The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-12-30
CHAPTER v

In the heart of the unmapped Kewedin
wilderness, lay land of lake and
forest and muskeg. From this coun.
try, for years before the advent of
LeBlond, had come the best fur
traded at Lake Expanse. To the men
from Sunset House 1t was strange
country, and often, as their canoe
pushed north beyond the Height-of-
Land in search Of the summer fishing
camps OF the Ojibwas, Jim wondered
how he was to win over these super
stitious hunters who, since the build
ing of his little post, had traded only
with the North West company.
At last, one MINDLESS evening, the
smoke of supper fires, rising from
islands, announced that the voyageurs
had reached the first of the fishing
camps they sought.
"Ah-hah" exclaimed Omar, trailing
his paddle while he wiped his wet
forehead. Tomorrow we max talk
wild desc peopl'."
"But it's going to be job to get
them to listen to u.s." said Jim.
'Dey listen all right, wen we tell
dem we come nord, before Crismas,
in de Little Moon of de Spirit to trade
wild DEM"
"Td like to know just how Paradis
and Jingwak have got them to believe
all this devil stuff"
"We fin out, Esau and Omar"
81 trade for a bark cano' an TAX
leetle trip by myself. Den / know
wat max de troub'," said Esau.
you'll have to be careful Esau.
These Ojibwas are a wild lot. They
wouldn't hesitate to do away with you
If you interfere with their shaman,
Jingwak."
The lean face of the old Indian
wrinkled in a grin. You see wat
Esau do to dat shaman."
"Goin' to get his ears?" laughed Jim.
"Eef | fin heem, he max no more
bad medicine for Sunset House," was
the cryptic reply.
So the travellers turned in shore,
where Smoke awaited them, and made
camp. Later, as they smoked beside
their fire, the ears of the dog lying
beside them suddenly lifted; the hair
of his back and ruff Strengthened, as
his deep throat rumbled in a low
growl
The men stopped talking to listen.
swat you hear, Smoker" whis-
pered Omar.
The dog rose and picked his way
on stiff legs to the beach.
"Cano' commit Ah-hah. Dey see
us an come to have look" muttered
Omar.
Shortly, as the canoe neared the
camp, came the hail, "Bo'-jo'. bo'-jo'w
"Bo,jo'p answered Omar, strolling
to the beach to receive the strangers
and quiet the excited Smoke.
Presently, from where Jim sat by
the fire, he saw the dark shape Of
the boat slide In to the beach and
two figures step out. Reaching the
circle of light, the Indians exchanged
the customary salutation and hand
shakes with the white man and Esau.
Handing the strangers plug Of to-
bacco, Jim invited them in Ojibwa to
sit down, while Esau went to the lake
for water and put the tea pail on the
fire.
"You have come far" vouchsafed
the older of the Indians, In his native
tongue, when he had lighted his pipe
and made minute inspection of the
young white man through narrowed
eyes.
EYES," answered Jim, I'VE have
come to talk to the people of the Pipe
stone lakes and Sturgeon river"
you are chief at the post of the
old company, called the House Of the
Setting Sum-"
Eyes"
The small eyes of the Indian
snapped, his body stiffened, as he
leaned toward Jim and angrily de-
manded, why do you bring your evil
spirits to the Pipestone lakesT
At the embarrassing question
Omar, who had been studying the
Ojibwa, broke into loud guffaw,
Joined by Esau. "Paradees, he tell
you that?" demanded the half-breed.
Are the men Of the Pipestone lakes
children to believe the lies Of the
Frenchman? He tell you that to keep
your fur for himselfi"
Disconnected by the ridicule, the
Ojibwa glanced doubtfully from Omar
to Jim's smiling face.
ITO BE CONTINUED.l