Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-10-07
Thorpo's wife tugged al

ing deeper. Thorp,'s wife tugged al
the chain.
| Down, Kazan-down!" she com
manded
Down. she repeated. and her free
hand fell on his head again. He skunk
to her feet. But his lips were still
drawn back. Thorpe was watching
him. He wondered at. the deadly
venom that shot from the wolfish
eyes, and looked at McCready. The
Zig guide had uncoiled his long dog
whip. A strange look had come into
his face. He was staring hard at
Kazan. Suddenly he leaned forward
with both hands on his knees, and for
a tense moment or two he seemed to
forget that Isobel Thorpe's wonderful
blue eyes were looking at him.
"Hoo-koosh, Pedro-charge!"
That one word-charge-was taught
only to the dogs in the service of the
Northwest Mounted Police. Kazan did
rot move McCready Strengthened,
and quick as a shot sent the long lash
OF his whip curling out into the night
"Chage, Pedro-charge!
The rumble in Kazan's throat deep
ened to a snarling growl, but not a
muscle Of his body moved McCready
turned to Thorpe.
II could have sworn that I knew
that dog" he said. If it's Pedro, he's
bad"
Thorpe was taking the chain. Only
the girl saw the look that came for
an instant into McCready's face. II
made her shiver. A few minutes be-
fore. when the train had first stopped
at Les Pas, she had offered her hand
to this man and she had seen the
same thing then. But even as she
shuddered she recalled the many
things her husband had told her or
the forest people. She had grown to
love them, to admire their big rough
manhood and loyal hearts. before ne
had brought her among them; and
suddenly she smiled at McCready.
to overcome that thrill OF
fear and dislike.
He doesn't like you," she laughed at
him softly. Wont you make friends
with him."
She drew Kazan toward him, with
Thorpe holding the end of the chain.
McCready came to her side as she
bent over the dog. His back was 10
Thorpe as he hunched down. lsobeis
bowed head was within foot OF his
face. He could see the glow IN her
cheek and the pouting curve of her
mouth as she quieted the low rum.
bling In Kazan's throat. Thorpe stood
ready to pull back on the chain, but
for moment McCready was between
him and his wife, and he could not
see McCready's face. The mans eyes
were not on Kazan. He was staring
at the girl.
You're brave" he said. II don't
dare do that. He would take on my
hand"
He took 1.-THE lantern from Thorpe
and led thd way to a narrow snow
path branching off from the track.
Hidden bacA in the thick spruce was
the camp that Thorpe had left fort
night before.S There we're two tents
there now In blaze Of the one that he
and his guideI had used. A big fire
was burning ii front Of them. Close
to the fire wasSa long sledge and fas-
tened to trees Dust within the outer
circle of firelightt Kazan saw the shad-
owy forms and cleaning eyes Of his
team mates. He stood stiff and mo-
tionless 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 excitement
Of the strange and wonderful life OF
which she had now become part.
Thorpe had thrown back the flap OF
their tent and she was entering ahead
Of him. She did not look back. She
spoke no word to him. He Wnlned
and turned his red eyes on McCready
In the tent Thorpe was saying
Pm sorry old Jackpine wouldn't go
back with us, Issy He drove me
down. but for love or money I couldn't
get him to return. He's Mission In
lian and I'd give a months salary
10 have you see him handle the dogs.
I'm not sure about this man Nc
,ready, He's a queer chap, the CON-
oany's agent here tells me, and knows !
he woods like book. But dogs don't
ike a stranger. Kazan isn't going to
AXE to him worth cent?
Kazan heard the girls voice and
stood rigid and motionless listening TO
t. He did not hear or )see McCready
when he came up stejalthily behind
him. The mans voice came as sud
ienly as a shot at his heels.
"Pedro!"
In an instant Kazan cringed as II
touched by a lash.
Got you that time didn't l., you
Did DEVIL" whispered McCready, his