The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-10-15

body lay on wn-beaten mat OF
willow stems. Garth at once set TO
work with his knife.
To dress out thouSand-pound an
imal is no light task, even under the
best of conditions. Garth thought
nothing of it. All the hide within
reach slid free to the quick draw OF
his curved knife blade. With belt-ax
and knife he cut off the antlered
head, then the upper foreleg and
hindquarter. After that he was able
to heave the carcass over by the lev
erage of the other legs.
When he had finished with the
bull, he went to the cow. She weigh
ed perhaps 200 pounds less, and was
therefore easier to dress out.
With the two skins and all the
meat ashore, he took dip in a clear
poole and washed his buckskins. AS
he sloshed out of the willows in the
wet garments, he saw Miss Ramlll
staring through her headnet at the
eight big legs. He had hooked them
on the stubs of spruce limbs. Her
gaze lowered from the other raw
moose products that were piled on
one of the hides. She turned from
them loathingly.
'eFaughl What sickening mess!
Have you started packing plant!"
''The packing is just about to
start" he replied. care you too fee
BILE to carry this rolled skin? It's the
lighter one"
ssThat filthy thing? You may be
sure I'm not so feeble-minded as to
touch any of your butcher mess"
every well. Only remember, it's
YOUR own choice, sister"
He bagged the contents of the bull
hide, slung it on his back, picked up
his rifle, and headed for camp. The
girl looked from him to the folded
moose cow skin, hesitated, flushed
angrily, and followed, empty-hand-
ed.
While still some distance from the
rill, he whitfield a tang of wood
smoke. He quickened his step. 1t
gave him a pleasant surprise. After
all, the girl seemed to have given IN,
at least partly. He turned to her
with friendly look. She met it with
a scornful smile.
They came to the opening where
Garth trimmed a pair of green will
low spits, opened the moosehide, and
cut two slices of liver He put slice
on each spit, and started to broll
them over the Goals. With look OF
disgust, Miss Ramill turned her back
and sat down on the rill bank.
Before long the broiling liver be-
gan to send out an appetizing odor.
The girls nose went up for an in
voluntary sniff. Garth met the in
tent look of her father, and allowed
his left eyelid to flutter slightly:
Another turn of the spits completed
the broiling. He handed one of them
to Mr.. Ramil.
The millionaire lifted his headnet
to take gingerly nibble at his'hot
meat. His heavy face frightened with
surprised smile. He smacked his
lips and bit off a large mouthful. At
the sound, his daughter jerked
around. Garth was biting into the
other piece of liver.
The girl cried out her indignation:
"You greedy pigs! Where's my
piece?"
Garth pointed to the moosehide.
"Help yourself"
He met her furious look with cool
indifference, and went on eating.
Unable to blast him, she turned to
her father.
"Tll take yours, Dad. You've had
two bites. It will not take you long
to cook another piece. Make it
three"
At that, Garth swung around be-
tween father and daughter.
'Mr. Ramill, we'll settle this right
now. You said you'd leave her to
me. cooked that meat for you. She
will cook her own meat, or go with
out"
The older man sat for several mo-
ments considering the matter. He
then raised his piece of meat and re-
sumed his meal. Lilith Ramill stared
at him, her eyes wide.
"My own father! But wait till
Vivian comes back!"
He WINGED. Garth ignored her.
Better lie down and rest, sir.
You've done enough for while. I'm
going to get you into hard training
as soon as possible. But we must not
overdo it at the start. Might mean a
breakdown"
st am tired, boy-and hungry as a
shark. Could eat all the rest of that
liver"
'.Not now. You'll rest, do some
work, and then get another slice.
Call this valley one of those physi-
culture sanitariums where the tired
business man is worked and dieted
back into fit condition"
81 have yet to agree to such train
ing, Garth
"Take your choice. If you refuse,
I give you my word you'll never
reach the Mackenzie I might back
pack you in some places; you don't
weigh much over two hundred. Hap
pens, though, I'm not a donkey.
You'll 60 on your own feet
s'Very well. Put me on them"