an awl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But lest any of my readers should fall into the -error committed by the person who asked “whether -snowshoes were warmer than shoes of ordinary -wear,” I will here more fully describe how these -indispensable aids to winter perambulations are -made.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>First four pieces of birch or juniper, as the case -may be, are carefully selected and cut into lengths -varying from three to five feet or longer, according -to the size of the snowshoes desired. These pieces -are then whittled down to an inch in thickness, and -each two fastened together at either end, bent to the -shape of an oblong oval, some ten inches across its -widest part, and turned up at the toe. Then the -slender frames thus made are strengthened at the -forepart by two crossbars, and at the heel by one -bar. This completes them and they are hung up to -dry. Later on they are netted in criss-cross fashion, -somewhat after the manner of a tennis racket, with -<span class='it'>babiche</span>, that is to say, narrow strips of undressed -deerskin, which are well wetted before using. The -foot netting, or in other words the netting on which -the foot rests, is much coarser than that used for the -heel and toe of the snowshoe. Of course I am -describing a Chipewyan snowshoe. Snowshoes differ -a little in shape among other tribes of Indians, -but the principle is the same.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='57' id='Page_57'></span><h1>CHAPTER IV.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>THE MAN OF THE SHADOWS.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy Thursby stood watching a small black speck -which was moving slowly over the white surface of -the river and coming in the direction of the Fort. -Overhead was a magnificent Aurora Borealis extending -high in bands of flickering color; a luminous -phenomenon of all the colors of the rainbow, oscillating -in electric waves. The gentle sighing of the -wind, and an occasional dull, muffled sound from -among the ice hummocks broke the silence. Near -the trader were the dark figures of Kasba and David, -in fact it was they who had given the alarm, and -presently there was a slight crunching sound and -Broom came striding up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dogs appeared as if by magic, and stood erect with -ears pricked up expectantly, or darted forward with -noses sniffing the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The black speck grew rapidly larger and larger, -until presently it suddenly resolved itself into two -portions, one of which, the smaller of the two, quickly -mended its pace and was soon distinguishable as a -man. The other travelled much slower, in a serpentine -movement, swaying from side to side as it -dodged the huge masses of shattered ice. This was -a dog-train and driver returning from a trip to an -Eskimo encampment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Before long the man in front was clambering over -a prodigious snowdrift which obstructed the approach -to the trading-post. He was one Minnihak, an -Eskimo whom Thursby employed to run before the -dogs when he sent out a trading venture.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The native lumbered forward with a broad grin. -He was a droll figure from the hood of his <span class='it'>tko-li-tok</span> -(coat) down to his <span class='it'>ka-miks</span> (shoes) covered with -hoar-frost, and his “hairy” clothing gave him a -shaggy appearance greatly resembling a white bear -walking on its hind legs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thursby went forward to meet him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Timo</span>,” grunted the Eskimo; breathless from his -late exertions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Timo</span>,” responded the other. He was too interested -in the dog-train to take further notice of the -native just then.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Minnihak took his welcome for granted. He -turned to look for his partner, who was now close -at hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The advancing train of dogs barked with sheer -delight at being so near home. Nothing could stop -them now; even the biggest laggard of a dog was in a -perfect frenzy to proceed. The dogs at hand heard -the song of those approaching and joined in the -melody.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ignoring the track left by the guide and despising -every obstacle the arriving train came helter-skelter -over the bristling hummocks. The heavily laden -<span class='it'>com-it-uk</span> (sled), swaying dangerously, crashed -through the ice at an alarming speed. Up one side -of the snowdrift and down the other it flew, threatening -destruction to anything in its path, but a pull -here and a push there guided it safely past every -obstruction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the home dogs vied with the newcomers in -making so great an uproar that no human voice could -possibly have made itself heard above the pandemonium. -A free fight ensued, but a few sharp, -stinging cuts from the well-directed lash of a whip -drew the dogs’ attention to other things. Then the -pain of their wounds broke in upon them and they -slunk off with whines and yells.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By the aid of Minnihak and Sahanderry the dogs -were unharnessed and the heavily loaded sled taken -away. Roy then turned to speak to Broom, but that -individual had suddenly disappeared; and Kasba, -possessing herself of her father’s bag containing a -deerskin robe and a change of footwear, also went -silently away, while some distance ahead of her was -David, staggering under a load of venison that Delgezie -had given him to carry home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the girl moved away from the fort a dim figure -appeared in the deep shadow at a corner of one of -the buildings and stood looking after her. When she -had disappeared among the rocks the watcher -chuckled and followed after.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The slight crunch, crunch, of some one walking -stealthily over the crisp snow soon attracted Kasba’s -attention. Twice she stopped to listen, throwing a -scared glance behind. The third time a voice close -at hand startled her, and she stopped dead and turned -right round. A dozen feet away, in the shadow of -a large boulder she discovered an indistinct figure -standing. The girl stood inert, staring as if fascinated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Kasba, wait a minute, I want you,” said the -voice in carefully modulated tones.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What—do—you—want—with—me?” faltered -the maiden, now thoroughly frightened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want to speak to you,” said the voice. Kasba -shivered. She swayed and almost fell, for it was -the voice of the man she so greatly feared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you want—I don’t understand,” she -faltered, trying to move away, but now her legs -refused her bidding.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you needn’t be afraid,” said the man, stepping -out of the shadow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re not so scared of Bekothrie, I notice,” he -added with meaning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is the master!” faltered the girl, her face -flushing painfully, wondering whether the fellow had -guessed her secret.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, of course,” laughed Broom unpleasantly, and -slyly edging nearer. “The master, and therefore a -little tin god. But say,” he added, taking a step or -two boldly, “does he not kiss those pretty lips occasionally, -and embrace that tight little waist, eh?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why should he?” asked the girl stupidly, -scarcely knowing what to say.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why should he?” repeated Broom, chuckling. -“Why indeed! Why, because he is human, my -dear, and can no more resist the fascination of your -pretty face and figure than I can.” Kasba remembered -how easily Roy had resisted her that very day -and, despite the terror she was feeling, smiled bitterly. -While the fellow had been speaking he had -craftily reduced the space between them, and now, -encouraged by the girl’s silence, he tried to clasp her -about the waist. But the action worked upon the -girl like magic. There was too much of the fighting -blood of her warrior ancestors in her to allow her to -be terrified for long, and though her expression of -strong aversion never changed, she stopped trembling -and with perfect calmness skilfully eluded his grasp. -His arm encircled the empty air and he swore under -his breath. “Oh, you needn’t try to be so confoundedly -coy,” he cried, baffled for the moment. “Come, -sweetheart,” he added, waxing passionate and insinuating -and again edging toward her, “I’m in love -with you and shall sleep all the better for a kiss from -those red lips.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Back, Ball-eye,” cried the girl, her eyes flashing -and her lips curled in scorn. “I do not like you. -Why do you persist in troubling me when I dislike -you and try to keep aloof?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Somewhat staggered, the fellow gnawed savagely -at his moustache. “Bah!” he exclaimed at last.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do not like you,” continued the girl staunchly. -“There is something here,” she added, touching her -breast, “that tells me that you are a very wicked man -and will bring trouble upon us all.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I, my pretty divinator, have something -here,” retorted the man, tapping his breast in imitation -of her, “that tells me that you are a canting -little hypocrite, and, by God, I will have that kiss!” -With that he took a step toward her, then stopped and -stared hard at the girl, who stood silent and immobile -as a statue, facing her tormentor with no apparent -fear. She did not even start on hearing the -threat, but on the contrary faced him boldly, her -foot planted firmly, looking him steadily in the eye. -Then deliberately she drew a long knife from her -bosom and, grasping it tightly, held it ready for use. -She eyed him grimly, and softly chuckled. Her -terror was gone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The fellow fell back, sullen, foiled. Kasba’s fearless -attitude utterly disconcerted him, and he blasphemed -till the girl shuddered and turned her back -and moved away. But her face was no sooner turned -than a very strange expression came on Broom’s, and -rushing after her, he cried in a loud, angry voice: -“Not so fast, you little wildcat. You shall pay me -for those false smiles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly a boy’s clear voice rang out on the still -night air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Kas-ba-a, yu-cuz-zie, yu-cuz-zie Kas-ba-a!</span>”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a smothered imprecation the man stopped -dead in his tracks. Then at the sound of someone -approaching he dropped hurriedly back into the -shadow. Suddenly an idea crossed his mind. He -stood a moment chewing his moustache thoughtfully, -and nodding his head once or twice. “I’ll do it,” -he muttered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Roy entered the house, after giving Delgezie -a few supplies from the store, he was astonished to -find Broom had not come in; apparently he must -be outside talking to Sahanderry or Minnihak. Dismissing -the matter from his mind, he turned to Delgezie, -who had followed to make his report.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Throwing back his hood, Delgezie displayed a -pleasant, wrinkled face. But there was the sad, -wistful expression in his eyes of one who has experienced -some overwhelming sorrow, and yet was conscientiously -striving to live out his life bravely -despite it. He seated himself at a nod from his -master, who plied him with questions relative to the -trip. It had been a very successful one. They had -brought back a good haul of furs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And Acpa?” questioned Roy presently, referring -to one of his Eskimo traders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“His boy’s sick,” said Delgezie.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter with him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, he met with an accident. His father shot -him in the leg; the gun went off accidentally.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurt him much?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, completely shattered the bone below the -knee.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are they doing to it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They’ve tied a piece of shaganappi tightly -around the leg, above the wound.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What in the world for?” asked Thursby, in -blank surprise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, the line will cut through the flesh,” said -Delgezie, unmoved, “and the lower part will rot off, -clean off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good heavens!” exclaimed the other. “Is that -possible?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. The greater part of the flesh below the -shaganappi is off already.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How ghastly!” said the trader, with a slight -shudder. “But the boy?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, he’s lively enough.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, well! we live and learn,” said Thursby. -“What would a doctor say of such primitive surgery?” -he wondered. “But there, I won’t keep you -any longer,” he added.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old man got to his feet instantly. With a -cheerful “Good-night, sir,” he left the room. Outside -he was joined by Minnihak, and the two proceeded -to Delgezie’s hut together. On the way they -met an Eskimo woman, whom they passed with a -slight greeting.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With characteristic curiosity she turned and -watched them. She was a “runner.” A band of -Eskimo had found it impossible to reach the post -that day and had sent her on in advance to get the -usual gratuity of <span class='it'>tee-pli-tow</span> (tobacco) and carry it -back to them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old Chipewyan’s face brightened when he -approached his humble home, where a pale light welcomed -him from the window. He lifted the catch -softly, while a look of pleased anticipation stole over -his face, for was he not to see his only child whom -he loved better than anything on all God’s earth? -He had been away from her many days—long, weary -days, haunted by the fearful dread that he might -return to find her gone, as her mother had gone -years before. For there was a tragedy in the old -man’s life. Leaving his wife in the best of health, -he had gone on a trip to an Indian encampment, and -had returned to find her dead and buried. She had -died of some contagious disease. This was a terrible -blow to him, for he loved her fondly. He had shortly -before embraced the Christian faith, and this great -affliction—this taking away of all he loved best on -earth—tried the simple-hearted man sorely. It -seemed monstrously unjust. He probably could not -have put his feelings into words, but that was what -he felt. It was hard for him to believe in a God -who could do this thing—a God whom the missionary -invariably presented as a “God of love.” What -had he done to deserve such misery? All that was -just and righteous in the gentle-minded man rose -up in revolt. And was this to be wondered at? -How many of us so-called highly-civilized people have -not at some time or other questioned the wisdom of -God with infinitely less cause? Well, then, may we -sympathize with this poor, uneducated, half-pagan -Indian. The bereaved man’s grief was terrible to -witness. For days he sat disconsolate and desolate, -moaning to himself, and neither eating nor sleeping. -When the missionary called to comfort him, he rose -slowly to his feet and in a voice that cut the preacher -to the heart cried: “My wife, where is she?” Then -with a sweep of the arm to take in the whole of his -tribe, he asked: “Was there no other woman your -God could take?” The missionary, greatly distressed, -felt that the kindest thing he could do was -to go away. Time passed on and the poor fellow -again took up his accustomed duties. But he was -never afterwards the same man. He never forgot -his dead wife and secretly and sincerely mourned her -all the rest of his days. He never took another, but -showered all the love of his bruised heart upon his -orphaned child, and never left the Fort without an -overwhelming fear that something might happen to -his treasure while he was away. But he was home -again now and all was well. The <span class='it'>com-it-uk</span> had -claimed most of his attention when he had driven -up to the Fort, but his eyes nevertheless sought -eagerly for Kasba, whom he discovered standing -meekly in the background after her wont, ready to -carry his “bag” to the house. They had not yet -spoken, for Kasba never intruded herself when -Bekothrie was nigh. She knew her father’s work -came first. But she was inside the house, he well -knew, to welcome him; and never did a lover’s heart -flutter and throb as did the heart of this poor old -home-coming Indian father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>True to his expectations, his daughter was waiting -for him within. She was standing by the stove. -Instantly the girl’s face glowed with pleasure, and -with a little cry of delight she flew to him and, encircling -his neck with her arms, drew his face down -on a level with her own, and gazed searchingly into -it for a moment, as if to see whether he had taken -any harm during his long absence. The old man -gave a short, contented laugh, then his feelings welled -up within him and tears of joy gleamed in his eyes. -Reluctantly putting her from him, he took off his -out-door garments while Kasba greeted the Eskimo -and flew back to the stove, on which a pot was boiling -merrily. A savory smell filled the room but the old -man remarked it not. His eyes were following his -daughter’s movements with the wistful gaze of loving -solicitude. He paused in the act of drying his -hands on a coarse towel to smile whenever his eyes -caught hers in her flittings. His ablutions completed, -Kasba helped him into his jacket. Then, -taking him by the shoulder she playfully forced him -to a seat. The Eskimo seated himself at the table -at a gesture from Kasba, and soon food was set before -the men. Hardly a word was exchanged between -them, and in a marvellously short space of time they -had finished supper and were feeling for their pipes. -Fumbling in one pocket after another, Delgezie -pulled out pipe, knife and a plug of nigger-head from -profound depths. Then he proceeded to cut up -enough of the tobacco to fill his pipe. Minnihak -produced his <span class='it'>pu-lu-yet-ti</span> (pipe) from his fire-bag -and with scrupulous carefulness filled its little black -bowl with a mixture of tobacco and a particular kind -of weed which grows among the rocks in the vicinity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This <span class='it'>pu-lu-yet-ti</span> had been fashioned from soft -stone and ornamented with little brass bands in a -manner and after a pattern peculiar to the Eskimo. -The stem was of wood and frequently renewed. But -the old stems were never thrown away; they were -hoarded up against a tobacco famine when they would -be cut up very fine and smoked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two men smoked in silence. Minnihak drew -lovingly at his pipe long after the little bowl was -empty. Then with a deep sigh of regret he reluctantly -put it away, and drawing his <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> (deerskin -robe) over him, he stretched himself on the floor -to sleep.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her duties completed, Kasba sat down beside her -father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The boy’s asleep,” said Delgezie, with an indicative -thrust of the chin in the direction of a recumbent -figure in a corner of the room.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” laughed the girl, with a glance in the same -direction. “Poor David, he tried to keep awake, -but he was so very tired. He was away on the ‘big -hill’ hunting, all day. He shot three deer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” ejaculated the old man with a nod and -smile of approbation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re going for them to-morrow,” she explained, -taking her father’s hand and smoothing it fondly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Just then the door opened and Broom appeared. -He hesitated on the threshold, glancing from one to -the other as if asking permission to enter. Kasba -half started up from her seat at sight of him. She -experienced a feeling of resentful surprise, wondering -what his visit might portend.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old man bade him enter, though he seemed -rather taken aback at the fellow’s presence. The -welcome obviously lacked fervor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nothing daunted, Broom came forward with a -peculiar smile on his lips.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba rose hastily and placed a seat for him, then -turned deliberately away, withdrawing to another -part of the room, and for the time being appeared -totally absorbed in some kind of needlework.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, old man,” said Broom, breaking the -strained silence, “what sort of a trip did you have?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pretty fair, sir,” Delgezie made brief reply. -Then he nervously moved his hands and his eyes went -to the girl. Delgezie certainly looked upon Broom -with much disfavor. Suddenly he straightened up -a little and looked the sailor full in the face. “What -do you want?” he demanded bluntly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom appeared a trifle confused by this direct -question. He glanced at the girl before answering, -then: “Oh, nothing much?” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie nodded doubtfully, his eyes fastened on -the fellow’s face. Something in his manner had -startled and displeased him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Conversation lagged.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The intruder fidgeted uneasily under the old -man’s solemn scrutiny. He changed his position -several times. Then he suddenly produced a cigar -and offered it to the old man, who refused it point -blank.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No thank you,” said the old fellow, with grim -brevity, “I’m used to the pipe.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom bit off the end of the rejected cigar savagely, -and sticking it into his mouth applied a match. -Again he glanced at the girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This time Delgezie caught the direction of his -glance and instinctively his attention was alert. A -shade of uneasiness came into his eyes; his mind -was filled with vague alarms. With puckered brows -he sat silently watchful and suspicious.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To Kasba the constraint became unbearable. She -softly opened the door and went out. The closing of -the door was the first warning Broom received of it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He turned half round and sat for a few moments -in a listening attitude. Then he turned back, and -leaning forward toward Delgezie, “Look here, old -man,” he said, laughing oddly, “what I’ve come -to see you about is this: I want your girl—” He -left the sentence unfinished; there was that in the -old man’s face that caused him to stop.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For Delgezie had turned white, his lower jaw -dropped, his eyes set in a fixed, horrified stare; he -breathed heavily. So paralyzed was he at the news -that he lost his faculties. Something like a groan -escaped his lips.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You—want—my—daughter!” he gasped, at -length.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I do,” replied Broom, mercilessly, with -another odd laugh. “I’m in love with her. Course -I can’t marry her properly here, we haven’t a parson; -but I’m going south first open water and will -take her along. We can get hitched up then, at -Churchill. In the meantime an Indian marriage -will have to do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The look in the old man’s honest eyes caused -Broom’s to wander.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well,” said the old fellow shakily, “I can’t give -you my girl. She’s all I’ve got.” His voice broke -and a tear showed on his cheek. “Besides,” he -added, pulling himself together, “you don’t love her; -you say you do, but by and by—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know what you mean. You mean I would -grow tired of her and throw her off.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said the brave old Indian, slowly, “that’s -what I mean.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom laughed harshly. “You’re candid, at any -rate, old man; but you’re wrong. Besides, how do -you know that the girl don’t want me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can ask her yourself, in front of me,” replied -Delgezie with honest indignation. And rising -slowly, he crossed the room and went out. Broom -heard the old man’s voice in conversation outside for -a few moments, then he returned, leaving the door -ajar behind him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon after, the girl came in. “Well!” she said -quietly, yet with a touch of defiance in her voice, and -facing Broom boldly. Her eyes were wide and -flashing, her lips compressed. She looked at him in -a manner which despite himself caused him to feel -somewhat abashed and his face to crimson.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The fellow <a id='seem'></a>seemed too confused to speak for a -moment. Then: “I’ve been asking your father for -you, Kasba,” he said, somewhat brusquely, as if -intending to carry off the matter with a high hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl displayed no surprise. She looked him -squarely in the face for a moment, then: “Do you -mean that you wish to <span class='it'>marry</span> me?” she asked with -rather marked emphasis.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I would; but I can’t, very well,” he explained. -“I’d do it fast enough, but there ain’t -any parson here. I reckon you’d think a sky-pilot -necessary—” He paused and looked at her searchingly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But she would not help him. She stood grimly -silent, gazing at him with an inscrutable face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He shifted uneasily under the intensity of her -gaze. Her attitude stirred his wrath. Who in the -world was she that she should put on airs? She had -been spoilt. Just because she was pretty she had -been petted and made much of! But—just wait! -D—— her!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Still we could get married—” he continued, as -she did not speak.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl’s lip curled, and he left the sentence unfinished.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“According to <span class='it'>native</span> custom,” she finished scornfully. -“Oh!” There was great significance in the -exclamation. She threw back her head proudly, and -her nostrils widened. She surveyed him from head -to foot in one sweeping glance of contempt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom smiled. It was a disagreeable smile and -his brows lowered. There came an unpleasant glint -in his eye.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Going to her father, who had resumed his seat, -she knelt down beside him. The old man took her -hand and held it tightly. “Father,” she said firmly, -“I shall never marry in that fashion. You would -not wish me to do so?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The staunch old fellow shook his head decidedly. -“No, my child,” said the downright old fellow. -“We are Indians, it’s true; but we are also Christians. -No, I do not wish it, nor would I allow it.” -There was much righteous indignation in his voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Christians!” sneered Broom, in a manner so -diabolical that it is quite beyond power of description. -“<span class='it'>Fine</span> Christians, I’m sure. But I’m up to -your little game. You think to make a fine lady of -the girl, eh? She’s throwing herself at Thursby’s -head, and if—”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop!” commanded Delgezie, sternly. Gently -disengaging himself from the girl, he got to his feet. -Raised to his full height, he looked upon the slanderer -with a face which, in truth, was fearful. His -eyes brightened into clear and perfect fire. He -stood, a concentration of scorn, contempt, hatred the -most intense; pouring upon the dastardly villain an -unbroken stream of withering fury that was dreadful -to look upon. His daughter, in fact, was obliged -to speak twice before she could arrest his attention.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Father! father!” she pleaded. She was greatly -frightened. She had never seen this kind-hearted -old man in such a fierce passion before.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the sound of the girl’s voice, Delgezie partly -recovered himself. The anger went slowly out of -his face, leaving it grim and stern. “You have -received your answer,” he said with dignity. “You -have no right to insult us. Please go.” With that -he resumed his seat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Broom was angry, too. For an instant he had -a wicked desire to seize the girl and carry her off, -but he could not do this without being followed -and brought back, and his punishment would be -severe. Roy had already declared himself on that -score. Besides there would be this fiery old father -to deal with.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll have her yet,” said Broom, starting to take -his leave, “I swear it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the door he turned and glanced maliciously -back at the girl, then laughing discordantly he strode -out, banging the door behind him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then a great, horrible fear seizing Delgezie -seemed to still the beating of his heart. For Broom -had sworn that he would possess Kasba. Broom was -a white man, and white men always got what they -set their hearts upon; that is, when dealing with -Indians. At least, such was Delgezie’s experience. -He must consult Bekothrie. Yet it seemed a silly -thing to make a fuss about. It was no insult to -offer a girl marriage, and, if pressed by Bekothrie, -Broom would undoubtedly construe his offer as such. -Besides the fellow had been refused, and that should -end the matter, and probably would, when he had -had time to recover from his ruffled feelings. If he -then refused to take the rejection in good part and -continued to annoy the girl with his attentions, it -would then be time to complain to Bekothrie. So -argued the old fellow, who was not a little shrewd -in his way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you like that man, my girl?” he asked with -exceeding tenderness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t, and never shall,” Kasba replied firmly. -“And oh, father, I never want to leave you. You -are the best father any girl ever had.” Then with -a laugh she kissed him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He put his hand up and stroked her cheek.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“When the time comes, little girl, and the right -man asks, your father won’t refuse him,” Delgezie -assured her in his slow, thoughtful way. “But in -God’s name let it be a man of your own kind, an -Indian. You were trained in the white man’s ways, -and taught to read and write English, but you are -still an Indian, my dear; nothing could alter that. -You are what the good God intended you should be—a -Chipewyan Indian girl; and to be ashamed of it -would be to doubt His wisdom. But there,” he -added hastily, trying to hide his emotion, “you are -going to the ‘big hill’ to-morrow, so must be off to -bed. Give me the books.” He drew the lamp -toward him as if to obtain more light to read by, but -in reality his poor old eyes were dim with tears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba sprang to her feet and brought two Chipewyan -books, a hymn and a prayer book. These she -handed to her father, who fumbled at the leaves of -the hymn-book for some moments with a thoughtful -frown. Then suddenly, “<span class='it'>A Neolt ye sesal naothat -da</span>” (Abide with me), he sang in a thin, tremulous -voice. Kasba joined in the hymn, but in subdued -tones, fearing to wake David, who moved uneasily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pair then fell on their knees and Delgezie -read the “general confession,” concluding with -“<span class='it'>Neta Yaka thenda nese</span>” (Our Father, who art).</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Long after her father’s deep breathing told her that -he was asleep, Kasba lay gazing at a shaft of moonlight -that pierced the small window. Her mind -dwelt with bitterness on the harshness of her situation: -Broom’s persistent attentions; Roy’s indifference -to her love; and her promise to Sahanderry -necessitated important changes in her life. In -future she must no longer roam the Fort unattended; -no longer spend the quiet hours thinking of Bekothrie. -Instead, she must always be accompanied in -her ramblings, must think of Bekothrie no more, and -accept Sahanderry as her lover.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='77' id='Page_77'></span><h1>CHAPTER V.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>AN ESKIMO CONJURER AND A PUGILISTIC ENCOUNTER.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Early next morning Roy was in the inner room -making a protracted search for the store key, which -had mysteriously disappeared from the nail on which -it had hung the night before. Suddenly discontinuing -his efforts, he strode into the kitchen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry was standing near the door in earnest -conversation with Kasba, who had apparently just -arrived with a message from her father. Squatted -beside the stove was the Eskimo, Ocpic.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy nodded to the girl, who discreetly drew aside, -then questioned Sahanderry, who instantly assured -him of his total ignorance of the matter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Still pondering over the disappearance of the key, -Roy suddenly raised his eyes and encountered those -of Ocpic, who was watching him keenly. In a flash -Roy perceived the culprit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He glanced searchingly at the Eskimo, who returned -the look with an inscrutable face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy smiled and flashed a glance at Sahanderry, -who was standing with a puzzled expression, gazing -from one to the other of them. The Chipewyan’s -brain worked slowly, ponderously. It was some -little time before a suspicion of what was in the -other’s mind dawned upon him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy beckoned him with a slight movement of the -head and then went outside. The Indian lingered -for a few moments before following with an awkward -attempt at careless ease.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was Ocpic,” declared Roy, vehemently, without -preamble, as Sahanderry joined him. “Of -course it was he! I left him in the room with the -sailor when I went out to Delgezie, and the sailor -followed. But you,” he demanded quickly with a -wrathful look, “what were you thinking of that you -allowed the Eskimo to stay alone in the room?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The delinquent dropped his head guiltily, expecting -a storm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now go in,” continued the speaker peremptorily. -“Try to keep Ocpic in the kitchen while I fix -up a plan to get the key away from him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The servant acquiesced gladly, and quickly disappeared -into the house. Roy followed more leisurely. -He spoke jocosely to Kasba as he passed through the -kitchen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On reaching the inner room he threw himself into -a chair to form his plans to outwit the Eskimo. In -the dilemma his knowledge of the native character -stood him in good stead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A feasible way presenting itself, he called the -Eskimo forward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic entered with a solemn face. There was a -menacing gleam in his eye. Roy knew at a glance -that the native’s suspicions were aroused; that he -was prepared to deny any knowledge of the key with -mule-like obstinacy. It had been mislaid by himself, -Roy explained, or it had dropped from his -pocket, as the case might be. Ocpic had often -boasted of his feats as a conjurer. Let him find the -key and the trader would consider him as clever -as he made himself out to be.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Eskimo hesitated. The trader twitted him -with his incapability as a conjurer, laughing at his -hesitation to comply with such a simple request. -However, if Ocpic refused to find the key, he had -only to change the lock on the store door and the -key would be of no use to anyone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic glanced searchingly at Roy, but his face had -assumed such a bland, innocent expression that any -suspicion Ocpic might have had was instantly -allayed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Eskimo was now on his mettle. He felt his -reputation as a conjurer at stake. He hesitated a -moment longer while the thought of the change of -locks sank into his brain. He had instantly perceived -that the stolen key would then be of no use -to him, and so, his face assuming his old simple, -ingratiating smile, he gave a ready assent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He would bring his conjuring belt, he said, and -left the room.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trader laughed inwardly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a short absence Ocpic again presented himself. -He held a large <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> (deerskin robe) in -his hand and wore around his waist a belt of string, -to which rags of different material and color and -sundry tiny parchment ornaments had been attached. -This belt was the insignia of his office.<a id='r2'/><a href='#f2' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[2]</span></sup></a></p> - -<p class='pindent'>Entering the room, Ocpic made arrangements for -the coming performance with the profoundest gravity, -while the trader watched him with a twinkle of -amusement in his eye.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The native seemed to have some difficulty in finding -a suitable spot on the floor, but at length chose -a place near the door, where he squatted down, drawing -the <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> over his head and completely enveloping -himself therewith. When this was accomplished -to his own satisfaction, he began a mumbled -incantation, interspersed with much scratching on -the floor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The conjurer’s voice swelled into a loud song as -the ceremony progressed. The <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> heaved, -while the figure beneath seemed to be engaged in -a violent struggle, presumably with some turbulent -spirit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile the noise made by Ocpic had gradually -stirred Broom’s senses. He slowly awoke, raised -himself on one elbow, and gazed at the heaving <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> -as if fascinated. He brushed his hand across -his eyes sharply as if to make sure he was thoroughly -awake, then threw another hasty, startled glance in -the same direction. Presently he smiled grimly as -the import of the scene grew clear to him. After -watching the Eskimo’s struggles for some moments -longer, Broom dropped his legs over the side of the -bunk and sat in a stooping position. He was occupying -the lower bunk and the limited space above -would not allow him to sit upright. He then -noticed Roy’s presence for the first time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s the bally performance?” he inquired, -catching a glance from the trader.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I’ve lost the key of the trading store, and -Ocpic’s finding it for me,” responded Roy. The -conjurer was still enveloped in the <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span>, and, -taking advantage of this, the speaker closed an eye.