New Britain herald., 1922-01-12
THE SNOKSHOE TRAIL
EDISON MARSHALL

| '""Su' 'Fc' so hlibHtlS bul ms an swer was apt ''I saw a caribou about two miles away. There didn't seem chance in the world to hit 1t, but considering our scarcity of meat, l took that chance. or course, l didn't hit within ten feet of him; Bills gun isn't built for such long ranges. shot-four times"
 Bill did not reply. He was thinking about those same four shots. It was | incomprehensible that they should have made such an impression upon him.
 And for all that Bill hasn't got his down tomorrow" Virginia went on In gay voice. She glanced once at Bill. but she did not see the world of despair that came into his face at the delight with which she spoke. | You and I will take turns pulling the sled: Bill will hang on to the gee pole. And Bill says you know the \ way. We're going to dash right through-camp out only two nights"
 That afternoon both Bill and Vir- ginia started with amazemcnt at the sound of tapping knuckles on the door. Harold's eyes were glcaming
 XXIV | Harold saw fit to answer the door himself He threw it wide open; Vir- ginia's startled glance could just make out two swarthy faces, singularly dark and unprepossessing.
 We've mushin' over to Yuga- been over Bald Peak way" Joe said stumblingy. Didn't know no one was here. Want a bunk here to- night"
 You've got your own blankets?"
 Yes. We got blankets"
 "On your way home, eh? Well. I'll have to ask this lady"
 Harold seemed strangely nervous as he turned to Virginia.
 "A couple of Indians, going home toward the settlement on the Yuga," he explained quickly. They've come from over toward Bald Peak and were counting on putting up here. to- night. That's the woods custom, you know-to stay at anybody's cabin. Do you think we can put 'em up?"
 Good heavens, we can't send them on, on a night like this. It is awk- ward, though-about food"
 They've likely got their own food"
 "Of course they can stay. Bill can sleep on the floor in here-you can take the two of them with you into the little cabin. It will be pretty tight work, but we can't do anything else. Bring them in.''
 Harold turned again to the door, and in a moment the Indians strode, blinking, into the candlelight.
 Virginia shot them a swift glance and was instinctively repeled: but at once she ascribed the evil savagery of their faces to racial traits.
 Bill, sitting against the cabin wall, tried to make sense out of con- fused tumble. of thoughts and im- ! pressions and memories that flooded in one. wave to his 1nind.
 He had assumed at once that the 1.-two breeds were Joe and Pete, whom he had encountered when he first found Harold. Why, then, had the latter made no sign of recognition? :?
 He resolved to know the truth.
 Its Joe and Pete. isn't it?" he asked abruptly in the silence. "Pete-Joe?" Joe answered at last in bewildered tone. Don't know 'em. I'm Wolfpaw Black-he's Jim my--Jimmy DuBois." Except for little lingering uneasi- ness, Bill was satisfied. Virginia went on with her supper preparations, and at last the three of them drew chairs around their crude little table.
 The two breeds took their lunch from their packs and munched it. sit ting beside the stove. All at once Joe grunted in the still ness, and all except Bill whirled to | look at him. He went to his pack and fumbled among the blankets. Then, a greedy light in his eyes, he put two dark bottles upon the table.
 Virginia was suddenly deeply afraid. She looked at Bill, forgetting for the moment that in his blindness he could not see what was occurring and that in his helplessness she could not depend upon him in crisis. She turned to Harold, hoping that he would refuse this offering at word. And her fear increased when she saw the craving on his face.
 Have a drink!" Joe invited. Bill started then, but he made no response. Harold moved toward the table.
 You're a lfe-saver, Wolfpaw,' he replied, genially. Its cold night, and don't care If do. Virginia, pass down the oups.'