Charlevoix county herald., 1914-07-18
CHAPTER V.
Foul PLAY.

tress of parting with Ameou had
lost some of its keenness, Lorlmer
began TO obtain some enjoyment
from his trip. 1t was change from
the routine of the post. There was
the constant delight of seeing new
places, of camping each night IN a
different spot, of the long days OF
naddlinp up rivers whose every
winding revealed fresh beauties.
AS they went on they quickly in
vestigated tracks of game on the
sand banks along the shore, for their
abundance or scarcity was OF I'M
pOrtance.
But soon the taciturnity of has
COMPANION became tiresome. Hardly
a word ever came from him except
as a brief answer to questions. Lor-
inner took a keen interest in the folk
lore of the Indians.
He often tried to get information
from Mashkaugan; but the mere
mention of beliefs and superstitions
of the savages caused the hunchback
to withdraw further into his shell.
II made the voyageur uneasy.
One day they reached a place
known as the White Rapids, where
the river dashed turbulently Tor sew
eral hundred yards before enguihng
itself in the chasm OF granite mil;
Just beyond the canon 1t leaped
fiercely into a oam-hecked poor
where great rocks overhung the
water.
"A fine place, this, for the winde-
gos and other devils to gather ana
nlan torments for the spirits OF de-
| cfn
on a shelf of rock, somewhat awed
by the majesty and grandeur OF the
spectacle.
Zone must not speak Of such
things in a place like this" he an
swered unes silly.
The young man ooked al MN III
come surprise. 1t had become evil
dent that the strain of white blood IN
the man had not prevented him from
remaining under the influence OF the
superstition that prevails among
northern Indians.
They FASTENED over the portage
and resumed their journey. Lori
mer was wise enough to allow Mash
kaupan to decide every course OF ac-
tion He was an experienced voy-
with SPLENDID ability to meet every
one of the problems constantly pre-
sent. d bv travel in the wilderness.
Lorimer, also of sturdy body, and
possessed of keen intelligence, had
been quick to grasp all the essen
tials. but he recognized that in the
woods the hunchback was his mas
ter.
Yet Mashkaugan never took ad-
vantage of this. He might advise,
but always with a respectful ques-
ton.
When approaching some perilous
- rapid the voyager would stand up
in the canoe with perfect balance
and rapidly scan the rough water.
Think besi to right. Inside big
black rock" he might say. What
think ?"
eco aheadw Lorimer would an
swer.
Then, through the swirl of the wa
ters shooting in and out amoug hid
den boulders over which great spun
ing waves arose, they would dash on
and on, seeming to be on the verge
of destruction. Presently the canoe
would leap into dead water again
and they would float, while the al
ders, birches and dark fire appeared
to rush by them like things endowed
with life.
At all times the stroke of the pad
die astern was timed to a second or
the drive of the iron-shod pole quick
II averted impending disaster.
Travelling with you is a liberal
education" he once told the voyage
ur after they had passed a particu-
larry dangerous place.
But Mashkaugan only grunted,
having failed perhaps to grasp the
sense of the words, and padded on
with great driving strokes which he
could keep up long after Lorimer's
arms were aching
1T would be hard going for bri-
gade," remarked LOrimer, at the
boiling of a noontime kettle of tea.
Indians come this way with pelts
Not so very badly" replied Maskau-
gan, Struggling his shoulders.
Finally thev reached Mumukesku
Lake. It was like a small inland
sea.
They were held at the outlet by
the wind, as the waves were danger
Gus and the storm blasts alternating
with pelting squalls of rain could
not be affronted.
II was their first day in idleness,
for they had not rested on Sundays.
They spent it in making needed re-
pairs to their clothes. Toward night
fall, when the rain had ceased, they
carefully attended to a few small
leaks in the canoe, drying the bark
with torch of birch rind, for the
melted gum will not stick to a wet
surface.
1t proved to be long day. The
half-breed could hardly be made to
talk, and Lorimer's thoughts revert
ed TO Tshemuak Post and the woman
WHO was waiting for him.
The desolation Of the immense
sheet of water, whose further shores
were invisible, the sodden moisture of
everything, the growing chilliness of
damp bodies conspired 20 dull Lori
mer's mind until he became con-
scious of 4. sense of distress.
From time to time, as he looked at
his companion, he found Mashkau-
gan's eyes fixed upon him strange
L.. 4