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom’s eye twinkled. “Ah,” he said significantly -with a smile and a meaning glance at the -struggling bulk, which was now undergoing astounding -evolutions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A moment later a tremendous upheaval occurred -and the Eskimo’s head appeared. He sat blinking -at Roy, his overheated countenance perspiring profusely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The spirit wants to know what kind of key it -is,” he said breathlessly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A big key,” returned the trader, illustrating its -length with his two index fingers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic nodded comprehendingly, gazed seriously -around the room for a moment, then, taking a long -breath, again disappeared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two white men glanced at each other and -smiled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That fellow’s <span class='it'>some</span> conjurer,” asserted Broom, -whose voice seemed to betray a considerable appreciation -of the ludicrous element in the incident.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He sure is,” said Roy, with a broad grin; “the -best in the land.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom started to laugh, but a sharp look from Roy -turned it to a prolonged yawn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The conjurer’s previous herculean efforts were -mere child’s play compared to the superhuman display -that followed. The intervals of scratching -became continuous, the incantations swelled into a -roar and the twisting figure beneath the <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> -worked itself into a frenzy. Then suddenly all was -still and a closed hand pushed itself out through the -covering. The grimy fingers and the thumb slowly -opened, disclosing the wards of a large key.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is that the key?” asked a muffled voice from -beneath the <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span>.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” replied Roy without moving from his seat -to examine the thing in the extended hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The fingers and thumb closed back on the object -and the hand again disappeared. Ocpic’s voice was -then heard in conversation. After a time the attendant -spirits were, apparently, dismissed, for the figure -arose. The <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> fell to the floor in a heap and -the Eskimo stood revealed, smiling and perspiring. -With a proud look he held a large key extended on -his open palm. The trader slowly took it, then, like -a flash, his expression of careless indifference disappeared -and his face took on a look of implacable -wrath. Reaching for the fallen <span class='it'>kaip-puk</span> he hurled -it into the kitchen as far as he could throw it; then -turning to the Eskimo, he grasped him firmly by the -shoulder.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a thief,” he cried. “You stole the key.” -With this he gave the astonished Ocpic a shake which -nearly sent him off his feet. “If ever I find you in -this room again I will shoot you,” he added sternly. -“Now go.” Ocpic breathed heavily, his face worked -passionately, then suddenly he gave a loud shout. -Hatred, the implacable hatred of a coward, flashed -from his eyes as he did so.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As if by magic the doorway was filled with angry -faces. A number of Eskimos shuffled in and made -an effort to draw near to Ocpic.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Quietly Broom dropped from the bunk to the floor. -Deliberately he reached for a chair. Then he took -his place beside Roy, balancing the chair in his -hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then a slight figure pressed itself through the -group at the door. It was Kasba. Roy looked at -her surprised, and smiled. Straightening herself, -she faced Ocpic’s allies with outstretched hand and -eyes aflame and stood as if warning them back, a -veritable little fury. For a moment the Eskimos -wavered, then they murmured together and moved -as if to push past the girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy smiled grimly. He was conscious of feeling -a slight exultation at the prospect of a conflict with -the natives, for the old race antagonism was strong -in him. He knew the moment of his life had come, -that to show the least fear now was to lose command -over these people forever. All depended upon a bold -front.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Abruptly he motioned Broom back. Then he -gently brushed Kasba aside. Stern and fearless he -strode up to Ocpic, who never moved a muscle. -With blazing eyes Roy pointed to the door. He -looked particularly big in his wrath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Hilimee!</span>” (Go!), he barked. The command was -not one to be ignored. He seemed with his stern -visage and flashing eyes to be very earnest indeed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a tense silence. The two men gazed -fixedly into each other’s eyes; then, as invariably -happens, the native quailed before an unflinching -outward manifestation of the stronger will. Ocpic’s -eyes dropped sullenly. He turned and shuffled out. -The group at the door had already melted away, as -silently as it had appeared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy turned to speak to Kasba, but found her gone. -The danger past, she had vanished. The two white -men silently gripped hands.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A few minutes later Sahanderry appeared with a -trembling, scared face; so terrified was he at what -had just transpired that he quaked with terror. He -kept muttering to himself while he laid the table for -breakfast. Evidently he expected Ocpic to take -summary vengeance by a murderous act similar to -one of which he was already declared guilty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Having recovered the key, Roy decided to go alone -to the trading-store to ascertain the extent of Ocpic’s -peculations, and with this intention struggled into -his hairy-coat and was about to leave the room when -an enamelled plate fell with a loud clatter from -Sahanderry’s trembling fingers to the floor. This -drew Roy’s attention to the Indian’s state of extreme -nervousness. He looked fixedly at him for a moment -and then spoke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sahanderry,” he said in a voice that made the -man addressed spin round as if shot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Bekothrie!” gasped the Indian.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trader quietly held his gaze until the other -had somewhat mastered his agitation, then:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t be a fool,” he added sharply.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>These peremptory words, coupled with the speaker’s -perfect coolness, had the desired effect. Assuming -courage borrowed from Roy’s composure, Sahanderry -continued his labors with less nervousness, but -heavily and with scant interest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom, who was feeling “as fresh as a daisy,” -returned to his seat on the edge of the bunk, where -he sat warbling scraps of songs of questionable morality -in a harsh, grating voice, like the rasping of -dull metal, beating a tattoo meanwhile with the heels -of his naked feet and throwing Sahanderry an occasional -glance to see how he was appreciating these -efforts.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Strange to say, Sahanderry was far from being -offended at the levity of the singer, and hovered -about the table with an approving smile on his dark -face long after he had completed his duties. Perceiving -his apparent interest, Broom threw himself -into the attitude of a preacher and with inscrutable -face severely lectured the Indian on his indiscretion -in listening.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are a hardened sinner, my man,” he -declared sharply. “Mind what you are about, or -you will come to a bad end.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This admonition discomfited Sahanderry for the -moment, then he threw the incorrigible Broom a -look of infinite scorn and abruptly walked out with -his head in the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Left alone, the other delivered himself of a rattling -chorus as a grand finale, then, dropping on his -feet, he pulled on his clothes with a dexterity almost -incredible. In a few moments Mr. Broom was -dressed and out of doors.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After breakfast the trader rose from the table and -paced the room restlessly. “That packet!” he murmured, -sighing a little. “How I wish it would -turn up. For some unaccountable reason my fiancée’s -letters missed connection last mail; I haven’t -heard from her for a year.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What, a whole twelve months!” cried his companion -with a theatrical start of horror. “A year -without a ‘billy-doo.’ What a calamity!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy made a playful lunge, which the other skilfully -avoided, then, laughing good-naturedly at -Broom’s banter, he attired himself and went out, but -he did not remain out of doors long, quickly returning -and wandering listlessly about the place during -the rest of the morning. He was too anxious about -the “packet” to attend his traps or settle himself -to anything about the Fort.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom made himself comfortable and began to -read the book he had laid aside on the previous day. -But as time went on he put it down and endeavored -to attract the trader’s attention by making significant -signs and gestures, such as filling an invisible vessel -from an imaginary bottle, lifting his hand to his -mouth and going through the motions of drinking -with evident gusto, and swallowing an indefinite -quantity of something with an appreciative smack -of the lips. These pantomimic efforts failing, he -coughed spasmodically, then uttered sundry vague -half sentences, among which “An eye-opener,” -“Throat as dry as a lime-kiln,” “A hair of the dog -that bites you,” could be plainly distinguished, and -all these attempts at effecting a “liquor up” being -abortive, he came abruptly to the point with a hint -there was no mistaking.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What about a drink?” he asked with an ingratiating -smile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the trader was gazing out through the window, -his thoughts far away, and Broom was obliged -to repeat his words with emphasis before Thursby -became aware that he was speaking.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, “Eh!” he ejaculated, turning sharply and -collecting his errant thoughts with an effort. “I beg -pardon, Broom. I was thinking, and your words -passed over me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I was merely inquiring whether there was -a ‘shot left in the locker,’” grumbled Broom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The other laughed, paused irresolutely, then set -a bottle and enamelled mug on the table. Broom -eyed these proceedings with manifest satisfaction. -But perceiving there was but one mug he raised his -eyebrows and glanced significantly from the mug -to Roy and back to the mug again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy shook his head and smiled. “No,” he said, -“it’s too early.” He waited until Broom had helped -himself, then again placed the bottle under lock and -key.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom shrugged his shoulders at this caution. He -screwed his face into an extravagant expression of -dismay, then, changing his expression suddenly, he -emptied the mug at a gulp.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Buttoning his coat and drawing his cap well down, -Roy went out to take another look for the packet. -Broom followed Roy to the door with his eyes, then -took up the mug and looked into it as if to see -whether by any possible chance a drop had been left -in the bottom. Raising it to his lips, he drained the -few remaining drops, then finding he could squeeze -no more out of it, replaced the mug and settled himself -to read.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile, Sahanderry, trying to appear at ease, -was in the kitchen preparing dinner. He broke off -short in a song to glance at Ocpic who was squatting -in a corner, watching him from beneath lowered -brows. Mustering courage, Sahanderry again burst -forth, but only managed two lines before his courage -again failed him. His song stopped abruptly; he -wiped the perspiration from his forehead with a -hand that trembled; his eyes rolled in their sockets, -and his hair stood on end more than usual. Then -he laughed the short mirthless laugh of a man who -was afraid.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this juncture the door opened and Delgezie appeared, -accompanied by Minnihak, and Sahanderry’s -face brightened instantly. He greeted the newcomers -with effusion. Feeling that he had a sympathetic -confidant in Delgezie, he related the story -of the stolen key. But the old man evidently was -made of “sterner stuff.” He listened to the tale with -the keenest attention and at first looked puzzled, then -astonished, then fierce and wrathful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The story was no sooner finished than Delgezie -called Minnihak to him and, despite Sahanderry’s -protests, and his own limited knowledge of the Eskimo -language, he acquainted him with what had -occurred.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Minnihak nodded twice after the old man had -finished speaking, as if to let him know that he perfectly -understood, then, walking across the kitchen, -he squatted down a few feet in front of Ocpic and -sat gazing fixedly at him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic, no whit abashed, returned the look.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After some moments of silence, “You’re a thief!” -said Minnihak sharply, and there was a prolonged -wait. The two Eskimo glared fiercely at each other, -Ocpic’s breath came quickly, and his eyes glittered -evilly. At length he got slowly to his feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The other did likewise and, standing silently, the -two men continued their fixed stare.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently Ocpic deliberately threw off his coat -and shirt and again Minnihak leisurely followed suit. -Then, still in perfect silence, they straightened themselves, -and, standing naked to the waist, prepared for -a pugilistic encounter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Stationing themselves at arm’s length the belligerents -stood firm, and Ocpic, considering himself the -better man, allowed his opponent the first blow and -placed himself in the required position to receive it. -With left arm drawn tight against his side and the -shoulder pushed well forward, he stood offering the -other a fair opportunity to strike his exposed biceps.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Minnihak paused a moment, as if mustering his -strength, then, with a swinging blow, he struck. The -blow was received with a grim smile, and the arm -fell into its natural position, proclaiming the recipient -ready to take his revenge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Drawing himself up, Minnihak then offered the -muscles of his arm for sacrifice. Ocpic brought his -fist round with a wicked swing and struck a mighty -blow. Minnihak winced visibly. Ocpic smiled -grimly and drew back into position again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was now a few minutes interval of quiet, -during which Broom entered the kitchen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hullo! You giddy gamecocks,” he cried, “What’s -the row?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie hastened to explain and the sailor seated -himself to enjoy the fight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a novel scene. The daylight straggled -through the frosted windows and lit the room dimly. -The combatants breathed heavily. Delgezie leaned -against the table with an anxious look on his bronzed -face. He was feeling a little apprehensive for Minnihak’s -safety. Sahanderry clung to the old man in -abject terror. He was viewing an Eskimo fight for -the first time and the heavy, resounding blows appeared -fearfully blood-thirsty compared to the milder -hair-pulling battles of his own race. Broom sat smiling -and contemptuous.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The pugilists again took positions and more hard -blows were given and received. These proceedings -were repeated several times. Ocpic accepted his punishment -carelessly, but Minnihak was showing signs -of fatigue. He was clearly getting the worst of it. -After a few more exchanges upon the arms, Ocpic -threw his head to one side, offering his cheek for a -mark, and the other drew himself together and made -laudable efforts to gain the victory, but his blow -lacked force, and all felt that the fight was over when -it became Ocpic’s turn to strike. Their fears were -well grounded. Ocpic struck his opponent low down -upon the jaw. The blow had a touch of the uppercut, -and Minnihak staggered and fell to the floor, where -he lay for a few moments blinking confusedly. Then -he slowly got to his feet. Ocpic stood watching him -closely, but Minnihak had evidently had enough. He -crossed over to where his clothes were lying and -started to pull on his shirt. This was the act of a -vanquished man. Ocpic smiled exultantly at each -of the spectators in turn, then followed the example -of his opponent. Their toilets completed, the two -Eskimos squatted on the floor close together and filled -their pipes from the victor’s fire-bag as if nothing -unusual had happened.</p> - -<hr class='footnotemark'/> - -<div class='footnote'> -<table summary='footnote_2'> -<colgroup> -<col span='1' style='width: 3em;'/> -<col span='1'/> -</colgroup> -<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'> -<div id='f2'><a href='#r2'>[2]</a></div> -</td><td> - -<p class='pindent'>In order to become a conjurer an Eskimo isolates himself -in a tent and neither eats nor drinks for fifteen days, -when a spirit comes and shakes him by the hand. This -handshaking once performed he is a conjurer. Henceforth -he is supposed to hold an army of attendant spirits at his -beck and call: he can cause a lost article to be found; a -person to recover from an illness or the reverse; and a -hundred and one things equally astounding to happen.</p> - -</td></tr> -</table> -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='92' id='Page_92'></span><h1>CHAPTER VI.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>LOST IN THE DRIFTING SNOW.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>While the incorrigible Mr. Broom was sitting on -his bunk making prodigious efforts at harmony, -David and Kasba were preparing to fetch the deer -that had fallen to the boy’s gun on the previous day. -The sled was brought to the door and packed with -sundry cooking utensils, and, this completed, David -drew the wrapper together and lashed it with a clapmatch -line, tucking his rifle and axe under the lashing -at the top of the load to be handy in case of need.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile Kasba caught and harnessed the dogs, -and everything being ready, she started off at a quick -walk. Barking joyfully, the dogs bounded after, -while David sat astride the loaded sled, laughing and -jubilant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mile after mile was accomplished in this manner -till the sun peeped over the horizon, and Kasba, bethinking -herself of breakfast, slackened her pace, -keeping a wary eye for a suitable place for a halt. -After journeying a short distance she came to a place -where there were sufficient spruce trees and enough -dry wood for their purpose.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Stepping suddenly, she turned and called to the -dogs, who required no encouragement to increase -their efforts. The girl’s act was significant: they -knew exactly what was about to happen. With lolling -tongues and panting breath they reached the girl and -threw themselves down to snatch the few minutes’ -rest which they knew would be allowed them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David dropped from the sled to his feet, took his -axe and attacked a few dead spruce trees while Kasba, -obedient to Indian custom, made a fire and put a -kettle on the burning embers. Contrary to the old -proverb that “a watched pot never boils,” the water -in this kettle was soon bubbling, and the two young -people sank upon the brush which David had strewn -beside the fire, eating their scanty breakfast with -eager relish. The meal did not occupy many minutes, -however, and they were soon on their way again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The morning was bright, and the cold acted as a -stimulant on the two. Kasba walked quickly over -the snow with easy, buoyant steps, gazing on the -monotonous scene with eager eyes. The branches of -the spruce had taken unto themselves a covering of -white, sparkling crystals which easily outvied in -beauty the trees’ natural verdure. Large flocks of -willow partridges ran about on the smooth white -crust or delved into the snow, occasionally disappearing -into the thickest part of the scrub for safety -when a partridge-hawk hovered ominously over them. -The sky was blue and cloudless save for a few white -fleeces floating low down upon the horizon. The air -was clear and still. A cut track led through the -thicker part of the scrub to a lake two or three miles -in width. Half way across this icebound lake the -dogs espied a number of deer grouped together, not -far to the right, watching their progress; with a -lightning-like movement the leader diverged from the -straight course and made toward the deer, which, -perceiving no danger, were now calmly approaching -the objects of their curiosity. But after drawing -quite close they made a sudden retrograde movement, -then ran around in circles. At intervals they stopped -in their course to scrutinize the dogs anew.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the dogs started on their wild rush after the -deer, Kasba joined David in dragging on the head-line, -but even the combined efforts of the two had -no effect in staying them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Scenting danger, the deer soon made off at a long, -easy trot with the dogs in wild pursuit, until the -sled’s coming in contact with a large block of ice -threw Kasba forward, and she was dragged rapidly -onward until, her arms growing tired, the line slipped -from her grasp and the dogtrain quickly shot ahead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Gathering herself up the girl stood looking after -the disappearing sled with a rueful countenance and -combined <a id='feel'></a>feelings of mortification and disgust at her -ignominious position.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile David was speeding over the ice in a -manner calculated to break his neck, but a momentary -delay occasioned by the sled colliding with the -stump of a tree on the farther side of the lake gave -him an opportunity to regain control of the dogs, -which he halted, and then waited for Kasba to come -up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When the discomfited girl at length reached them -David gazed at her mutely for a moment, then the -woeful expression on her face somehow tickled the -boy’s sense of humor and he burst into <a id='into'></a>a fit of loud -laughter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This sudden change from extreme gravity to boisterous -gaiety startled Kasba, who stood for a moment -irresolute, then threw herself beside him on the sled, -laughing hysterically.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently, as David’s wandering gaze became fixed -upon the sky, his gaiety ceased as suddenly as it had -begun, and he sat staring at the threatening storm-clouds -which were silently creeping upward. Then, -jumping hastily off the sled, he “drove up” his dogs -with all vigor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba, shivering, drew the hood of her coat, which -had slipped back during her frantic slide on the lake, -upon her head with a quick pull, for a keen and cutting -wind was rising, and started off at a quick trot -in the direction pointed out by her companion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon a large, dark heap, marked by a fluttering -handkerchief tied to a stick, came into view. The -girl divined that it was the object of their journey -and ran straight toward it. As she approached a -number of small white animals stood about it barking -shrilly. They were the white foxes of the North, -and appeared about to defend their position, but a -nearer approach disconcerted them and they scuttled -off to a safe distance, where they sat watching events. -Not all, however, for David had set steel traps around -the deer the day before, and a few foxes were caught.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The weather now looked ominous, and no time was -lost in loading the sled with meat. The train was -then turned toward home, and Kasba started back -against the wind with a resolute look on her small -brown face. David urged the dogs along with loud -cracks of the whip, for the wind had risen and was -now rushing across the plain in a biting blast, while -large dark clouds, which had suddenly appeared upon -the horizon, spread rapidly over the sky like huge -phantoms, extinguishing the sun in a veil of vapor. -David adjured Kasba to make all speed and “drove -up” his dogs with renewed energy. Hurrying on, -they stopped for nothing, till presently the “little -hill,” which meant home, could be dimly seen in the -distance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl breathed a sigh of relief, for she realized -that the Fort was only a few miles beyond the hill. -But her comfort was short-lived. The wind, as if -regretting its previous leniency toward them, now -burst into a hurricane, and all sounds were drowned -by its howlings, while the whirlwinds of snow which -it raised filled the air and completely obscured objects -a few yards distant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the storm cast its cutting ice-dust against -David’s face, he could not even see the dogs. He -halted them and shouted loudly for Kasba to come -back, then fired his rifle several times. He waited -five minutes, ten minutes, but the moments passed -and the girl did not appear. He walked forward as -far as he dared, but returned immediately, for he -could not see two paces from him and the drifting -snow obliterated every footmark.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David paused irresolutely. He hated to proceed -without Kasba, yet he felt that to remain would be -a useless sacrifice, for he was utterly helpless in such -a blizzard. Besides, Kasba was walking in the right -direction when last he saw her, and she might possibly -stumble upon the Fort. It would be a miracle, he -knew, but miracles did sometimes happen. Thus -buoying up his hopes for Kasba’s safety, he determined -to trust to the sagacity of the dogs to take him -home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the dogs were now lying down and showed a -decided objection to the biting wind and drifting -snow. Finding his efforts to make them draw the -loaded sled of no avail, he hastily threw off the meat, -and again endeavored to start them. Presently an -idea of what their driver required seemed to dawn -upon the dogs, and, their speed accelerated by a few -sharp cuts of the whip, they started off so suddenly -that they left David standing where he was; and it -was only with the utmost difficulty that he caught -them up and threw himself on the empty sled, where -he lay prone upon his face, burying his head in the -heavy sled wrapper.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>If David’s condition was precarious, Kasba’s at the -same time was even more perilous. Had she remained -where she was when the hurricane burst upon them -the dogs would have overtaken her, for they soon -passed the spot on their way to the Fort. But, in her -trepidation, she had endeavored to return to David, -and this proved her undoing. The clouds of whirling -snow thickened as she scudded along, a mere play-thing -for the wind. Then suddenly there was a -muffled shout and the girl turned quickly in the -direction of the sound, and endeavored to reach the -spot from whence it came. But the wind caught her -again, driving her before it until she had totally lost -any vague idea she had previously entertained concerning -her position.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Notwithstanding this, she persevered. She walked -till she was well assured that she had lost David in -the drifting snow, then she turned, and made prodigious -efforts to reach a place of shelter. By keeping -the wind in her face, she felt that she was going in -the right direction, but thick clouds of snow struck -her at close intervals and prevented her from seeing -a yard before her, while the force of the wind was -such that it was almost impossible at times for her -to stand upright against it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To dream of reaching the Fort in such weather -was simply madness, and the poor girl had no choice -but to proceed at random with the slender hope of -finding some shelter from the strength of the blizzard, -and soon she felt that nothing short of a miracle -could save her, and staggered forward with a prayer -on her lips. But the thought of her poor old father’s -terrible grief should she perish in the cold, forced her -onward and kept her weary legs from sinking beneath -her. With the heroism of a martyr the girl endeavored -to do for his sake what, as she felt, she had -neither the will nor the strength to accomplish for -her own, and she stood for a moment in dull despair, -worn out by cold, fatigue and hunger, for she had -eaten nothing since their hasty breakfast early that -morning. Nature called to her loudly to discontinue -her arduous efforts and sink down upon the snow, -but distracted though the girl was, she fully understood -that should she succumb to the languor she was -feeling, a little white mound would soon mark her -last resting-place. Filial affection was strong within -her, and with superhuman efforts she staggered forward. -After half-an-hour’s desperate struggle with -the hurricane—half an hour which to her appeared -like a century—the girl stumbled and fell. She -quickly recovered herself but had not proceeded many -steps before she fell again. This time the fall well-nigh -deprived her of the little energy now left her, -and it was with great difficulty that she regained her -feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As she endeavored to shake off the numbing effects -of the intense cold, she looked around her, gradually, -carefully, and then for the first time she perceived -that she was getting among rocks, and that it was -the outlying boulders of these that had caused her to -fall. Presently a ridge of rocks loomed through the -drifting snow, seen during a lull in the gusts. This -presented a welcome protection from the wind’s icy -blast, and uttering the glad cry of one suddenly rescued -from what had appeared almost certain death, -the girl staggered forward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the hurricane, as if angered at losing its lawful -prey, seemed to rush upon her with greater force -than ever. It almost dragged her away in its powerful -grasp. Aroused by the imminence of the danger, -Kasba made strenuous efforts to reach a projecting -rock, which stood up heroically to the furious tempest, -offering its protection to the distressed girl. -With a cry of relief she sank under its shelter. She -was still in a most unenviable position, however, and -was not slow to realize it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After resting some moments, Kasba applied herself -to prayer. In a few broken sentences she conveyed -her thanks to God for His infinite mercy in -rescuing her from the drifting snow. Then feeling -assured that she had not been saved from the hurricane -to perish miserably from cold and hunger, she -turned her thoughts to the means of effecting her -further escape.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Gazing around she tried to discover her whereabouts. -A close scrutiny of the rock that sheltered -her proved it to be a well-known landmark, and this -sufficed to tell her that she was in a gully not far from -the Fort. With this comforting assurance she proceeded -to keep herself as warm as she might. Breaking -some branches with much difficulty from a spruce -tree that grew near-by, she laid them at the bottom of -a hole in the rock. Then going out upon the plain -she stood her snowshoes upright as a sign of her close -proximity in case the worst befel and search was -made for her body.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Returning to her haven of safety, Kasba drew off -her hairy-coat, and, tying a handkerchief over her -head, crouched in the hollow, drawing the coat over -her in the manner of a blanket. Then she waited -with a fortitude worthy of the sterner sex for the end -of the hurricane; for she knew relief from the Fort -was hardly possible till then.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='101' id='Page_101'></span><h1>CHAPTER VII.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>“THE PACKET” AT LAST.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>On the morning of the day on which Kasba and -David were lost in the blizzard, Roy Thursby stood -on a high ridge of rocks at the back of the Fort, gazing -through a telescope at a minute speck in the -distance. Was it his imagination, or did the object -move? He gazed eagerly at it until his sight became -blurred, and he was forced to drop the glass and give -his eyes a rest. However, after a few minutes spent -in excitedly wiping the lens of the telescope, he again -applied it to his eye. Yes, the object did move, but—was -he sure? Again he gazed long and earnestly, -his feelings undergoing curious changes as they wavered -between certainty and doubt. Then the object -of his attention suddenly made a slight detour which -was unmistakable. Roy uttered a wild whoop, shut -the telescope with a snap and went scrambling down -the rocks with the enthusiasm of a delighted school-boy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Long before he reached the Fort he fell to shouting, -joyfully:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sahanderry! Sahanderry! Up with the flag!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The kitchen door opened and Broom’s face appeared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where’s the fire?” he enquired with a well-feigned -look of terror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fire be hanged! It’s the ‘packet,’” cried Roy -exultantly, and in a lumbering fashion he cut a boyish -caper on the loose snow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Not to be outdone, Broom stepped from the doorway -and began a grotesque performance which he -called the Highland fling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Get out of it,” cried Roy, giving him a push.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom paused with a leg poised gracefully in the -air. “You’re an unappreciative, cold-blooded Englishman,” -he exclaimed in an injured tone. “Why, -I’m thinking of you, not of myself. I’m dancing -with delight, my boy, sheer delight. You’ll now be -satiated with ‘billy doos,’” and he performed a few -more intricate steps.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop your nonsense, man!” commanded Roy, -while he laughed heartily at the man’s antics. “But -put on your coat and come out on the rocks.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom instantly stopped his piroueting, to disappear -into the house and return shortly, struggling -into his coat as he came.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, my bold Sir Launcelot, my lovesick swain, -we will proceed to watch the approach of Cupid’s -errant messenger.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With this he attempted to link his arm in Roy’s, -who promptly gave him a push which wellnigh precipitated -him into an adjacent snowdrift.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Chatting merrily, the two men climbed the rocks -till they arrived at the summit, where they stood gazing -over the dazzling whiteness at the blot, which -could easily be distinguished with the naked eye.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A number of dogs, scenting excitement, scampered -about on top of the ridge of rocks, startling the <span class='it'>kas-i-ba</span> -(rock partridges), which flew up in flocks of -great size. Near at hand Delgezie and Sahanderry -scrambled up the eminence, while below Ocpic and -Minnihak, accompanied by more dogs, were making -prodigious efforts to join them. The flagstaff cut the -sky-line sharply, and the flag, which had now been -run up, fluttered merrily as if it, too, desired to welcome -the weary “packet-men.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Within half-an-hour of their undignified scramble -up the rocks they were precipitating themselves down -again to welcome the arrivals, who were now close -at hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was only by the persistent efforts of the dog-driver -and his companion that the “packet” sled -was drawn to the summit of the snowdrift in front -of the Fort, for the dogs were completely worn out. -They staggered along, making heroic attempts to appear -to the best advantage before strangers, but -appearances were against them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, George Hopkins,” said Roy, extending his -hand, “I’m glad to see you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And we’re right glad to get here, sir,” answered -Hopkins, drily. “The trip’s been a hard one.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I suppose it has,” returned the trader with -an approving glance at the plucky little half-breed -who had accomplished the long, arduous journey. -But Hopkins appeared to look on the trip as nothing -exceptionally hazardous; it was just a part of the -work that his contract with the Hudson’s Bay Company -called for.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hopkins’ Eskimo companion, Poo-koo, next received -Roy’s attention, and just then Broom, who -had been standing idly by, uttered a terrific yell as -the dog-driver lifted the packet-box from under the -sled wrapper. The package was a small and unimposing -spectacle, covered with canvas; an insignificant -object, indeed, to be carried such a number of -miles at so great an expenditure of money and labor; -but the importance of its contents and mission made -up for its otherwise commonplace appearance, and -such evidently was Hopkins’ opinion, for he handled -the box carefully and with great respect for its “honorable -enclosures.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy turned sharply on his heel at the sailor’s shout, -and, perceiving what Hopkins had in his hand, he -walked forward to take charge of it with as much -unconcern as his excited state permitted him to -assume. He was feeling a little piqued at the noise -Broom was making. It was, he felt, a continuance -of the ridicule he had provoked that morning, and he -resented Broom’s pertinacious buffoonery.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom was watching Roy with considerable curiosity, -for the occasion suggested to him the possibility -of a celebration. But the Englishman’s manner was -disappointing. In common with most of his countrymen, -he thought it a weakness to give unlimited sway -to his finer emotions, and generally covered them -with an appearance of coldness and reserve. He did -so in this instance, and Broom’s hopes fell to zero. -But the expected happened, for when Roy and -Hopkins started for the house, the former suggested -that George should “take a drink.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The suggestion was received by George with unconcealed -satisfaction, and Broom, who was following -them closely, smiled in silent approbation of a -proposal which was so entirely in accord with his -own mind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s going to be a dirty day,” remarked Roy, -glancing at the threatening clouds which hovered on -the horizon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it’s going to blow from the north-west,” -prophesied the dog-driver. “We’ve just got here in -time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, you’re lucky. It will drift like the very -dickens with all this loose snow about,” supplemented -the trader, who now paused to look around; then, -“But come,” he added, “let’s get indoors.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With steps few and rapid the men soon reached the -house. As they entered the door Sahanderry was -observed standing with a steaming kettle in his hand. -He spoke hurriedly to Hopkins, who hesitated a -moment, then detained the trader with a respectful -touch on the arm, and requested permission to postpone -the whiskey-drinking till he had partaken of a -few cups of tea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Tea!” ejaculated the surprised trader.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom was vastly amazed; that any man in the -possession of his senses should prefer this homely -beverage to the more exhilarating spirit was entirely -beyond his comprehension.