Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-10-29

WITH A STARTLED CRY. CoNsrANrrSE
wHIRLEI. his FACE CONFUSED
forth suddenly and plucked the Eel
lows sheat knife from It's scabbard
With a startled cry, Constantine whirl-
ed. his face couvulsed. his nostriis
dilated Ike those Of a frightened
horse.
But Emerson merely fingered the In
dams weapon carelessly. remarking:
That IS a curious knife you have.
have noticed Il several times"
He eyed him shrewdly for a moment.
then handed the blade back with a
smile. Constantine slipped q into It's
place and strobe away without a word
Il was considerably later I'm the day
when Boyd discovered the Indians 70
whom he had given the note talking
excitedly on the dock Seeing Constau-
tine in argument with them. ne ap-
preached 10 demand an explanation.
whereupon the quarter breed held out
Ia silver dollar IN his palm with the
words:
These men say this money no good. q"
What do you meanf"
cit no good. No can buy grub at
company store"
Il was evident chat even Constan-
tine was vaguely distrustful.
Another native extended a coin. say
ing:
I'VE want money Ike this"
Boyd took the piece and examined &c.
whoreupou a light broke upon him
The coin was stamped with the Initials
OF one OF the old fishing companies
and he instantly recognized rusr
practiced in the north during the day
OF the first trading concerns. II haH
been the custom Of these companies Co.
pay their Indians IN coins beariu.
their own Impress ana 90 refuse o.
other specie az their posts. thus com
pelling the natives 90 trade at com.
pany stores. Seeing that his words
carried no conviction. Emerson gave
up at last, saying;
If the company store won't take the
money III sell YOU whatever you need
from the commissGry. We are not go
Ing to have any trouble over little
thing like this"
He marched the natives 10 q body 20
the storehouse. where he saw 70 it that
they received what provisions they
needed and assisted them In loading
their canoes.
But his amusement at the episode
gave way 10 uneasiness on the follow
ing morning when the Aleuts failed 70
report for work, and by noon his anx-
iety resolved itself into strong sus-
picion.
Bait had returned from the banks
earlier in the morning with news OF a
struggle between his white crew and
Marsh's men. Georges boats had been
surrounded during the night. nets had
been cut and several encounters had
occurred. resulting IA serious injury 10
his men. The giant. In no amiable
mood, hadreturned FOR re-enforcements.
stating that the situation was becom-
ing more serious every hour. Hearing
OF the desertion OF the natives, he
burst into profanity. then armed him
self and returned 10 the banks. while
Boyd. now thoroughly alarmed. took a
launch and sped up the river to Cher
rvs house In the hope that she could
prevail upon her own recruits TO re-
turn.
lie found the girl ready 70 accom-
pany him, and they were about 20 en-
bark when Chakawana came running
from the house as If IN sudden fright.
Where you go?" she asked her mis-.
tress.
IT am going TO the Indian village
You stay here"
mo, no! | no stop here alone. / 20
long too" She cast a glance over her
shoulder
But, Chakawana. what is the mat.
teri Are you afrald?"
''Yes." Chakawana nodded her pref.
~ head vigorously.
What are you afraid OFF, BOYD
asked. but she merely stared at him
with eyes as black and round as OK
heart cherries. then renewed her en-
treaty. When she had received per-
mission and had hurried back TO the
house her mistress remarked. with a
puzzled frOwn:
81 don't know what TO make OF her.
She and Constantine have been acting
very strangely OF late. She used TO be
the happiest sort Of creature, always
laughing and singing, but she has
changed entirely during the last few
weeks. Both she and Constantine are
forever whispering 10 each other and
skuIking about until 1 am getting
nervous myself" Then, as the Indian
girl came flying back with her tiny
baby brother In her arms. Cherry add
ed: shes pretty, isn't she7 can't
bear ugly people around me-"
At the native village. I'm spite of
every effort she and Boyd could make,
the Indians refused to go back to
work
"Since they can't use your money at
the store, they don't seem to care
-