The Detroit times., 1912-08-01
CHAPTER 4.
lsobel's Disappearance.

IL was with heavy heart that
Philip turned his face once more to-
ward Lac Balm. He could not repress
a laugh. bitter and filled with disap-
pointment, as he thought how tate
was playing against him II he had
not oversight he would have caught
up with the sledges before they sep
arated, il he had not forced himself
into this assignment IL was possible
that Isobel and her father would have
come 10 him. They knew that his de-
tachment was at Prince Albert ana
they were going south. He had little
doubt but that they were striking TOT
Nelson House, and from Nelson House
10 civilization there was but one tran
that which led to lie Pas and Etom
ami. And Etomami was but two hours
By rail from Prince Albert.
He carried in his breast pocket q
bit OF written information which he
had obtained from the Churchill fac
tcr-that helped to soften. in way
the sting OF his disappointment. II
was Colonel Becker's London address
and Isobel's, and he quickly laid ou'
for himself new plans OF action. lie
would write 10 MacGregor from Lac
Balm asking him TO put in at once the
necessary application for the purchase
OF his release from the service. As
soon as he was free he would go &c
ondon. lie would call on lsobel like
gentleman. he told himself. Per
haps. after all. II would be the better
way
But first. there was Debar
AS he had been feverishly anxious
I 20 return into the North, so, now. ne
vas anxious TO have this affair witt
| DeBar over with. He lost no time al
: l.ac Balm. writing his letter 10 lnspec
1 tor MacGregor on the same day tha'
he arrived Only two or the dogs
which the Indian had brought into
| the post were III to travel. and witt
! these, and a light sledge on which NJ
| packed his equipment he set on alone
! for Fond du Lac A week later ne
( reached the post. He found HUT, the
! factor, abed with sprained knee
and the only other men at the pos
we're three Chippewayans. who coult
| reither talk nor understand English
"DeBar is gone, groaned Hut. al
! Ter Philip had made himself known
"A rascal of a trenchman came IT
/
Rapid. and this morning DeBar was
missing. had the Chippewayans III
and they say he left early In inc
night with his sledge, and one O!s
! bull OF a hound that be hangs e
/ like grim death. I'd kill that damned
Indian you came up with. | believ'
! Il was he that told the Frenchmal
there was an officer on the way
is the F'renchman here?' aske'
Philip.
Gone" groaned HUT again. turn
J ing his twisted knee. He left for th'
! Crane Rapid this morning. and tfer'
isn't another dog or sledge at -
post. This winter has been death ~
the dogs. and what few are left ar
out on the trap-lines. DeBar knoT
you're after him. sure as fate, ak
he's taken a trail toward the Atha
basca The best | can do Is TO lie
YOU have a Chippewayan who'll &
| with YOU as far as the Chariot. That
| the end OF his territory, and wha
you'll do after that God only knows.
| "Ill take the chance said Philil
"Wel start after dinner. I've so
two dogs. little lame. but even a
that they'll have DeBar's outfit hanc
icapped"
II was less than two hours late
when Philip and the Chippewayan BE
OF into the western forests, the j.
dian ahead and Philip behind, wit,
the dogs and sledge between their
Both men were travelling light. PHIL
had even strapped his csrbine an
small emergency bag TO the tobos
gan, and carried only his service r.
vclver at his belt. II was | ocloc
and the last slanting beams OF tn
winter sun, heatless and only cheer
ing to the eye, were fast dying ava
before the first dull gray approach Q
desolate gloom which precedes for
few hours the northern night. A
the black forest grew more and NOR
somber about them, he looked owe
the grayish yellow back OF the tul
! ing huskies at the silent India
stridlng over the outlaws trail, All
a slight SILVER passed through MIN,
silver that was neither Of cold no
fear, yet which was accompanied b
an oppression which II was hard 10
him 10 shake of Deep down in hi
heart Philip had painted a picture q
William DeBar-of the man-and
was a picture to his likinS. Sue
men he would like 10 know and [
call his friends. But now the deeI
enlng gloom, the darkenlng Of III
sky above, the gray picture ahead {
him-the Chippewayan, as silent a