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” observed George in respectful tones of -apology, “I haven’t drunk tea for eight days.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy’s face cleared. “Of course,” he said, “you’ve -been without wood to boil the kettle. Where did you -get the last cup of tea?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“At Cape Eskimo,” replied the other, mentioning -a point some two hundred miles south of Fort Future.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you haven’t tasted tea since; poor devil!” -Roy now exhorted Sahanderry to at once supply the -packet man with what he desired.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the Indian had a comprehensive knowledge of -“tripping,” and had already brewed a kettle of tea. -He now offered Hopkins a large mugful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, that’s capital, Sahanderry,” cried Roy, and -he bade George seat himself and eat and drink to his -heart’s content. “You’ve earned it,” he declared. -“You can come to me later for the whiskey.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With the “packet” under his arm Roy entered his -<span class='it'>sanctum sanctorum</span>, closely followed by Broom, whose -face displayed the resentment he was feeling at what -he considered Hopkins’ idiosyncrasy in preferring -tea to whiskey. He considered Hopkins had thrown -away a glorious opportunity, and expressed his irritation -in sullen looks and dissatisfied demeanor. “Of -all the lunatics,” he murmured to himself, glaring -back at the unconscious cause of his anger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trader opened the “packet” without any unseemly -haste, for he felt the other’s eyes upon him. -There were a goodly number of letters and newspapers. -These he commenced to sort, but, feeling -that Broom was watching his every movement, he -suddenly stopped, caught up a handful of newspapers -at random and handed them to his too watchful companion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom took the newspapers awkwardly and murmured -something, presumably his thanks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again Roy turned to his correspondence. He hummed -an Eskimo Crane song as he separated the letters -from the papers.</p> - -<div class='blockquote0r9'> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line0'>“<span class='it'>Oo-ee-yah, Oo-ee-yah-ah; Moo-nick-koo-li, Shah-pa-ah;</span></p> -<p class='line0'> <span class='it'>Moo-nick-loon-ee, Nip-yaik-tal-ee,</span></p> -<p class='line0'>         <span class='it'>Cle-uk! Cle-uk! Cle-uk!</span>”</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'>(“Oh husband, oh husband, come dance with me;</p> -<p class='line0'>  Dance fast, and sing aloud,</p> -<p class='line0'>         Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!”)</p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<p class='noindent'>which song, the natives solemnly aver, is sung by -those birds on all occasions of festivity, the birds -sitting round in a ring with one bird, presumably the -leader, standing in the centre.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy hummed it over several times before completing -his task. A small, square package of cardboard -containing a photograph seemed to cause him much -hesitation, and he paused to lay it beside the letters, -then again to take it up and lay it on the newspapers, -but eventually he gave it a place of honor by itself, -apart from the rest of the mail.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By the time the last letter was sorted the heap had -grown to a respectable size. This fact Roy comprehended -with manifest satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The letters were addressed to him in several different -hands, but the greater number were in the hand-writing -of one person—evidently that of a lady. -After these letters had been separated from the others -he arranged them according to a mystic sign, or -number, which was visible in the left hand corner of -each envelope, then suddenly, without any apparent -cause, he dropped them on the table to snatch up the -cardboard package. Cutting the string that bound it -together, he discovered a photograph of a young girl, -or rather, young woman, for it was the picture of a -person about twenty years of age.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The photograph was of the size known as a -“cabinet.” The lady’s costume, what could be perceived -of it, was shadowy and indistinct. The features -were those of a young, healthy-looking maiden -neither beautiful nor even pretty, but the expression -of the girl’s face was pleasant, and the eyes which -looked fearlessly out from it were large and good. The -figure as far as could be judged from the photograph -was short, and, to use a vulgar expression which aptly -describes it, stocky.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy held the photo tenderly, gazing rapturously at -the face pictured there. Presently he withdrew his -eyes and glanced cautiously across at his companion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom’s face was hidden by the newspaper, in the -reading of which he was apparently absorbed. Taking -advantage of the other’s abstraction, Roy hastily -pressed the photograph to his lips.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A crisp, crackling sound peculiar to paper brought -a blush to Roy’s cheek, and with guilty haste he laid -the cardboard on the table, then he looked up with -what nonchalance he could muster. His companion’s -attention was still absorbed in his reading, and Roy -concluded with a feeling of relief that his late proceedings -had passed unobserved. For although the -act of kissing a photograph was in no way a grave -offence, yet it was not an act he cared to commit before -witnesses.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Roy was wrong in his conjectures. By a skilful -manipulation of the newspaper, Broom had seen -Roy’s every act, and now sat behind the paper with -a supercilious smile upon his face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Opening the first letter, Roy scanned it eagerly. -“Well, my dear boy,” it ran, “you will be pleased to -hear that Papa has at last received his commission -as Inspecting Chief Factor. The letter that he received -from the directors in London acquainting him -with the appointment was eulogistic in the extreme. -The following extracts will give you some idea of the -nice things they said:</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is a satisfaction to know that you are -still in the sphere of activity. . . . We all -feel that in you we shall have an Inspecting -Chief Factor who will exercise his influence -to instil new life into the Company which -needs just now a master mind to resuscitate—to -some extent, at least—its ancient prestige -. . . That you will set yourself to work -to inaugurate changes which are much -needed . . .”</p> - -</div> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>“There, now, what do you think of that? And -dare you aspire to the daughter of such a man? But -I have kept my greatest bit of news until the last. -Papa is so elated with his new commission, and determined -to inaugurate the changes spoken of in the -letter, that he has decided to make a long trip of -inspection during the coming summer, and, prepare -to be astonished, ‘Fort Future’ is to be visited. -Think of that, my boy, and tremble.”</p> - -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy read this letter through twice before laying it -down to take up another, which was written in a -different key.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A terrible calamity has happened here. Young -Mr. College got into a quarrel with a native and shot -him dead. Papa declares that he was quite justified, -as it was in self-defence, but I think it was horrible. -I shall never look on the young fellow without a -shudder. It would be impossible for me to take his -hand; in my imagination it is covered with blood. -<span class='it'>For in my opinion it is murder for a man to take -another man’s life, no matter what the circumstances -that seem to extenuate it.</span>”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For perhaps five minutes Roy pondered over this -letter and when he laid it down it was with a very -solemn face. The words stirred him strangely, and -he sat absent-mindedly fingering the next letter for -some moments before cutting the envelope, but when -he did so and his eye caught the opening lines, he -started erect in his seat and a slight exclamation of -surprise escaped him. Broom glanced at him inquiringly, -but Roy was absorbed in his occupation -and quite oblivious of Broom’s presence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My dear boy,” the letter ran, “you must not be -frightened when I tell you that I have been ill. Not -seriously ill, dear, but what we Canadians call ‘under -the weather,’ and papa, after eager solicitations from -myself, has promised to allow me to accompany him -on his visit to Fort Future. Is not that most beautiful? -I am sure I shall never get another good night’s -sleep till the time comes for us to start. It is three -years since we saw each other. I wonder if I shall -find you changed in appearance? If you will think -that I have grown old-looking or ugly? . . . You -may rest assured that, if I am alive and well, at the -earliest possible chance after open navigation you -will have the life plagued out of you by</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:5em;margin-top:0.5em;'>Your ever loving</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:5em;margin-top:0.5em;'><span class='sc'>Lena</span>.”</p> - -<hr class='tbk102'/> - -<p class='pindent'>This being the last letter necessary to the construction -of our romance, we will leave Roy Thursby to -his letters while I digress in my story to say something -about the writer of the billet doux.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The first few years of Roy Thursby’s employment -in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s service were spent -in the Mackenzie River District. The officer in charge -of the Fort at which Roy was stationed was Factor -James McLeod, a widower with one child, Lena—Roy’s -fair correspondent. After a short time spent -in the constant society of the Factor’s daughter the -young clerk became enamored of her and she in -return favored his aspirations. Perceiving the upright -character of the young fellow and the zeal he -displayed in the Company’s service—which augured -well for his future success—Mr. McLeod consented -to their being engaged, but stipulated that Roy should -be in the possession of his Chief Trader’s commission -before they entertained any thoughts of marriage. -Then Roy had been transferred to York Factory, and -from there to Fort Future, as we have seen.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='113' id='Page_113'></span><h1>CHAPTER VIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>DELGEZIE’S DESPAIR.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy Thursby laid down the last of his correspondence -with mixed feelings of pleasure and strange -forebodings. The delight he was feeling, since learning -that Lena McLeod was to accompany her father -on his trip of inspection, was tempered in a large -measure by the words contained in the letter announcing -young College’s fatal encounter with the -Indian—“For in my opinion it is murder for a man -to take another man’s life no matter what the circumstances -that seem to extenuate it.” This was a -strange decree from one so young, and the words rang -in Roy’s brain, try how he might to forget them. -Yet why they should so disturb and influence him -he could not for the life of him imagine.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mechanically he caught up a newspaper and ran -his eye over its pages till dinner was pronounced -ready.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>During the meal Broom’s manner appeared sullen -and taciturn, and after a few minutes of desultory -talk Roy lapsed into silence. But when they rose -from the table the trader appeared to suddenly guess -the cause of the other’s moodiness, for after gaily -exhorting Hopkins to come forward, he brought forth -the “comfort,” and at this Broom’s face immediately -cleared, while Hopkins entered the room blithely and -took the stiff dram offered him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The arrival of the “packet” was now celebrated -by Broom with more fervor, and entirely unsolicited -he refilled his glass and drank success to “George -Hopkins.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy noted the circumstance with displeasure, but -suppressed his inclination to draw Broom’s attention -to it, and drank the toast with as much grace -as he could assume. Then, unceremoniously, he -whipped the bottle off the table.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>No whit abashed, the loquacious Broom told a -number of pithy stories, which he related in his inimitable -manner. These and other merry quips kept -Hopkins in a constant fit of laughter, in which Roy, -despite his annoyance, was at length forced to join.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly a gust of wind struck the house, shaking -it to its foundations. The trader and the dog-driver -glanced simultaneously at the window, then at each -other with an accompanying nod, as if to say that -their prognostications of a blow were proving correct.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At once Roy thought of Kasba, for he had been -told that she had gone for meat. Had she returned? -Had anyone seen her pass the house? Where was -her father, Delgezie?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Receiving no answer to his questions from Broom -or Hopkins, neither of whom knew the whereabouts -of the girl or her father, Roy called in Sahanderry -and again put the questions. The Indian entered -with a face that clearly betrayed the anxiety he was -feeling, but he could give no satisfactory information. -He was almost certain Kasba had not returned, but -as it was possible that she might have passed while -they were at dinner he was unable to speak positively. -He then spoke of his own doubts and fears regarding -the girl’s safety.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the trader checked these voluble premonitions -by commanding Sahanderry to go to Delgezie’s hut -and find out the truth of the matter, while he struggled -into his “hairy coat.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without waiting for further directions the Indian -rushed from the room. Fears for Kasba’s safety -animated his movements. But he was stopped short -in his impetuous haste before he had crossed the -kitchen, the door being suddenly thrown open by -Delgezie himself, who hastily entered, pulling the -door to after him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie’s entrance was the signal for the greatly -perturbed Sahanderry to begin a string of confusing -questions interlarded with much advice and dire -prophecies of evil, but Roy came to the rescue of the -distracted old man by peremptorily ordering the -young Indian to hold his tongue, and then by a few -direct questions the trader elicited the fact that the -girl and boy left the Fort at seven o’clock that morning -and had not yet returned.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Seven o’clock! They had left at seven o’clock! -Then they should have been back long ago! It is now -two! What can have happened to them?” The trader -spoke sharply and with evident anxiety.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a bewildered fashion the old Indian stood gazing -at the speaker, leaning a little forward as if to -better read the expression on Roy’s face. He had -the most implicit faith in the trader’s superior judgment, -and with the simplicity of a child waited to be -told what he was to do. His features worked in a -nervous, agitated manner and a pipe that he had been -unconsciously holding fell from his hand to the floor. -Suddenly he seemed to be aware of Roy’s perturbed -manner, and made for the door, but at once Roy called -after him, demanding what he was about to do.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the old man made no answer. He was fumbling -at the door, which he presently opened and went -hastily out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Those left in the room looked askance at one another.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Follow him, Sahanderry,” cried Roy; “bring -him back; he cannot go like that. Be quick, man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry hastened to the door, but a sharp cry -without caused him to pause with his hand on the -latch. The cry was followed by the howling of dogs; -a peculiar long-drawn howl which the listener instantly -recognized as proceeding from dogs that had -become entangled or whose progress was in some -measure impeded. The trio in the inner room again -looked at one another, but this time it was with a -smile of relief.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s them,” asserted Sahanderry from the -kitchen, “the dogs have found their way home and -the sled has got stuck against something.” With this -information he hurried outside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when he opened the door and stepped out, -Sahanderry could see nothing; everything was obscured -by the drifting snow. The wind rushed round -the buildings from all points at once and seemed to -gather additional impetus at every corner. The Indian -paused, half blinded by the cutting wind and -nipped by the intense cold. But the dogs, as if to -baffle discovery and thereby prolong his apprehensions, -became suddenly quiet. Taking a step forward -he called to them in a loud voice. Just then a bulky -object loomed suddenly out of the gloom and he came -in violent contact with something which, although -sufficiently substantial to cause him a shock and -nearly send him off his feet, was at the same time -curiously soft. Sahanderry recoiled from it with a -thrill of apprehension and the thing, whatever it was, -instantly passed into the house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The dazed and vastly astonished Indian remained -for a moment staring after the object. Then an idea -of what it was struck him and he swiftly followed it. -When he entered the house he found Roy Thursby -bending over something which lay stretched upon a -table, over which a blanket had been thrown. Delgezie -was standing apart, nervous yet confident in his -master’s power to restore animation to the apparently -lifeless body he had just given into his charge.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After bending over the object for a moment longer, -Roy looked up with a slight exclamation and a quick -glance at Delgezie.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old man’s quiet demeanor led Roy to suppose -that he was laboring under the delusion that the -body was that of Kasba. The mistake was very possible, -for the object was enveloped in a “hairy coat,” -and was covered with snow when Delgezie discovered -it. He had evidently caught it from the sled without -closely inspecting it and rushed into the house with -the senseless David in the belief that it was Kasba -he was carrying. Roy was debating how best to -acquaint Delgezie with the error when the matter -was taken entirely out of his hands by Sahanderry, -who had drawn nigh and was now hurling a volley -of questions at the unconscious boy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie started as if electrified when the import -of Sahanderry’s importunate questions dawned upon -him. He glanced suspiciously around as if to perceive -whether by any possibility the body could have -been changed, then rushed to the table, where he -gazed long and searchingly at David, whose existence -he had evidently forgotten in his great despair for -Kasba. Then wildly he turned, and, holding up his -hands, cried in accents of direst agony: “She is my -all, O God! Take not the tender branch and leave -the old trunk standing!” Then, dropping his hands, -he added as if to himself, “But I will find her or -never return alive!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Uttering these words, he was again about to rush -from the room when Roy caught his arm and so prevented -him. With the fury of a wild animal the old -man turned on his captor; then, perceiving whom he -was struggling with, he instantly desisted. The -trader, however, held him for a moment longer in -order to allow time for his habit of discipline to -assert itself, then commanded him, with a harshness -he was far from feeling, to seat himself and so remain -until he was told to move. The poor old man -seated himself mechanically with bowed head and -dazed, resigned manner pitiful to witness. The -sight of the Indian’s profound despair went to the -heart of the trader, who had a singular affection for -the aged; but the moment was too pregnant of danger -both to the boy on the table and the girl out in the -drifting snow to allow him to engage in sentiment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile Broom with commendable dexterity -had removed all of David’s clothing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Snow! Bring snow!” he cried.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry and the little dog-driver, who had been -present during these proceedings, quickly fetched the -required snow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The unfortunate boy’s hands and face were literally -frozen. His eyes were closed, and his lips -pressed tightly together.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom and Hopkins now gave the boy a vigorous -rubbing with snow to restore the circulation, which -had been arrested by the intense cold. This was no -soft, agreeable massage, but a lustily performed rubbing -that almost took the skin off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a time these exhausting efforts had the desired -effect. David sighed and opened his eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Whereupon the garrulous Sahanderry again bombarded -him with questions, but a peremptory: “Be -quiet and fetch me some hot water,” from the trader, -sent him post-haste to the kitchen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hastily diluting some brandy, Roy, after a little -difficulty, got it down the boy’s throat and almost -immediately he seemed much revived. The light -expression returned to his eyes, and he tried to articulate, -and the trader began to hope that he might -have an explanation before he left on his search for -the missing girl; and while the boy had been undergoing -his severe course of friction Roy had been by -no means idle, as two neatly rolled bundles enveloped -in blankets testified. He had tied up what necessaries -he judged likely to prove useful to the distressed -Kasba, making them into two bundles, each -ready to sling across a man’s shoulder. He intended -to carry one himself and give the other to Delgezie -to carry; thereby guarding against any possibility of -either of them coming upon the girl without the recuperating -necessaries; for in their hazardous hunt -for the missing girl the two men might become separated. -Then, bending over the prostrate boy, Roy -earnestly adjured him to tell where he had last seen -Kasba.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David’s attempts to articulate were pitiful to behold; -the name of the girl he loved as a sister stimulated -him to heroic efforts to speak, but he could only -moan in reply, while large tears ran down his burning -cheeks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy soon perceived that he would be unable to get -an explanation from the boy in the usual way, and -resolved to acquire the desired information by the -intricate means of signs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again he bent over David and this time he spoke in -Chipewyan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, David,” he said, speaking slowly, “I see -that you are unable to talk, but you can hear me speak -and by doing what I desire, you will make yourself -understood just as well. If you wish to answer ‘yes’ -close both your eyes, if ‘no’ keep them open. You -understand me, don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy’s bright eyes shut instantly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s right!” said Roy. “Now, was Kasba -walking ‘before’ the dogs when you last saw her?” -Those bright eyes shut again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good! You were coming to the Fort and were -somewhere near the ‘little hill’?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy’s eyes closed quickly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You were on this side of the ‘hill’?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David stared at him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You were on the other side?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David shut his eyes in the affirmative.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a moment Roy hesitated, then, as if deciding -he could not get any further information, he turned -to go. But as he did so he saw such a look of profound -despair pass over David’s face that he turned -to him again. The mute appeal in the boy’s eyes -gripped at his heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You want me to search in some particular place -for Kasba?” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The eyes shut instantly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“At the ‘saw pit’?” David stared at him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sandy Ridge?” There was no response.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy mentioned all the likely localities by name, -but those haunting eyes only watched him feverishly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Tenderly he patted the boy’s head. “You have -done your best, David,” Roy said, “but it is impossible -for me to understand where you mean and I -must go and look for the girl without further delay.” -With this he turned away. But David, after lying -perfectly still as if to collect all his failing energies -for one mighty effort, partly raised himself and called -out something in a hoarse shriek, but with such vehemence -as to cause the first part to be quite unintelligible.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sound of David’s voice brought Roy round on -his heel with a swing. His quick ear had caught the -word “gully.” The boy was lying on the table -breathing fast and hard, his keen black eyes watching -the trader with an eagerness that told that he was -anxiously waiting to be further questioned.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gully! gully!” said Roy to himself; “What -does he mean?” Then, in a flash it came to him. -About a mile from the “little hill” was a gully, -Peter’s gully.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again he essayed an explanation from David.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was now a glad, happy look on the boy’s face -as if by some means he had discovered that Roy was -in possession of the name he had tried so very hard -to utter. Probably Roy’s look of relief, or, what is -more likely, the movement of his lips, as he repeated -the words to himself, had given the boy his cue.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The question was scarcely put before it was answered -by those black eyes, which closed several times -in as many flashes. Then, as if the excited boy’s unnaturally -pent-up feelings had suddenly broken bonds -he gave a horrible, ghastly laugh that sent an unpleasant -thrill through all within hearing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie, who had remained perfectly impassive -while Roy was interrogating David, jumped excitedly -to his feet at the sound of this unnatural -laughter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s that?” he demanded, gazing around him -in a scared, bewildered fashion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy touched the old man’s arm softly. “Come, -Delgezie,” he said, cheerfully. “We will now go and -find Kasba; David thinks she might be sheltering -in Peter’s Gully. I think we can find that even in -this drift, eh, old man?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old Chipewyan started suddenly at hearing -his daughter’s name. He gazed at Roy for a moment -in doubt, then, perceiving a smile on his face, -he smiled pathetically in return.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think so,” he replied, and at once started for -the door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wait! Catch hold of this,” cried Roy, pitching -one of the bundles to him, then slipping the other over -his own shoulder. “We must go equipped or we may -as well stay at home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The distracted father was now all impatience to -be off. But Roy paused to give Broom a few -instructions for the proper disposal of David. Then, -carrying a small compass in his hand, he walked outside, -closely followed by the old Indian.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Closing the door, Roy paused to take his bearings -by the compass, then started after Delgezie, who was -already some yards in front. He did not seek to -overtake the old man, but followed close behind, -keeping him in sight except, occasionally, when a -snow-cloud enveloped him for a few moments. The -force of the wind was terrific. It swept over the -plain howling like a pack of wolves, and drove the -men before it at a great pace.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After scudding along at this unusual speed for -some time the air became literally filled with snow-flakes -and the darkness thickened. It was with -utmost difficulty that Roy was able to consult the -compass. But feeling assured that he was going in -the right direction he allowed the wind to blow him -forward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly the darkness lifted and Roy gazed about -him in search of Delgezie, but nowhere could he be -seen. A ridge of rocks loomed out of the gloom and -caused Roy to consult the compass anew. “You’re -a bit of a liar, my friend,” he murmured, slipping -the offending instrument into his mitten in token -of his disgust, for he knew by the character of the -rocks that he had come directly south and not south-west -as he had intended—the compass had proved -incorrect, as compasses frequently do in the Far -North.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well,” thought Roy, “I may as well have a look -now that I am here,” and with this determination he -steered his way to a small ravine which he knew ran -through the rocks before him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And there he lustily shouted the girl’s name, but -there was no response, and after a time he turned -and left the ravine in an attempt to reach Peter’s -Gully, his original destination. However, he had -not walked far into the open before he stumbled and -fell, and picking himself up he found that he had -tripped over a pair of snowshoes. These he eagerly -scrutinized. From their size he perceived that they -belonged to Kasba, and with a terrific yell that fairly -outrivalled the howling of the wind he recommenced -his search for their owner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After searching for some time, Roy discovered an -object huddled in a hollow of the rocks and sprang -forward with a low cry of eagerness, but in his -impetuosity he tripped and fell heavily. The noise -and ejaculation occasioned by the fall apparently -awoke the object into life. For a little cloud of -snow arose as a covering was suddenly thrown back -and the girl’s face appeared. Roy struggled to his -feet with a laugh, but it was with a sobered air that -he approached Kasba.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you all right, Kasba?” he inquired, anxiously -peering down at her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl nodded; she was too cold to articulate, -and unable to rise from the same cause.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Perceiving this, Roy caught her up in his arms -to transport her to another part of the ravine where, -as he knew, there was plenty of dry wood for a fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus Kasba was brought into the closest possible -contact with the man she loved, and, despite her -resolution to think of him no more, she nestled in -Roy’s strong embrace with a little sigh of complete -contentment; she felt that the severe hardships she -had undergone in the blizzard were proving -blessings in disguise now that they had given her -these moments of rapturous happiness. Her little -brown hand stole to his shoulder caressingly and she -pressed closer to him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He could feel the beautiful form of the young -girl pressing against his breast. She was such a -child, and was so little and dainty, that the temptation -to respond to her caress was not to be withstood, -and lowering his head a little he kissed her on the -full lips.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The instant he did it he felt a pang of conscience -for his act. It seemed like a sacrilege after just -receiving letters from Lena.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But he had done it more thoughtlessly than otherwise, -besides he was overjoyed at finding the girl -safe and well. She had had a miraculous escape. -Still, he realized he had done wrong.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba sighed rapturously. He could feel her -heart throbbing, and for a moment she clung to him -passionately.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this display of passion, he more than ever -doubted the wisdom of his act. He had not intended -playing the lover to this half-savage child. He felt -he had played the villain. He knew she had more -than ordinary intelligence and that if he went on in -that way he would break her heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He disengaged himself kindly and stood her upon -her feet, but she still clung to his arm, hugging it -to her bosom. Her face was flushed and joyous: he -had kissed her, and all eternity could not take from -her the memory of that moment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As for Roy, in my opinion, he was certainly skating -over very thin ice.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='127' id='Page_127'></span><h1>CHAPTER IX.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>ENTERTAINING THE “PACKET” MEN.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>During the next few days the sufferers from -exposure and travel quickly recuperated, and in a -week all were once again in their accustomed good -health. Kasba had luckily escaped Jack Frost’s -most tenacious embrace, and a few hours had been -sufficient to enable her to throw off the lethargy -occasioned by her perilous adventure. David, on -the other hand, had suffered painfully. The parts -of his body that had been frozen became swollen and -inflamed to an alarming degree, but as the blood -regained its accustomed circulation the swelling -slowly subsided. After two days of careful nursing -the boy had been removed to Delgezie’s hut, where -he had quickly recovered the use of his limbs and -elasticity of spirits, while any fatigue the little dog-driver -and his partner might have felt by their long -journey had been entirely shaken off after several -good nights’ rest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy had traded with the few Eskimo encamped -at the Fort and sent them about their business. A -large seamless sack, whose sides bulged alarmingly, -standing behind the counter in the trading store, had -been the cynosure of their oblique eyes. This was -the damning evidence of Ocpic’s cupidity, the sack -he had filled with goods during the time he was in -possession of Roy’s store key, but had been prevented -from transporting from the premises for some unaccountable -reason—probably some sound had alarmed -him and caused him to leave the store post-haste.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Eskimo spoke among themselves respecting -the incident, and from the fragmentary conversation -Roy overheard whilst engaging in trading with them -he gathered that they felt more regret at Ocpic’s -failing to take the goods away than at his behavior. -And this was not to be wondered at, for they were -acquainted with Roy only as a man who gave “nothing -for nothing,” while Ocpic was of their own race, -and truly blood is thicker than water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trading-store was a small, unpretentious -building of undressed plank. It contained every -imaginable commodity likely to be required for the -Eskimo trade: cloth of red and blue, white capotes, -blankets, scalpy knives, dags (snow-knives), pocket-knives, -white seed beads, telescopes, tin and copper -kettles of various sizes and a large stock of firearms, -etc. First of all an Eskimo handed his bale of furs -over the counter to Roy, who counted and valued -them. Having done this, the trader handed the -native a number of pins (pieces of wood), which the -native with great deliberation arranged upon the -counter, first in tens, then into little piles according -to how much he wanted to buy of any one article. -Each of these pieces of wood represented a “skin,” -or, as it is sometimes called, a “made beaver,” the -standard valuation by which trade is carried on -between the Hudson’s Bay Company and the natives -in that northern country. Having selected an article -valued at, say, eight skins, the native handed over -eight of his pieces of wood in exchange, and continued -this method of doing business till all were gone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As each native finished his bartering he fell out -of the gang which thronged before the counter, and -retired to the particular <span class='it'>iglo</span> he inhabited to gloat -over his purchases. After untying the bundle which -he had tied up in the store with such security as to -lead one to imagine that he never again intended to -unloose it, he took each purchase in hand separately, -felt the edges of the knives, admired their workmanship -and shape, closely scrutinized the large tin -kettles and went into raptures over their shining -brightness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trading done and the Eskimo away from the -Fort, Roy gave his attention to the accounts and -letters he wished to send by the return “packet.” -The packet-train’s stay at Fort Future was limited -to one week by the hard-and-fast rules governing the -Company’s “packets,” and Roy’s search for Kasba -and his trading with the natives had occupied several -days of this time, but at an isolated post like Fort -Future the official correspondence was not heavy and -he was easily able to accomplish that part of his -duties in due season. The work of writing his private -letters, however, was more protracted. It was -only in the evenings, after the loquacious Broom had -retired, that Roy could apply himself to these. But -by continuing his labors into the small hours of the -morning he arose from the table on the last day of -the allotted time with his work completed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With the “packet” off his mind, Roy turned his -thoughts to giving Hopkins and his companion a -good send-off, and accordingly he arranged for a -dance to take place that evening. Sahanderry was -told to make a large supply of raisin cakes and to -coax his dilapidated fiddle into tune. And the -delighted Indian proceeded to carry out these orders -with much jubilation. Soon little squares of dough, -spotted with raisins, lay on top of the stove, and the -pleasant smell of newly-cooked cakes filled the house -all morning. During the afternoon the Indian -brought out his fiddle and started to tune it. At this -Broom uttered fearful imprecations and threatened -to throw various objects at the fiddler’s head, but -Roy, greatly amused, allowed Sahanderry to go on -with his tuning, and the Indian continued the nerve-racking -process with diabolical ingenuity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As soon as supper was over, Sahanderry and Hopkins -prepared the kitchen for the coming ball, and -when everything was in readiness and the guests -assembled Roy was apprised of the fact. There was -a short delay occasioned by Broom, who at the last -moment decided to groom his hair and unkempt -whiskers, then the trader and his companion put in -an appearance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba’s face at once filled with delight. She had -not forgotten the caress she had received from -Bekothrie; her lips where his had pressed them -tingled still. And when he stood up for the first -dance with her, thereby elating her into a seventh -heaven of happiness, the crimson flew to her cheeks -and brow. She tossed her head and smiled very prettily, -her heart glowing in her eyes, and I must confess -she clung to his hand, as they went through the -figure dances, a good deal longer than was necessary; -also, I may as well tell you at once, she put up her -lips, when she bade him good-night, standing on tip-toe -that she might reach his face. He received her -salute with a little laugh of embarrassment, and in -truth was too much worried over what she had done -to allow of his sleeping after he turned in.