The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-01-28

frost bite down to Nallez) was clappcl
about his head lie struggled. but he
says he does not remember any more
until he woke up on the beach here
| 1t was still dark. and the men and
| boat were gone.
"roward evening he discovered a
barrel of dried fish which had been
tumbled ashore from the boat which
marocned him--to keep him from starv
ing. / suppose He went up into the
scrub and made fire. Since then he's
been here and seen no one. That's
all
''Then he didn't ever really see the
faces of the chaps that kidnapped him."
Stafford translated the question to
Sam and repeated the answer.
zone had a beard and was big
man; he wore peaked cap. Anything
else to ask him.
Eyes. How long has he been here OH
This island"
Eight days"
"What's he been doing all the time"
"Just wandering around
"Where has he been camped!
Stafford raised his thumb over his
shoulder. "In the scrub above here
Joe nodded. well. lets go to his
camping place and boil the kettle. He'll
sure have Il hit of fire there"
Joe stirred the slnouldern@ logs into
life. but in doing so was so 'lnfortunate
as to ovcrtuln the kettle.
"That'S bad" said he. BEST tell your
man to get some more water"
Stafford sent off Sam on his GRAND:
bur no sooner had the Alcut disappear
cd than November was on his knees
examining the charred cmbcrs and
delvin@ among the ashes.
Get rid of your hired man for Il
while longer. only so he don't suspect
anything." lie said. II hear him com
ing"
you mean he's in the robhcry?"
He sure is. And. what's more. it
looks to me like he's your only chance
Of getting your foxes back. Here he
cOmeS.'
A moment later Sam appeared in
sight walking UP the narrow track be-
tween the rocks. kettle in hand. Stat
ford spoke to him in Acut. Sam
grunted in acquiesccnce. and went Off
up the hill that formed the center of
the island.
~ told him to go gather some NOR.
wood while the kettles boiling. Now
YOU can talk and tell me who you think
has the peltS Of my foxes"
"Your foxes amt dead"
"Ain't dead? You've forgot their
skinned carcasses!'
~ allow we saw some skinned car
cassce, but they vas the carcasses of
red foxes worth no more than $40
apiece instead of thousand / eX-
nmined those carcasSes mighty careful.
Their eyes wasn't the right color for
black foxes. That's one thing. For
another, found some red hairs 1t
Amt in nature you cam take 4 pclt Off
and not Il hair stick on the body UNI
der"
Stafford di@estcd this in silence.
but why in creation should the
chaps have taken the trouble to bring
over red fox carcasses:' he inquired
ut length.
THAT'S easy answered. They was
after your best stock It's pretty like
Iy they didn't take them far, and they
wouldn't want you nosng about for
your live foxes
rs that it?'
another thing. The robbers was
six days or more on Eel island. Now.
they could catch and kill all your fox
es in two. But to catch them so they
wouldn't be hurt would take time.
No. your foxes amt dead yet, and they
amt far off. neither. and your Ale't
knows who's got them. He told you
he'd been eight days on this island.
didn't he?'
Stafford nodded. eight days. that's
what he said"
He lied. ! knew it the moment |
set eyes on his fire. Not enough ash
to this fire to make heat TO keep Il
man without Il blanket comfortable for
eight days this weather. And look!
The boughS he's broke off for his bed.
They're too fresh. -Ag'i1l. he amt got
no AK here yet the charred ends OF
the thicker bits on the fire has been
cut with an aN. It's clear as light
The robbers ferrcd Sam across here
about two days back. cut some wood
for him so he shouldn't be too cold.
gave him grub to last till bout the
time you'd likely be home and left
/ him.
II guess you're right. | see it now.
I'm grateful to YOU"
! Stafford reached for his rifle. but Joe
| INTERVIEWED.
Stay you still, and LII show you the
way we do in the lumber camps"
Sans strong, squat figure advanced
toward lis. AS he stopped to throw the
wood he had brought on the ground
Joe caught his shoulder with one hand
| and SutthnI tho tnifn fr,,n h;c i,,1t