The Coolidge examiner., 1938-08-18
CHAPTER H-Continued

S~@NkAN oAPRNA VI NOA II VI |CNi
caribou stew and tea. he said:
Daughter, these boys are all
worn out and need sleep, so you
toddle off to bed. when we've done
these dishes"
The broWs of the girl almost met
in a frown as she studied her IA
theirs face. then turning to Alan
with a laugh, she said: That's a
bargain, Alan, if you'll hitch Rough
to the sled, as soon as he gets his
strength back. and give me a ride
on the river"
Hes little lame now, but in a
day or two he'll show you what a
real sled-dog is" replied Alan,
proudly, stroking the head Of the
sleeping dog at his side.
With a Good night, ALI" the girl
went to her room.
McCord moved the table back to
the wall, lit his pipe. then turned
to the man who was watching him
curiously.
Are you afraid to travel beyond
the Sinking Lakes?"
For a space the surprised youth
sitting on the stool and the man
who approached and bent over him
probed each others eyes. What
was this-a challenge? The blood
leaped in the veins of the son of
Graham Cameron, once known for
his daring from Rupert to the Little
Whale. Was this stranger with the
ice-blue eyes putting his courage to
the test?
You think I'm afraid to go into
that country? tell you it's just a
question of common sense - of
whether you'll starve out"
The bearded face with its ivid
scar was thrust closer. The cold
eyes snapped with the glitter of
challenge. The manhood of Alan
Cameron was measured in that long
stare.
Would you go with me-next
year," the giant asked.
In frightened protest Noel cried
DE Land of de Caribou People?
Not dere, no, not dere!"
Alan impatiently waved his friend
back as he rose to his feet to meet
the questioning eyes that searched
his. You're a stranger, Mr.. Nc
Cord" said the boy. his lean face
lit with suppressed excitement.
You've saved our lives. And we
owe you much. But / don't go
into the bush with a man l don't
know. You've asked me a ques-
ton. Well, l ask you one before
answer. Who are you. and why are
you here?"
The man whose piercing blue eyes
never left the speakers face.
laughed. Fair enough" he agreed.
Tn from down Ottawa way but
I've spent good many years in
the bush. I'm up here with the
idea of doing some trading. They
tell me that big trade of black
and silver-fox pelts comes down to
the coast from these headwaters-
black marten, too, and lynx"
But, as he talked, Alan recalled
the fighting glitter in McCords eyes,
earlier in the day. when he opened
the door of the cabin to the call
of starving men-the desperate look
of a trapped wolverine What had
brought him to that door lingering
the trigger of that black automatic?
What mystery was behind all this?
When Heather McCord opened the
door shortly after the sun lit the
parchment windows of the cabin,
she greeted her fathers guest with
a look of undisguised approval.
Shaved. scrubbed and wearing
clean shirt, the embarrassed stran-
ger of the night before was again,
thin as he was, the striking youth
with bold, regular features and
deep-set gray eyes. after whom,
when the post was gay with the
spring trade, the girls at Fort
George, white, half-breed and red,
flashed many an admiring glance.
Good morning!" she said. Feel
better after the food and sleep and,"
she added with a laugh. after the
shave?"
The blood flooded Alan's dark,
frost-burned face. I'm be as good
as new in a few days"
Why, you look pretty good now. ;"
Rough, who had slept indoors as
an especial favor to a starved dog,
yawned deeply. rose, stretched,
shook himself, then walked to
the girl who boldly placed her hand
on the massive skull. Ears for
ward, the husky measured her for
a space through slant eyes, shifted,
then met her hand with the thrust
of red tongue.
You've put a spell on him!" ex-
claimed the surprised Alan.
You're the first stranger he's ever
made up to-"