The Republican journal., 1903-09-17
MICHAUD'S EXPLOIT.
rpANKLIN WELLES CALKINS.

breadth OF shoulder ana uncOn-
.trpngth. he was of iron endur-
II 40. He was man of singular
nd and even temper, yet of most
,arous spirit, cool, determined,
seeming never to be taken by
MS my captain in a wagon-march
he Northern Pacific road to the
Hills when every mile of our
from old Fort Fetterman was
~ hostile Sioux. Three times they
ed only to find Michaud ready to
p them. The close order of our
and the unremitting vigilance
al oy our leader undoubtedly saved
nd of So adventures.
IN Felix Michaud went to Fort
Fl from the Missouri country in
# thereabouts, he was a young
Iatried among the trapper COM
some weeks after his arrival,
the time of revels at summer
,,olls. he had the misfortune, un-
.ly. to provoke one OF Bridger's
Gars. a hot-headed trapper who
not brook to be crossed without
,c Felix was Immediately chal-
10 light, the challenger naming
weaponS-rities at go PAGES.
ppaceful Canadian, however, not
tused to fight, but attempted to
That he had meant no offense.
reach of frontier etiquette could
curse, be overlooked, SO Mich
+, branded "squaw' and prompt
av most of his new associates.
a. lays later the offended trapper,
nat IN liquor, attacked Michaud
tlstol, declaring he would blow
Wlaw kanuck's brains out" if he
Immediately get gun and fight,
uon Felix promptly disarmed
oonent, seized the astonished
oy the belt, bore him outside
defences, and flung him, neck
into BLACK Fork swimming
This matter raised such a laugh
the trapper that he did not re-
attack. In fact, when sober,
led as much about the affair as
aHtIess. such was the mountain
40 Nithaud's reputation was not
abolished. "kahuck, as he
. be called. was tolerated merely
good man at taking beaver, and
Uout the camps.
Gears later he was trapping with
and near, or within, territory
uded in the National park.
these Httie-frequented noun
aud his companions gathered
harvest of peltries that
ne came their small outfit of
tas found inadequate to pack
Tort. Months of hot weather
..pse before the expedition
..1rn, and no cache would pre-
turs from spelling so long.
became necessary to leave a
aid-one who could be trusted
Ter the furs, and also to hold
ul against invasion from a
UPany.
0Ice of a man was determined
ut Michaud was left out of the
Some thought he would re-
this, but the young Canadian
IS hurt at his comrades lack of
70 in him. When the unlucky
Haze Fenton, expressed a
ICON mat he should never see
augpr again and made some final
of friend, Michaud promptly
's-red to stay with him. The
r- were surprised, but offered no
30 to his remaining.
Felix and the big, raw-boned
-a. Haze" were left in a noun
ierness to guard some thou
ot dollars worth of furs. AS
inter- dugout was getting damp
Heltries, they fell to work with
1rs. and built upon the bank of
. AXE a pine-log shack with a
iGeroom overhead for storage.
passed into months. The
dshed, hunted, picked berries,
1ed about in enforced idleness.
standing there were hostile
NJ 10 great distance, they saw
red or white, for four months,
cooking forward to the return
triends, when Haze came in
ming from a ramble about the
airing a sober face.
uck," he said, setting down his
we've got comp'ny on this lake,
.ghty poor sort. Lope Vasquez
Of "a
IRE a way
aald SAID nothing, but his face
aVe shown the concern he felt
mece of unwelcome news.
e asquez, a cousin of Bridger's
partner, had been en-
by the trader, William Sublette,
at 0een whipped out of two camps
Ealing. Subsequently he had
red from the unprincipled sort,
/ of free trappers, who were more
Inspected of being free-booters
r watched the effect of his news.
S. You'll be climin' out of these
tugs right sudden, Kanuck," he
-obe so, mebbe not" replied
Nd. in his terse and often nom
lttal fashion.
. ate supper of jerked venison
.rrjes in silence. Then Felix got
dry deerskins and tied them up
the crosspieces overhead.
at 5 a good idea," admitted Haze,
won't do any good. They know
the beaver. Some fellow got
al the fort, and let it out among
trends or spies. They saw me as
IT, by their camp, but | didn't let
see them. They've got us under
watch, and we've got to cave or
which?
e-I t'ink fight" said Michaud,
zee to one is big Odds" said Haze,
usly, land they'll just simply
for a chance to shoot us, like the
S they are, when we stir outside"
the same" replied Michaud, In
ow, imperturable way, "me, l Weel
LII till eet ees necessaire."
~ talk brave enough" said Fen
loggedly and doubtfully. Guess
tay around here as long as you
L.