Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-03-19
CHAPTER XVIII

From the bIackness of the clearing
at OgOke rose a low whistle, which
was answered from the gloom behind
the traders quarters, where the kftch-
en- windows shOne, yellow patches in
the thick dark night.
The whistle was repeated and, stimuli
taneously, swart faces appeared at the
windows Of both buildings. Eyes gilt
tering with hate and the pent excite
ment Of the stalk, searched the rooms
for signs Of life. But they looked on
emptiness-on a table splashed with
spilled liquor, jug, an untouched
glass of whisky; on stove from
which smoked frying pan with its
burning bacon.
II knew you would stampede them,
ly at the happy IroquOis. They got
out just ahead of us. You did that
for David, you rascal"
The hour of the man from Nepigon
had struck. Like d hound at leash he
yearned for the Rouge river trail
ana the man WHO ITdNclcu IL.
Steele gripped the hard hand of his
friend in silence. There was nothing
to say-no turning the Ojibway from
his hearts desire. With d word to
Michel, David left them to get his
dogs.
What shall we do with last years
hunt, if we find he hasn't shipped it?'
queried Steele.
"Give eet to de Indian. Dey trade
eet at Wailing Riviere."
Eyes, he got most OF 1t with his
whisky-by fraud. 1t ought TO go back
to them"
To the surprise of the men as they
reached the fur storing loft, the candles
lighted row on row of otter and mink,
lynx and fox, marten and fisher pelts,
hanging from the rafters.
Here's his whole last years trade"
cried Steele. He's never shipped it :"
The yellow light Of his candle lit
eyes swapping with delight, as Michel
looked at his chief Much fur here
for M'sieu st. Onge! He be happy
man, now. De pos not close"
"Yes, they will trade it at Wailing
River, unless" The Indian waited,
wondering at the 1ficatfon-"unless
Lascelles refuses to sign a certain pa
per-"
"Ah-hah! He not get her-nOw !"
The grave eyes Of the Iroquois ques
toned Steele's.
"Not If I can help 1t p
Satisfied, the Indian turned to eX-
anime the fur. Steele began counting
the rows of rich pelts, in an endeavor
to make a rough estimate of their
value. He had reached the far END
Of the loft when the dim light Of the
candle fell on some bulky shapes on
the floor in a corner. Curious, he bent
over the lashed bundles. On the can
vas covering of the nearest there was
lettering. He lowered his candle to
read 1t.
"R-F." he said aloud; then, with a
gasp, "Wailing River"
Michel" he called, "Revillon Ere
res, Wailing Riverl Well, I'll be
The fur-packs from the lost canoe
Murdered -ambushed, they were, for
the furl'
Michel, knelt beside Steele. "By gar
our furl" he said, peering at the wrap
pings, his voice hoarse with excite
ment. "Dey keel our men at de Devils
mile" The muscles Of his lean face
knotted. "But Laf1amme ees dead man
now. Tonight Daveed take his trail
They rolled out the fur-packs with
the eighteen thousand dollars in pelts
which had left the post In the spring
only to vanish on the lower Wailing
"Msieu St. Onge be happy man dis
night, eef he know dis"
He'll know it as soon as one of the
boys can reach him." replied Steele
jubilantly. "We'll send him this pres
ent in the morning" After the gray
days the sun was indeed breaking
through. She seemed nearer-more
possible of attainment, there In the
dark fur-loft at Ogoke, than she had
been for weeks, to the man who toiled
for her.
In the morning Steele gathered his
red henchmen together in the trade
room and talked to them, through
Michel.
my friends, we have worked to-
gether to drive from this valley the
man who would destroy the Indians.
We have won. He has gone. You
have toiled, you have kept your prom
ises and obeyed orders. You will take
to your families what food and trade
goods your dogs can pull Also, there
Is much fur In the loft Cor xuhlch L a.