Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-12-18
CHAPTER v

The following morning the three
friends were loading their canoe pre-
paratory to ascending the river on
round of the fall camps Of Indians
trading at the post, when the fash of
a paddle far upstream aroused their
interest.
Dat ees queer ting" commented
Michel, scowling darkly. "Eef M'sieu
Lafamme come to max trouble he
Weel fin plenty here"
At the mention of Laflamme, David's
small eyes narrowed; the muscles of
his thick forearms worked nervously
as though he already felt his fingers
at the throat of the free-trader
Steeles curiosity was keenIy aroused,
for it was too late in the year for the
canoe of a trading hunter to visit the
post; this boat was undoubtedly from
Ogoke. What new scheme had La
famine in mind? 1t would be four
weeks before the winter would break
the limit he had given st Onge for
his answer.
1t was not long before the hard
driven craft was close enough to dis
close but a single occupant. And
shortly, as it neared the shore Michel
called:
'Bo'-jo bo'-jo! Pierre! Wat you
do here 50 far from de Feather lake?'
The Indian grounded his boat on
the beach and shaking the hand Of the
head-man, replied in Ojibway as Da-
vid and Steele joined them:
"Bo-io Michel The hunters at the
Feather lakes are leaving for the
Medicine Hills country For three
nights the Windigo howed on the
burnt ridge by Big Feather lake. The
people are weak with fear; they will
not trap there this Winter.%
Did you hear the voice of the Win
digo, PierreY asked Michel gravely.
mo. 1 was netting whitefsh at the
Lake Of the Deep Water. When I re-
turned to the camp they were leaving
There will be no trap lines in that val
ley this long SHOWS"
Did the people see the tracks of
the Windigo?"
"No, their blood was cold in their
veins They did not stay to look for
trail. Why should they? They were
9fr2ia"
for the Windigo to eat and come here {;
last spring you traded your fur at
,O1x
that the Ojibway backed away, for the
raw-boned Iroquois was feared the
length of the Wailing.
81 need shells FOR my gun, and
Og0ke is far" weakly replied the other,
his eyes shifting uneasily.
The swart features of Michel twisted
with anger. you lie, you have plenty
SHE'LL" he replied, fercely, returning
to English for Steele's benefit "You
travel here to max trouble wild your
beeg talk of de Windigo" And the
long arm of the exasperated headman
shot out a crushing blow in the face
of the Ojibway.
AS the Indian staggered back with
ated roquois, Steele stepped between
them, and pushing Michel aside, or
dered sternly:
That's enough ~
The coWed Indian, nursing his bleed
ing lips, and protesting his innocence,
left the men on the beach and Joined
the post people who were excitedly
discussing the coming of the stranger
and his reception at the hands of
Michel
Evidently you don't like that
Pierre" laughed Steele. "What made
you so mad?
Il fink he cum here to talk to Tete-
BOule," was the significant reply. "Dey
weel max de medicine tonight to
scare de Windigo."
what is he a shaman-a conjuror,
too?"
"He claim he ees beeg medicine man,
one of de Midewiwin, so I t'ink he put
de devils cen me now" Then Michel
related what had passed between him
and Pierre.
"But you can't blame him for fear
ing the Windigo, or for coming here
If it is nearer his hunting grounds
than Ogoke"
The inscrutable Iroquois faced Steele
with swapping eyes.
MANY long SHOWS fall. m'sieu.