The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-08-16
4 NK1sR


anything to eat. If you haven't we'll
go hungry. We're going to overtake
that sledge some time this afternoon
or tonight-or bustr'
1.-The saints be blessed, then we are
most certain to bust, m'seurw gasped
JEAN "And if we don't the dogs will.
Non, it is impossibler'
els there anything to eat?"
"a morsel of cold meat; that is all.
But I say that it is impossible. That
sledge''-
Rowland interrupted him with an
impatient gesture.
"And say that if there is anything
to eat in there get it out and be quick
about it, Croisset. We're going to over
take those precious friends of yours.
and I warn YOU that if you make any
attempt to lose time something un-
pleasant is going to happen. Under
stand?'
Jean had bent to unstrap one end Of
the sledge pack and an angry fash
leaped into his eyes at the threatening
tone of the engineers voice. For
speech, but caught himself and in ST.
lence divided the small chunk of meat
which he drew from the pack, giving
the larger share to Rowland as he
went to the head Of the dogs. Only
once or twice during the next hour did
he look back, and after each of these
glances he redoubled his efforts at
urging on the huskies. Before they
had come to the edge Of the black
banskian forest which Jean had point
ed out, from the farther side of the
plain Rowland saw that the pace was
telling on the team. The leader was
trailing lame, and now and then the
whole pack would settle back in their
traces, to be urged ON again by the
fierce cracking Of Croisset's long whip.
To add to his own discontinue How
land found that he could no longer
keep up with Jean and the dogs, and
with his weight added to the sledge
the huskies settled down to a Juggling
walk.
Thus they came into the deep, low
forest, and Jean, apparently oblivious
OF the exhaustion of both man and
dogs, walked now in advance of the
team. his eyes constantly on the thin
trail ahead. At last the engineer jump
ed from the sledge and overlook his
companion.
"Hold on, Jean!' he cried. 1--WE
got enough. You're right, and I want
to apologize. We're busted-that is,
the dogs and I are busted-and we
might as well give it up until we've
had feed. What do you sayY'
81 say that you have stopped just in
time, m'seur," replied Croisset with
purring softness. Another half hour
and we would have been through the
forest, and just beyond that-in the
edge of the plain-are those whom you
seek, Meleese and her people. That is
what I started to tell you back there
when you shut me up. Mon Dieu, if
it were not for Meleese I would let
you go on. And then-what would
happen then, m'seur, IL you made your
visit to them in broad day., Listenr
Jeas. lifted warning hand. Family
there came to them through the forest
the distant baying Of a hound.
THAT is one Of our dogs from the
Mackenzie country" he went on softly,
an insinuating triumph in his low
voice. "Now, m'seur, that I have
brought you here what are you going
to do? Shall we go on and take dinner
with those who are going to kill you,
or will you wait a few hours? Eth,
which shall it be-"
For a moment Rowland stood mo-
tionless, stunned by the Frenchman's
words. Quickly he recovered himself
His eyes burned with metallic CLEAN
as they met the half taunt in Croisset's
cool smile.
eff had not stopped you we would
have gone on?" he questioned tensely.
ITO be sure, m'seur," retorted Crois-
set, still smiling. You warned me to
lose no time-that something would
happen if did.
With a quick movement Rowland
drew his revolver and leveled it at
the Frenchman's heart.
'Tf you ever prayed to those blessed
saints of yours do it now, Jean Crois-
set. I'm going to kill your he cried
9erceag.
CHAPTER XIII.