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba was the only woman present at this singular -entertainment, but the absence of lady partners -seemed in no wise to detract from the jollity of the -evening. Hopkins, Poo-koo and David faced Broom, -Delgezie and Minnihak, while Roy had Kasba for -partner, as we have just described, and jigs, country -dances, figures of eight, duck dances and rabbit -dances were one and all performed with commendable -spirit. There was a little confusion in the set -dances caused by an occasional mix-up of partners -or a dancer jigging alone down the perspective, but -these mistakes only added to the fun of the evening.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At first solemnity and much perspiration marked -these performances, but as pint after pint of “sugar -beer” was swallowed by the thirsty dancers, their -solemnity wore away, a gayer humor prevailed and -some most intricate steps were ventured upon and -accomplished with more or less success by the juvenile -members of the party.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the evening progressed, Broom suddenly burst -into a song, much to Roy’s astonishment, for the -sailor had often declared himself incapable of singing -a note. The comic expression of Broom’s face created -much amusement, and when he ended his performance -by shuffling a few steps after the orthodox -manner of the music-hall artists the delight of his -audience knew no bounds, and the fun waxed fast -and furious till the clock pointed to the hour of midnight. -At the striking of the hour, Roy shook hands -with all present, and then, led by Broom, three -cheers were given for “the master,” and the party -quickly dissolved.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Despite their terpsichorean efforts of the previous -evening they were all up betimes next morning. -Even Broom arose much before his wonted hour to -see the packet men start on their return journey.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, good luck, George!” cried Roy, grasping -the little dog-driver by the hand. “May you have -a good trip!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thank you, sir,” returned the little man, who -hastily proceeded to shake hands with all within -sight, which act of courtesy was closely imitated -by Poo-koo. And while it was yet dark the packet-train -started on its hazardous journey south. The -dogs, greatly refreshed by their rest, bounded after -the rapidly disappearing Eskimo in front, who, -unlike most of his race, was a good and fast walker, -and the last link to the outside world was quickly -swallowed up in the gloom of the early morning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With an unconscious sigh of regret Roy turned to -go indoors. To be sure Churchill was as much out -of the world as Fort Future, but there were more -people—possibly a dozen—and four mails a year -there. Four mails a year looked good to Roy. -Truly all things are judged by comparison.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy’s naturally buoyant spirits seemed to have -departed with the packet and he appeared dull and -listless, remaining preoccupied during the whole of -breakfast, and returning only monosyllabic answers -to Broom’s airy remarks. The interesting occupation -of letter-writing gone, there seemed nothing to -occupy his mind, and it was with something of an -effort that he forced himself to take up the old -monotonous life and to revive the interest he had -hitherto felt in his work. But these feelings, this -hankering after the unattainable, was soon dispersed -by his strong will, and he was again the zealous officer -the Company had ever found him. He was inwardly -longing for the time when the ice would be out of the -river, and Chief Factor McCall would arrive on his -trip of inspection, and the knowledge that Lena was -to accompany her father only made the enforced wait -the more exasperating. But Roy knew from bitter -experience that the only way to make time fly was to -be fully occupied, and he therefore decided to make -a trip to the camp of his Eskimo trader Acpa.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='134' id='Page_134'></span><h1>CHAPTER X.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>A TRIP TO AN ESKIMO ENCAMPMENT.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy and Broom spent the evening following in -desultory conversation. The latter was feeling in -one of his best moods, but a strange presentiment of -coming evil beset the trader; that peculiar instinctive -feeling of some approaching calamity with which -we are all more or less acquainted; the shadowy, -indistinct sensation that some catastrophe is nigh -and about to overwhelm us.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Roy’s naturally buoyant spirits were not prone -to fits of depression he felt irritated with himself and -attempted to throw it off, but the feeling was so persistent, -so singularly distinct, that it caused him to -hesitate about making the journey. It was only by a -supreme effort that he suppressed these premonitions -of evil and bent his mind on the business before -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He had arranged for Minnihak to accompany him -as guide, and Delgezie to follow with a second train -of dogs. Consequently the charge of the Fort fell -to Sahanderry, who was summoned to the inner room -to receive his orders. Roy made a point of giving -these instructions in the presence of Broom, so that -he might perfectly understand his position and that -he remained at the Fort merely as a guest, and that -except for the preparing of his meals the Chipewyan -was in no wise under his direction or supervision. -After establishing this fact beyond any possibility -of doubt, Roy dismissed Sahanderry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And now we’ll take a last horn together,” he -said, little thinking how prophetic his words would -prove.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thanks, old man,” returned the sailor. Then, -as if the thought had suddenly flashed upon him, he -added: “By the way, you might leave a drop with -me, old chap; the time will be deuced long while -you’re away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy shot him a quick glance and remained silent -for some moments as if debating within himself. -He turned and lingered over the spirit chest, and -then, alas, against his better judgment, he produced -two bottles of whiskey which he handed to the sailor. -There was nothing in these innocent black bottles -to warn him that they would be chiefly instrumental -in bringing about the catastrophe his gloomy forebodings -had foreshadowed—<span class='it'>the imp of evil was there</span>.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I shall be away only four days if the weather -holds good,” said Roy. Then looking the other -straight in the eyes he added a little more seriously, -but with a smile: “Of course I depend upon you -behaving yourself, Broom. You’ve given your word -that you will try no more foolishness with Kasba, -and I trust you. I have given you the liquor you -asked for, but I don’t expect you to make an ass of -yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom smiled broadly while engaged in stowing -the bottles under a pillow of his bunk.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear me, what a doubting Thomas you are!” he -said. Then, with the theatrical manner he was so -fond of assuming, he added: “You may proceed on -your hazardous journey, my good Samaritan, with -the greatest confidence in your humble servant’s -future exemplary behavior. He will conduct himself -in the most approved manner during your -absence.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After this virtuous assurance, Broom partly filled -an enamelled mug with whiskey from a bottle on the -table, and, raising it in the air, drank to “a successful -trip.” “May you return with your sleds loaded -down with furs,” he cried, in a more friendly spirit -than he had shown for some time past.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thanking him for his wishes, Roy drank the liquor -he had mixed for himself, and prepared for bed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You must excuse me,” he said, “for I am making -an early start in the morning. But don’t let -my going to bed interfere with your enjoyment. -There is not much in the bottle, you might as well -finish it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom muttered something about the other’s generosity -and drew the bottle toward him, while Roy -made haste to bed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trading party left the Fort long before daylight -next morning and were many miles away when -the “day-sky” crept over the horizon, for the dogs -were going well. Neither of the <span class='it'>com-it-uks</span> was -loaded very heavily, although they appeared to be so -from their bulk, but this was caused by the amount -of bedding, changes of clothing, and other useful -gear that trippers in the Far North are compelled to -take with them when making a trip, it does not -matter how short, in winter; for a blizzard, like that -in which Kasba was lost, easily protracts a short trip -into one of several days’ duration.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The day passed all too quickly for the little party, -who, keenly alive to the changeableness of the weather -at that time of the year, endeavored to push on with -the greatest speed possible. With this end in view, -only one short stop was made “to boil the kettle,” as -the phrase goes. Beyond this there was no stopping, -and each of the men was aware of sundry severe -promptings from an empty stomach long before the -approaching dusk compelled them to camp for the -night.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At a word from Roy the guide selected a suitable -spot, and the dogs were brought to a halt in a little -bluff of trees. The place chosen was not an ideal -one, for the brush was poor and dry wood scarce, -but, as the men well knew, there was no better for -some miles, and they lost no time in idle speculation -or useless regrets. Silently, and with the skilful -precision and dexterity of men well accustomed to -the work, they went about their several duties, each -to his own task, knowing what was expected of him. -To Delgezie fell the task of “making camp.” Having -picked a spot free from underwood and where -there were no holes, he slipped off his snowshoes -and using one as a spade proceeded to clear the -ground of snow, while Roy, acting as the old man’s -assistant, cut and brought suitable spruce trees which -Delgezie “branched” as soon as he had cleared a -space some ten feet square, strewing the small -branches thickly over the uncovered ground, and at -the same time making a three-sided barricade some -four feet high out of the robbed trunks. The back -of the camp was toward the wind, while the front, -or open side of the square, was reserved for the fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The camp built, Roy stopped cutting “brush” and -joined Minnihak in procuring “dry wood,” which -Delgezie cut into lengths as soon as brought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the trader and the Chipewyan turned their -attention to the dogs, which were unharnessed, tied -to adjacent trees and bedded down with brush. A -terrific clamoring ensued, for long experience told -the dogs that these acts betokened the feeding hour. -Four pounds of venison were now thrown to each of -them, as a reward for the faithful efforts of the day, -and on a tree near by a bag containing a night’s feed -for men and dogs was cached for the return journey. -Thus the <span class='it'>com-it-uks</span> were lightened by many pounds’ -weight the first day out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By this time Minnihak had a fire blazing fiercely -and throwing its glare all about them, making the -camp appear a comfortable haven indeed, as compared -to the cold, bleak surroundings, and Roy and -Delgezie stepped into its warm radius and knocked -the snow from their moccasins and trousers with -their thick deerskin mittens, smiling the pleased -smile of weary men satisfied.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The duties of cook fell upon the guide, Minnihak, -according to the rules of tripping. But although -the Eskimo had acquired the elements of civilization -he was sadly remiss in the nicer details of cleanliness, -which made his services in that capacity quite -undesirable. Therefore Delgezie cooked the food, -while Minnihak carried out the more menial labors -of cook’s mate, in pursuance of which he had already -gone to a near-by river and brought back several -large blocks of ice for the kettle, and these lay ready -to the cook’s hand, glistening in the firelight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Supper over, the men gave themselves up to a few -minutes’ smoke and reverie—the most delightful -time of the tripper’s day—and their thoughts naturally -turned to sleep. Delgezie, who always held -prayer before retiring, began a hymn, which he sang -alone, for Roy was unable to follow the old man’s -peculiar intonation, and Minnihak was ignorant of -both language and tune.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a reverie Roy’s gaze wandered from the bright -glow of the fire, through the few <a id='sparse'></a>sparse spruce trees -and out to the cold, desolate region beyond. The -moon was shining brightly, illuminating the surrounding -solitude which stretched into the far distance -on either side like a terrestrial eternity, having -no visible beginning or end.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a shudder of awe at the weird grandeur, -profound silence, and magnitude of the scene, Roy -realized himself an insignificant atom in God’s great -plan of creation, and his eyes, following the bent of -his thoughts, instinctively sought the heavens, where -they discovered a magnificent lunar halo, a white -corona with a pale-hued edge completely encircling -the moon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Withdrawing his gaze from this beautiful phenomenon -as Delgezie fell on his knees to pray, Roy -whipped off his cap and stood with head reverently -bowed while the old man stumbled through the General -Confession. At the words “<span class='it'>Nota Yaka Thenda -Nese</span>” (Our Father, etc.), Roy repeated the prayer -with such fervor as to cause the Eskimo to look up -in astonishment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>None but those who have witnessed it can understand -the singularly striking effect of such a scene—the -small, rudely constructed camp with the fire -throwing its glare afar; the profound silence; the -vast surrounding solitudes and the little group -of devotees, apparently alone in an immense wilderness, -their faces lit by the lurid glow of the fire; the -gentle soughing of the wind; the celestial canopy -bright with myriads of twinkling stars—all this appeals -to the imagination and, despite an inclination -to ridicule, a distinctly religious feeling prevails, -while thoughts prone to wander on excursions of -levity are brought sharply to order and turned -inward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie was the last to retire. Before lying -down the old Indian made all secure from fire -by pushing the burning embers out in the snow. -Then, after making certain that the trader was well -covered, he raised himself to take a last look about -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A light wind from the west seemed somewhat -capricious and threatened to change to another point -of the compass. This caused Delgezie some uneasiness; -he feared it might change during the night, -which meant a change of camp. And changing -camp in the dark, on a bitter-cold night, is a most -disagreeable experience.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='142' id='Page_142'></span><h1>CHAPTER XI.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>BROOM HAS CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES AND A SORE TEMPTATION.</span></span></h1></div> - -<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend=';fs:0.9em;' --> -<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>“<span class='it'>I see the right, and I approve it, too;</span></p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'> <span class='it'>Condemn the wrong, and yet the wrong pursue.</span>”</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'>—<span class='it'>Tate.</span></p> -</div></div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>Left to his own devices, Broom sat at his lonely -breakfast on the morning of Roy’s departure, racking -his brains for a means of diverting himself. The -big loneliness of the place had been penetrating his -soul for some time, and now that he was deprived -of Roy’s society there was nothing to relieve the -death-like monotony of the life. To find something -sufficiently interesting to make the time pass quickly -seemed to him a necessity, for the man’s mentality -was as weak in this respect as that of a boy or a -frisky animal. But a new divertisement was difficult -to devise. Sleep? He was tired of sleeping. -It seemed to him that he did nothing else. Books? -He was satiated with reading. The gun? He was -no shot, and the weather was intensely cold. Conversation? -Nothing would delight him more, but -there was no one but Sahanderry and Kasba to speak -to. Sahanderry was unfriendly, and Kasba—the -forbidden fruit. The whiskey? Ha! This indeed -offered great possibilities, it tempted him almost -beyond his powers of resistance, but his promise to -Roy, though given in a facetious manner, was as -binding to him as anything could well be, and drink, -as an entertainment, was excluded thereby. Traps? -Should he attend his traps? It was a clear morning, -with no wind; cold? yes, but he could guard against -that. Yes, he would visit his traps. It would please -Roy, he knew, therefore he would go.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was with feelings of righteous self-abnegation—an -odd sensation and entirely new to this hardened -sinner—that he proceeded to his traps.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In his magnanimity he went so far as to invite -Sahanderry to take a drink with him before starting, -but the Indian, hugging his animosity closely, -refused. Broom’s unprecedented cordiality, however, -was not entirely wasted. It had a mollifying -effect upon the Indian, for he fixed the netting of -the sailor’s snowshoes with greater care than he would -otherwise have done, and even departed from his -customary morose manner toward him to wish him -“good luck” when he started on his quest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom went on his way strangely thoughtful. -There was a new-found joy in the thought that he -had denied himself the drink. He was even conscious -of feeling virtuous—a sensation quite foreign -to him of late—and under the influence of this new -experience life seemed to take on a new aspect. He -was not given to conscientious scruples, and the sensation -was not altogether pleasant, for, stripped of -his habitual indifference, he stood revealed in a new -guise, and found the picture not good to look upon. -Everything around him was of unsullied whiteness; -the very stillness and profound solitude cried loudly -to him of the Creator. He felt out of harmony with -his surroundings, knew that he was the one black -spot in a region clothed with a mantle of purity, and, -like the progenitor of the human race, he was -ashamed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Rime fell lightly in prismatic crystals, scintillating -and glistening in the bright sunshine all about -him, and in the heavens there was a magnificent -spectacle, a beautiful celestial phenomenon: the sun -shining through the falling rime took the shape of -a fiery cross, and on each side of this sublime luminary, -at some little distance, shone a luminous ball, -and, attached to each of these, on the side farthest -from the sun, and rising perpendicularly, was a little -rainbow which extended in glowing bands of deep -red, orange, and light blue.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Stretching out from these were bars of silver reaching -across the heavens on each side like gigantic -arms and ending in indistinct vaporous clouds like -huge hands which appeared about to clutch the earth -in their embrace. Higher in the heavens, and -exactly above the sun, a crescent, its colors corresponding -with the beautiful sections of the rainbow, -shone out brightly, and at different points around -the horizon indistinct rainbow hues were visible.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom was by now well accustomed to the many -splendid phenomena of the Far North, but the present -magnificent spectacle—catching him at a time -when he stood disarmed, when for the moment his -mantle of indifference and cynicism had fallen from -him—influenced him strangely. However, a mind -perturbed with religious feelings was unusual to -Broom, and like the now fast-disappearing phenomenon, -this unusual experience was soon gone. With -the arrogance natural to mankind he stifled this -slight inclination, this prompting toward reform, and -lapsed into the hardened, cynical reprobate he naturally -was, at least to outward seeming. Alas! what a -number of Mr. Brooms there are in the world!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Fate, luck, or Providence, call it which you will, -reciprocated Broom’s magnanimous feelings by smiling -on him. His hunting-bag by the time he had -visited all his traps was swollen to undue proportions -and bore significant signs of <a id='good'></a>good luck. He was -greatly elated at this success. Scorning his customary -long, slouching stride as a mode of locomotion -too slow to keep pace with his excited feelings, he -covered the ground at a quick trot and arrived at the -Fort in a thoroughly exhausted condition.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Phew! That’s warm work,” he cried as he -entered the door and found Sahanderry standing -before him with the vestige of a smile on his dark -face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How many?” inquired Sahanderry shortly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Five, my boy!” Broom dropped the bag of -foxes to the floor with a long sigh of relief. His -face was scarlet. He was “blowing like a grampus,” -and now that he was in the house he perspired freely. -“Guess I’ve earned a drink,” he said, and passing -into the inner room, quickly produced the bottle and -mug.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After taking a goodly modicum of whiskey he -eyed the bottle dubiously. The liquor had shrunk -in an incredible manner: a few more such potations -and he would arrive at the bottom of the bottle. To -guard against the calamity of running out of liquor -altogether the tippler made a mental reservation to -drink only one-third of his stock of whiskey on each -of the following days, thereby securing an allowance -for each day of Roy’s absence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In theory the scheme was undoubtedly good, and -well worthy of the versatile sailor, but in practice it -did not turn out as well as he expected. For when -he tumbled out of bed on the third morning, with an -exceedingly hazy idea of how he ever got into it, he -discovered to his chagrin that the whiskey was almost -all gone. Evidently nothing but an overpowering -fit of slumber had prevented him from drinking the -whole.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sitting on the edge of the bunk, feeling dull and -miserable, he was conscious of a raging, overpowering -thirst, and it was with the greatest difficulty that -he laid restraining hands on himself and drank only -enough of the already greatly depleted liquor to discover, -as he told himself, if what remained was the -real stuff. But this potation not only proved its -genuineness, but also greatly revived him, or, in his -own expressive language, “it made him feel a bit -more perky.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After putting the bottle aside with the scrupulous -carefulness of a miser secreting gold, he sank into a -chair and sat in drowsy contemplation for a few -minutes. Then, casting a disconsolate eye around -him, his gaze encountered Roy’s liquor chest with its -neat fastenings and lock. Immediately a fancied -procession of the black bottles danced before his -burning eyes. The thought that most likely a considerable -quantity of whiskey lay in the snug-looking -box and within easy reach brought him upright in -his chair with a jerk and he sat gazing at it as if -fascinated. Then, withdrawing his eyes with an -effort, he sprang suddenly to his feet and, catching -up his coat and hat, rushed from the room, clutching -his snowshoes as he ran.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Once outside and away from the dangerous fascinations -of the locked chest Broom paused and wiped -the perspiration from his brow. He stood irresolute -for a moment, then, with an air of grim determination, -turned in the direction of his traps, plodding -onwards with leaden footsteps, weary and breakfastless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like one in a dream he stumbled on his way. A -burning fire seemed to be consuming his vitals; flashes -of heat and cold passed over him; his hands became -moist, and he felt utterly fatigued. He was walking -mechanically now and his nether limbs seemed to -move like pendulums, forcing him to continue the -function of walking, to drag his weary body along -without any effort of will or possibility of staying -their movements.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On his return he could discover no sign of Sahanderry’s -presence and for this he was devoutly thankful; -for he felt too jaded, too dejected, to encounter -the gaze of his watchful enemy. On nearing the -Fort, he had endeavored to recover his old careless -“bon-aire” expression, but he was conscious that the -effort had been a miserable failure, and, therefore, -the Indian’s absence proved both a relief and a boon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Throwing aside his outdoor apparel he sank into -a chair where he sat profusely perspiring like a man -prostrated by weakness. He braced himself in his -seat to resist the temptation that he knew would -come. Sinking back, he gripped the sides of his -chair with the tenacity of one in a delirium and -forced his gaze into a far corner of the room.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Finding it impossible to keep his eyes fixed on -any one spot, he cast about him for something to -occupy his mind. He could not go outside, for the -weather was too intensely cold to allow anyone to -sit down, and he felt too ill and weary to walk about -any more. His breakfast stood upon the table, where -it had been placed by Sahanderry many hours before, -but it remained untasted, for he could not eat. He -had no desire for food, but the appetite for strong -liquor was almost mastering him. He knew the -feeling and dreaded it. In his desperation he -reached for a book that protruded from under the -pillow in his bunk, then again sinking back in his -chair, he endeavored to read. But the print danced -before his eyes, the large capital letters grouped -themselves together and stood leering at him. Suddenly -in place of the dancing printed type he saw -a smooth wooden box, the lid fastened with a strong -lock; for unconsciously the book had dropped from -his hands and he was again staring at Roy’s spirit -chest. After this he seemed to lose all consciousness -of things around him, his whole attention was -riveted on the object of his gaze. Presently he stiffened -himself as to resist some powerful shock; probably -the last spark of manhood was making vigorous -struggles to extricate him from so pitiful a position. -Beads of perspiration stood on his brow, and he fell -to trembling like a man with the palsy. To his -heated imagination the lid of the box slid slightly -back and a long thin hand protruded itself and was -beckoning him on. Then, as the hand still beckoned, -several black bottles slipped out also and began a -grotesque dance upon the lid, while others thrust -forth their heads to laugh, grimly, and make horrible -grimaces at him. Suddenly Broom started to -his feet. He passed a trembling hand across his eyes -and then, with a sigh of abject helplessness, staggered -forward to fall on his knees before the fascinating -chest which he now eagerly scanned. With a cry -more animal than human, he began to take off its -hinges with his pocket knife, for apart from the -strong lock, Roy had attempted no precautions to -make the box secure.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A slight snapping of the fire caused Broom to -stop in his frenzied labors and to glare around the -room like a hunted animal. But, apparently satisfied -that no one was there, he returned to his task, working -at the hinges with the cunning of a man bordering -on delirium tremens. In a few moments the screws -were out and the lid thrown back from the rear, the -hasp and staple acting as a hinge. Then with a -snarl of disappointment the wretched man sprang -to his feet, for with the exception of one bottle the -box was empty. In his heated imagination he had -pictured it filled to the top with rows of shining -bottles and now he stood for a moment glaring around -him like a wild beast defrauded of its prey, and well -was it for Sahanderry that he did not appear upon -the scene at that moment. Then uttering a little -chuckle Broom dropped on his knees and clutched -ravenously at the one bottle, which he fondled and -caressed with a foolish cooing noise horrible to hear; -while the hands of the bewildered wretch were now -shaking so as to threaten destruction to the bottle’s -contents. With the cunning of a madman Broom -perceived this, and rising to his feet, and mastering -his agitation with a strong effort, he began to draw -the cork with the aid of two pocket-knives. “Experience -makes perfect,” and Broom had become -dexterous in the art of cork drawing. So this cork -was soon extracted and the neck of the bottle hastily -glued to his trembling lips. He took several long -pulls before placing it upon the table, then, in a dazed -and mechanical way, he replaced the hinges upon -the box by returning the screws to their places. He -now stood slowly swaying from side to side, his face -wearing a curious expression like one slowly returning -to consciousness. Grasping the bottle with both -hands, he took another deep draught, then fell upon -his bed panting and exhausted, as if from some supreme -exertion. After a few minutes of restlessness -he fell asleep.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Sahanderry peeped into the room a little -later, he found Broom sleeping tranquilly. The Indian -glanced from the sailor to the bottle on the table, -and believing it to be one of those given him by Roy, -smiled contemptuously, while his idea of the sailor’s -drinking capabilities underwent a quick change.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Next morning Sahanderry was vastly surprised to -find the sailor in the same position. He was sleeping -heavily, as his deep breathing and nasal accompaniment -testified, and his prolonged slumber aroused -the Indian’s suspicion. Stepping lightly across to -the chest he carefully scrutinized the lock, but found -no evidence of its having been tampered with. What -then had produced Broom’s long sleep? Sahanderry -lifted the bottle from the table and held it up to the -light. It was still a quarter full. This was astounding. -Despite the Indian’s obtuseness he was sharp -enough to perceive that Broom must have procured -other liquor. But from where? And how? Sahanderry -shrugged his shoulders, and spreading out his -hands in a deprecating gesture he washed them of the -whole business.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was late in the day when Broom awoke from his -long season of unconsciousness, for slumber it could -hardly be called. Rising from his elbow, he gazed -about him. His head ached excruciatingly. His -brain seemed on fire. His tongue felt tough and dry -so that he found it hard to articulate. With a moan -he fell back upon the pillow to collect his scattered -senses and as he slowly awoke to the full consciousness -of what he had done, a sentiment of bitterness -rose in his mind against himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently he dropped over the side of the bunk and -reached for the bottle with an unsteady hand. As -he put it to his trembling lips a little of the liquor -trickled down his chin, and a sudden revulsion of -feeling came over him. Pushing the bottle away -with a look of malignant hate he paced the floor with -short unsteady steps, and with his long hair and -whiskers matted and disheveled, his face swollen and -flushed, his eyes intensely blood-shot and whole frame -trembling violently, he was indeed a pitiable sight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently the distracted man took his resolution. -He caught up his coat and struggled into it, but -when it came to securing the buttons his unsteady -hands fumbled and refused their office. With an exclamation -of impatience he again reached for the -bottle, and this time he drained it to the dregs. Then, -pulling on his cap savagely, he rushed from the house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But his perambulations were soon cut short and -he discovered himself stuck in the deep snow, for he -had left his snow-shoes behind. However, he did -not return for them; instead he took a circuitous -path made hard by constant usage and leading toward -the open, quite unaware that Kasba, ardently persuaded -by David, who wished to shoot some birds, -had also taken this easy route and was coming towards -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy and girl had gone but a short distance -when a flock of partridges rose with a whir-r-r and -flew to the rocks above them, and David with boyish -enthusiasm scrambled up the heights after the birds, -saying he would rejoin the girl farther down the -track.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Walking slowly with drooping head, Kasba went -<a id='thou'></a>thoughtfully along the path before her. She knew -every foot of the ground over which she went. Suddenly -she became aware of the close presence of another, -and starting she raised her frightened eyes. -Before her, leaning against a boulder, was Broom. -He stood with his back toward her, and his face -buried in his hands. He was apparently feeling ill -and dazed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl shrank back as if she had been struck, -then for some moments she stood immovable, her -startled gaze fixed upon the bowed figure. Instinctively -she felt her danger. A stifled gasp escaped -her and tremors shook her frame from head to foot. -Yet she dare not turn back, for David would be waiting. -She must go on, or he would come to look for -her and discover Broom. She shuddered to think -what might happen then, for the impetuous boy -violently disliked the fellow and would not miss an -opportunity of annoying him. Besides Broom had -been drinking heavily. Sahanderry had communicated -his suspicions to her and from what she could -make out there seemed to be a great degree of truth -in them. Therefore she must not leave David. -Broom would be in a black humor after his drinking -bout. She shuddered again. But this was no time -for weakness. She would go on, she <span class='it'>must</span>. Firmly -bracing her nerves, Kasba stepped lightly forward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With bated breath she moved, step by step, toward -the silent figure. Very slowly and stealthily she -approached him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man continued to stand perfectly still, but as -she drew nearer his motionless figure, she could -scarcely restrain herself from crying aloud, so acute -was her terror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a last effort, a strong, determined effort, she -was beside him. The snow under her feet crunched -to her imagination like the report of a gun. Her -heart stood still, she felt discovery inevitable. With -a mighty effort she strangled the cry in her throat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boulder against which Broom leaned was close -beside the track, and the attitude he had assumed -caused him to occupy most of it. To pass him so -closely was to court certain discovery. Kasba resolved -to make a slight detour, but she had not -brought her snowshoes. She had left the house with -the intention of taking only a short walk along the -beaten track and had thought them unnecessary. Off -the track the snow was deep and soft. What should -she do?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On her left was a ridge of rocks presenting acclivities -of every degree; on her right was a strip of scrub -almost covered by loose snow. The track, beaten -hard by Sahanderry on constant journeyings to his -traps, led straight before her, and, blocking this -narrow path was the inert figure of Broom. But -between the track and the rocks was a narrow strip -that to all seeming was perfectly hard. This she -carefully tried with one foot. It bore her weight and -with steady, cautious steps she passed on for a short -time in safety. Then, with a peculiar, dull report, -the crust gave way and the girl sank to her knees in -soft snow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom started nervously. Raising his head apprehensively -he at once discovered Kasba and her unfortunate -position.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With Broom’s eye upon her the distracted girl -ceased her ineffectual struggles and stood staring at -him wildly like one fascinated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At first he believed her to be one of the multitudinous -delusions of a deranged mind. But presently -he was convinced that it was no delirious fantasy, -but really Kasba’s self who was there, alone and in -his power, and he laughed the loud mirthless laugh -of one gone mad.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl quailed before his gaze of malicious -triumph, then turned and made frantic efforts to -release herself from the clogging snow and to regain -the hard track.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not so fast,” cried Broom, rushing in and grasping -her by the waist. “Not so fast, my little white -partridge.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In vain Kasba struggled while Broom rained hot -kisses on her mouth. She could not prevent him. -She was in his power indeed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But just when she had given up in despair Broom -suddenly uttered a terrific yell and loosened his grip. -The girl stood bewildered. She was dimly conscious -that her captor had released her and was now scuffling -with something small and dark, and mechanically she -drew herself out of his reach. Then, floundering -desperately out of the soft snow to the beaten track, -she fled along with a speed born of panic-stricken -horror; never pausing, never looking back, but rushing -straight on and on—to her father’s hut.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom, swearing like a madman, looked about him. -A dark form had dropped seemingly from the sky, -to spring forward upon his right arm, where it clung -with the tenacious grip of a bulldog. He was taken -completely by surprise. In his nervously-excited condition -the suddenness of the attack had startled him. -He imagined himself assailed by some uncanny foe -or some fierce wolf, and he had released the girl the -better to defend himself, and Kasba was beyond all -possibility of recapture before he discovered, to his -chagrin, that his adversary was no ferocious animal, -but the boy David, who had discovered Kasba’s precarious -position and slid down the face of the almost -perpendicular rocks to launch himself upon her -assailant. In an ungovernable paroxysm of baffled -fury he now rained blows upon the boy’s unprotected -face. David clung to his wrists for some moments -longer, then sank on the snow with a moan of pain, -and lay there limp and lifeless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom gazed stupidly at the still form for a moment, -then with a cry like that of a hunted animal -he rushed from the scene.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='157' id='Page_157'></span><h1>CHAPTER XII.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>AN ESKIMO ENCAMPMENT.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no -pranks with them that night, but after coquetting -around all points of the compass, suddenly died out -altogether.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw -back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was -falling and everything appeared white and cold to his -gaze. Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North -Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward -the south, he arose and set about building a fire. But -the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced -much difficulty in persuading them to ignite. -However after much patient coaxing the mass was at -last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening -his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to -prepare breakfast. Thus rudely awakened Minnihak -reluctantly drew himself from his warm robes—he -had no objection to the intense cold, but a decided -antipathy to early rising.