The Coolidge examiner., 1938-11-17
e., - THE RIVER of SKULLS
a1feaaaa -by George Marsh
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| at those big fellows 1 saw break
ing"
So McCord lashed a cod hook to
a spruce stick for gaff, then with
his steel rod started back for the
great pools which had made his
fsherman's mouth water. A half
mile upstream he stopped at a pool.
hundreds of feet in width, the fat
surface of which was broken every
where with the rising of feeding
| fish.
What a pool! What pool!" he
muttered as he looped a cow-dlmg
fly on his leader. ITS crime to
fish a pool like this with steel
rod that won't whip fly fifty feet"
Standing in the water to his knees
McCord cast his fly. The cow-dung
fly hardly reached the surface
when three fish leaped at il. He
struck and a streak of silver flashed
in the air. Then, fifty feet away.
the salmon leaped, savagely shak-
ing his head to free himself of the
hook. Time after time, the gallant
winninish broke the surface of the
pool in a blur of thrashing silver
and flying spray. At last, exhaust
ed, the land-locked salmon was led
in to the shore and gated.
"Seven-eight pounds, if he weighs
an ounce!" exclaimed John. break
ing the fsh's neck with his knife and
tossing it back among the stones.
ITS a crime to take these beau.
ties in a gill-net."
ITS a long way to come for it."
chuckled the pleased sportsman,
when he started back with load
of fish, but the old Koksoak'S got
the best winninish fishing in tie Do
minion. That pool was full of beau
ties"
Suddenly there was the crunch OF
moccasins on pebbles behind him
and, dropping the fish, McCord
wheeled in his tracks to meet the
impact of lunging bodies, while
three pairs of sinewy arms circled
his legs and waist.
Staggering backward, the sur
prised giant finally regained his bal
ance then, spreading his legs, his
big hands savagely tore at the
throat and wrist of an Indian cling
ing to his waist. With the fury of
Berserk, he broke the grip of the
Naskapi as he would that of child,
lifted him bodily in the air. while
the others clung to his legs, and
hurled him headlong to the boulders
on the river shore below. Reaching
! the chin of the man on his right
leg, by sheer strength the giant bent
back the head until the neck
snapped and the body fell limp.
Then, whirling. he fell with his right
knee in the ribs of the man still
clinging desperately to his left leg.
and, as the Indian relaxed his grip
with the pain, McCord lifted him
and sent him to the rocks below and
picking up the limp shape at his
! feet pitched it after the other. Then
he leaped to the shelter of boulder
as voices and the rush of feet
warned him of new danger.
Up the shore among the rocks a
group of FIVE long-haired men argu-
ing in shrill voices stared at him.
McCord tore his big automatic from
its shoulder holster beneath his
shirt. The Naskapi faded from sight
among the boulders.
so! They thought they could take
me with bare hands!" he painted.
Replacing his gun in its holster.
McCord started worming his way up
among the boulders that lined the
side of the gorge. He Travelled some
distance above the spot where he
had been rushed and evidently was
not seen for he drew no fire. But
from where he lay he was unable
to locate any of the hidden Naskapi
He waited some minutes, then con-
tinued on up among the boulders,
working along on his stomach.
There was nothing in sight. The
long, northern twilight was nearing
its end. In half hour it would be
dark.
(TC BE CONTINUED