Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-02-04


/ people moving about the buildings On
the beach the post dogs already await
ed the strange craft, while a group Of
post people formed behind them. The
canoe was close in shore when two
men left the massive tradehouse and
drffted to the log landing stage, on
which York boat rode at It's moor
ing.
1T looks ss II the whole outnt Is out
to meet us"
David turned q grim face to his
chief "Somet'ing strange here r.
They may think we're a police
canoe" suggested Steele.
"Ah-hahi"
sis that Lafiamme talking to the big
fellow on the landlngg~
"Ah-hahl He don talk lax dead
man." SO low were the sinister
words spoken that Steele. In doubt.
asked:
whats thatr'
The Ojibway turned to his chief
face twisted with hate.
"He dom know-he ees-dead
manr'
"Some day you can settle with him
but not now. not now We have a
job on the Wailing-you and Michel
and l." hastily objected Steele, fear
ing this meeting with the man he
hated had Jared David on his mental
balance.
The set features OF the Ojlbway re-
Taxed. His narrow eyes glowed as
he reassured the man who trusted him.
.sDaFeed promise TO meet Michel on
de November snow. We have de beeg
Job-yOu an Michel an Daveed: /
max no trouble here, boss"
Under the inspection OF many pairs
OF curious eyes. the canoe slid into
the beach. Leaving David to keep the
dogs on the canoe. Steele walked
through the silent huskies who In
stlnctiveIy drew hack from his ap-
proach and closed Ia behind him,
walking on stif legs barely out OF |
reach Of the paddle he carried. awed
yet threatening. The bulky half
breed whose sinister face wore the t
red cash Of a scar from chin to ear,
Steele dismissed with q glance, tut
nothing. from the heavily beaded
moccaslns OF smoke-tanned moose
hide, TO the wide-hrimmed stetson Of
the free-trader escaped his appralsing
eye. To his surprise. also. the dark
features which met him with look
both surly and questioning, were I'M
deniably handsome.
Good day.. gentlemen :" said Steele,
affably, ignoring the GOODNESS Of his
reception.
GOOD day r. returned Lafiamme,
coldly, probing the smiling face Of the
stranger with sharp look in which
doubt and concern patiently mingled
II am headed for Nepigon, from
Fort Albany. and need some supplies"
vent on Steele. "Can you sell me
Some stun7'i
With curl OF the lip Lafamme re-
piled: THAT depends on what your
business Is on this lake"
The tawnybalred American laughed
In the face Of the speaker.
Business on this lakef Are you
joklng7 You seem to have all the
business here. Ny business is TO get
back to New York beforeArm frozen ,
N, and report TO the American Mu-
Seum Of Natural History. I've spent
he last five months on the Albany. !
Now. I'm bound for Nep-
gon and the railroad"
The half-breed and his chief ex-
hanged looks. Steele realized that
le was suspected OF being govern
nent agent In disguise, so, as he need
d supplies and wished to study La
lamme while David circulated among
he post people. he desired to relieve 2
he mind Of the free-trader at once.
You say you're from the States
ding collecting among the fndians7
should be glad to see some Of your
tuff~
Lafamme was taking no chances. :
nd Steele welcomed the opportunity
D establish his identity. >
Yes. I've two packs in the canoe.
~ name Is Steele. I'VE teen on the 2
lbany two years-left a thousand =
ounds this year. at Fort Albany. 10
0 out by boat" Then he hazarded 2
You know Lascelles the RevIIlon .
ian there77
Lafiamme's reaction 20 the remark
as instantaneous. His face dark .
ned with anger. 70
GRO BE coNrTNuKpl ~
-- =
-. .