Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-11-17

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WITH A sTAET1Ep CRY, CONSTANTINE
WITHHELD HIS FACE CoNvyLsED.
forth suddenly and pluckcd the fell
loAs sheath knife from It's Scahhard
With a startled cry. Constantine whirl
ed. his face convulscd. his uostrils
dilntcd like those of n frightened
horse.
But Emerson merely fingered the In
dams weapon carelessly. remarking:
THAT i, a curious knife you have.
I have noticed 1t several times"
He eyed him shrewdly for a moment.
then handed the blade back with q
smile. Constantine slipped it into its
place and strobe away without Il word.
1t was considerably later In the-day
when Boyd discovered the Indians to
whom he had given ;he note talking
excitcdly on the dock. Seeing Constan-
tine in argument with them. he ap-
preached TO demand an explanation,
Il silver dollar in his palm with the
words:
These men say this money no good"
what do YOU mean:"
at no good No can buy grub at
company store"
1t was evident that even Constan-
tine was vaguely diStrustful.
Another native extended coin, say
ing:
I'VE want money like this
Boyd took the piece and examined it.
whcreupon light broke upon him.
Of one Of the old fishing companies.
and he instantly recognized a ruse
practiced in the north during the days
of tie first trading concerns. II had
been the custom OF these companies ia
pay their Indians in coins bearin@
their own Impress and to rHfu5e "a
other specie at their posts thus com
peling the natives 10 trade at com
pany stores. Seeing that his words
carried no conviction. Emerson gave
up at last, saying:
IF the company store wont take the
money III sell you whatever you need
from the commissary. We are not go
ing to have any trouble over n little
thing like this
He marched the natives in body tC
the storehouse, where he saw 10 it that
they received what provisions they
needed and assisted them in loading
their canoes.
But his amusement at the episode
gave way to uneasiness on the follow
ing morning when the Aleuts failed tc
report for work, and by noon his anx
iety resolved itself into strong sus
picion.
Bait had returned from the bank,
earlier in the morning with news of {
struggle between his white crew anC
Marshs men. Georges boats had beer
surrounded during the night, nets ha(
been cut and several encounters haC
occurred, resulting in serious injury t.
his men. The giant, in no amiablt
mood, hadreturned for reinforcement :
stating that the situation was becom
ing more serious every hour. Hearing
OF the deSertion Of the natives. hi
burst into profanity. then armed him
relf and returned TO the banks, wh!!t
Boyd, now thoroughly alarmed. took {
launch and sped up the river to Cher
rvs house III the hope that she coul
prevail upon her own recruits to re
turn.
He found the girl ready to accom-
pany him, and they were about to EN-
bark when Chakawnna came running
from the house as if In sudden fright.
"Where you go!" she asked her mis-
tress
81 am going to the Indian village
You stay here"
"No no! no stop here alone. I 81
long too She cast n glance over he
shoulder
"But, Chakawana. what is the mnt
ter? Are you afraid"
Eyes" Chakawana nodded her pref
ty head vigorously.
"What are you afraid OFF, Roy,
asked. but she merely stared at hin
with eyes as black and round ms OK
heart cherries then renewed her or
treaty. When she had received per
mission and had hurried back to tn
khOuse her mistress remarked, with
puzzled frown:
II don't know what to make Of her
She and Constantine have been actin
very strangely Of late. She used to b
the happiest sort of creature. Away
laughing and singing, but she ha
changed entirely during the last fey
, weeks. Both she and Constantine ar
forever whispering to each other an
skulking about until ! am gettin
nervous myself" Then, as the India
girl came flying back with her tin
baby brother in her arms. Cherry ado
0 ed; "She's pretty, isn't shei ! can
- bear ugly people around me-"
At the native village, In spite q
. every effort she and Boyd could MAKE
the Indians refused to so back I
). work.