Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-11-19

In front OF the trade-house, In con-
Versatfon with David. stood q tall,
military-looking man. with iron-gray
haIr and mustaehe. Around the door
iounged a group OF curious company
Indians Advancing and gripping the
newcomers hand. the factor Of Wall
ing River exclaimed:
bon Jour, Monsieur Steele We'll
come TO wailing River My daughter
and David have told me of our good
fortune"
Az the old soldier continued. with
a slight French accent. Steele was
aware Of being secretly appraised by
the keen eyes of the other.
"You are to be our guest for as long
as you will honor as. In this valley.
for a man Of science. there Is much
Of interest
'You are very good to a stranger.
sir. David and have been out from
Neplgon since May. We need supplies
and my stun should also be over
hauled. Some of It got wet buckinR
this river OF yours
~Too badi You found IL hard
river to pole and trackT
1--WE certainly did David has a
nose for quick water as keen as a
mink's for fish, but we took too long
chance In the big whitewater"
At the mention Of the rapid the face
of st. Onge hardened. He leaned
eagerly toward the speaker.
THE Devils mile 1t got you tooT'
~Oh, we pulled out OF It with
wetting. You see. was with the
best bowman on the Nepigons so we
saved the canoe and our own skins as
well"
Slowly the Frenchman shook his
head; then suddenly asked
"You saw nothing on your way up
river-nothIng peculiar. no signs Of
canoef"
Steele wondered at the question as
ne answered:
~No, we met no one. imagine the
Indians don't travel Il. too much
strong water, and then there's the
taboo-they're shy OF the lower river.
aren't they
At the words. the narrowed eyes Of
st. Onge shifted to the ground HE
made no answer to the man who |
watched his set face. wondering. as II
vitality affected the trade, why the |
factor avoided this subject Of the In
dang fear Of the Windigo. Presently
St. 0nge broke his silence
'sYou win pardon me, Monsieur
Steele, / ann a poor host. II You were
IN the water you spoiled your -four
you are hungryY@
Steele glanced at the grtnninR David
who plaIntively placed q sinewy hand
on his stomach.
~Yes, we lost our flour and we saw
no game. had to fish our way up the
river. 80, colonel. we ara a BIT hungry"
Swapping his fingers with impa-
tience at his seeming lack Of hospital
lty, the factor called 90 the loungers
At the trade-house door:
Michel Tete-B ouAei Bring up
Monsieur steels's stnR from the foot
Of the portage; and. Michel, David
here viii eat with you. See that
there's plenty Of caribou stew for sup
Der. He's starved out. Turning to
Steele, the factor added: any daugh-
Ter Is now overseeing the cooking OF |
mr. dinner. monsieur. trust you win |
Ind It to your taste
'sYou are mighty kind 70 q couple OF 1
sh-battered strangers. Colonel St
1nge. We are not exactly starved. J
'ou know. We travel with q NET, but {
straight diet Of pike and trout grows b
bit tlreeone. Y0u can sell as sup r
lies TO take as through co NepigOnT- Q
~YOu win not need TO outfit for {
gepfgon," the factors eyes grew BIT q
or ~You win pass Eaalamme's post .
I Lake 0goke" a
Monsieur Steele win desire TO be ,
hown his room. father. before we c
lne.~ called q womansa voice. Turn q
a. Steele saw. epsning the gate In Q
he doR-atockade surrounding the fac D
sxss quarters. Denise S. 0ngE. trim v
white serge Casting an eznbaF-
snmed look ma his frmyed 5eans. hls n
ard sought his unahaven chin ms ahe p.
szmed fhesm. q
welcome. again. 70 waiting RtveF. u
omafeur,s she said cordially, sfvins b
Im beer hamd. q
my daughter ,seefns to need no IN II
spAncfson- She has todd me o. POUR "a
setting 81 sss Ffvex. Denise. Men y
sur ateeae h bemnd fer ths fsesssom "a
glAa 0meMe Gxmlz~ TIE ay@a ~ w. n