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hearing the men astir, Roy arose also and shook -his bedding clear of the cloying rime before packing -it away in his bag. To take a hasty breakfast, “ice” -the <span class='it'>com-it-uks</span>, lash the loads, and harness the dogs -was the work of fully an hour, for the morning was -intensely cold, and everything unpleasantly chilly -and icy to the touch; falling on exposed parts of the -warm person, the rime at once became damp, then -froze, clogging the eyebrows and eyelashes, and any -hair on the face, with icy particles. It was one of the -coldest mornings of that winter, and the tenacious -clinging of the rime accentuated its chill.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy and Delgezie completed their disagreeable task -of harnessing the dogs as quickly as possible, then -jumped into camp to warm their benumbed fingers, -while Minnihak followed more leisurely, smiling and -unperturbed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Ik-ki-mai</span>” (It is very cold), he said laconically.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy in his haste to lash the sled had inadvertently -touched the head of an axe with his naked hand, -thereby “burning” his fingers, and he now stood -nursing them with a rueful countenance, making, -because of this, a brief pause at the fire. But soon a -start was made, and by the time the sun had thrown -its cheering rays over the desolate wilderness, the -trippers were well on their journey.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Their course for some distance followed the river, -then branched off sharply and ran along a little creek, -at the mouth of which Minnihak was seen to stop, -turn aside, and walk across to a partly built <span class='it'>iglo</span>, -which, from its appearance, Roy judged to be the -one in which Oulybuck had hanged his father and -brother, and when his dogs got abreast of it, he -stopped them and walked across to view this primitive -gallows.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The walls of this <span class='it'>iglo</span> apparently remained as they -had been first built, but the gruesome paraphernalia -was missing, the crossbar and line being probably -buried with the defunct Eskimos, and the block of -snow from whence they had launched themselves into -eternity thrown aside and drifted over. Deep imprints -on the snow walls told that death had come -only to the suicides after desperate struggles, and -two distinct mounds of snow a little to one side and -close together clearly marked the suicides’ graves. -A fox had been digging at one of them, and the excavations -had left the handle of a saw exposed to -view; for the belongings of the deceased Eskimos had -been buried with their bodies, after the custom of -their race.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Shortly after leaving the ill-omened spot the travellers -came in sight of Acpa’s encampment. This -consisted of several <span class='it'>iglos</span> grouped together with an -unusually large one in the centre. The smaller <span class='it'>iglos</span> -were of the ordinary kind, but the big one bore unmistakable -signs of its owner’s quality and importance. -Not only was it larger than the others, but it -had two protuberances instead of one: the one, as in -the usual case, being the kitchen, as a wreath of blue -smoke ascending from it testified; and as Acpa held -the proud position of a trusted trader, the other without -doubt was used by him as a storehouse, a room -where the trader bartered with his brother Eskimos.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A number of dogs were running in and out of the -<span class='it'>iglos</span>, and these at once gave the alarm; promptly -several rough, shaggy figures dragged themselves -through the tunnels leading to their various abodes -and stood watching the approaching dog trains. The -moment the <span class='it'>com-it-uks</span> arrived at the encampment -busy hands, with the characteristic readiness of the -Eskimo to assist, caught at the dogs while others -carried the bundles of merchandise away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>While the unharnessing and unloading were taking -place still other Eskimos were engaged erecting a -snow-house for Roy and the old Chipewyan, for the -trader invariably despatched his Eskimo guide to -sleep with a friend on these occasions.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Eskimo etiquette compelled the guest of honor to -wait in Acpa’s abode till his own was pronounced -ready for occupation, and in compliance with this -rule Roy dragged himself through the low entrance, -followed by a number of old men, women and -children.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He got to his feet in the kitchen and went forward, -picking his way among the skulking dogs, which, like -the Irishman’s pig, were on terms of equality with -their master, to the large room in the centre, and once -there he gave a sigh of relief, for the air was less -stifling, albeit the ventilation still left much to be -desired.</p> - -<p class='pindent'><span class='it'>Kaip-puks</span> were brought by members of the family -and spread on one of the elevated platforms or bed-steads -for Roy to sit upon, and he seated himself with -an inward hope that his claim on their hospitality -might be of the shortest duration.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The bundles of merchandise he had brought for -Acpa were now lying in the small room adjoining, -which, as he conjectured, was used specially for such -purposes. The one in which he sat was large and -dome-shaped, while several pieces of comparatively -transparent ice had been let into the walls to afford -the necessary light. The storehouse and kitchen were -lit in like manner, but in the latter a few sticks of -driftwood were smouldering on some flat stones, the -smoke from these travelling to the roof in the most -erratic manner, occasionally darkening the larger -room in its wanderings.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A number of men and women soon sauntered in, -and, squatting down at a little distance from Roy, -sat silently watching him, while friendly smiles -suffused their greasy faces; infants clothed only in a -hood, or perchance a tobacco pipe, were produced -with startling suddenness from the capacious hoods -of the women’s coats.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Grouped among the throng were old and feeble -Eskimos with the wrinkled faces, projecting cheekbones -and lantern jaws peculiar to the very aged, and -young wives with yellow complexions and bright, intelligent -faces, their hair ornamented in a fashion -peculiar to themselves, with a kind of pigtail formed -from the hair over each ear neatly braided, the ends -decorated with beads and deer-teeth, and bands of -brass worn across the forehead. Sprinkled among -the group were children of various ages, and probably -of both sexes, though their costumes were so exactly -alike that it was impossible to distinguish to which -sex each belonged. Altogether this close scrutiny was -oppressive, and when Acpa appeared some minutes -later, Roy’s face brightened perceptibly. “<span class='it'>Ay-hoo</span>-<span class='it'>ee-la?</span>” -(Finished?) he asked with the best attempt at -indifference he could muster.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Ay-hoo</span>” (short for It is finished), replied the -old man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy slowly arose, intending to make a dignified -exit, but even a fur-trader’s powers of endurance have -their limits, and he stumbled quickly across the -kitchen and precipitated himself through the low exit -into the fresh air, and, with feelings of grateful relief, -filled his lungs with the crisp oxygen. His confinement -in the smoky <span class='it'>iglo</span> had made him quite ill.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Entering the one erected for him by the hospitable -Eskimos, Roy found Delgezie awaiting his return and -supper prepared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The old Indian was smiling. “They’re giving a -dance,” he observed, glancing at the trader with eyes -that twinkled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The deuce they are; and they’ll expect me to -attend, I suppose,” grumbled Roy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Expect so,” said Delgezie drily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Further comment was stopped by the appearance -of Acpa, who approached with a face which radiated -cheerfulness and goodwill. He squatted down and -partook of the food handed to him with apparent -relish, for intercourse with the white man had given -him a taste for bread, tea and sugar, and even coffee.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After finishing the meal he proffered his unwelcome -invitation in this wise: “The Innuit are -happy,” pause. “They are glad to see you,” pause -and a smile. “Innuit will dance,” another pause and -smile, then ingratiatingly, “The ‘master’ will come?” -Here an expansive smile spread over his heavy features -and broadened into a laugh.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy received the invitation with an assenting nod, -and forced a smile to his lips. He inwardly shrank -at the thought of having again to enter Acpa’s odorous -and smoky abode, yet he dissembled, for he knew -that his presence at the dance was a thing of course.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently the soft tap-tap of a drum was heard, -and Acpa got slowly to his feet, while Roy arose -with assumed alacrity and followed his host to the -scene of revelry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Since the trader’s last visit a number of young -men had returned from the hunt, and these were now -seated in a circle eating ravenously of frozen meat, -raw and unsightly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For this occasion the <span class='it'>iglo</span> was lit by candles of -home manufacture, these being tapering pieces of -dry moss and balls of grease. The bands of brass -across the foreheads of the women shining brightly -in the subdued light; the circle of hungry Eskimos -devouring their food like as many ravenous animals; -the shadowy, indistinct figures of the old folk seated -on the outskirts of the throng, and the bright faces -of the children watching the assembly with keen and -earnest eyes, all combined to make the scene grotesquely -weird. And the tap-tapping of the drum -went steadily on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When the circle of hunters had satisfied their -rapacious appetites, it slowly dissolved. Then, -snickering and joking, the women formed themselves -into a circle and the ball was opened by Acpa, who -stepped into the centre of the ring, carrying a drum -in his hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This peculiar instrument consisted of a piece of -parchment stretched tightly across a wooden hoop -with a straight handle attached. The parchment was -dampened before each performance, a tuning process -as novel as simple. Acpa struck the rim of the drum, -the top and bottom alternately, against a stick, held -in the left hand, while shuffling his feet in a semblance -of step dancing, then striking the drum in the -centre a few times, he threw back his grand old head -and gazed up at the top of the <span class='it'>iglo</span>—seemingly for -inspiration—then fell to shouting, the shouts diminishing -in volume as they increased in rapidity. -“<span class='it'>Oh-ee, oh-ee, oh-ee, oh-ee-ee, oh-ee-ee, oh-ee-ee!</span>” -This was the cue for the women’s chorus, and they now -rocked themselves backwards and forwards, repeating -in high-pitched voices: “<span class='it'>Ya-ya, ya-a-ya, ya-ya</span>,” while -the old man composed his song as he went along. The -sentiments were at times poetic. He first thanked -the “master” for coming to see him and expressed -a wish that he would be satisfied with his trip. Then -he spoke of his work and the work of the other Eskimos -of the encampment and many other things in -the daily lives of himself and companions. Occasionally -he lapsed into the monotonous <span class='it'>Ya-ya</span> of the -chorus, or fell to shouting <span class='it'>Oh-ee, oh-ee</span>, but the drum -beating was continuous.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Afterwards several other men followed in this -unique individual dance and then came the turn of -the perspiring chorus to disport themselves. But the -women’s <span class='it'>rôle</span> was the exact opposite of that of the -men, for they danced two at a time and at first were -as silent as nuns, and they used no drum. Staring -each other straight in the eyes they shuffled their feet, -repeating queer words wheezily at the back of their -throats, all accompanied by a peculiar indrawing of -the breath. Many gestures accompanied this uncanny -performance, such as pointing derisive fingers -at each other, this meaning “I think very little of -you,” pointing upwards and downwards (the significance -of which seemed in doubt) and lustily slapping -their cheeks and patting their breasts. Evidently -this was a dance of endurance, but at last the final -pair fell panting and exhausted, and, taking advantage -of this respite, Roy hastened to shake hands with -all present and to leave the <span class='it'>iglo</span>.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The gleam of dawn spread in one golden glow of -morning, and the day rose radiant over the world. -The <span class='it'>com-it-uks</span> were “light” and the dogs travelled -quickly, and the sun was still high when our little -party got back to the camp they had made on the -previous day, and, the wind being in the same direction -as when the camp was constructed, it was ready -for their use and their labors were thus lightened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Supper over, Minnihak went to inspect a trap he -had set when they were there before. Roy stretched -himself on the outside of his bedding and lay dozing, -while Delgezie occupied himself making “cakes” for -the morrow. He had been employed in this manner -for some time when he heard a slight crunching sound -as of something moving over the snow. He thought -it was the Eskimo returning from his quest and did -not lift his eyes. But as the moments went by and -no Eskimo appeared, he raised himself slowly and -looked around. A large wolf stood before him on the -very edge of the camp.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was watching Delgezie with a wicked snarl that -left bare its ugly fangs. The hair along its backbone -stood up stiffly and its eyes gleamed threateningly. -It looked fiercely hungry and Delgezie expected it -to spring at him, but it stood motionless and the old -man’s eyes searched the camp for a gun, but he could -see no weapon, and then he remembered that the guns -had been left outside. He uttered a grunt of indignation—that -a lone wolf should invade his camp, seemingly -as the aggressor, was, for the old Indian, a new -experience. Keeping his eyes fixed on the wolf, Delgezie -stealthily reached for a billet of wood. The -animal watched him furtively; its long white fangs -snapped and it crouched as if about to spring, but -something in the old man’s unperturbed pose and -steady eye seemed to awe the beast and hold it aloof. -Delgezie felt cautiously for the billet, a particular -piece of green wood which as he knew lay beside the -fire. He dared not withdraw his gaze, and could only -grope blindly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly he uttered a terrific yell and came upright -with a bound. Feeling for the billet, he had -missed that which he sought and grasped one that was -burning. At the sudden and unexpected loud noise -the wolf wheeled quickly and fled away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie’s yell brought Roy sharply to his feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What in the world’s the matter, man?” he demanded.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wolf in camp,” replied Delgezie, nursing his -injured fingers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why didn’t you waken me? I could have shot -it,” demanded Roy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Guns outside,” said the old man drily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Whipping a revolver from his hip-pocket, Roy -said: “I keep this little thing for occasions like that.” -Then observing that Delgezie was in pain, he added, -“But what have you done to your fingers?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Delgezie explained, and his adventure caused much -amusement during the rest of the evening.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On the following morning, Delgezie, with Minnihak -as guide, left the track in order to get a load of -meat from a cache some distance from the camp and -off the direct route to the Fort, and sitting on the sled -smoking idly while the dogs ran briskly to the sound -of jingling bells, Roy returned to the Fort alone.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='168' id='Page_168'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>A DASTARDLY DEED.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>When Broom came to himself after rushing from -the scene of his violence he discovered that he had -returned instinctively to the Fort.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Finding the house in darkness he groped his way -across the kitchen to the inner room, where, after a -little, he succeeded in finding and lighting a lamp. As -its rays fell upon his features they clearly disclosed -the hateful effects of his debauch, the havoc his ungovernable -paroxysms of violence and passion had -worked upon him. The veins of his forehead were -dark and swollen, his eyes inflamed and hollow, his -look that of a worn-out demon. He was still agitated, -and his blood-shot eyes swept the room fiercely like a -wild beast still unsatisfied. His breathing was labored -and his mood still that of half-suppressed fear -and rage. Frowning and irresolute, he paused after -lighting the lamp, then began to pace the floor unsteadily, -his pace increasing in fretful rapidity as -he continued his short, irregular perambulations. At -last, as if wearying of this, he stopped short and -leaned his weight against the pair of sleeping-bunks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Just then the indistinct form of a man appeared -noiselessly in the doorway.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom eyed it fearfully, while his face grew pale -and moist with perspiration. He clutched at the -sides of the bunks to support his trembling limbs. -Then commanding his courage he demanded somewhat -unsteadily:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who are you?—speak out—be you man or devil?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The answer was a wordless mumble. The dim -form slipped forward into the light and the broad -figure and grinning face of Ocpic stood revealed, and -Broom’s courage was greatly restored. He heaved -a long sigh of relief and made a ghastly attempt at -jocularity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you imp of Satan,” he cried, “what do you -want here?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Ik-ki mai</span>” (It is very cold), declared the Eskimo -with an accompanying expressive shiver. Then, -entirely unsolicited, he lit the fire, which had gone -out during Broom’s absence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom paid no further attention to the native. -With short, jerky steps he recommenced his restless -walk, pausing now and again with a nervous start as -the wood in the stove cracked sharply, like so many -reports of a pistol. He was in an impatient fury. -His deliberations were far from pleasant, for he felt -that however much Roy might be inclined to overlook -the offence of breaking into the liquor chest, he -had, by his unpardonable assault upon Kasba, followed -by his brutal attack on David, put himself -outside the pale of forgiveness. He knew by experience -that the trader would show him no mercy for -this second insult to the girl, and he dreaded his -return. Not that he was a coward—in the physical -sense of the word; if corporal punishment could have -atoned for his brutal conduct he would have taken -his punishment—as he then felt—with the utmost -satisfaction. But he recognized that in bringing this -trouble upon himself he had betrayed the trader’s -trust, and this, to his mind, was a far greater offence -than his more criminal actions—even as cheating at -cards or the like ungentlemanly action is popularly -supposed to touch a man’s honor more closely than -the committal of any offence in the criminal calendar. -He paced the floor impatiently, out of humor with -himself and things else, and cursing with bitter oaths -his folly and the circumstances which led to it. Moreover, -the craving for strong drink was again upon -him, lashing him into a fury.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He had just succeeded in working himself into an -ungovernable passion when the kitchen door was -thrown violently open and Sahanderry burst into the -room. The Indian gibbered wildly and seemed about -to precipitate himself upon Broom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What for you do?” he cried excitedly, pausing in -the doorway and spreading out his hands with a -gesture of interrogation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom stopped short in his walk and stared at the -speaker with eyes that darted malignant hate. The -appearance of Sahanderry was as a match to tinder, -and Broom’s look was so venomous that it disconcerted -the Indian and he halted irresolutely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry’s discomfiture tickled Broom. He -laughed derisively, then abruptly resumed his tramp, -his manner signifying his utter contempt for anything -the enraged Indian might do.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Incensed by the man’s laughter, and drawing courage -from his outraged feelings, Sahanderry approached -his adversary with menacing gestures.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom halted, turned, and awaited his attack with -a provoking smile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly springing forward, the Indian seized him -by the hair of his head with both hands, then paused -to allow him to get a grip on his locks in turn—this -being the tribal idea of the proper opening of affairs -of honor, in which each man, having gotten a firm -hold, tries to twist the neck of his antagonist by -screwing his head into a position not in accordance -with nature’s planning. But Broom, after permitting -his opponent to take up the proper attitude, suddenly -discarded all further recognized rules of Chipewyan -combat and struck the vastly astonished Sahanderry -such a violent blow on the chest that had not the -Indian’s fingers been entangled in his adversary’s -hair, it would have felled him to the ground. As it -was he was able to regain his equilibrium in part -before relaxing his hold, and staggering against the -table, he stood for a moment panting and muttering -curses upon the head of the sailor, then slowly, -craftily, he shifted his position.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For, in coming in contact with the table, he had -instinctively put out his hands to break the force of -the collision and had touched an object that stood -thereon, over which his fingers had instantly closed, -and without pausing to consider what the missile -might be or do, he, in great desperation and excitement, -now hurled it with sudden strength, bred of his -vindictive mood, at the head of the offending Broom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The missile was the bottle stolen from the chest, -and, hurled with all the force of Sahanderry’s arm, -it struck Broom full on the cheek with a cruel thud, -then fell to the ground and broke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This unexpected attack found Broom quite unprepared. -He staggered from the force of the blow, -but suddenly straightening himself, laughed discordantly -and pulled a revolver, which he cocked and -levelled at the now shrinking Indian, who, at the -sight of the weapon, dropped to the ground and -vanished under the table, where he lay trembling -and terror-stricken.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Indian’s extreme fear filled Broom with fiendish -glee. In sheer devilment he fired several times—apparently -at haphazard, but with unerring aim, at -various objects in the room. He was undoubtedly a -dead shot, and, taking advantage of his skill, he tortured -the poor distracted wretch until he moaned -again. Fingering the revolver in an apparently careless -fashion, he touched the trigger and the bullet -passed in close proximity to Sahanderry’s body. -Then throwing up the weapon to feign sudden alarm -it went off as if by accident, the bullet grazing the -Indian’s head. Then followed a display of fancy -shooting, till, suddenly tiring of his amusement, -Broom’s mood changed. His face became grim again -and once more he levelled the revolver at the shrinking -figure under the table. The Indian fairly shook -with terror, and the sweat gathered upon his brow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry felt that his end had come. Broom’s -ghastly face and glistening eyes seemed proof that he -was no longer accountable for his reckless acts.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can say your prayers, you hypocritical imp -of Satan, for I’m going to kill you,” hissed the madman. -“In five minutes more you’ll be a dead man.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a dead man Sahanderry certainly would have -been if Broom had been less elaborate in his system -of torture. But during his shooting display Roy -Thursby had arrived at the Fort, and hearing the -report of the last shot had cautiously opened the door, -crept noiselessly across the dark kitchen, and reached -the room in time to hear Broom’s murderous threat. -As his eyes took in the scene presented he started and -raised his clenched hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, you hell-hound,” continued Broom, “your -time has come. I——” With a deadly intent he -was sighting the weapon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stop! You cowardly bully,” cried Roy furiously -from the doorway. “If you wish to fight you can -fight me, but leave that wretched, cowering Indian -alone.” He spoke rapidly but calmly, and his tone -of command had its effect upon Broom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What devil’s luck brought him here?” Broom -muttered to himself as he unconsciously lowered the -revolver and stood looking at Roy with darkened -brows. But the next moment he laughed recklessly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy started at the sound of this discordant -laughter. He eyed Broom questioningly, apprehensively -for some moments. From his strange agitated -manner, the gray pallor of his countenance and the -wild, shifty look in his eyes, Roy knew that he had to -deal with a man who, if not actually insane, or acting -a part, was on the verge of delirium, or could it be -delirium tremens? But whatever the condition or -cause, the man was in a state that might be dangerous -to himself and to others, especially while in the possession -of firearms. Roy resolved to propitiate him -as far as was consistent with getting him under -control.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fight you, my English bulldog; why, of course -I’ll fight you,” cried the frenzied man, handling his -revolver in a reckless manner. “But not in the -low-bred manner of your countrymen, if you please. -Hands are weapons for women; we’ll fight like men.” -Again he flourished the dangerous weapon, then playfully -presenting it at Roy, he shut an eye and took -long, deliberate aim.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The trader glanced unflinchingly at the extended -revolver. He fully realized that his life depended -upon the whim of a lunatic, and God only knew what -strange fantasy would next flash through Broom’s -crazed brain; but he realized also it was only a bold -presence that would save the situation. He therefore -desisted from drawing his own weapon, and -remained motionless, gazing unswervingly down the -little blue muzzle before him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was silence for some moments, then Broom -laughed uncomfortably, and, throwing up the revolver, -he deliberately fired over Roy’s head. The -bullet whistled desperately near his skull, but he -stood immovable. This unperturbed demeanor appeared -to have a quieting effect upon the delirious -Broom, for he presently lowered his weapon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile a plan had flashed through Roy’s brain. -He would induce Broom to discharge his revolver at -some innocent object till he was assured its chamber -was exhausted; then, with the help of Sahanderry, he -would secure him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But unfortunately for this plan Broom’s thoughts -had returned to the proposed fight. Flourishing his -own weapon recklessly, he called on Roy to “produce -his gun!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on, my weak-blooded Englishman; surely -you are not afraid,” he jeered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The offensive tone and leering face provoked Roy -almost beyond endurance. But believing the man to -be for the moment little better than a maniac, he controlled -himself, and drawing a revolver, the one he -had displayed to Delgezie in the camp, he deliberately -opened the breech, ostensibly to discover whether it -was in order, but really to gain time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t you think—,” he was saying in conciliating -tones, when the other broke in with a shout of demoniacal -laughter; then suddenly remembering Sahanderry -his brows clouded again and he muttered -viciously, “but first I’ll settle with this black trash,” -and once more he covered the cowering creature beneath -the table, causing him to shrink still farther -under cover.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The white fury of Broom’s face and his deadly -earnest manner startled Roy anew. He perceived -that he must instantly distract the man’s attention -if he wished to save the Indian’s life, and presenting -his revolver at Broom, he called, in a tone of stern -command:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Drop your hand or I’ll——.” He spoke no further. -By some unaccountable accident the weapon -was discharged at the moment when Broom’s finger -was actually pressing the trigger of his revolver to -shoot Sahanderry. Hearing the bullet whiz past his -ears and believing that Roy had wilfully shot at him, -he turned with lightning quickness, diverted his aim -and fired, as he thought, in self-defence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy staggered, swayed and fell heavily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Standing rigidly erect, Broom gazed stupidly at -the still body. His face was livid. His legs trembled -under him. His arm dropped to his side, his hand -still clenching the murderous weapon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Picking himself from the corner, where he had -hidden when the trader suddenly appeared, Ocpic -now crept cautiously to the side of the prostrate man. -He dropped on one knee and closely scrutinized the -upturned face. Then laughing wildly, he got to his -feet.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>To-koo-kuni! To-koo-kuni!</span>” (He is dead, he -is dead), he gleefully cried.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The sound of the Eskimo’s voice brought Broom -to himself. With a strong effort he withdrew his eyes -from the senseless figure and gazed about the room -like one suddenly awakened from an unpleasant -dream, in doubt whether the horrible event had really -taken place, or he had been the victim of some -grotesque nightmare. But all doubt as to its reality -ceased when his wandering gaze returned to the outstretched -body of his victim. This ghastly proof was -sufficient to convince him that the crime was no fantasy -of a delirious brain. He sighed heavily. A -slight convulsion passed over his features. Then, -terror taking the form of defiance, he sprang forward -and stood gazing down at Roy’s still figure.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A nervous grip was laid upon his shoulder and he -swung fiercely round, his frightened gaze meeting the -oblique eyes of the Eskimo, Ocpic, who stood pointing -with extended arm; as Broom’s eyes followed its -direction his attention was drawn once more to -Sahanderry, who by this time was almost dead of -fright.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the sight of the shrinking figure he started violently; -the catastrophe had happened so suddenly -and had so confused and stupefied him that all knowledge -of Sahanderry’s presence had been crowded -from his mind. He now recalled it with fiendish -satisfaction. Here was an object on which to vent -his vicious rage, one who—as he wildly imagined—while -under the secure protection of an all-powerful -master had lost no opportunity to insult him covertly. -But things were now changed; the exchange -of shots had removed the protector, Sahanderry was -masterless, and Broom resolved to take speedy and -adequate vengeance. In his mood of ungovernable -recklessness he hesitated no longer at the thought of -crime, but paused to form a plan of torture sufficiently -atrocious, and the vicious books that were his -only reading supplied him with plots innumerable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon a plan suitable for his diabolical purpose -occurred to him. Smiling sardonically he advanced -to the table, and, stooping, caught the half dead -Sahanderry by the heels, and drew him into the -centre of the room, then, snatching a piece of clapmatch -line from Ocpic’s hand, he bound the distressed -Indian in a secure fashion, the Indian making -not the slightest struggle or even a murmur of -dissent. The latter circumstance greatly amused -Broom—a silent Sahanderry was a new experience. -But his mood soon changed. He again eyed the -poor, bound wretch with triumphant malignance, -and, seating himself upon the edge of a bunk, he -began his torture by elaborately unfolding his diabolical -plot to the trembling prisoner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Chuckling with fiendish glee he said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, Sahanderry, my friend, I am about to send -you to your father, the devil, by means entirely -original and devised by your humble servant. By -the means I have in contemplation you will imitate -the great and excellent prophet Elisha, insomuch as -you will quit this world without encumbering the -earth with your carcass.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom paused to enjoy the effect of his words. -Sahanderry’s face was livid. His eyes rolled in -their sockets and threatened to start out of his head. -His lips moved convulsively as if he were attempting -to speak, but he was too panic-stricken to articulate.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Well satisfied, Broom continued: “I shall proceed -to the trading-store and bring hither a keg of gunpowder. -This explosive I shall place close beside -you, so that you may get the full benefit of it. After -extracting the little wooden stopper, or screw, which -confines the dangerous powder to the inside of the -keg, I shall place the end of a lighted candle in the -hole, so that after burning a short time, in order -to allow you to say your prayers, and me an opportunity -to escape, the flame will come in contact with -the powder, and—” Broom illustrated the probable -result with expressive gestures.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry groaned, at which Broom burst into -a great fit of laughter. Then, finding the Indian -was incapable of speech, Broom left the room. He -was closely followed by Ocpic, who, anticipating -some developments of a devilish nature, was singularly -happy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Broom and his dusky coadjutor had gone, -Sahanderry made superhuman exertions to free himself. -But he had been too well bound by the sailor -to escape, and by no possible effort could he loosen -his bonds, though the line cut deeply into his wrists -in his violent struggles.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Bekothrie, Bekothrie</span>,” he called hoarsely, in -vain hope that he who had remained undaunted in -so many encounters, who had survived so many dangers, -would now rise up to his assistance. It was -inconceivably strange to him that Roy should lie -there so impassive, should have allowed these things -to happen without remonstrance, for Sahanderry was -wholly unable to comprehend that Roy could be as -readily overcome as any common mortal. But the -lifeless form was still, and Sahanderry’s heart sank -within him and with apprehensions goaded to the -utmost he waited his enemy’s return.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Minutes of intense silence passed, then came the -sound of deep breathing, and Ocpic staggered into -the room, carrying a heavy keg. He was followed -by Broom, whose white, set face and feverish eyes -showed him still implacable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry moaned in utter despair. There was -a curious grey pallor under his brickdust complexion. -His heart was beating like a drum. He tried to -speak, but his voice failed him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom worked with grim expedition and the preliminaries -were soon over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic stood calmly watching events. His eyes -took on a look of puzzled bewilderment as the work -progressed, but when Broom struck a match to light -the candle, Ocpic divined the hellish secret of these -singular preparations. With a startled cry he made -a bolt for the door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Broom caught him and unceremoniously -threw him back. “<span class='it'>What-cha-o!</span>” (Wait!), he said -grimly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a wary eye on the Eskimo, Broom struck -another match and coolly lit the candle, but a draught -caused the flame to burn unsteadily, and perceiving -this was likely to precipitate the explosion Broom -carefully snuffed out the flame with his finger and -thumb.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Won’t do! Guess we’ll have to shift it over -there,” he said, pointing to a corner of the room and -glancing significantly at his companion; but Ocpic -hesitated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shift it, I tell you!” roared Broom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Though unacquainted with the English language, -Ocpic understood from Broom’s gestures that he was -ordered to move the keg of gunpowder. He tremblingly -approached, and lifting it gingerly, placed -it in the required place, then glanced furtively around -for a speedy chance of escape. But Broom’s bulk -blocked the way. Perceiving Ocpic’s lightning -glance and divining its import, Broom waved him -back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Stand back!” he snapped fiercely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the native retained his position boldly and -scowled threateningly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry lay with palpitating heart, watching -the two men, in the desperate hope that a conflict -might ensue. Devotedly he prayed that they might -come to blows, but after moments of agonizing suspense -Ocpic’s eyes dropped before the grim ferocity -of Broom’s look. He fell back reluctantly, scowling -with rage, and muttering darkly to himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The candle was again lit, and this time the flame -burned steadily. Broom was satisfied.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Standing aside, he allowed Ocpic to rush from the -room, then quietly he walked to the door. Pausing -at the doorway he called jeeringly back:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good-bye, friend Sahanderry, a quick and pleasant -journey!” Then with a burst of sardonic laughter: -“I shall now have the charming Kasba all to -myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Left to himself Sahanderry lay still and lifeless, -for the grim situation had scared him into a condition -near to death. But presently the instinct of -self-preservation awoke within him. Again he made -terrific struggles to loosen his bonds. With frantic -yells he strove to make himself heard, although he -knew there was no likelihood of anyone being nearer -than Delgezie’s hut, and he realized that the sound of -his voice would hardly carry beyond the walls around -him. Yet in his extremity he found it impossible -to keep silent. He persisted in his exertions to free -himself, for the issue at stake was his life. His -bonds cut deeply into his flesh at every movement -and the pain was frightful, but he struggled till he -could struggle no more and fell back exhausted, his -head dropping to the floor with a dull thud.