The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-10-14

1
with germs-ought to be burned. You
understand? You start as soon as
you can. I'm on my way now. I'll be
in Elkwan tomorrow nlght-if she'll
come with her medicine kit. And l
think she wiil-for she's a soldier,
God bless her"
After forcing more soup down the
throat of the sick man, he was given
a stiff drink of whisky, bundled In fur,
bound with strips of blanket, and with
great difficulty \carried to the Sled
Fortunately for Guthrie's plan. the de-
lirium had not taken a violent form.
for the enormous strength of Gal
braith would have baflled them.
With a grip of the hand Guthrie
babe his staunch head man good-by,
and whistling to Shot, started with his
tired team for Albany. Already that
day the dogs had done sixty miles and
the forty miles before them over the
rough sea-ice, even with the light sled,
would, If pushed, bring them into
Albany, five sore-footed, stiff-legged
cripples. SO 1t was not until the sky
grayed with the dawn that Guthrie
drove up to the tradehouse at Fort
Albany, and feeding his tired team,
put them In an empty shack where
they might sleep through the morning.
undisturbed by the hectOring Of the
post dogs.
Later, walking in on the Camerons
at their breakfast. he told of the stalk
ing of the schooner of the dead.
well, that's the widest tale / have
heard in forty years on this coast"
calculated the factor, while his wife
and children sat with awed faces.
Not soul alive on the ship?"
Not a soul alive" repeated Garth.
"'Flu' and probably the whisky they
carried didn't help any. The schooner
reeked with it. Poor devils, they must
have stayed drunk to ease their
misery"
"And the fur, two years trade, did
you see it?'
mo, but Etienne said there was lot
of it on board. Then, somehow, in
casing his rifle, he shot himself"
"Shot himself?"
yes, in the hip. That's why I'm
here" Guthrie took the bit in his
teeth as his gray eyes squarely met
Cameron's. ''rm going to ask Miss
Quarter to come to Elkwan with her
medicine kit. She knows wounds
I'm afraid Of blood poisoning"
But, whyever didn't you put him
on the sled and bring him here. She
can take care Of him better at AL
bany, and then"
Guthrie shook his head. "He
wouldn't come, Cameron. He thinks
he's going to die, and wanted to be
with his wife and children"
"Oh, but how can you ask that girl
to go to Elkwan? She's needed here.
Swanll raise devil Of row-has al
ready, over your seeing her"
"Of course, we don't want anything
to happen to Etienne," he temporized,
"but why you didn't bring him here is
beyond me-"
"Pve already told you why, Came
rom" The gray eyes Of the speaker
were black, as they bored coldly into
those of the kindly Scotsman. Ill at
ease, Mrs. Cameron went to the kitchen
to digest the startling announcement.
Eyes, know they always want their
family around when they're scared.
Well, If she'll go, it's her business.
It'll raise rumpus, though, and hate
to have her-hurt." "
Guthrie was on his feet, scowling
| or hn nthnr Coma min 70
Let's go slow here! You're my SUI
perior. and had hoped, my friend,
but you're on dangerous ground, Cam
eron. What do you mean by-hurt 2"
"There, there, now, my lad! Keep
COOL" expostulated the older man.
I'm your friend and I'm proud to be.
Now you've brought it up, I've got to
talk from the shoulder. You don't
realize what that skunk of Quarter
tattled about you"
"Oh, I know all about that-that
sick child who died at Elkwan-Joan
was there. Hasn't she told you?
"Why, of course! But the rest here,
and at Moose-you know them. Swan
has made a row because she wasn't
sent TO the MISSION, TO Ole.
what of it?" snapped Guthrie
"He says you kept her there against
her will"
Nonsense She couldn't walk
hundred yards without stopping to
rest. She refused to come down the
coast to the mission-just faded
away"
Mrs. Cameron and I understand,
Guthrie. Etienne and Joan told us.
It's this white-livered missionary who
has made the trouble and if Joan goes
with you to take care of Etienne, he'll
not spare her either-he'll bust with
righteous horror-And it'll hurt JOAN"
"Will you call your wife," asked
Guthrie, in tone brittle like the shat
tering Of ice, the muscles of his jaw
and temples working under the skin.
"Why, yes!" replied the factor.
MARY! We want to speak to you"
Mrs Cameron" said Garth, quietly,
your husband tells me that it will
seriously hurt Joan Quarters ,reputa-
ton in missionary circles, If she goes
to take care Of Etienne's wound"
I'm afraid 1t will cause a lot of
talk here and at Moose" regretfully
agreed the factors wife. "You know
what they are"
NO. don't know what they are
except this, I know that Mr.. Swan
must have foul mind. OF course, he
has no head-there's no room under