Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-01-13
CHAPTER w.
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 ana 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 bridge that spanned a
wide creek tributary to Rocky river.
Now Hilary knew where he was. 1t
was the creek which he had passed
that morning when he drove out with
Council 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 Lee
Ulanc'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 were saving and whispered. They
seemed to draw together. At that mo-
ment Hilary had a 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 toward the
camp. Hilary, looking that way, saw
Black Pierre emerging from one of
the huts. He went toward him, and the
two men met face to face.
Still without reason to believe in
Pierre's hostile intention, Hilary sud-
denly became aware that they were
ringed by circle of men, who gradu-
ally drew in toward them.
Morning" said Hilary, nodding.
Where is Monsieur Leblanc?"
Il dom know" answered Pierre,
scowling. 'Look for him If you want
him. He's your man. amt he?"
He is, but you are not. What are
you doing on my land? And these men
are they yours?'
what you mean. your land?" de-
manded Pierre. 81 work here for Mon
sieur Brousseau, with Monsieur Brous-
seau'S men,"
Hilary saw, out of the corner of his
eye, that the ring was swiftly con-
tracing. 1t struck him that Pierre and
he were posted face to face, like prize
fighters. he tried TO keep his temper
and TO remember Connell's counsel
Pierre thought he was afraid. He
sneered openly.
Las time 1 came here" said Hilary
calmly. disregarding the others trucu-
lence, Monsieur Leblanc was in
charge of this territory Now l find
you here in Lablanc's place. l have
not hired you. Again l ask what you
are doing here"
Il DON know what you mean" snort
ed Pierre. ''aT' / got no time 10 waste
in damn foolishness- This here Is the
Ste. Marie limits. Monsieur Brousseau
an Monsieur Morris run the Ste Marie
limits. Leblanc he work for them las
year. Now l got Leblanc's place"
THE Ste. Marie limits are on the
other side of the Riyiere Rocheuse, y
said Hillary.
Holy Name, amt this side Of Ri,
Were Rocheuse9 Didn' you cross him
coming here?"
sThat creek. is not the Riviere Ro
cneuse. as you know very well, Pierre.
Black Pierre thrust his face forward
into Hilary'S Say, got no time &c
waste wit you" he snarled. If you
come 10 fight, say so"
"Tll give you five minutes TO get Of
my land.
you wan 10 figh5, Ell? AT right
crowled the other. suddenly stripping
off his short. open ticket
Hilary had just time 10 fasten gss