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he lay there like a trussed fowl it seemed to -him that never did candle burn so quickly. It -shortened as if by magic. Soon the flame was flickering -over the black powder. Suddenly Sahanderry -lifted his head and listened with all his might. There -was a sound outside. He gave a hoarse cry for help, -then listened again, his heart thumping like a steam-engine. -The sound drew nearer. It was a terrible -moment. He glanced frantically at the fast expiring -candle. Was there yet time? Spending all his -remaining strength in one long-drawn-out cry, he fell -back to listen. He heard footsteps. They came -nearer, they paused, and then slowly went away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was Delgezie, who had just arrived. He was -alone, Minnihak having left him to visit a trap. -Finding no one on the look-out for him, Kasba not -at hand to take his bedding, the old man became -uneasy; his heart fluttered with vague forebodings. -He took a few steps toward the house, paused undecidedly, -then suddenly changing his mind, returned -to his sled. Hauling off the dogs’ harness with the -ease and dexterity which come with custom, the old -fellow tied it together mechanically. Then he again -approached the house, muttering to himself in his -uneasiness. Suddenly there was a blinding flash, a -fearful report, then—darkness.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='184' id='Page_184'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIV.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>GRUESOME DISCOVERIES.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>It will be remembered that Kasba was left fleeing -in panic terror to her father’s hut; while the boy -David, who had been wholly instrumental in effecting -her escape, lay on the snow, beaten senseless by -an infuriated ruffian’s cowardly blows.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now Kasba was not composed of the stuff that -heroines are made of, and when she found herself -free, her natural impulse was to place as great a -distance between herself and the scene of danger as -she conveniently might. This she contrived to do -with the best possible speed, but once safe in her -father’s hut and the door secured, her thoughts -returned with a shock to David.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Where was he? Like a flash the remembrance of -the dark object she had left battling with the enraged -man occurred to her. It was, it must have been, -David. He had sacrificed himself to Broom’s fury -that she might escape. Once thoroughly convinced -of this, all fears for herself vanished, terror for the -boy’s safety crowded everything else from her mind. -Emboldened by her love for him, she hastily unfastened -the door and, stepping fearlessly forth, flew back -over the narrow track. Realizing that every moment -was precious, she returned with incredible speed to -the spot she had quitted in such haste. Heavens! -What was that? The man she loathed and dreaded -was gone, but on the snow lay David.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Regardless that the brutal ruffian might still be -lurking in the close neighborhood, the girl, uttering -a low cry, rushed to the senseless boy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With tender solicitude she bent over him and -raised his head upon her arm. His face was swollen, -bruised, and stained with blood. His eyes were -closed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, David, David!” she sobbed piteously, “you -have suffered for my sake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But her first agony of feelings over, she was -relieved to find that the boy was breathing regularly. -Still the knowledge that he had received this cruel -treatment in order to save her from insult brought -a fresh flood of tears to her eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Tenderly she bent over him, while from her heart -a low, piteous appeal went up to heaven.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length the boy’s eyes unclosed, he gazed around -in a dazed, bewildered fashion, then:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What has happened? Where am I?” he asked -wearily, and then: “Ah! I remember, the Ball-eye -(white man),” he added with a quick start of apprehension.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But he has gone now, dear,” said Kasba. “He -is a bad, wicked man and will be abundantly punished -when Bekothrie returns. Come, dear, you must not -stay here any longer. You will freeze. Let me help -you up.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David staggered to his feet. Broom’s dastardly -blows had been directed at his upturned face, so -although giddy and faint he was still able to walk. -The pair had not gone far before they heard a voice -hailing them from the rear. Turning, they discovered -Sahanderry striding toward them in vague -alarm. When told of Broom’s offences he was impatient -to find and chastise him, but controlled his -impetuosity till he had seen Kasba and the boy in -safety.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Walking slowly with the assistance of Sahanderry -and Kasba, for he would not hear of being carried, -David was brought to the hut. Then, leaving Kasba -to attend to the wounded boy, Sahanderry rushed in -blind, impetuous haste to the Fort, his whole frame -trembling with passion—and with what result we -already know.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With infinite tenderness the girl washed and -dressed David’s bruised face. Then she assisted -the boy to her own bed. He at first strongly objected -to this, but Kasba was obdurate, and with a sigh of -content he at last laid his aching head on the pillow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Leaving him to fall asleep, the girl sank upon a -seat in utter dejection. She remained seated a long -time, fearing to move lest she wake the boy, who had -quickly fallen asleep; then an explosion shook the -little house to its foundations. Kasba started to her -feet and stood petrified with fear. With a heart -beating rapidly she waited and listened, but could -detect no further sound.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A scared cry from the bed brought her to her -senses. She flew to David, whom the noise had -rudely awakened, and throwing her arms protectingly -around him she turned her scared face to the -door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The situation was nerve-trying. Except for their -own audible breathing the darkness of the hut was -as silent as the tomb. Clasped in each other’s arms -the two waited tremulously, expectantly, with fearful -apprehensions, but of what they could not know, for -only silence followed, silence becoming painful as it -lengthened into minutes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Choking down the hysterical sobs which threatened -to overcome her, Kasba gently released herself -from the boy’s embrace. A pale gleam of light -relieved the gloom from pitchy blackness. Moving -cautiously about, she found the lamp and lit it. The -light gave her additional courage. She went to the -window and looked out. All was quiet. The view -was bleak and cold, the dim light outside revealed the -desolate waste but indistinctly; objects took phantom -forms, appearing weird and out of all proportion. -With a shudder of undefined dread, the girl turned -away from the casement and went back to the boy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David received her with a keenly expectant look. -Kasba shook her head with a wan smile in answer to -his mute inquiry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There’s nothing, that I can see, dear,” she declared -with relief, sinking on the bed beside him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Was it an earthquake or an explosion?” he asked, -in an awed whisper.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“An explosion, dear, and at the Fort, I’m afraid.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“More of that devil’s work, I suppose,” said the -boy after some considerable thought. Then quickly, -“I wonder if Bekothrie was at home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl sprang to her feet. The knowledge that -her father and Roy were expected back that evening -had entirely slipped from her mind. She stood -rigidly erect, thinking desperately. What should -she do? Perhaps the trader or her father had been -injured by the explosion, perhaps both. She must -go to the Fort to discover by their living presence -that they were safe. Snatching her coat from where -it hung, she drew it on without further delay or -thought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boy watched her breathlessly, wide-eyed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m going to the Fort, dear,” she said gently but -firmly. “Like a good, brave boy you will stay here. -I shall not be long away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>David caught his breath sharply, but smiled back -manfully with a palpable effort to hide his fears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Without pausing for further speech the girl stepped -into the night, into the solitude and darkness, and -with anxious heart passed swiftly along. Suddenly -there broke forth upon the intense silence a loud, -long-drawn howl. Kasba’s blood ran cold. Again -that dismal howl. From its great resemblance to a -dog’s she knew it for the voice of a wolf, and one -suffering from hunger—its presence so near the Fort -told her that—yet no thought of turning back beset -her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Awed and breathless she paused on the overhanging -rocks at the back of the Fort, straining her eyes -to distinguish between the conglomeration of buildings -beneath her, which loomed up indistinctly; but -there was just sufficient light from the stars to enable -her to see that one of them was missing, that Roy’s -dwelling had tumbled down. The space it had occupied -was lumbered with a disorderly pile of logs. -“Good heavens!” came from the girl’s lips—she was -speaking distractedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So intent was she on trying to divine what had -really happened that she shrieked aloud when something -approached and touched her. It was Minnihak, -Roy’s Eskimo guide. Perceiving who it was, -Kasba clutched him excitedly by the arm and eagerly -questioned him as to her father and Roy’s whereabouts. -Failing to make him understand in Chipewyan -she essayed in English, but only to meet with -the like unsatisfactory result; the bewildered native -shook his head, for he was conversant with neither -language. The girl’s feelings on first perceiving the -Eskimo were of surprised relief, but her fears were -instantly goaded to the utmost the moment she found -she was unable to make herself understood. The -suspense was appalling. Conjecturing evils of the -very worst type, the girl was moved by an irresistible -impulse to approach and search the ruins. Neglecting -all precautions, regardless of all peril to herself, she -flew down the uneven track, with an instinct that -was truly marvellous avoiding the boulders and -holes. A few moments and she was beside the mass -of logs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An awful accident must have happened to bring -about the ruinous condition of the trader’s dwelling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What should she do?” she again asked herself. -“What could she do? Where was her father, where -Roy?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She waited and listened. All was still. The situation -for a young, timid girl was extremely nerve-trying. -A short time previously Kasba’s natural -disinclination to scenes of violence would probably -have caused her to rush frantically away and precipitate -herself in her father’s hut to indulge in a fit -of hysterical weeping, but now the uncertainty of -her father’s and Roy’s fate chained her to the spot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where were they? Perhaps beneath those logs!” -The thought was horrible. When contemplating -that huge pile all hope faded from her mind. The -mere possibility of their being in the house when the -explosion took place caused her heart to stand still, -her blood to run cold. For it seemed an impossibility -that they could have escaped being crushed to -death beneath the falling logs, even if they had in -some miraculous manner escaped injury by the explosion. -Perhaps they now lay pinned to the earth, -mangled and bleeding; and struggling with the convulsive -sobs the mere thought called forth, she bent -over the débris. Frantically she strove to push aside -the heavy timbers that she might discover what lay -beneath them, fearing at any moment that her eyes -would meet some ghastly remains of one of the two -men she loved. Yet with unflagging energy she -worked on. In her frantic haste she was dimly conscious -that the Eskimo had followed her, was lifting -and throwing aside the ponderous logs with surprising -energy; evidently he had caught her idea. But -despite the native’s prodigious efforts and her own -desperate exertions the work proceeded at a snail’s -pace. Kasba quickly realized that her own puny -strength availed her nothing, and a despairing moan -at her own impotency escaped her. Her head was -whirling round and round and she felt faint and -giddy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At that precise moment, as if heaven had pitied -her helplessness and answered her prayer, a slight, -muffled groan smote her ears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba uttered a cry of joy, for she recognized it -as the sound of a human voice, knew that someone -was alive beneath the ruins. Gathering strength -from hopes renewed, the girl tore more frantically -at the logs, straining every muscle to draw them -aside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly the voice was heard again. It was -speaking.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Instantly Kasba paused in her panic haste to listen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Kli-et-ee?</span>” (Who is there?), it said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is I, Kasba!” cried the greatly excited girl. -“Who speaks?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sahanderry!” returned the voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a cry of disappointment Kasba fell back. In -her anxiety she had quite forgotten Sahanderry. She -had imagined it to be her father who spoke, and her -heart had leaped within her for joy. But now that -she discovered it was not her father but another, the -revulsion of feeling was too much for the already distracted -girl. But the thought came to her that a -life was in deadly peril, that Sahanderry was entombed -in that rude black pile and that immediate -aid was necessary. Chiding herself for the delay -and for her selfish regrets, she worked desperately -to accomplish a rescue. The painfully disappointing -incident, however, had sobered her. She now -worked just as desperately, but with more system -than before. By the aid of the Eskimo she quickly -had a number of logs placed on one side. She then -discovered that the house had not fallen completely, -as she had at first believed, but that the walls farthest -from the seat of the explosion, and a part of the roof -attached, had not come wholly to the ground but -were propped up by the other parts of the fallen -building, forming a sheltering cavity, though threatening -to fall with a crash at any minute. Beneath -this dangerous but friendly shelter the groaning -Sahanderry was discovered lying prone upon the -ground. A timber pressed him to the earth and kept -him from rising.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Groping in the dark, Kasba and Minnihak ultimately -freed and carried Sahanderry from the ruins, -but with heroic self-denial the girl refrained from -questioning him till a large fire had been made by -setting a light to some of the wreckage. The night -was intensely cold and Sahanderry was chilled to -the bone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He crouched over the fire, his eyes wild and bewildered -in expression, for he was not yet fully convinced -of his miraculous escape. His burnt and -torn clothing, his scorched hair and eyebrows, testified -to how narrow that escape really had been.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After waiting some minutes—interminable minutes -they seemed to the girl—she could restrain herself -no longer, but with a voice which quivered with -suppressed but almost overpowering anxiety.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Se tah</span> (my father), <span class='it'>Bekothrie</span> (master)?” she -queried desperately.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The injured man staggered to his feet with a -hoarse cry of horrified remembrance. All thought -of Broom’s deadly shot and its consequences had completely -slipped from his confused brain. Released -from a position of extreme peril, saved from what -he had considered an absolutely certain death, his -mind had become blank to all else but his own unaccountable -deliverance. The girl’s questions brought -back all the terrors of those horrible scenes. He -wiped the sweat of remembrance from his brow with -trembling hands. He shook like a leaf in a storm. -Completely overcome, he lost all power of speech and -stood rocking himself to and fro.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In the horror of conviction that either Roy or her -father, perhaps both, had perished miserably, had -been blown to pieces or scorched out of all semblance -of a human creature, Kasba started impetuously forward. -Clutching the distraught Sahanderry’s hands -she forcibly drew them from his face. “Where are -they?” she demanded sharply.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Pointing with a shaking hand at the ruins, “Bekothrie -is there,” he cried hoarsely, then fell upon his -face writhing and groaning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ignoring Sahanderry’s emotion the girl rushed -back to the ruins. Quick and agile as a cat, she -sprang from log to log, then suddenly disappeared -altogether. Minnihak, who had remained motionless -beside the fire, watching the foregoing proceedings -with great bewilderment, followed less hastily. -Arriving at the spot where the girl had disappeared -he paused to look about him. A sharp cry, proceeding -from the same pile of logs that had protected -Sahanderry, caught his ear.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Squeezing himself between huge beams which hung -dangerously suspended in his path, Minnihak dimly -discerned Kasba bending over a dark figure. Picking -his way carefully, he approached her, and by the -uncertain light discovered her supporting the head -and shoulders of a man upon her knees. But there -was nothing in dress or figure by which to identify -him. His clothes were burned to rags, his face was -black, and all his hair had been scorched away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet though Minnihak failed to recognize him, -Kasba had; and all in a flutter of tenderness words -of love poured forth thick and fast, but Roy lay all -unconscious, deaf to everything.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='195' id='Page_195'></span><h1>CHAPTER XV.<br/><span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>A BITTER SORROW.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Nota Kaholthay, Jesus Christ, Notyanayne -neoltze nogahneayta Tattaahyenay naso noayl nahnathath -doko eethlahse choo. Amen.</span> (The grace of -our Lord, etc.)” The words broke the solemn silence -in the distinct but tremulous voice of a young girl; -a voice trembling with earnestness as the benedictory -blessing passed her lips, every tone filled with suppressed -anguish, revealing the agony of a broken -heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The scene was as solemnly impressive as the words; -two open graves rudely hewn from the hard-frozen -earth—accomplished by infinite labor after burning -fires over the spots for hours—one of them empty -while the other revealed a shapeless, undefinable -bundle in its cold depths. Beside this one stood -three dark muffled figures, sharply outlined against -the perpendicular face of rocks. The central figure, -the speaker, one of the most touching sights on God’s -fair earth—was a girl bowed by a great, an overwhelming -sorrow, a girl in whose eyes dwelt a look -of unutterable despair. This was Kasba; not the -young, lovingly-impulsive girl of yesterday, but a -girl-woman, a woman of steady and implacable purpose, -with feelings so lacerated in the last twenty-four -hours that she had grown numb with pain. -Horror upon horror had fallen upon her until further -grief could no longer be felt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On her left was the unmistakable figure of Sahanderry. -He stood rigidly erect with eyes fixed sorrowfully -on the shadowy object at the bottom of the -grave. Tears streamed unchecked down his cheeks -and violent sobs convulsed his frame. Venturing -to raise his eyes at the girl’s concluding words, he -threw her a hasty glance; her unnatural composure -puzzled him. With a pathetically resigned air she -closed the book from which she had been reading, -and slowly advancing to the edge of the grave, stood -silently gazing into it. The despairing agony in -her face was pitiable, for the grave held all that was -mortal of her beloved father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Inconceivably strange it is that Delgezie, being on -the outside of the house, should have been killed, -while Sahanderry, who lay close to the seat of the -explosion, had escaped with his life, in fact was -almost uninjured except for being badly scorched and -<a id='thro'></a>thoroughly shaken. It would be hard to explain this, -or any part of the seemingly miraculous events that -followed this disaster. Even the sanest reasoning -would fail to convince. The natural inference was -that the gunpowder-keg had not sufficient resistance -to cause the devastating combustion the incident -would lead one to expect and that Delgezie had been -killed by some flying object hurtled through the air -by the force of the explosion—but this was supposition.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Beside the girl, and completely overcome with -grief, was the boy David. He was sobbing audibly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Stepping back from the grave, Kasba signed to -her companions to fill it in. This was the signal -for Sahanderry to give full vent to his lamentations -while he dropped clods of frozen earth reverently -into the hole. These were instantly followed by the -sound of dull thuds. Kasba started at the gruesome -noise, a startled cry escaped her, but she displayed -no further sign of emotion. Stunned and dazed, she -stood silently watching the work go on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The task completed, Sahanderry and David, overcoming -their more violent grief, turned to the girl -for orders, but remained discreetly silent. Kasba -was gazing fixedly at the grave as if her eyes could -penetrate the hard, flint-like earth to where the body -of her father lay beneath. Suddenly she tottered -forward and, uttering a low, despairing cry, fell on -her knees.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Ay, setah! setah!</span> (Oh, father, father!)” she -moaned, with her face pressed to the icy clods. She -remained in this attitude for some time wrestling -with a feeling of unutterable loneliness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her companions scarcely breathed. Presently -she kissed the hard sod, rose quickly and turned -slowly away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Entering the lonely hut she dropped into a seat -and remained in an attitude of deep despondency -with eyes fixed upon the floor. The entrance of her -sorrowing companions passed entirely unnoticed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Taking pains to make no unnecessary noise, Sahanderry -first attended to the fire, then seated himself -in a gloomy corner, and from this vantage-ground -watched the sorrow-stricken girl. David sank on the -floor at Kasba’s feet, crouching with his head pressed -tightly against her knee, and without raising her -eyes the girl dropped her hand upon his head and -let it rest there in sympathy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Time dragged on. Deepening shadows crept -across the room, gradually enveloping all objects in -dismal gloom. The solemn ticking of the clock -sounded vastly disproportionate and seemed in the -melancholy silence to vibrate with the hum and noise -of some mighty machine.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Throughout these dreary hours Kasba sat mute -and desolate, taking no heed of time, battling with a -confused sense of irreparable loss.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Completely stunned by the succession of terrible -shocks, she had been too bewildered to fully understand -the significance of the solemn service she had -read at the grave-side. The bitter fact that her -father was dead and that she had buried him that -afternoon filled all her mind, and for the first time -in her life her never-failing consolation was denied -her. She could not pray, and she was disconsolate -indeed, for there was no other comfort in earth or -heaven.</p> - -<div class='blockquote0r9'> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line0'>“When some beloved voice that was to you</p> -<p class='line0'> Both sound and sweetness, faileth suddenly</p> -<p class='line0'> And silence, against which you dare not cry,</p> -<p class='line0'> Aches round you like a strong disease and new—</p> -<p class='line0'> What hope? what help? what music will undo</p> -<p class='line0'> That silence to your senses? Not friendship’s sign</p> -<p class='line0'> Not reason’s subtle count. Nay, none of these!</p> -<p class='line0'> Speak Thou, availing Christ! and fill this pause.”</p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>But Kasba dare not look heavenward, for bitter, -rebellious thoughts had hardened her heart. What -had she done that this great trouble should be visited -upon her? Delgezie had been both father and -mother to her, soothing and tending and caring for -her in her infantile afflictions with all the tenderness -and affection of a loving mother. From the day of -her birth he had surrounded and guarded her young -life with the wealth and strength of a passionate -love. The deep affection he had borne his poor dead -wife had been transferred to the child she had left -to his care. She became the joy of his life; his one -thought was for her happiness, his one aim her comfort. -They had been all in all to each other, and -that God-fearing man had been cut down in an -instant, without even the mournful consolation of a -parting word. As the knowledge of her loss gained -upon her the loneliness of her position grew correspondingly -distinct. Poor, weary, sorrow-stricken -girl, tired and harassed by her multitudinous duties, -confused from want of rest and sleep, she sat buried -in the perplexities of a series of most singularly -strange and terrible happenings.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Yet she had still another duty to fulfil, another -painful task to perform—a task, if possible, more -keenly agonizing than the burying of her loved -father. In a corner of the room lay the body of -Roy Thursby, the man she had loved with all the -strength of her simple young heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy’s body had been carried to Delgezie’s hut, but -all attempts at resuscitation had proved futile, and -it now lay on Kasba’s bed, covered with a white sheet, -awaiting burial. The body, however, had not yet -been sewn up in canvas, as was customary immediately -after death. This still remained to be done, -although the empty grave beside Delgezie’s yawned -for it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Silently in the gloomy darkness Kasba sat in a -procrastinating mood. The stern burial custom of -her race and a solemn duty to the dead called -urgently to her to complete those last sad rites, but -love with equal persistence implored for longer -respite. Tremulously she shrank from the heart-rending -ordeal of hiding forever the face she loved -so ardently. Yet she well knew the task to be unavoidable, -she would allow no other hand to touch -that dear form, to cover his dear body with the garment -of the grave.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The darkness grew intense. The feeble gleam of -twilight from the window failed to pierce the room’s -pitchy blackness any longer. The noisy clock -ticked on incessantly. Silent and motionless the -three figures sat like three grim statues, so inert were -they.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length a weird, ghostly sound broke the deathly -stillness. With one accord Kasba and Sahanderry -started to their feet. They gazed toward each other -with horrified eyes, each striving to pierce the black -pall which hung between them, to discover if either -was the author of the strange sound. David cowered -upon the floor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The clock ticked ominously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two figures stood speechless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again that ghostly sound, and now it was like a -deep, long-drawn sigh.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Simultaneously Kasba and Sahanderry darted forward—Kasba -to the bed and Sahanderry to the door, -through which he vanished.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba softly bent over the indistinct figure lying -there. With senses strained to the utmost she -paused, breathlessly listening. Hours might have -passed, or only moments; she could not have told. -Again that deep, sighing sound. It came from beneath -the white sheet upon the bed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a sharp cry Kasba fell upon her knees. With -outstretched hands and upturned eyes, “Almighty -God,” she cried in accents of exceeding joy, “I thank -Thee for this miracle.” Then for the first time -since her father’s death she fell into a storm of -weeping.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The figure sighed again and slightly stirred.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Springing to her feet Kasba softly uncovered Roy’s -face and then quickly lit the lamp and held it in -her trembling hand. The light fell upon the form -of Roy Thursby. He lay calm and still, and Kasba -waited with bated breath in an agony of suspense, -her heart beating tumultuously. Presently there -was another sigh and Roy’s eyes slowly opened. The -girl started and trembled as he turned his head -toward her, but there was no gleam of recognition -in his eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba stirred uneasily. Her heart beat so for a -moment that it well-nigh choked her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The slight sound caught his ears. His lips moved—“Who -is there?” The words came slowly; they -were spoken only by great effort and scarcely above -his breath.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is Kasba,” said the girl when she could control -her voice sufficiently to speak. “There was an -accident and you were hurt. I—they brought you -to my father’s hut.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why—are—we—in—darkness?” asked Roy -with infinite labor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba stared at him in horrified amazement, for -the light she held fell full upon his face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this moment an ejaculation from behind caused -her to glance back. In the doorway stood the boy -David with an expression of terrified wonder on his -face, and towering over his shoulder, with his head -pushed well forward, was Sahanderry who stood awestruck. -His mouth was wide open, and his piercing -black eyes, large and round, betrayed the amazement -he felt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba beckoned him to come forward, and putting -the boy aside, he cautiously entered. With eyes -intent upon the countenance of his master, Sahanderry -drew near the bed. Then realizing that Roy -was in truth alive, that by some seeming miracle he -had returned from the very brink of the grave, he -sprang impulsively forward, and clutching one of -Roy’s hands, burst into tears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Bekothrie! Bekothrie! I am glad—me!” -he sobbed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This miraculous escape from the dead was more -in accord with his wonderful faith than that Roy -the all-powerful could be overcome, and his jubilation -knew no bounds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, Sahanderry,” said Roy, still speaking in a -low, weak voice, “tell me, why are we in the dark?” -There was a slight tone of apprehension in his voice, -as if he divined that some evil was being kept from -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry ceased his sobbing and gazed with perplexity -at Kasba.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why—,” he began, but Kasba with a swift gesture -clapped her hand over his mouth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Silent as the motion was, the slight, almost imperceptible -sound made by the girl in shifting her position -caught Roy’s attention. He lay with a painfully -strained look upon his face, and in an attitude of -intently listening. No one spoke. The man and girl -watched him with fast beating hearts, a look of horror -growing in their eyes, for a terrible suspicion gradually -took possession of them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will—you—not—speak?” he said hoarsely. -“Speak, why—is—there—no—light?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry glanced in consternation at his companion. -He moved uneasily. His lips parted as if -in speech, but he answered never a word.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy waited, breathing quickly. Presently a look -of suspicion passed over his face. “Speak, man, I -command you!” he cried with greater force. “Is -there a light?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Throwing a desperate, imploring glance at Kasba, -Sahanderry wrung his hands. “Yes,” he faltered, -“but—,” he stopped suddenly, the unutterable despair -on his master’s face held him tongue-tied.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a few moments Roy lay silent, completely -overcome by the sudden, appalling revelation; then, -clutching convulsively at his eyes: “Oh, my God! -my God! I am blind!” he moaned.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='205' id='Page_205'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVI.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>RETRIBUTION.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>The first grey streaks of a dawning day crept -stealthily across the horizon, and gaining strength in -their silent progress finally revealed a rough brushwood -camp <a id='ensc'></a>ensconsed in a good-sized bluff of trees.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The multitudinous tracks and well-trodden snow, -the number of mutilated tree-stumps standing white -and ragged—evidence that a quantity of wood had -been cut quite lately—several large holes, blackened -as by fires, and the general untidy aspect of the whole, -told that the camp had been in use several days.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Early though the hour, the camp appeared deserted, -but a closer inspection discovered the shadowy -figure of a man seated in a corner of the barricade. -He was muffled in a hairy-coat, with the hood drawn -well over his head, and he sat silent and motionless, -in the position of one wrapt in peaceful slumber, or -absorbed in deep thought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There were several peculiarities about this camp. -Immediately behind the quiet figure a number of -green spruce trees had been arranged to form an -additional protection against the blast of a biting -wind, while a pile of wood lay inside and close to the -man’s hand. These unusual features spoke strongly -of the presence of an invalid, or one incapacitated in -some manner from moving easily about. There was -one other odd thing, a revolver lay at the man’s right -hand, fully charged and with its butt toward him, -as if for instant use.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slowly the fire burned down, and with the curious, -faltering gesture of one feeling in the dark the man -put out his hand and carefully replenished it, then -again subsided within himself. The new fuel burned -briskly; tiny flames started from the dying embers -and caught desperately at the fresh fuel, and gathering -strength in the consumption thereof they burst -upward with fierce wild roars and lit the camp for -many yards around, revealing the figure and features -of its lonely occupant. It was Roy Thursby. Yet -was it Roy Thursby? It was like him, but with a -look of great misery stamped upon him. His face -was ashy-grey. His eyes seemed fixed upon the leaping -flames, but, alas! he only knew of their close -presence by his acute senses of hearing and feeling, -for he was totally blind. The longing, wistful expression—so -pathetic in the faces of the blind—was -already showing upon his face. He sat with bent -head, leaning slightly forward, musing in mournful -retrospect upon the last few days. They had been to -him nothing but excitement and horror. Truly the -shot that had left him lying senseless, cutting a deep -furrow across his skull and stunning him for many -hours, had saved him the harrowing, blood-curdling, -diabolical details of Broom’s subsequent deeds, but -the fearful discovery his returning consciousness had -revealed was, perhaps, the most terrible a human being -could experience.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Blind! Oh, the misery in that one word! What -desolate loneliness! What unfathomable despair!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy’s passionate prayers to God to release him -from a long, grim night of unlifting darkness were -painful beyond words to those who witnessed them. -It was with feelings of the greatest relief that his -companions finally saw him sink into a state of -apathy. From that hour Roy was as one who has -some awful fear upon him; he started at the slightest -sound. None save himself knew how bitter were his -feelings, how acute his anguish. And always from -his soul this cry went up: “What have I done to -deserve this terrible affliction?” His whole life was -blasted. All his bright dreams, all his ambitions, -were roughly brought to an end, and from a man, -young, strong, resolute, he had become more pitiably -helpless than a little child—all by the evil-doing of a -reckless, useless man-animal to whom he had been -rescuer and friend. Alone, and solely by the strength -of his personality, he had succeeded in a difficult and -dangerous enterprise, and with pardonable pride -awaited his reward and the approbation of a powerful -and generous Company. But now all enterprise, all -ambition, lay dead, and he must spend the rest of his -days away from companionship of his kind. He had -already fought this out with himself. The battle had -been fierce, but short and decisive. His keen appreciation -of what was due to others had won the victory. -Why should he go to the front, return to civilization, -to Lena whom he passionately loved—he, a useless -incumbrance, compelled by the very nature of his -affliction to depend upon others for even the most -trifling offices? Better far that she should believe -that he had met his death in the explosion—Delgezie’s -grave would lend color to that belief—and when the -first bitter sorrow of the blow had worn off she might -still be happy with another. Why then should he -doom her to wear out her life by the side of a hopeless, -melancholy invalid? Besides, he shrank from -exposing his extreme helplessness to other eyes, even -though they were the eyes of a sympathizing friend. -Yes! He would spend the rest of his life in the company -of the faithful Kasba and Sahanderry, at some -camp which they might make in the desolate solitude, -far from all possibility of encounter with any white -man.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Discovering what she fully believed to be Roy’s -dead body, Kasba had despatched Minnihak with a -message to Acpa, acquainting him with the trader’s -death and requesting him to come and take charge -of Fort Future <span class='it'>pro tem</span>. Therefore Roy had decided -not to remain at the Fort any longer than it -would take to make adequate preparations for a long -trip, but to proceed by easy stages to a place known -to Sahanderry, where a stay might be protracted to -any length.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But a startling incident had compelled them to fly -Fort Future with scarcely any preparation—Broom -had appeared upon the scene.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sahanderry and David were away from home and -Kasba was outside gathering an armful of kindling. -Her first intimation of the ruffian’s presence was a -rude arm around her waist, and a voice in her ear, -which said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, my bonny Kasba! I’ve come back for -you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In utter surprise and consternation the girl gave a -startled cry which rang out sharply, and, caught up -by the echoes, it was thrown on and on till it died -away in the distance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hearing the cry Roy sprang to his feet within the -house. In the excitement of the moment he forgot -strength and courage could avail him nothing. He -stumbled across the room but could not find the door. -It was in this awful moment that he realized how -utterly helpless he was, how miserably incapable to -protect those in his care—those who, accustomed to a -lifelong protection, were totally unable to think for -themselves in moments of great crisis. Listening -intently he could distinguish a noise made by scuffling -on crisp snow. He knew it was Kasba who cried, -that she was being molested. Oh, for the gift of sight -for one moment! His agony at being unable to render -the girl assistance was so intense that he sobbed -like a child.