The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-08-19
CHAPTER VI-Continued

$50 you saw Joe MOkoman, did you,
SkeneY' The bass of Mcdonald broke
the silence with an odd, slurring ar
ticulatiOn, due to the misshapen lips.
yes. He says he's covered most of
the camps at this end of the island.
OF course, the blizzard held him up"
And they'll come in with their fur,
Christmas week?"
Most Of 'em will. he thinks" The
older man wrinkled his bushy brows
as he filed his pipe. These two half
breeds from RevilIOn Freres, in that
shack beyond Big point, have been
after them hard, you know. They've
given 'em the same talk the Hudson's
Bay handed 'em-about our poor stuff,
and cheatin'"
by gar" burst out Breault. 81
run desc people off de island, toute
suite. Where is dere Campo"
''You would, would you?" Grawled
Mcdonald. You don't seem to realize
that we're anchored here in this ice
until May. Do you want the French
and the HudsOn's Bay to notify Ottawa
that a gang of pirates are running
amuck on the bay? We can't fight the
government, you know. We're here to
take out the fur catch of Akimiski, not
10 lose the schooner, the fur, and
stand trial in the bargain, for God
knows what"
Breault's face darkened behind his
black beard as he muttered in feeble
protest, his small eyes shifting from
his chief to Skene for support of his
suggestion.
The sober Skene shook his head.
~No! If you manhandled those French
company men, we'd be in nasty
mess, tieG up here with two years
trade Of fur. A snug nest egg for each
of US for the government to confiscate.
You're crazy, Breault''
Now what did he learn of the
Whereabouts of this treaty chief.
Souci, whom Guthrie landed with
him?"
Joe says he headed for the north
end of the island to find his sons. He
hasn't been seen since"
We'll, you can bet he's out to beat
Us If he can, but how can he keep
those hunters away from US this
Christmas II the strait is open? The
Indians say II seldom closes until JAN
uury"
He can't" agreed Skene. They'll
never wait till then to cross the ice
TO Elkwan when they know We'll pay
more for the fur right here, within
easy reach. They always have a blow
out New Years, and they'll come here
to have it. Well give 'em a good one.
We can afford to-
"Right-o!" Mcdonald nodded then
added Your bunch on this EIkwan
man seems TO be borne out by his buck
ing the ice in that York boat. Only man
with CUTS would tackle that strait in a
tub"
There amt no doubt about his
color" said Skene with finality. exhaI-
ing a cloud of smoke. Hes due to
give US fight, as he wrote you-just
how l don't see, but I've seen enough
fightin' men in the last FIVE years to
Ahtn lhC IoOh VI GILL I1C one.
He mus scare you, my fr'en',
leetle bit, wen you meet heem on de
beach," bantered Breault.
The heavy brows of Skene lifted In
look, close to contempt, which he
cast at the speaker "Breault, I've
been in places that would have turned
that black hair of yours gray. Scare
met This Elkwan man was civil, and
] was civil. l was after some shells.
But don't forget the message he sent
you. He said il that black Frenchman
ever showed up at his place again,
he'd get knife stuck into him. And
I'm betting he told the truth-from
the ugly look of half-breed he had
with him. When the strait freezes,
why don't you go and find out?"
Breault laughed derisiyely. II onlee
KEGS de squaw."
Yes" added Mcdonald. sect this
straight in your thick head You
keep away from the squaws this win
ter, here. We're after fur-not wom-
en-"
Angered, Breault sneered viciously,
You dom have to worry bout de
women
In scarlet patches blood smeareo the
manned face of the man on the box.
The deep blue Of his eyes blackened-
then famed. Slowly, he Strengthened
his long body until his russell head
touched the deck above A huge fist
trembled in the bearded face Of the
man whose small eyes shifted in secret
fear. you drop another word like