Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-01-09
CHAPTER Nv.
The First Encounter.

Next morning Hilary drove slowly
through his property. He noticed with
approval a splendid growth Of white
spruce. 1t was a great timber coun-
try; Hilary had already come to that
conclusion, and to this: that, properly
worked and managed, the st. Boniface
tract had the possibilities Of consider
able profits, perpetual ones, If he cut
wisely and carefully.
After driving at slow pace for half
an hour he emerged into a little
burned-over district, from which he
could see for a good distance on every
side of him. He stopped the pony and
looked about him, trying to get his
bearings.
The road must run down to the
gorge, where was the main way be-
tween the mill and the interior Of the
seigniory, Hilary decided.
He drove on again. The track had
been disused that season and was over
grown with creeping raspberry briers,
which made progress difficult. Sud-
denly the underground fell away, and
the road ran upward again, hard and
firm, toward a bridge that spanned a
wide creek tributary to Rocky river.
Now Hilary knew where he was. It
was the creek which he had passed
that morning when he drove out with
Connell to inspect the seigniory.
He was about to continue his way
along the main road to the mill. but an
impulse urged him to turn the horse
about and seek the road that led to Le-
blanc's old concession. Presently he
heard the sound of axes among the
trees. He came upon the clearing, to
find the old camp still standing, and a
great pile Of newly hewn timber
stacked up under the trees.
At Hilary's appearance two or three
men looked up from the logs which
they we're saving and whispered. They
seemed to draw together. At that mo-
ment Hilary had clearly defined i'm.
preston of approaching trouble.
He got down from the buggy and
fastened the horse to a tree. He ap
preached little group that had form
ed. where's Monsieur Leblanc?" he
asked the nearest man.
The man scowled and shrugged his
shoulders. He glanced tsward the
camp. Hilary, looking that way, saw
Black Pierre emerging from one O.
the huts. He went toward him, and tn,
two men met face to face.
-
Pierre's hostile intention, Hilary sud
denly became aware that they wer,
ringed by circle Of men, who gradu
ally drew in toward them.
Morning" said Hilary, noddine
where is Monsieur LeblancT
II dom know" answered Pierre
scowling. Look for him If you wan
him. He's your man, amt hep
HE is, but you are not. What ar
you doing on my land? And these me
are they yours?"
"What you mean, your land?" de
manded Pierre. "I work here for Nor
sieur Brousseau, with Monsieur Brous
seau's men,"
Hilary saw, out of the corner of hi
4 eye, that the ring was swiftly cor
tracing. 1t struck him that Pierre an
he were posted face to face, like priz'
fighters. He tried to keep his tempe
and to remember Connells counse
Pierre thought he was afraid. B
sneered openly.
Last time / came here" said Hilar
calmly, disregarding the others true
lence, "Monsieur Leblanc was
charge of this territory. Now I fir
you here in Leblahc's place. I hay
not hired you. Again ask what yc
; are doing here"
81 DON know what you mean," snol
ed Pierre, IAN / got no time to was
In damn foolishness. This here is Il
!. Ste Marie limits. Monsieur Brousses
. an Monsieur Morris run the Ste. Mar
limits. Leblanc he work for them le
year. Now got Leblanc's place"
: "The Ste. Marie limits are on Il
other side of the Riviere Rocheuse
I said Hilary.
= ''Holy Name, amt 1 this side Of I
3 Were Rocheuse? Didn' you cross hi
l coming hereY
q "That creek is not the Riviere +
cheuse, as you know very well, Pierre
i Black Pierre thrust his face forwa
into Hilary's. "Say, got no time
waste wit you" he snarled. "1f y
It come to fight, say So"
q "Tll give you five minutes to get
II my land"
s "You wan 30 fght, Ell? All righ
growled the other. suddenly strippi
1t off his short, open jacket.
& Hilary had just time to fasten I