Part 21 (1/2)
What with the fear of bob-cats and panthers, the Indian had passed a harrowing half-day, and, as soon as loosed, he started straight for Sturgeon Lake The reason Maria had traveled around with hi, Peter explained, was that they wanted to be sure of McTavish's death before the old trapper should be released, and could start in search of his er and duplicity was finished, Donald took hold of Peter's ar were you with my father?” he asked
”From the time he came to York factory until he was married in Montreal I stayed a year with hi of hoet back to theularly every year after that, until he was ready to send you into the woods in the summer-time”
”But before he ca of his life then?
”Only hearsay Stones of his brave deeds and big hunting on the Labrador and ard! He had a sense of game that comes very rarely; he moved with the animals instinctively, so that the best pelts were always his And he had luck One year, he brought in three of the six silver-fox skins taken that winter in the whole of Canada He was a wonderful hunter”
”But, Peter, did you ever hear anything about his relations with the Indians?” Donald dehter? Did he ever mar--?” One look at the old Indian's face stopped the question, for, caught unaware, the rising of this skeleton shook Rainy to the depths
”No, master, no, n-o, n-n--”
”Peter, don't lie to me! You've never done it yet I'm in too much trouble to be lied to I know the truth now, despite your denials, so you ht as well admit it Didn't my father marry old Maria at one time?
”Yes,” said Peter simply ”But how did you know it?”
Then, Donald told his story in full, closing with his detero to the factor and accept the conditions imposed
But, at that, Peter Rainy protested violently
”No,” he cried, ”never! Put no trust in that old wolf, Fitzpatrick
Once he has got you under his heel, he'll grind and grind, until there's not as o away West, eh? He'll let you get started well, and then along will cos about you At last, soain Once o Do I not know? Have I not seen it work?
”But I can't resist hih the mud, can I?” Donald remonstrated, in despair
”Yes, this h the e to let it slide through his hands that easily, has he, do you suppose? His whole happiness in life now rests on your disgrace and that of your family It will coht to the last wolf than put your trust in a man like the factor”
So, they talked forht The old Indian declared that a woman as ht be bribed; in fact, that a hundred ways of reht be coht a little of his coan to warm to the project
”Peter,” he cried finally, ”I'll do it on one condition, and that condition may be the death of you”
”What is it?”
”That you start to-night for Winnipeg, and bring my father North
Upon him really rests the burden of blame and of proof; if he wants to save himself and the rest of us, he must come out here and do it”
”Wisely spoken, , your father will know I have crossed the wastes for only one thing--and he will coive you, if I hadn't been sent”
”Brave old Peter!” McTavish put his arm across the old Indian's shoulders affectionately, as had been his custo expeditions ”If it weren't for you, where would the McTavishes be? If we come out of this safely, you can have a house and servants of your own the rest of your life”
”I know; your father has told me that for the last ten years; but I can't stand it, Donald My littlethe hite row in banks, but I shall never touch it The wild is too much part of me I'd rather battle inter's cold under an _abuckwan_, and runningSome time, when I'm old, and the winter winds shakestrea of the shadow Many young men and maidens will look afterin one from the forest trails”