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly the scuffling ceased. Then there was -another cry and the sound of departing footsteps.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Stumbling about the room, Roy again made frenzied -efforts to find the door, but struck against something -and fell to the ground. He tore at his eyes, -then, calling loudly upon his Creator, and in sheer -desperation, shouted with the full force of his lungs. -Hearing the voice of a man he verily believed -dead, Broom dropped the girl and staggered back as -if shot. Then with a white, scared face, he dashed -away, as if pursued by some ghostly visitant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He had scarcely disappeared before Sahanderry -and David returned. Sahanderry’s great trepidation -at hearing of the adventure plainly told Roy that he -could not be depended upon to protect Kasba, for, -although he was unable to see Sahanderry’s terror, -the Indian’s tremulous voice betrayed him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With the quick decision of an ever-resourceful -mind, Roy ordered his companions to prepare for a -hasty flight, so that when Broom returned—for Roy -felt that he would return—he might find the girl far -beyond his reach.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So a few things were gathered quickly together -and packed upon a dog-sled and soon Fort Future was -deserted.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For the first few days the party travelled incessantly, -only pausing for the scantiest of meals and an -occasional short sleep; but when they arrived at the -spot described at the beginning of this chapter, Roy, -who rode on the sled, discovered that Kasba was -suffering greatly from the hardships of the long and -severe trip; despite her heroic efforts to appear -thoroughly alert and quite rested after each short nap, -she was unable to hide her weariness of voice and -movement from his quick ear, and at the risk of being -overtaken he had ordered a few days’ halt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On the morning of which we write, Sahanderry -and David had left the camp early to go some distance -on a hunting expedition, for the food supply -was getting low. Kasba had wandered into the bush -and Roy was left alone with his bitterness of spirit. -To have run away from Broom, to have deserted his -post, was gall to his soul. With an ejaculation he -flung more wood on the fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Just then a slight girlish figure crept cautiously -to where he sat and stealthily reached for the revolver. -Grasping the barrel, she was drawing it -gently toward her when a hand descended heavily -upon hers and held it in a vice-like grip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who is that?” demanded Roy, turning his sightless -eyes upon her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl stifled a scream. Roy’s sudden action -had surprised and greatly startled her. “It is -Kasba,” she said, almost crying with vexation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And why do you steal into camp in this manner?” -asked Roy sternly. The girl’s peculiar behavior had -made him apprehensive of danger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'> After hesitating a moment Kasba uttered the one -word—“Broom!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy’s face hardened, his whole body stiffened -ominously, for he conjectured that his enemy was in -close proximity. “The villain!” he muttered. Then, -releasing the girl’s hand, he held out his own and demanded -that the revolver be put in it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Reluctantly Kasba complied with his demand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, “Where is he?” enquired Roy in a low, -tense voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“At some distance. He is with the Eskimo Ocpic, -in camp and asleep. I discovered them and came -back for the revolver.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And why?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That I might kill him,” hissed the girl, with -flashing eyes and her bosom heaving with uncontrollable -excitement. Then, “Oh, give me the revolver, -Bekothrie, and let me go,” she pleaded; for -her bitter hatred toward her persecutor had completely -overcome the terror she had always felt for -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No! That is my work,” said Roy sternly. “Lead -me to him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl had been taught strict obedience, and did -not pause to argue with Roy as to the improbability -of his being able while laboring under his terrible -affliction to accomplish his revenge by shooting -Broom. Besides she, like Sahanderry, had a deep-set -belief in Roy’s infallibility. With hasty fingers she -fastened on his snowshoes. Then, taking his hand, -she gently led him forth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The way was rough and tortuous. With her disengaged -hand and her strong body the girl forced a -path through the bushes so that none might touch -him in passing. Their progress was necessarily slow -and laborious, their footsteps uncertain.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a time, which seemed interminable to Roy, -Kasba halted. They had arrived at a poorly constructed -camp. Two figures muffled in <span class='it'>kaip-puks</span> lay -side by side within it. Over the feet of one a rough -pilot-coat had been thrown. Kasba had come across -the camp, and recognizing the coat as belonging to -Broom, divined that he lay beneath it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are there, Bekothrie,” said Kasba softly. -Despite her efforts to control it, excitement had unstrung -her nerves and thrown a quiver into her voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Point the revolver,” commanded Roy, fiercely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba hesitated. What if it was not Broom after -all, but some innocent person? But only a second -did she falter, for the remembrance of Broom’s diabolical -doings caused implacable wrath to surge -within her. Cautiously she led Roy forward a few -more steps, then halted and with a steady hand -pointed the extended revolver at the sleeper’s head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now!” she whispered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy stiffened his arm and slipped a finger on the -trigger. He did not hesitate to kill Broom while he -slept. Broom’s crimes had been too heinous to permit -of mercy. A grim look came into Roy’s face; his -finger was pressing the trigger with fearful intent, -when the bright face of a young girl flashed before -his mind’s eye and in his imagination a clear voice -repeated the word’s of Lena’s letter in his ear: “<span class='it'>For -in my opinion it is murder for a man to take another’s -life, no matter what the circumstances that seem to -extenuate it.</span>”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, to Kasba’s surprise, instead of firing, he -dropped his hand to his side, letting the weapon fall -to the ground. “I cannot do it!” he cried hoarsely. -“Take me away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl stared at him, vastly amazed at this sudden, -inexplicable change from grim determination -to profound helplessness. Then obediently she caught -his hand and led him away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They had scarcely turned before the figure sprang -to its feet. It was Broom! His eyes rolled in his -head and he trembled like an aspen leaf. With a -ghastly white face he stood staring after them as they -slowly retraced their steps.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He stared, motionless in his astonishment, for he -had awakened just in time to hear Roy’s words, and -the revolver lying half buried in the snow was all -that was necessary to explain that his life had been -spared. Then, too, he was overpowered at the sight -of Roy’s affliction. Just how he became aware of -this it is hard to determine—perhaps from Roy’s -words, “Take me away,” or his faltering footsteps, -or the sight of the girl leading him by the hand; perhaps -the three combined. However, the sight of the -once active Roy moving slowly, laboriously away -overwhelmed him with remorse. In a flash the heinousness -of his acts came home to him. Sinking upon -his knees in the snow he hid his face in his hands, -rocking himself and groaning like one demented, -taking no heed of time, nor that his hands were exposed -to the bitter cold wind. When at last he rose -to his feet he staggered like a drunken man; the -strength dependent upon his feverish excitement of -the last few days had suddenly left him, leaving him -as weak as one just recovered from a long and severe -illness. He had paid a terrible toll for his mad fits -of passion; his eyes were sunken, his cheekbones protruded. -Scarcely ever sleeping or eating, his thoughts -had been concentrated on possessing the girl. Overcome -with baffled fury at discovering her gone from -the Fort, he had travelled hot-foot in pursuit, but -now that she was within his reach, now that he had -discovered Roy powerless to protect her, his feelings -underwent a sudden revulsion. The spark of humanity -that had long lain dormant under all his -recklessness burned bright at the sight of Roy’s -pathetic figure, and all idea of further pursuit faded -from his mind as completely as if it had never filled -it. In its stead a raging desire to go far away from -the man he had injured possessed him. His mad -desire to possess Kasba, to secure the witnesses of his -diabolical acts, and by some measures not quite plain -to him to prevent them from bringing him to account, -were forgotten in his anxiety, which in the weak -state of mind rapidly developed into monomania—to -place a great distance between himself and them. -And the dogged, mad glare of a set purpose was in his -eyes as with a savage kick he awoke his companion, -crying: “Get up, you black devil, we are going -back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic grumblingly crawled from beneath his -blankets, rose sullenly to his feet, and stood staring -inquiringly at his companion. Shifting his gaze, he -caught sight of the fresh tracks in the snow, noted -that they led to and from their camp, and discovered -the revolver. For a moment he stood stupidly looking, -his eyes protruding as if he could scarcely believe -his senses, then slowly he went and picked it up.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a yell and a spring Broom was upon him, -wresting the weapon away. Ocpic scowled, but retired -before Broom’s look of fury.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Get to —— out of this!” cried Broom, with a -flourish of the revolver.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A slight smattering of English and Broom’s gestures -sufficiently enlightened Ocpic. They were to -turn back. He stood thunderstruck. To stop the -pursuit meant starvation, for they had no food nor -any ammunition with which to provide food. In -their impetuous pursuit they had travelled night and -day, throwing themselves down to snatch a few hours’ -sleep only when they could go no farther. Once -they had been awakened by an explosion. They had -neglected to push the burning embers back from the -camp before retiring and the fire had caught the -brush; spreading to the place where their food and -ammunition had been carelessly thrown, it had burned -up the food and set off the gunpowder. From that -time they had lived on a few handfuls of pemmican -which had been accidentally left in a bag outside, and -thus escaped the fire. But the last of this had been -consumed for their scanty supper and they were now -without a crumb to make breakfast.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With pantomimic gestures and broken English -Ocpic tried to make his companion understand that -to turn back would be madness, that only their catching -up to Roy’s party would save them. They had -food, perhaps more than they needed; at any rate he -and Broom could take what they had, and he glanced -significantly at the revolver.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Broom would have none of it. In his changed -mood he would protect Roy, and with his life if need -be. He stood, for the moment, a man transformed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was an uneasy pause, while Ocpic cudgeled -his crafty brain: What to do? To him Broom’s -sudden reversion of tactics was a bewildering puzzle. -What had happened while he slept? Ocpic would -have given worlds to know. That someone had visited -the camp the freshly made tracks and the presence of -the strange revolver gave convincing proof. But who? -And why had they gone away? There could be no -one in those parts but the trader and his party, or -perhaps a wandering gang of Eskimos. But a man -of Ocpic’s malignant nature could not conceive of -Roy as visiting the camp and leaving it without so -much as laying a disturbing finger upon the men who -had brought such disaster upon himself and his companions. -Yet it could not have been Eskimos, for -they did not carry revolvers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic’s cogitations were brought sharply to an end -by Broom, who presented the revolver at his head. -“Get out of this, I tell you,” he shouted. Surely he -was going mad, for to turn back was an act of madness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Still there was the vague chance of meeting with -wandering Eskimos who would assist them with food, -and small though the chance at that time of the year, -it was infinitely better to take it than refuse and -meet certain death. So argued Ocpic. He had once -witnessed Broom’s exploits with the revolver and had -great respect for his markmanship. He possessed a -vivid remembrance of the incident which had caused -Roy to drop like a log.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sullenly Ocpic faced about and with head down -started to retrace his steps of the day before. Broom -followed closely, driving the Eskimo before him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus hours passed. Crunch, crunch, crunch, -crunch, the creak of their snowshoes was as regular -as the ticking of a clock, cutting off the yards of endless -track as a clock ticks off the moments of the hour. -Hunger gnawed at Ocpic’s vitals. He was ravenously -hungry and fit to drop with fatigue, but the -stern, relentless hand clutching the revolver waved -him on, ever on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>About the noon-hour Broom called a halt and the -Eskimo dropped in his tracks and sat on his haunches, -taking the greatest degree of rest out of the short -respite. Broom leaned against a fallen tree; he was -breathing hard and appeared much distressed. The -Eskimo’s glittering eyes took in the situation. The -white man was tiring. Good!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch—soon they were -off again. Nothing but dogged grit upheld Broom. -Crunch, crunch, Ocpic trudged steadily on, craftily -saving himself against the time when his companion -would become spent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the day passed and the gloom of an approaching -night gathered around them. In a subconscious way -Broom was aware that he was starving, that he was -suffering from extreme fatigue, but an indomitable -will and a mortal fear drove him on despite his -physical sufferings. In his frenzied brain there was -but one idea. The Eskimo had evil designs on Roy -Thursby, therefore he must drive him away. His -own vile part in what had gone before was completely -forgotten—all knowledge of the past was swallowed -up in the vital present. In his changed mood Roy -was a hero, a martyr, a man to be worshipped, protected, -saved at all costs.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch; the night fell and -the moon rose gloriously, shedding a pale blue light -over the silent white world in which these two plodding -figures seemed to be the only things possessed of -animation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch. Perceptibly -Broom’s strength was waning. He began to stumble -over nothing, to draw his breath in broken gasps. -The incessant crunch, crunch of his snowshoes beat -on his brain like a hammer. The earth heaved and -rocked, his legs dragged heavily, he staggered in his -gait. At last he fell, but soon by sheer effort of will -struggled to his feet. Ocpic, plodding in front, noted -the circumstance with a triumphant smile. He did -not turn his head, continuing his mechanical walking -as if nothing had happened. But imperceptibly he -quickened his stride. With ears strained to the utmost -he took cognizance of his companion’s rapidly -failing strength, and slowly widened the distance between -them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Crunch, crunch, Ocpic was rapidly drawing away. -Confident in his ability to escape, he chuckled -silently. But he was not quite easy in his mind, the -revolver still causing him a little apprehension. However -he was almost out of range; a few more steps -and, presuming on his companion’s preoccupation, -he lengthened the gap.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slowly it dawned upon Broom that Ocpic was getting -farther and farther distant. Suddenly he -divined the cause—Ocpic was running away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a cry of mad rage he started in pursuit, calling -loudly to him to stop. Ocpic stopped, hesitated, -then started off again. Broom followed, rocking from -side to side as he ran. He fell—got up—ran a few -yards, then stumbled and fell again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a loud curse he struggled to his feet for the -last time; he was beaten in the race but not yet -foiled in his purpose. Concentrating his remaining -strength he drew himself erect, took deliberate aim -and fired.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic uttered a wild yell, staggered on for a few -more steps, and then pitched forward. Simultaneously -with the pistol’s report Broom collapsed and fell. -The last spark of his vitality had flickered out. Two -huddled forms lay prone upon the snow, and for a -little time all about was still and silent.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length Ocpic straightened himself out and tried -to rise, but fell back, groaning. Again and again he -tried, and with each attempt a dark blot widened -upon the snow. Not to be outdone, he began to crawl -toward Broom. Slowly, painfully, a few feet at the -time, he crept along, and a thin dark line following -in his wake discolored the snow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom sighed and opened his eyes. The red glare -was gone. He lay quite still; the long trail was at -an end and he needed rest and food—yes, possibly -food. But for the time being he was almost comfortable. -He was conscious of stabbing pains in his ears, -and that his face and hands were rapidly becoming -stiff, but what was that? The time was past when -small things mattered. He was very comfortable—and—Ocpic -was creeping nearer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Never in his life had Broom felt so happy. A -heavy burden seemed to have dropped from his -shoulders. He felt as light as a feather. In sheer -ecstasy and with a long sigh of contentment he closed -his eyes—Ocpic was quite close!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom’s mind now began to wander. He murmured -to himself, living over again events in his -chequered career. Then a restful look came on his -face and he babbled of boyhood days; of days—long, -long ago—before he had grown into a hardened reprobate.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And now Ocpic was at his side! And drawing a -knife!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom! Broom! Awake! Open your eyes, for an -assassin lurks near!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom smiled and spoke softly a woman’s name.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Raising himself on one elbow Ocpic bent over him! -Something glittered in his hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Opening his eyes, Broom smiled up into the little -rat-like orbs above him, which darted back malignant -hate.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Suddenly, with a fleeting return of consciousness, -he recognized Ocpic. He gazed perplexedly into the -malevolent face of the little Eskimo, and then he -remembered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Ocpic upraised the knife.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Broom chuckled. “Well, you damned Husky!” -he said, “So I did for you all right, eh? Come now, -give me my quietus and I’ll race you into hell!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, as if Ocpic accepted the challenge, the knife -descended.</p> - -<hr class='tbk103'/> - -<p class='pindent'>The silence of the grave lay over the white world. -There on the snow, almost side by side, lay two lifeless -figures with distorted faces and eyes that stared -at the stars. In the far distance was an indefinable -object moving. Slowly, stealthily it approached. It -was an animal. Pausing, the creature threw back -its head and howled. Soon other dark objects appeared. -They were wolves assembling for the feast.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='223' id='Page_223'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVII.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>A NARROW ESCAPE.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>If Roy had not been with them, the Indians would -certainly never have found themselves in such a desperate -plight. They would never have thought of -attempting to cross the river, for they understood -better than anyone the portentous signs of a “break-up.” -But Roy in a black humor had decided to go -on, and his word was law. Therefore, what else -could they do? What was left them to do? They -would as soon have thought of questioning the wisdom -of the Creator as disputing Roy’s judgment—probably -sooner. For such was their habit of obedience, -a habit handed down by generations of men who -had been Company’s servants. In truth Sahanderry -had turned positively grey with terror when Roy -had decided to cross. However, though he was not -one of the bravest of men, what he did was not easy. -It required considerable self-control to lead the way, -as was his duty, for it was like walking to almost -certain death.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Since leaving the spot where they had as they -thought left Broom asleep, the difficulties of their -journey had grown with every passing day; indeed, -the last few days’ travel, toiling ankle-deep in slush, -had been very hard work, for spring had come upon -them and the snow was disappearing as if by magic, -and though they had not many miles to go, the nearer -they approached their destination the slower had -been their progress, and this had irritated Roy almost -to a frenzy. Consequently the signs that should have -warned him to stay had been the very things to urge -him on. Clearly his usual good judgment had been -at fault; and his blindness could not have been wholly -responsible for this, as his hearing had been preternaturally -sharpened thereby and there could have -been no possible doubt as to his having heard the -frequent significant explosions up the river, which -had been loud enough to waken the dead, so to speak. -Moreover he had had a good idea of the character of -the river, therefore these recurring reports should -have been sufficient to warn him. But truth to tell -his mood had become fierce and reckless, and brooked -no control.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Howbeit the little party found themselves on a -surface of quaking, rocking ice that threatened to -“break up” and move out at any moment. Just -where they were the river was of considerable width -and the ice was very soft, and they were in a very bad -way indeed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Rain had fallen during the past week; floods of -the creeks and larger tributaries were pouring into -the river, and the great volume of water was lifting -the ice, and, as it strained and labored from this -great pressure, the explosions grew louder, nearer and -more frequent. Presently, far up the stream, a huge -billow of straining, tumbling ice-cakes reared its head -and came steadily toward them. Behind this mighty -billow was the spring freshet against which nothing -could stand. Meanwhile, his eyes wide with terror, -Sahanderry slipped and stumbled ahead of the poor -miserable dogs, who strained and tore at their traces, -half running, half swimming in places, where the -water was deep. The sled and everything on it were -streaming wet, for at times it was almost entirely -submerged in deep holes, filled with water. The -dogs were urged on by the boy David, who, though -almost played out by dragging the sled, still “drove -them up” vigorously; turning ever and anon to look -back at Kasba, who was following slowly, painfully, -behind, and leading Roy by the hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By and by there was a ruder shock than any that -had gone before and the whole ice field became in -motion. Startled at last out of his indifference, Roy -gave an exclamation of concern and stood still, but -his expression did not change; he was perfectly cool -and self-possessed; the sort of coolness that comes -upon strong men in moments of danger. The grinding -of the ice was terrible to hear, and soon the whole -ice field was moving down stream. Roy, now thoroughly -alive to their situation, turned to Kasba: -“The river is ‘going out’?” he said, interrogatively.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl paused to control her voice before she -answered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Bekothrie,” she said quite steadily. “It -is on the move.” She neither wept nor trembled, -though she fully realized the danger they were in.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can we return to the bank?” asked Roy quietly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl looked back. The ice behind them was -piling along the shore in impassable confusion. “No, -Bekothrie,” she said, “we cannot go back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where are the others?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Far in front,” answered the girl. “They are -waiting for us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then send them on,” said Roy peremptorily. -“Let them save themselves.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thereupon Kasba waved Sahanderry and David -on. The man at once struck off, but the boy paused -as if loath to go. At that the girl frantically repeated -her gesticulations and the boy drove up his dogs -again, but with apparent reluctance. Soon man, boy -and dogs were lost to sight in the confusion of ice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They are gone, Bekothrie,” affirmed the girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Very well,” said Roy, “let us go too.” The girl -took his hand again, and they went on their way. -Their progress was necessarily slow. Their path was -strewn with pitfalls for Roy’s feet, and soon the girl -was panting from her exertions in keeping him upright, -but within her delicate body there dwelt an -unconquerable spirit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Reaching a comparatively smooth surface they -skated along with increased speed. There were -puddles of water which they could not avoid. Cracks -more or less wide open barred their way, and guided -by the girl Roy crossed them, jumping easily or -exerting himself to the utmost, according to the -emergency. But more than one opening was too -wide to allow of any assistance from Kasba’s helping -hand, and he had to make the attempt entirely by -her direction. All this was very wearying, for however -careful he might be, he was bound to expend a -great deal of strength to no purpose. It is one thing -to jump with eye and muscle acting together, and -another to do it blindly, as everybody knows. Poor -Roy!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At times there were gaps which neither could leap. -They skirted these, walking as fast as possible. Out -of breath and entirely worn out with fatigue, Roy -would often fall in a heap upon the ice to rest. He -was cold and disheartened, and would have given up -altogether if it had not been for the girl’s presence, -for he valued his life not a jot since his terrible -affliction. Therefore his own danger appealed less to -him than the girl’s situation. It seemed such a -terrible thing that she should lose her bright young -life in trying to save his, which was worthless. He -well knew that by herself the girl could have crossed -the river safely, for she was fearless and as agile as -a cat, springing and climbing with the greatest ease.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then the ice started to rock beneath their feet. -“Hurry—hurry!” cried Kasba, dragging him forward -with the desperate energy of a man. “We have -not a moment to lose if we would save our lives.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Leave me,” said Roy withdrawing his hand, “and -save yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a moment the girl gazed at him in horrified -surprise. “Leave you!” she exclaimed in a tone that -was unmistakable. “I will not leave you.” There -was a power in her tone that struck him with amazement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I keep you back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nevertheless, I will not leave you,” repeated the -girl firmly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In spite of their desperate situation Roy could not -help smiling. He realized that their positions had -suddenly changed; it was the girl’s spirit which now -predominated. “Very well, then,” he said, giving -her his hand again. “Go on.” The thundering of -the broken ice floes, the grinding of the smaller pieces -against each other, made conversation difficult. Here -and there the force of the flood piled up mountains of -cakes which, after a moment, toppled over with a -deafening crash.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently there was a shock which capped all -others, and the ice field stopped. They knew that -somewhere below it had become jammed, and that an -added peril threatened them, for the river was rising -each moment, and if the ice did not overwhelm them -it seemed that the flood must. The cakes rocked -threateningly, collided together, then stopped, but -the jam could not hold them back long.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Stumbling, struggling, striving, Kasba dragged Roy -along. They were pitiful sights, these two. Their -hands and feet were bleeding, their moccasins had -long since worn out, as had the duffles and hose beneath -them, and their clothes were cut and torn. -Kasba’s dress hung in ribbons and was soaking wet, -impeding her movements, while Roy’s knees showed -through great holes, the result of many tumbles. -Every step he took was an effort, a terrible effort, still -he dare not give up and let the girl die, for she would -not leave him, he knew.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Slipping and sliding they struggled on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently, to Kasba’s horror, they came to a strait -of dark water at least five feet across, while on either -hand huge piles of ice cakes blocked their way. The -situation was desperate. The girl stopped dead, -holding Roy back. “We cannot go on,” she said. -“We have come to a very wide crack.” Then she -laughed as lightly as if there were no such thing as -danger. Roy heard her and understood; she was -pretending to be gay in order to make it easier for -him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How wide is it?” he demanded, steadying his -voice with difficulty. The situation was very nerve-racking.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is very wide,” returned the girl. “The widest -yet. You must not attempt it; you will fall in.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll not,” replied Roy with emphasis. “Can you -manage it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Bekothrie,” declared the girl bravely, her -voice quite unshaken. Then she laughed again in the -same way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, jump it, then,” said Roy, “and I will -follow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl hesitated a second, then with a coolness -that was wonderful she sprang across, but it took -all her agility to clear the gap. With a white, set -face she stood looking anxiously back at him, across -the deep, dark water. “Turn a little to the left, -Bekothrie,” she directed. “That will do. Now advance -a few steps. Stop! You are now on the edge. -Spring straight forward and I will catch you.” The -girl braced her feet to receive the shock, while poor, -blind Roy bunched his muscles for the effort.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now!” shouted the girl and stood with hands -extended ready to receive him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the word Roy launched himself forward, but -at the same instant the ice rocked beneath his feet -and almost threw him down; recovering himself -somewhat, he made his spring, but it fell short and -he plunged into the water. Kasba uttered a cry of -horror and despair, but stooping till she was herself -in peril of falling she grabbed him by the collar with -both hands and held him up. It was a terrible -moment. The girl skilfully shifted her clutch to -Roy’s wrists, first to one hand, then the other, grasping -them with a hold like steel; then, bracing her -feet with a strength inconceivable in so frail a body, -a strength far beyond her years and size, she lifted -him so high that he could relieve her of his weight -by sprawling on his chest across the ice and by -wriggling his body assist her to haul him out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Roy staggered to his feet with an unsteady -laugh, but the girl, who stood breathing hard from -the efforts of her superhuman exertions, looked -anxiously into his face and saw that his teeth were -chattering and that his lips were blue. He was -shivering from head to foot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are cold,” she said, greatly alarmed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not,” denied Roy shortly, but for the life of -him he could not keep his voice steady. “Come, let -us get on,” and unaided he tottered forward a few -steps, then swayed and would have fallen had not the -girl supported him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You must rest,” she said decisively, studying his -face closely. “Sit down.” Taking his arm, she -guided him to a nearby hummock. “Sit down,” she -repeated; “the ice is jammed and for the moment -we are safe.” She tried to speak cheerfully, but -Roy’s desperate case made her sick at heart.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a wonder Roy obeyed, though to be strictly -truthful he could not do otherwise. His brain was -beginning to reel from exhaustion, and he fell rather -than sat down. Every bone and muscle ached; his -breath came in gasps. The girl seated herself beside -him, and quite unconsciously his head dropped back -and rested against her shoulder. She took one of his -hands softly in both hers while she gazed into his face. -She loved him more than her own life. Poor little -thing, how her heart fluttered, how the blood rushed -to her face! She drew him closer and covered him -as much as she could with her arms, trying to put -some warmth into his icy-cold body. She was afraid -that he would hear her heart, which was beating like -a hammer. She was for the moment indescribably -happy. Careless of any danger to herself, she looked -up into his face as he leaned against her and held -him tighter. There was not a trace of fear in her -own face, nor indeed of any feeling but love and -sympathy. If they were to die, she would prefer to -die like that. What did anything matter since they -were together?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy seemed to divine her thoughts. “What’s the -use of your remaining?” he asked. “You cannot -save me by losing your life.” He spoke almost -roughly and the girl started as if struck a blow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am not frightened,” she answered quietly. “It -will not be hard to die.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy turned half round, as if to look into her face; -in fact, his sightless eyes seemed to be fixed upon -hers. “You are a very brave girl, Kasba,” he said -tenderly; “the bravest I have ever known. Why are -you so good to me?” The words were scarcely spoken -before he regretted them; a distressed look came to -his face instantly, for he remembered and was deeply -touched by the sincerity of her love for him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl said nothing for a moment, but looked at -him with a smile of unutterable tenderness, which -he could not see. “I love you!” she said simply. -“Now you really know, at last.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I knew already,” declared Roy. His voice rang -painfully, for he understood how she loved him as -he had not understood before, and it seemed as though -it must have somehow been his fault. The full -strength and nobility and devotion of her passion for -him rushed on him. For the first time he saw the -splendid heroism of which her untrained nature -would have been capable had she met with a different -fate, and it filled him with a passion of remorse. -“Poor child! poor child! What have I done to be -worthy of such love?” he murmured, and feeling for -her hand, he found and pressed it, almost caressingly. -Then, drawing her to him, he felt for her -face, and, taking it between his hands, he drew it -closer and kissed her smooth young forehead. “Poor -child,” he repeated sadly. There was a shadow of -pain in the words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl’s eyes filled and she uttered something -that sounded like a sob.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At that instant there was a tremendous explosion -below, and soon the ice field started to move again -down the current.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl started up, and seizing Roy’s hand she -pulled him to his feet. “On! on!” she urged. “We -must not stop here. The jam has burst and we shall -be carried out to sea.” As the field moved, mountains -of ice which had piled up because of the jam, toppled -over with deafening noise, and for a time no other -sound could be heard. Guiding Roy, the girl moved -forward as swiftly as possible. The fates were good -to them. Before them, and reaching almost to the -opposite shore, was one vast stretch of smooth ice. -Once upon that they made better progress and Kasba -grew hopeful. Moving their feet as if skating, they -rapidly drew nearer to the shore. Soon Kasba was -able to make out the figures of Sahanderry and the -boy David, who stood in perilous positions on top of -huge blocks of ice, which the action of the flood had -piled up on the shore during the jam. They were -waving frantically.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are almost there,” Kasba shouted encouragingly -in Roy’s ear: “We shall be saved yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Roy shook his head. He could not understand -the words addressed him. Nevertheless he did his -best to keep up as the girl dragged him forward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were now close, but the ice they were on was -fast going down stream, and the two on the ice wall -were compelled to scramble along in order to keep -abreast. Presently there was a lull in the noise -caused by the grinding, screaming ice and they could -plainly hear Sahanderry’s voice adjuring them to -hasten. Roy raised his voice in a mighty shout in -reply, using his fists for a trumpet, and tried to increase -his pace, but stumbled at almost every step. -However, the girl was possessed of marvellous -strength and dragged him by sheer force toward the -shore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And soon they were at the base of the ice wall, -which they were passing at a great rate. Sahanderry -on the summit above them whirled a coil about his -head, then throwing it away from him, it straightened -itself out and an end fell at Kasba’s feet. It was the -clapmatch line which belonged to the sled. Quickly -the girl caught up the end and tied it round Roy’s -waist. But, divining her intention, he caught hold -of her and despite her struggles would not let her go. -The boy and man began to pull upon the line.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The foundations of the ice wall were being undermined -by the rushing water and it swayed threateningly. -Would it hold a little longer?