Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-17
CHAPTER Y

COON Philip slackened his pace ana
~ looked anxiously ahead of him
From where he stood the cliff s!oped
down to a white strip of beach that
reached out into the night as far as
he could see. hemmed close in by the
black gloom of the forest. Halfway
down the slope the moonlight was
cut by a dark streak. ana he found
this to be the second break. He had
no difficulty in descending. Its sides
were smooth. as though worn by
water. At the bottom white, dry SAND
slipped under his feet. He made his
way between the walls. and darkness
shut him in. The trail grew rougher.
Near the shore he stumbled blindly
among huge rocks and piles Of crunb-
ling slate. wondering why Jeanne and
Pierre had come this way when they
might have taken a smoother road.
Close to the stony beach. where the
light was a little better he made out
the canoe which Pierre had drawn
into the shadows.
the moonlight at the edge of the
water did he see that it was equipped
as if for a long Journey Close TO the
stern was a bulging pack, with a rifle
strapped across it.
Two or three smaller caribou-skin
bags lay in the center of the canoe.
In the bow was a thick nest of bear
skin, and he knew that this was for
Jeanne.
Cautiously Philip launched himself,
and with silent sweeps of the paddle
that made scarcely the sound Of a
ripple III the water set out in the
direction OF Churchill. Jrannc's cap
tors had a considerable start Of him,
but he felt confident of his ability
10 overtake them shortly If Pierre had
spoken with truth when he said that
they would head for the Churchill
River. He had observed the caution
with which Pierres assailants had ap-
preached the cliff, and he was sure
that they would double that caution
in their return, especially as their at
tack had been interrupted at the last
moment For this reason he padded
without great haste, keeping well with.
in the coucealment Of the procipitous
shore with his ears and eyes keenly
alive to discover a sign Of those who
were ahead of him.
Opposite the rock where Pierre and
Jeanne were to have met him he
stopped and stood up in the canoe.
The wind had dispeled the smoke
shadow. Between him and the distant
ship lay an uuclouded sea. Two-thlrds
of the distance TO the vessel he made
out the larger canoe, rising and falling
with the smooth undulations Of the
tide. He sank upon his knees again
and unstrapped Pierres rife, There
was cartridge in the chamber. lie
made sure that the magazine was
loaded and resumed his padding.
His mind worked rapidly. Within
half an hour, IL he desired he could
overtakc the other canoe, And what
then? There were three to one. il II
came to a fight-and how could he
rescue Jeanne without a fight? His
blood was pounding eagerly, almost
with pleasure AT the promise Of what
wds ahead Of him, and he laughed
softly to himself as he thought Of the
odds
The ship loomed nearer: the canoe
vanished behind IT, A brief stop
dozen words OF explanation, and Philip
knew that he could secure assistance
from the vessel. After all, would that
not be the wisest course for him 10
pursue? For a moment he hesitated
and padded more slowly. II others
Joined with him in the rescue OF
Jeanne what excuse could he offer for
not bringing her back to Churchill?
What would happen il he returned
with her? Why had Pierre reused
himself from something that was al
most death to entrest him 10 take
seaEr to Fort q God? 81
"a .l..lu q. s..l ~. Z. l. ~.