University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-08-13

'oooS-MeIS" COUPu"O.
see McCready's face The mans eye
were not on Kazan. He was staring
at the girl.
You're brave" he said. Il dom
dare do that He would take of m!
hand,"
He took the lantern from Thorpe
and led the way to narrow snow
path branching off from the track
Hidden back in the thick spruce was
the camp that Thorpe had left fort
night before. There were two tents
there now In place Of the one he and
his guide had used. A big fire was
burning in front of them. Close to
the fire was long sledge, and
fastened to trees just within the out
er circle of freight KaZan saw the
shadOwy forms and cleaning eyes OF
his teammates. He stood stiff and
motionless while Thorpe fastened him
to a sledge Once more he was back
in his forests-and in command. His
mistress was laughing and clapping
her hands delightedly in the excite
ment of the strange and wonderful
life of which she had now become
apart. Thorpe had thrown back the
flap of their tent, and she was enter
IN Of hn
back. She spoke no word to him. He
whined. and turned his red eyes on
McCready.
In the tent Thorpe was saying:
I'm sorry old Jackpine wouldn't
go back with us, Issy. He drove me
down, but for love or money couldn't
get him to return. He's Mission In
dian, and I'd give a months salary to
have you see him handle the dogs. I'm
not sure about this man McCready.
He's a queer chap. the Company's
agent here tells me. and knows the
woods like a book. But dogs don't
like a stranger Kazan isn't going to
take to him worth a cent"
Kazan heard the girls voice, and
stood rigid and motionless listening
to it. He did not hear or see McCready
when he came up stealthily behind
him. The mans voice came as sud-
denly as a shot at his heels
"Pedro,"
In an instant KaZan cringed as If
touched by a lash.
Got you that time-didnt l, you
old devil," whispered McCready, his
face strangely pale in the freight.
Changed your name, eh? But ] got
you-didn't To-
CHAPTER III
McCready Pays the Debt
For long time after he had uttered
those words McCready sat in silence
beside the fire. Only for a moment
or two at time did his eyes leave
Kazan. After a little, when he was
sure that Thorpe and Isobel had re-
tired for the night, he went into his
own tent and returned with flask of
whisky. During the next half-hour he
drank frequently. Then he went over
and sat on the end of the sledge, just
beyond the reach of Kazan's chain.
Got you, didn't II" he repeated, the
effect of the liquor beginning to show
in the glitter of his eyes. wonder
who changed your name, Pedro. And
how the devil did he come by you? Ho.
no. if you could only talk"
They heard Thorpe's voice inside |
he tent. 1t was followed by low /
sirlish peal of laughter, and Nc
Cready jerked himself erect. His face |
)lazed suddenly red, and he rose to
his feet. dropping the flask in his coat
pocket Walking around the fire, he /
iptoed cautiously to the shadow of
/ tree close to the tent and stood
here for many minutes listening. His
yes burned with a fiery madness
when he returned to the sledge and
<azan. 1t was midnight before he
vent into his own tent
In the warmth of the fire, Kazan's
yes slowly closed. He slumbered un-
asily, and his brain was filled with
roubled pictures. At times he was
ighting, and his jaws snapped. At
thers he was straining at the end of
rs chain, with McCready or his mis-
ress just out of reach. He felt the
entle touch of the girls hand again
nd heard the wonderful sweetness of
er voice as she sang to him and his
Master, and his body trembled and
with the thrills that had
lied him that night. And then the
icture changed. He was running at
he head of a splendid team-six dogs
( the Royal Northwest Mounted Po-
Ice-and his master was calling him
'edro, The scene shifted. They were
q camp. His master was young and