Gilpin observer., 1917-12-13
CHAPTER II-contlnued.

other form had approached out Of the
illumination made by the lanterns. It
was McCready, who was to accompany
Thorpe and his young wife back to the
Red River camp, where Thorpe was in
charge Of the building Of the new
Transcontinental. The man was
straight, powerfully built and clean
shaven. His jaw was 80 square that
1t was brutal, and there was glow in
his eyes that was almost like the pas
sion in Kazan's al he looked at Isobel.
McCready shifted his gaze, and in
stantly her hand fell on Kazan's head.
For the first time the dog did not seem
to feel her touch. He still snarled
at McCready, the rumbling menace in
his throat growing deeper. Thorpe's
wife tugged at the chain.
"Down, Kazan-dOwn!" she COM
mandcl.
At the sound Of her voice he relaxed.
"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 ven-
ON that shot from the wolfish eyes,
and looked at McCready. The big
guide had uncoiled his long dog-whip.
A strange look had come into his face.
He was staring hard at Kazan. Sud-
denly he leaned forward, with both
hands on his knees, and for u tense
moment or two he seemed to forget
that Isobel Thorpe's wonderful blue
eyes were looking at him.
"Hoo-koosh, Pedro-chargeI
That one wOrd-charge-was taught
only to the dogs in the service of the
Northwest Mounted police. Kazan did
not move. McCready Strengthened,
and, quick as shot, sent the long lash
Of his whip curling out into the night
with crack like pistol report.
"Charge, Pedro-charge
The rumble In Kazan's throat deep.
ened to snarling growl, but not a
muscle of his body moved. McCready
turned to Thorpe.
II could have sworn that knew that
dog" he said. "If it's Pedro, he's
badP
Thorpe was taking the chain. Only
The girl saw the look that came for an
instant into McCready's face. 1t made
her shiver. A few minutes before,
when the train 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 of the forest people. She
had grown to love them, to admire
their big, rough manhood and loyal
hearts, before he had brought her
among them; and suddenly she smiled
at McCready, struggling to overcome
that thrill Of fear and dislike.
"He doesn't like you" she laughed
ut him softly. "Won't 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 tC
Thorpe as he hunched down. Isobel's
bowed head was within foot of his
face. He could see the glow In hel
cheek and the poutlng curve of hel
mouth as she quleted the low rumblinl
In Kazan's throat. Thorpe stood read,
10 pull back on the chain, but Tor ,
moment McCready was between hin
md his wife, and he could not Sc,
McCready's face. The mans eyei
we're not on Kazan. He was staring
1t the girl.
you're brave" he said. II dom
dare do that. He would take off IN!
tandw
He took the lantern from Thorp,
and led the way to narrow snow
path branching of from the track
Hidden back In the thick spruce wal
the camp that Thorpe had left fort
night before. There were two tent
there now in place Of the one that b,
and his guide had used. A big fir,
vas burning In front Of them. Clos
- the nrs was Q long sledge. an,