Charlevoix county herald., 1914-07-18

But the baby took much time, and
every movement of its lips or eyes or
tiny fingers meant hitherto untold
amazing things to her and hlled hef
heart with power TO be patient.
Late one afternoon, as she sat
there with the little one at her
breast, her eyes were longingiy
turned to that distant point at the
end of the curve in the river.
A thousand times she had felt that
something was appearing. something
which had only proved to be decep-
ton to her overStralned eyes or
merely some floating branch.
Once more she thought herself the
prey of illusion, but an instant later
she leaped to her feet.
With wildly beating heart she
called to the others. Some Indians
came running toward her. 1t could
only be the long expected canoe, for
none of the families that had already
left the post would return before the
spring.
at surely is canoe" said Atika-
mex, whose vision was renowned
among a sharp-eyed people. pres
emily we shall hear the firing of
gun. Let us hasten for ours that we
may receive them according to GUS
tom with large measure of 'pouk'
in the barrels"
So the men ran for their guns to
celebrate the arrival of the explor-
ers. They returned, pouring in the
powder from ancient powder-horns
and printing the nipples, for there
were very few who had modern
weapons
Then Atikamek whispered to by
stander: 81 surely can see but one
man in the canoe"
But Ameou overheard him and
anXiously strained her vision. In
very few seconds she also was GER
tain. An ashen color came into her
face as she stared and clutched her
baby convulsively. The little fellow
began to cry. 1t was not as silent as
Indian babes, and often beloved
Justify after the manner of white in
fants.
Zone of the two may have become
i'll or be hurt and lying in the bot
tom of the boat said old Minis
SUITS hopefully. Perhaps it is Uapi-
shiu of the Yellow Hair who is pad
ding"
"No! 1t is Mashkaugan the
Crooked Back" asserted Atikamek
Il cannot see his face, but the pad
die glints in the sunlight and | can
see the movement of the arms and
know the man. Moreover, his head
lies deep between his shoulders. It
can be none other"
Curran, who had seen the assem-
bling of the people, FASTENED down to
xlyh L.
walked up and down like some Gagged
beast. His nerves were on edge
from too much smoking and the bot
tie beneath his bunk.
A minute later all could see Mash
kaugan's face. He was padding
powerfully against the current, ans
yet his work looked like the final eff
fort of a spent man.
He came nearer and nearer-until
all could see that in the bottom of
the canoe there was nothing but a
pack.
The wife of Nimissuts was Just i'm
time to seize the baby. Ameou fell
unconscious with a piercing cry.
The voyageur approached and
Curran cried out to him in Judaslike
anger:
What hast thou done with Lori
mer, the man who went with thee
and whom | gave in thy charge ?"
"He fell in the White Rapids, car
rying greater load than was will
ing he should take. He fell from
the path on the cliffs" replied Mash
kaugan. "The waters closed over
him and | never saw him again.
though | searched a long time. He
bore all the flour, and | have had
little to eat and am starving"
His appearance bore out his state
ments. He was gaunt, and his sharp
face was wolfish with the marks of
hunger as he staggered painfully up
the bank, leaning upon his paddle.
Curren went to him and seized
him by the arm.
"Come with me to the post" he
said. "You will be given something
to eat at once. ] must know all
about this dreadful happening.
had rather have lost my ow life"
81 will tell you after have eaten"
answered the man sullenly. Get
me hot tea and meat an6 bread
first"
Ameou was beginning to return to
life as the two went up to the log
building. Once more she managed
to stagger to her feet. She insisted
upon being given her baby, which.
she seized desperately, as if some
one had been seeking to take it away
from her.
Continued next week.