Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-10-29


when Tom spoke hy the camp fire Of
some Lake to which he desired to guide
NE ana Of which he stated that the
shores had never been troddcn by
white mans foot Joe had to cover his
mouth with his hand When we were
alone. Todd having departed to make
some necessary repairs to the canoe. |
asked Joe what he meant by laughing
ut his elders.
Il suppose a boys foot atn't q mans
anyways" remarked joe nuoccutly,
and more he would not say.
The sun was showing over the tree
tops when | drew rein Ivy the door "
the shack. and nj the same moment
came in view OF the slim but power.
full figure Of young man who was
busy rolling some gear into pack
He raised himself and, just as | was
about to speak, drawled out:
My! Mr.. Quaritch. you! Who'd n
thought IT,"
The young woodSman came forward
with a lazy stride and gave me wei
was one Of his characteristics, hut
which left me in doubt as to its gent.
ality.
feel that | shall never be able TO
describe November Suffice ii to say
that the loose knit boy remembered
had developed into one OF the finest
specimens OF manhood that ever grew
mp among the halSam trees. near six
feet tall, 1.-the and powerful, with II
neck like column and n straight fea.
turcd face, the sheer good looks OF this
son OF the woods were disturbing. He
was clearly also not only the product
but the master of his environment
We'll. well, Mr., Quaritch. many's
the time I've been thinking OF the days
we had with old Tom way up on the
RouStik,"
They were good days, Joe. weren't
they?"
Sure. sure, they werel''
Il hope we shall have some more
together"
III it's hunting you want, I'm glad
you're here, Mr.. Quaritch There's n
fine buck using around by Widdeuey
pond. Maybe we will get look nj
him come sunset, for he most always
moves out of the thick bush about
dark" Then humor lit spark In
his splendid gray eyes as he looked
up ut me. "But Wen have n cup o
tea first"
November Joe's (by the way, l ought
to mention that his birth In the month
of November had given him his namcl
as say. November Joc's weakness
for tea had in the old days been Il
target upon which l had often exer
cised my faculty for irony and banter
The weakness was evidently still alive
Il had hoped to have n hunt with
you. November" said |. Indeed, that
is what | came for, and there's nothing
I'd like better than to try for your red
deer buck tonight, but while | was nj
Harding's there was Il ringup on the
phone, and the provincial police sent
through a message for you. 1t appears
that a man named Henry Lyon has
portage. A lumberman found him and
phoned the news into Quebec. The
chief of police wants you to take on
the case. He told me to say that sue
cess would mean $50"
That's too bad" said Joe. I'D
sooner hunt a deer than man any
day. Makes fellow feel less badliko
when he comes up with him. Well
Mr.. Quaritch. | must be getting OFF
but you'll be wanting another guide
There's Charley Paul. down to st
Amiel."
Look here. November, | don't want
Charley Paul or any other guide but
you. The fact of the matter is that
Sir Andrew McLerrick. the great doe
tor who was out with you last fall, has
told me that have been OVERRIDING II
and must come into the woods for rest
I've three months to put In, and from
all | hear Of you you won't take three
months finding out who murdered
Lyon"
Joe looked grave. II may take more
than that" said he, "for maybe III
never find out Mt all. But I'm right
pleased. Mr.. Quaritch. to hear you car
stay so long. There's plenty of grul
In my shack. and | dare say that
shnn't be many days gone"
How far is it to Big Tree portageT
give miles to the river and eight
up IT."
'I'd like to go with you"
He gave me one OF his quick smiles
Then | guess yOn'll have to wait for
your breakfast till we are in the
canoe. Turn the mare loose. Shell
make Harding's by afternoon"
Joe entered the shack and came ou-
again with one or two articles. In
FIVE minutes he had put together n
tent. my sleeping things. food. ammu
milton and all nccessnries. The whole
bundle he secured with his packing
strap, lifted It and set ont through tho
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