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man and boy strained on the line, and half-climbing, -half-scrambling, the two were dragged together -to the top of first one ice block, then another. -They were now out of danger from the ice floes, but -the structure they were on was trembling and threatening -to collapse, and desperately they strove to gain -the summit before it should topple upon them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Perceiving the danger, Sahanderry and the boy -David tugged on the line with every ounce of their -strength, and Roy, who clung with a deadly grasp to -the girl, was pulled violently to the top, and as he -came the girl was dragged up with him. Once there -the whole party lost no time in precipitating themselves -down on the other side, and before long were -safe ashore, nor were they a moment too soon; for -they had scarcely left the ice before the entire wall -swayed slowly over and toppled into the river with -a thundering crash that sent a painful thrill through -each one of them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thank God we are saved!” cried the girl breathlessly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Amen!” said Sahanderry solemnly, lifting his -hat and reverently bowing his head, an action which -was closely imitated by David. Roy nodded, but -said nothing. He was too exhausted for words and -was again shivering violently. Kasba silently pointed -this out to Sahanderry, who at once turned his attention -to building a shelter in the form of a brushwood -camp, while David made a huge fire, which was no -sooner lighted than Roy threw himself down beside -it, and almost immediately clouds of steam rose from -his wet clothing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon they were all enjoying the warmth of the -blaze. They had not eaten since early morning, but -after such a day of fatigue and excitement they all -felt more inclined for rest than food. On comparing -notes it was found that, except for an overpowering -fatigue, a severe wetting and minor cuts and bruises, -none of them were any the worse for their nerve-racking -adventure. But they would not go on farther -that day—that was of course out of the question. -Later in the evening Roy decided to spend a few -days on the spot, and in the end determined on remaining -there altogether. For he thought the situation -over carefully, and decided that with the break-up -of the river spring had come in earnest. Nature -was awaking once more from her heavy sleep in the -long winter night.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The renovation of creation in spring is, I think, -more impressive in the Far North than in any other -part of the world, on account of the greater contrast -with what has gone before.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This river, Roy argued, would serve their purpose -as well as the one they had had in mind on leaving -Fort Future. So Sahanderry was told to make a -house in the vicinity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Despite their desperate situation Roy could not -help smiling when he gave the order, for there was -practically no building material at hand. Nevertheless -Sahanderry soon accomplished his task. The -walls were of small logs, the roof of several layers of -parchments (undressed deerskins), which they had -brought with them, stretched to the tightness of a -drumhead and overlaid with turf. A hole cut in one -of the walls was, in the absence of glass, covered with -a piece of cotton and formed a window. The door -was made of boards which had been chopped with -infinite labor from logs. There was no chimney, nor -was it required, as, in the absence of a stove, the -cooking would have to be done outside.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And in this primitive dwelling Roy Thursby decided -to drag out his monotonous existence.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='238' id='Page_238'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVIII.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>AN INGENIOUS EXPEDIENT.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>One morning a few weeks later the sun rose -quickly over the horizon, as if it had overslept and -was hurrying to make up lost time. Its angry crimson -face threw a lurid glow across the sky, like the -reflection of some mighty conflagration.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A small coast-boat, dancing on the waves of a flood-tide, -tugged impatiently at her anchor, while a strong -south wind sportively dashed an occasional drenching -spray across her deck, much to the discomfort of a -number of men lying there.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length one of these recumbent figures rose slowly -to his feet and scanned the horizon with a sailor’s eye. -It was our old friend George Hopkins. He stood for -a moment staring at the crimson sunrise, then touched -the nearest sleeper with his foot. “<span class='it'>At-tee, Oulybuck, -A-no-ee pi-chi-ak</span> (Now, Oulybuck, it is a fair -wind),” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Eskimo addressed threw back his blankets -with a sleepy ejaculation, rose to his knees and then -to his feet, gazing around him the while. When his -eye encountered the threatening sky he uttered a disapproving -grunt.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>One by one four other Eskimos crawled from under -their blankets, yawned, stretched themselves, and -scowled at the approaching storm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a few minutes the little anchor was up and the -boat was speeding on her way north. Hopkins -perched himself in the stern to steer while the Eskimos -dropped into positions of ease, awaiting orders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon the wind freshened and the sea began to -dance. As the boat cut her way through the billows -a head was poked out from an improvised cabin amidships. -It was the head of a man well on in years, -with grey hair and a long grey beard. His keen blue -eyes scanned the heavens, noted the direction of the -wind, then turned to the steersman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fair wind, eh! George?” he remarked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hopkins glanced at the lowering clouds, then with -dubious cheerfulness, he replied: “Yes, but we’ll -have bad weather before long.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let us hope you are mistaken,” returned the -other, withdrawing his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a few minutes he reappeared fully attired. It -was Chief Factor McLeod, accompanied by his -daughter Lena and his nephew Frank, and on his way -to inspect Fort Future.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Shortly after Mr. McLeod’s appearance the sound -of girlish laughter, mingled with the protesting voice -of a man, proceeded from the cabin. There was the -noise of a scuffle, then a young woman burst out and -sprang behind the Factor. As she stood there, her -face alive with mischievous laughter, her eyes sparkling -with merriment, her bosom heaving with the -exertions of her playful struggle, she was the picture -of a bonny, saucy, Scottish maiden.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon a fresh, boyish face appeared in the cabin -doorway.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look here, Uncle,” groveled the young fellow, a -little sulkily, “I wish you would keep that daughter -of yours in order. She is more mischievous than a -monkey. Yes, a monkey, miss,” he added severely, -for the girl was making grimaces at him from behind -her father’s back. “She can’t leave me alone five -minutes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lena! Lena!” admonished Mr. McLeod with a -smile and a look of deep affection. “Will you never -act as a grown-up young lady should?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl laughed derisively at her cousin, then, -abruptly turning her back, she caught her father’s -arm and pulled him to the side of the boat. As they -gazed over the turbulent waters, a low, hoarse roar -made itself heard above the noise of dashing waves. -The expected gale was upon them. A damp column -of cold air struck the boat, bellying out the canvas -with a jerk, and wrenching the yielding mass, until it -bowed heavily over before the shock.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The mainsail was quickly dropped and the boat -righted herself. Sluggishly great waves buffeted her, -causing her to stagger when they struck.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Presently the gale became furious, fully justifying -Hopkins’ prognostications. The sea was so rough -that the boat was in great danger of being smashed -by the sheer weight of water hurled against her side. -But they were compelled to go on, however terrible -the storm might be, for the wind had swerved round -to the west and this, with the tide on the ebb, prevented -them running close-in to anchor in one of the -numerous rivers along the coast. The boat was fast -being carried out to sea, the land was becoming a -thin black line in the far distance, and shortly all -trace of it was lost to sight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Perceiving their peril, Hopkins gave the helm to -a trusty lieutenant and stumbled forward to speak to -the Chief Factor, who was standing there alone. He -had long since sent Lena to the cabin and now stood -with his arm twined around a back-stay, strung to the -tension of a harpstring, and his eyes sparkling with -excitement as the little craft beneath him tossed and -rolled and tore along. His drenched hair and beard -were flying back from his face, which was streaming -with salt water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’s not holding her own against the combined -fury of wind and tide,” he cried at Hopkins’ -approach.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re being carried out to sea, sir,” declared -George with some disgust. Just then a tremendous -sea caught the boat and she gave a lurch, throwing -him violently down. The plunging masses of water -made her quiver to her keel, and threatened to -swamp her, but digging her nose into the great waves -she staggered on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thank God we are still afloat,” murmured Mr. -McLeod. “Another shock like that and it will be -all up with us.” Then turning to Hopkins he -enquired whether he had been hurt in the fall.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hopkins shook his head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We are being carried out to sea, you say, but -what can we do?” questioned the Factor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We can drop anchor, and try to ride it out, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Factor shook his head. “The seas would -smash us,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>George nodded. “Then we must hoist the mainsail -again. I’m afraid she won’t carry it, but we can -try. There’s a shoal that runs from a point of land -ahead of us; if we can make that we’ll anchor in the -lee of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right! Hoist your mainsail, then. But have -it close reefed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Staggering back to the stern, Hopkins resumed -charge of the rudder and the mainsail was reefed -and hoisted, but with great difficulty, for the wind, -catching the spreading canvas, flapped it with a -report like a gun-shot, threatening to snatch it away. -The extra sail caused the boat to heel over alarmingly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A smothered ejaculation of concern came from the -cabin and soon Lena appeared, enveloped in a serviceable -macintosh. Perceiving that she was alone the -Factor hastened to assist her to a position of safety. -Meanwhile Hopkins was straining his eyes in search -of land. He was feeling very uneasy, for it seemed -impossible that the boat could much longer resist -the perpetual attack of the waves. The point at -issue was simply—would the coast-boat last till they -reached a place where they could anchor, or would -she be swamped or smashed to pieces before they -reached a place of safety?</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length there was a shout from an Eskimo lookout -in the bow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Nuna!</span> (land)” he cried.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Ninne? Ninne?</span> (where? where?)” asked the -other Eskimos in chorus.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Na-nee!</span> (there)” cried the bowsman, pointing -almost straight ahead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thank God!” exclaimed Mr. McLeod, with a -long sigh of relief, while Hopkins’ face cleared, and -the Eskimos lost their anxious looks, for right ahead -of them was a small island of sand, over which the -waves broke in rapid succession. It was the shoal of -which Hopkins had spoken, and for which they had -been so anxiously looking.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Their jubilation was shortlived, however, for they -had scarcely got the anchor ready before the boat -struck something under water with a terrible thud -and remained fast. The jerk caused by the sudden -stoppage threw the men off their feet, and snapped -the mainmast short at the shaft, carrying the sail -and gear overboard. The boat heeled over, great -waves dashed into her and in an instant she was full -of water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Quick of action, the Chief Factor caught Lena -about the waist and hoisted her to the top of the -cabin, then, scrambling up himself, he signaled to -the others to do likewise. The roaring of the surf, -breaking over the small island, drowned all other -noises.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Turning to Hopkins and forming a trumpet with -his hands, the Factor endeavored to make himself -heard. “Tide’s going out,” he shouted. “Shoal -will dry . . . may walk ashore . . . if boat will -only last till then.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hopkins’ lips moved in answer but his words were -carried away by the wind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For two hours the group crouched miserably upon -the cabin, clutching at anything within reach to save -being washed away by the great volumes of water -that poured over them. Lashed by the wind, and -drenched to the skin, they waited for the tide to ebb -and leave the boat high and dry upon the shoal. The -tempest continued with unabated fury, but the little -island grew larger every minute.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Gradually the billows receded from the boat. They -then discovered that Hopkins had run her on a part -of a shoal which extended to a great distance under -water at high tide.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length the shipwrecked party were able to drop -over the boat’s side to the sand beneath, and walk -to the prominence of the sandy island, where for a -time, at least, they would be safe.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Calling Hopkins aside, the Factor attempted to -prepare for eventualities. But it was only by turning -their backs to the wind that they were able to -distinguish what was said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hopkins,” Mr. McLeod began, “it is necessary -that we should discover if there is any means of -leaving this shoal before the tide turns.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir,” replied George, “and the sooner the -better.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But it will necessitate an exploration of that -part of the shoal,” said the Chief Factor, indicating -the part nearest the mainland, “and that is still -under water.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I am ready, sir.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, George, I know you are always ready to -do your duty, but you cannot go alone. We will go -together. I must see for myself. My nephew and -daughter will remain with the Eskimos. You will -tell the Eskimos to stay near them till we return.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hopkins instructed the Eskimos who straightway -grouped themselves near by.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile Mr. McLeod was informing Lena of -the proposed reconnaissance. Embracing her father, -the girl urged him not to risk himself unnecessarily. -The Factor promised to be as prudent as possible, -then called Hopkins and they set out.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was with the greatest difficulty that they faced -the wind, but struggling desperately and unceasingly, -they crept along. After an extremely difficult and -laborious journey they arrived at the other end of -the island, or shoal, and to their dismay found it was -divided from the mainland by a large bay of water, -which the wind was lashing into furious waves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Taking off his <a id='assump'></a>l’Assumption belt and tying a stone -in one end of it, Hopkins lowered it into the water -to ascertain the depth, but was unable to touch -bottom. At this, his face lengthened and the Factor, -who had been closely watching him, gave a groan of -dismay, for their hopes of escape by wading ashore -were destroyed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nothing but a raft can save us now,” said George -dejectedly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The other shook his head dubiously. He was -turning his footsteps sorrowfully backwards when a -great shout from his companion brought him to a -halt. Turning quickly, he discovered Hopkins -wildly gesticulating toward a point of land in the far -distance, and looking in that direction, he first saw -something infinitely small dancing upon the waters, -then several small objects which speedily followed it. -He turned to his companion for information.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Eskimos,” explained Hopkins in answer to the -other’s look of puzzled enquiry. “They’ve lashed -their <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span> (parchment canoes) together and are -coming to help us. See,” he added excitedly, pointing -to the far-off land, “they’re camped over there to -hunt <span class='it'>nitchuk</span> (seal).”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Factor turned his eyes to the spot indicated -by his companion and after close scrutiny made out -several tiny white objects dotted about the sand—these -were tents.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Chief Factor McLeod had witnessed many daring -feats, but never one to compare with this which the -Eskimos were attempting. The waves dashed threateningly -over the <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span>, but seemed powerless to -harm the fragile crafts, which floated with the buoyancy -of cork. At times waves larger than their -fellows caught them, and, carrying them up on their -towering crests appeared to capsize them, but a few -strokes of the <span class='it'>pou-tik</span> (paddle) seemed to right them -again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the Eskimos drew nearer, the Factor could see -how skillful they really were, with what wonderful -precision they handled the <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span>, which, in this -instance were lashed together in threes, and any -doubts he might have had about their effecting a -rescue by this ingenious expedient were immediately -dispelled. Turning, he gave a joyful shout, which, -carried along on the wind, was plainly heard by the -anxiously waiting party at the other end of the -island. These instantly started to come to him. -The Eskimos staggered on sturdily, but Lena found -it difficult to force herself forward against the -tempest; the wind caught her garments and pressed -her backwards, threatening to throw her off her feet. -It was only by desperately clinging to her cousin’s -arm that she was able to keep her balance and walk -slowly on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Perceiving her predicament the Factor went to -the rescue, and with the wind at his back he scudded -along and was soon by her side. He managed, by -shouting his loudest, to make her hear the broken -sentences.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Eskimos . . . encamped . . . neck of -land . . . coming . . . <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span> . . . . -rescue us . . . .”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By the time they had reached the further end of -the island, the <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span> were lying high and dry upon -the sand and the Eskimo strangers grouped together -waiting to greet them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With quaint gestures, the Factor endeavored to -thank them for coming to the rescue of himself and -party.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The intrepid Eskimos received phlegmatically the -earnest expressions of gratitude.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They nodded deliberately, glanced at the ebbing -tide, then walked to the <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span> where they stood -significantly waiting.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Divining from their behavior that they were -anxious to start before the tide turned, which, flowing -against the wind would make a rougher and -angrier sea than ever, Mr. McLeod lost no more time, -but straightway led Lena to the <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span>. A trio were -now put on the water and Lena was lifted into the -middle one. Then an Eskimo stepped quickly into -each of the outside <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span> and a start was made for -the shore. The Factor watched the men paddle -desperately for a few moments, then walked quickly -to where a set of <span class='it'>ka-yaks</span> was waiting for him. And -in a very little while the whole number of frail craft -were on the water, battling against wind and waves, -which had providentially lessened in violence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After an hour or so of arduous paddling the <span class='it'>ka-yak</span> -containing Lena touched the shore and the girl was -lifted unceremoniously in a pair of malodorous arms -and carried to dry land.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then at intervals others of the shipwrecked crew -arrived, all very wet, very cold, and very stiff from -sitting in such cramped positions, and painfully they -walked up to a large fire which the Eskimo women -had kindled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After such strenuous efforts, the thoughts of the -Eskimo rescuers turned to a meal, and taking their -shipwrecked comrades with them, they strolled to -where several large kettles hung suspended over as -many fires. Then the men seated themselves in a -circle, the women arranging themselves in another at -some little distance from them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Two large, oblong, wooden dishes, one for each -group, were brought from the fires and their contents -emptied upon the ground. This was the signal for -a mad rush. The men displayed remarkable agility -as they scrambled with hearty laughter for the sickly -mess—boiled seal meat—while screams from the -group of women told that excitement was likewise -rife in their midst. Procuring as much as they -could hold in both hands, they retired to their former -positions in the circle and with the aid of long, -murderous-looking knives, wolfishly devoured their -portions—cramming their mouths to the utmost extent -and cutting off the remainder uncomfortably -close to their flat noses and chins.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When all the solids had disappeared, liquids were -brought on. Large kettles containing the water in -which the meat had been boiled were carried into -the centre of the two groups, which once more -became struggling masses of humanity, all of them -endeavoring to dip a can or a mug into the kettles -at one and the same time. The uproar gradually -subsided as each person retired to his or her place, -chuckling over a mug of greasy liquid.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This simple but animated repast at an end, the -Eskimos settled themselves for a deliberate smoke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile the wants of the Chief Factor and -party had been cared for by the resourceful Hopkins, -and they were glad to be able, at least for a little -time, to rest and be thankful. But their respite was -of short duration. Fate had chosen that, at that -time and place, they should learn of the awful -catastrophe at Fort Future and the harrowing news -was travelling fast toward them in the person of -Acpa, who was on his way with a party of Eskimos -in a whaleboat to take charge of the ruins of the -Company’s property at Fort Future in compliance -with Kasba’s request, and was on the lookout for -a suitable spot to put ashore and camp. Perceiving -Eskimo tents dotted along the point of land, those -in the boat quickly dropped the sail and pulled to -the shore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, it’s Acpa!” declared George Hopkins, -greatly astonished, as the old Eskimo stepped out of -the boat. “Wonder what he’s doing here,” and with -that he strolled down to greet the old fellow, little -dreaming what terrible news he would bring back.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='251' id='Page_251'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIX.<br/> <span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>KASBA’S SACRIFICE.</span></span></h1></div> - -<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile Roy Thursby dragged out a miserable -existence in the little hut on the bank of the river. -Day by day his frame of mind grew more and more -despondent and morbid. Everything worth while -seemed at an end. Except that at certain times there -was the sound of his companions’ movements, and at -others only a dreadful stillness for long days together, -all “Time” was alike to him; to-day the same as -yesterday and to-morrow but a repetition of to-day. -He was merely a machine, going through the daily -routine of getting up and lying down, eating and -drinking, with automatic precision, and the outgoings -and incomings of the male members of his party -marked the period for each of these acts. It was one -long, dreary monotony. He had long since lost count -of the days. He was conscious that the occupations -of his companions varied as the season wore on and -that, in consequence, his diet changed from venison -to fish, varied with the flesh of migratory birds, but -this interested him not at all. He had long lost all -pleasure in food—just eating and drinking to keep -the machine going, that was all. A pathetic indifference -to everything possessed him. He sat for hours -without uttering a word, and when he spoke it was -always in monosyllables, and an awed, unnatural -silence lay over the house from morn till night, for, -as if by tacit consent, the three Indians carried their -conversation to the outside of the house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus weeks passed. Sahanderry and David -hunted or fished and did the heavier chores. Kasba -dressed and smoked deerskins to make into moccasins, -made and mended the clothes of herself and companions, -cooked the meals and attended to a hundred -and one other things.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>One day the girl brought Roy his dinner as usual. -It was a piece of salmon, the first they had caught. -Setting the plate before him, she retired to a seat and -took up a garment which required mending. Slowly, -and with the indifference of a man without an -appetite Roy lifted the food to his mouth, turned it on -his tongue, sat a moment as if struck by a sudden -thought, and then got unsteadily to his feet, dropping -the fork as he arose. He stood a moment like one -suddenly awakened from a deep sleep, then: “This -is salmon,” he said with a slight inflection as of -interest in his voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the sound of his words Kasba started forward, -letting the garment fall to the ground. Her lips -were parted, her eyes sparkled. This sudden -interest might portend a break-up in Roy’s apathy, -and to the girl it was as the clear sunshine after days -of dismal gloom.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Bekothrie,” she answered as soon as -emotion would permit her to speak. “We caught -the first yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then this is the middle of July,” he said -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said the girl, divining the trend of his -thoughts.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy breathed hard and his lips moved; but he -dropped slowly back to his seat without further -speech.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girl stood with parted lips watching him expectantly, -then, finding he had nothing more to say, -and that he seemed fully occupied with his thoughts, -she breathed a little disappointed sigh, took up the -dropped garment and went patiently on with her -sewing. The stitch, stitch of her needle and the -song of the busy mosquitoes were the only sounds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>From that time Roy was as one laboring under -some suppressed excitement, uneasy, as if waiting -for something to happen and dreading while desiring -it. He became restless and impatient to a large -degree and as Kasba went quietly about her household -affairs, she frequently paused to blink away -salt tears, called to her eyes by the sight of his misery. -The once hulking big fellow was but the shadow of -his former self. Great rings showed round his eyes, -his face was becoming more and more haggard and -drawn, his cheekbones protruded sharply. Perceiving -that he was rapidly becoming ill and divining -the cause, she timidly essayed a proposal. She would -go back to Fort Future and by secretly watching discover -when <span class='it'>Bekothrie nithee</span> (the far-away master, -in this case Mr. McLeod), came. But Roy would -not hear of this, though as the time for Mr. McLeod’s -arrival at Fort Future drew near he could scarcely -contain himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He fancied the scene; the dismantled Fort, the -grey-haired Chief Factor sorrowfully supporting -Lena, sobbing out her heart over what she believed -to be his grave. He could hear her heart-breaking -cries as she bewailed his loss; hear the cold, tense -voice of the Chief Factor swearing to be avenged on -the perpetrator of the outrage and murder. Then -Lena would be led on board and the boat would sail -away. That would be the end. His mind would -dwell upon this till his brain reeled, and he would -put his hot hand up to his burning forehead as if to -press back his thoughts.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then one day by a process akin to telepathy he -became aware that Lena was near. It was the very -day Mr. McLeod’s boat was wrecked and its occupants -rescued by the Eskimos, and it happened -that they were landed near where Roy had, as he -thought, so securely hidden himself from all communication -with his own kind. At first the poor -fellow believed that his mind must be wandering. -But the conviction that Lena was there, close at -hand, grew stronger every minute, and at last he -could contain himself no longer. He felt he must -send to the coast to ascertain if anyone had lately -landed, or he would go mad. Unwilling to trust the -garrulous Sahanderry, he must perforce send Kasba. -The girl was outside attending to the fire, he could -hear her talking to David. He called to her, and -almost instantly she was at his side, and in a few -words he explained what he wanted her to do. She -smiled confidently. “Yes, Bekothrie,” she said -quietly, and without another word she made her preparation -and at once started off for the coast, which -was about a mile distant.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Arriving at her destination, she discovered the -shipwrecked voyagers. From Roy’s description she -at once recognized them. The Factor was standing -apart with Lena and her cousin. Overcome with -feelings of bitter jealousy, she ventured dangerously -near in order that she might better discern the -features of her fortunate rival.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The grim expression of the Factor’s countenance -bore token of a severe determination of mind. Bitter -sorrow for the tragic end of his promising, inordinately -ambitious young friend mingled with the wrath -he felt toward the perpetrator of the tragedy. He -gazed with loving solicitude upon Lena, who sat in -an attitude of great sorrow. The news had been a -great shock to her. The bright, sunny expression -had entirely disappeared and a pained, startled expression -had come into her face. Her lips trembled -as her father’s hand fell lightly upon her head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Be brave, my little girl, for my sake,” he pleaded -brokenly. Then he walked to where Acpa was sitting, -surrounded by a number of Eskimos.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Left alone with his cousin, Frank was in a -dilemma; he knew not what to say. Lena’s uncontrollable -grief was extremely painful to witness, for -he loved her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At length he leaned over and gazed into the tear-stained -features, “Lena, my darling,” he said, “do -not grieve so.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a strange pleading in his manly voice. -“It breaks my heart to see your distress. After all, -it may be, it must be, some mistake. We shall yet -find Roy Thursby and find him alive and well.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is kind of you to say so, Frank,” said the girl -in a mournfully sweet voice, “but there is no hope, -can be no hope, for poor Roy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, my dear Lena,” began Frank, then glancing -behind him, “I heard something moving,” he added, -partly to himself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was Kasba. Attracted by the sight of Lena’s -grief she had drawn quite close. Crouched down -among the rocks she had heard, and the poor girl’s -despair made Kasba’s warm, affectionate heart ache. -The sorrow she herself had suffered, was still suffering, -made her tenderly solicitous for another’s misery. -She stood with hands tightly clenched, battling with -her own desires. She dreaded to speak, to tell Lena -that her lover lived, for she well knew what the result -would be. Yet she longed to comfort her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The conflict raged fiercely. The issue at stake -was all heaven and earth to her, for without Roy life -would be blank indeed. Then why should she give -him up? Then she remembered Roy’s misery, that -in his heart he was pining for the companionship of -his own kind, and the inborn truth, the native generosity -and candor, that always overruled every other -element in her, conquered now. Girding herself to -make a great sacrifice, she stepped into the open.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Bekothrie nithee!</span>” she cried in a tremulous voice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. McLeod turned sharply. Lena sprang to her -feet expectant of she knew not what.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, nerving herself, Kasba spoke the words -which would make her forever desolate: “Mr. -Thursby is alive,” she said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a cry of joy Lena ran swiftly to the brave -girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean?” she asked with feverish -eagerness, holding the girl by the wrist. “Roy not -dead?” Her voice broke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, God performed a miracle for me.” The -girl spoke simply, fully believing what she said. -“Mr. Thursby was dead for many hours,” she explained, -“then he came to himself. But he is—” -Kasba hesitated, fearing to speak the terrible truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Lena noticed the girl’s hesitation and was alarmed -at once. “Go on,” she cried, clutching the girl’s -wrist hard. “Tell me, tell me quickly! Something -has happened?” Her voice expressed the utmost -anxiety.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is totally blind,” said Kasba sadly. She -spoke in the greatest distress.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Lena’s face grew dead-white, she stood stiff and -rigid, staring at the girl, quite dazed at the horror -of the thing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Blind!” cried the Chief Factor who had come up. -“How terribly horrible! Poor Roy! Ah!” He was -just in time to catch his daughter, who uttered a short -unnatural sound and reeled against him. But she -did not lose consciousness and in a moment her -strength returned.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let me go!” she cried, sobbing wildly and -struggling in her father’s arms. “Let me go to him, -or I shall die!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You shall go, my child,” said the Chief Factor -soothingly. He glanced at Kasba, who nodded and -stretched out her hand, that tiny brown hand, which -small though it was, had pulled Roy out of the water.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come,” she said simply, “I will take you to -him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Arriving at the hut Kasba stood aside to let Lena -pass. “You will find him in there,” she said. But -Lena did not hear her, for she was already through -the door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the door opened Roy started upright in an -instant, conscious of the girl’s presence in the room. -Lena’s eyes opened wide with horror at the sight -of him, she started and drew slightly back, struck -speechless by the fearful change in the splendidly -vital figure.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a painful silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roy stood with head thrust slightly forward in an -attitude of listening intently,—in that attitude of -concentrated expectancy of sounds peculiar to the -totally blind; holding his breath to catch the slightest -sound. He trembled all over with excitement. -“Lena!” he cried, in a low, tense voice, though believing -it impossible that she should be there. Then -he swayed unsteadily.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Lena came forward to him quickly, and with a little -cry, in which there was more of anguish than joy, her -arms went about his neck.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kasba had remained outside, but she could hear -their voices and for a moment her heart stopped -beating and her lips set tightly. She pressed one -hand to her bosom, uttering a stifled wail like a -wounded animal. The sacrifice had been great. She -reeled and almost fell. Then she made a great effort, -straightened herself and went and leaned against -the hut, on the other side, away from the door, and -covered her face with her hands. Then a feeling of -utter loneliness fell upon her. She felt that something -had been taken from her and given to another—something -that was more to her than life.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She could still hear their voices. They were -happy together; while she was outside alone. And -so it would always be now. They would take Roy -away and leave her behind, and she would see him -no more. Then she heard footfalls, and one was -Sahanderry’s. He came and stood beside her. She -could hear his sharp breathing. Then, in an impulse, -she dropped her hands and gave them to him. -“He is happy now,” she said, a little bitterly. “Take -me. It was my father’s wish. I am yours.”</p> - -<hr class='tbk104'/> - -<p class='pindent'>Here ends the story of Kasba, and the chronicler -makes apology for all that has been amiss in the -telling of the events recorded, conscious that a better -man could have done it better. Whether Kasba will -ever come into another story the author himself -cannot tell, nor does he know whether she will be -welcome if she comes.</p> - -<hr class='tbk105'/> - -<p class='line' style='margin-top:2em;font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;'><a id='notes'></a>Transcriber’s Note:</p> - -<p class='noindent'>Archaic spellings and hyphenation have been retained as in the original.</p> - -<p class='noindent'>Punctuation has been corrected without note. Other errors have been corrected -as noted below:</p> - -<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'>page 72, The fellow semed too ==> The fellow <a href='#seem'>seemed</a> too</p> -<p class='line'>page 92, combined fellings of ==> combined <a href='#feel'>feelings</a> of</p> -<p class='line'>page 95, burst into fit of ==> burst into <a href='#into'>a fit</a> of</p> -<p class='line'>page 139, the few sparce spruce ==> the few <a href='#sparse'>sparse</a> spruce</p> -<p class='line'>page 145, signs of lood luck. ==> signs of <a href='#good'>good</a> luck.</p> -<p class='line'>page 153, went thoughtfullly along ==> went <a href='#thou'>thoughtfully</a> along</p> -<p class='line'>page 196, and throughly shaken. ==> <a href='#thro'>thoroughly</a> shaken.</p> -<p class='line'>page 205, brushwood camp esconsed in ==> brushwood camp <a href='#ensc'>ensconsed</a> in</p> -<p class='line'>page 245, off his l’Assumtion belt ==> off his <a href='#assump'>l’Assumption</a> belt</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KASBA (WHITE PARTRIDGE)***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 53176-h.htm or 53176-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/3/1/7/53176">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/1/7/53176</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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