The Ely miner., 1927-08-26
CHAPTER VIl-Continued
10

South of the Big Point shoals, the
great Attawapiskat, carrying the
drainage of a vast hinterland, de-
bOuched through two mouths, wide
delta, and, eight miles to the south, a
single channel, the LOwaski. Snug in
his tight little post above the delta
of the upper mouth of the river, Gra-
ham, the factor, Independent of the
fox skins of Akimiski, waited for the
rich trade from the interior to come
TO him. But some of the hunters trad
ing at the post always wintered on the
islanG and before he crossed in search
of Saul, Guthrie wished to get the
latest news from Albany and arrange
for the dispatch of a dOg-team, in
forming his chief of his crossing to the
island. How far the crew of the
schooner were prepared to go in the
struggle for the trade, he had no
means of knowing, but of their energy
and daring there was no doubt. If
SOuci were successful and the free
traders attempted to interfere with
the hunters crossing to Elkwan, there
might be an ugly row. So the fast
dog-team doubled back down the coast
ice ana before noon drew in 10 the
high shore at Attawapiskat.
Graham looked up in surprise to see
the tall figure of his neighbor TO the
north walk into the trade-rOom. Ora
ham was old and waiting only for his
service pension. His days with the
dogs on the shore ice or inland over
the white barriers were over. If Nc
Donald were wintering on the island
there would be little AkimiSki fox
traded at a HudsOn's Bay post that
year. OF that he was sure. He couldn't
see how crossing to the island after
the strait closed would help the mat
ter. The schooner would get the
Christmas trade ana pick up the fur
through the winter as it was trapped.
1t was hard on Elkwan, but he had
his upriver trade. Mcdonald couldn't
touch that. Thus Graham, who lacked
but two years of retirement, and
loved the comfort of his snug quar-
tiers.
"Well, what brings you here in thir-
ty-below weather." he replied to
Guthries salutatiOn. I've been hug
ging a fire for a week, trying to thaw
out"
Guthrie laughed. "Im on my way
to the island, Graham. want you
to relay this letter to Cameron"
''The island!" Graham gasped in
surprise. "How-you mean the
straits closed-set over the shoals?"
'Yes T" And Guthrie hastily outlined
the situation on Akimiski and his
plans.
"You think Souci will control the
Elkwan hunters? Why should they
cross the ice to you when Mcdonald
will pay more for their pelts?"
Guthries face reflected his irrita-
ton. Graham. I'm employed to get
fur-nOt smoke by the stove and wait
for it to come in. AS Cameron expects
this letter and Christmas is only ten
days away, Tlb thank you to start a
team with it at once
The victim of Guthrie's sarcasm red
dened under the ruthless character
ization of his sedentary tendencies,
but his pension was near, and the risk
of dash over the young ice was
Guthrie's, not his, so he magnanimous-
ly overlooked the thrust.
"l'll send team, yes, If that's
Cameron's orders. I'll say you're
fool, though, to cross. A good wind
will break up that new ice ana cut you
off. It's never in my memory closed
before January. Still, it's your job,
not mine. Go ahead and get yourself
drowned, If you want to-"
Some of your people winter theref"
'Oh, yes! Six or eight families. But
/ can't help that"
mo, you can't" agreed Guthrie.
catching Etienne's furtive look. "Well,
We'll have just about light enough to
cross In, so I'll start"
As the dogs hurried over the wind
brushed shell OF the strait, broken by
drifts p3d hummocks, split by tide
cracks, Irregular with crushed Ice
masses lifted into pressure ridges. the
eyes Of the men on the light sled were