Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-07
BigSnoWs
Author Of 1.-The
Danger 1rrail''

home.
And from above him the stars look
ed down like a billion tiny fires kim
died by loving hands to light his way
the stars that had given him music,
peace. since be could remember and
that had taught him more of the silent
power OF God than the lips Of man
could ever tell From this time forth
Jan Thorenu knew that these things
would be his life, his god. BE had
loved the forest-now he worshiped
it. In its vast silence he still possess
ed Melissa.
Nearly a month passed before he
reached oxford House and found the
sweet faced girl whom Thornton low
ed. He did as Thornton had asked AID
went on-into the north and east He
had no mission now except to roam in
his foresS He went down the Hayes.
getting his few supplies ut Indian
camps and stopped at last, with the
beginning Of spring. far up on the Cut
away. Here he built himself a camp
and lived for a time. setting dead falls
for bear Then be struck north again
and still east, keeping always away
from Lac Balm. When the first chill
winds Of the bay brought warning Of
winter down to him he was filed for
a time with a longing to strike north
and west. to go once more back to his
Barren Lands. But, instead, he went
south. and so II came to pass that
year after he had left Lac Balm he
built himself a cabin deep in the for
est Of Gods river, fifty miles from Ok
ford House. and trapped once more
for the company. he had not forgot
ten his promise to Thornton. and at
Oxford House left word where he could
be found II the man from civilization
should return.
In late midwinter ian returned to
oxford House with his furs. 1t was
on the night of the day that he came
into the post that he heard a French
man who had come down from the
north speak Of Lac Balm. None no
ticed the change In JAMS face as he
hung back in the shadows Of the COM
pany's store. A little later he follow
ed the Frenchman outside and stopped
him where there were no others near
! to overhear.
"M'sieur, you spoke of Lac Balm"
be said in French. You have been
! there?"
Yes" replied the other. Il was
there for a week waiting for the first
sledge snow"
1T is my old home" said Jan. trying
to keep his voice natural. II have
wondered If there are changes You
saw Cummtns. the fsctor|
Yes. he was there"
"And-and Jean de Gravois. the
chief MANI"
He was away"
The factor had daughter. Me
Hsse"-
she left Lac Balm a long time ago.
m'sieur." said the trapper ''Msieur
| Cummins told me that he had not seen
her in a long time. l believe it was
almost a year"
Jan went to the companys store.
he took his pack to the sledge and
dogs in the edge of the spruce. and
Kazan leaped to greet him at the end
OF his babiche. That night as Jan
travelled through the forest he did not
notice the stars or the friendly shad.
ows.
"A year" he repeated to himself
again and again. and once when Ka-
zan rubbed against his leg and looked
up into his face he said: "Ah. KaZan,
our Melissa went away with the Eng
,ishman. May the great God give
them happiness!"
The forest claimed him more than
ever after this. He did not go back
TO Oxford House In the spring, but
sold his furs TO a passing halfbreed
and wandered through all of that
spring and summer IN the country &c
the west. II was January when he
returned to his cabin. when the SHOWS
were deepest. and three days later hs
set out 10 outfit at the HudsOn's bay
post on Gods lake instead of at Ok
ford House. IL was while they were
crossing q part of the lake that KaZar
leaped aside for an instant In hi,
traces and snapped at something IN
the snow.
Jan saw the movement, but gave nc
attention to IT until a little later wher
Kazan stopped and fell upon his belly
biting at the harness and whining IN
pain. The thought OF KALan's sudder
snap at the snow came to him ther
like a knife thrust, and with a low CT
! OF horror and fear he fell upon hi
knees beside the dog. Kazan within
pered, and his bushy tail swept thu
snow as Jan lifted his great woIhsi
head between his two hands. No othe
sound came from Jams lips DOW, anC
slowly he drew the dog up to him unit
he held him In his arms as be nigh
have held a child. Kazan stilled tn,
whimpering sounds in his throat Hi
one eye rested on his masters face
, faithful. watching for some sign, 70
= some language there, even as the burn
ing nres OF a strange torture gnawe'
at his life. and In that eye Jan saw tn
deepening reddish film which be ha'
seen a hundred times before in the eye
, OF foxes and wolves killed by poisol
bait
? A moan OF anguish burst from Jan
. lips, and be held his face close dow
t against KaZan's head and sobbed nov
Ike a child, while Kazan rubbed hi
4 a