The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1947-08-14

know also 1t is foolish to ask MI
pegosis where it is. He might
have told the son of his niece
because of the blood between
them but he will not tell U.S."
HE II tell me- said Kinoceti.
Il am not afraid of Nipegosis. He
does not care for gold. He is too
old. He has not long to live,yet,
like all men, he treasures what
he has left of life. He will barter
that, with us, for the white rock.
He can still suffer"
''Nipegosis is wizard. You are
crazy. He will cast a spell on us. p"
said SUM, the full-blood, energet-
ically. 'They say he can change
man to stone, turn him into a
beast, kill him with cramps. Make
him blind"
They say?" laughed Kinoceti
II have learned about wizards
they play tricks. But they feel
pain like another man. l tell
you," he boosted, "Nipegosis will
tell-and gladly, if you are not
towards. If you are, will do this
thing alone"
They did not like it. And Kino-
ceti did not want to handle II
alone. He would have to be drunk
when he did it and he had more
bottles of caribou slowed away
for such an occasion.
The full-blood had walked tC
the mouth of the cave. Now he
called to them, pointing across the
river.
They crouched, their sight like
eagles, watching the progress OF
a sled on the far side of the river
beneath them, evidently making
| for the caves. They speculated or
it, a little drunk, but sharp
enough for observation, compar-
ing notes and comments.
1T is Will Macleod" said Kin
oceti, finally. Il do not know
what has happened, but his sis
ter is not with him. He travels
alone-and he travels fast"
''He saw the mounted mar
coming" said one of them. "He
had time to harness his dogs. The
/ Mounted Man would be on snow
| shoes, no horse"
| Kinoceti did not agree.
THE police are too smart" he
said. They lost sight of him af.
ter the killing. Now they viii
have sent out one of their best. He
would not be such a fool as to LEI
/ young Macleod see him first. No
something has frightened him. He
may have been warned"
Il saw Red Deer trail to White
= Rock two days ago" breed sug
gested. .,.--..~ S4a4Aasssx =N4zHa.as::.
That is not news" snarlec
Kinoceti. Red Deer came from
the north and west He took
moose meat to Nipegosis it i:
that old fox, Alec Macleod
Three men, now, had stylec
The Macleod a fox. Two white
men and a breed. Their agree
ment was likely to be correct
None of them were fools. KinO
ceti's judgement was almost a:
swift as that of O'Rourke. Amos
as true. But he did not stay t.
analyze it very far.
He leave his sister behind,
he repeated. Perhaps to throw
dust in the eyes of the Mounted
Man, l am going to White Rock
You-three Of yOu-may come
with me. One stays to Watcf
young Macleod. He come to hole
in here at the caves. Rub on
those ashes get rid of the bones
and meat. He knows the trail. He
must not be made suspicious. He!
worth a thousand dollars. You
SUM-" he went on to the full
blood. remain behind. Watch
him. Trail him if he leaves. Do
not let him go too far. The re
ward says Alive or dead bu
they would rather have him alive
And it is only l. Kinoceti Wht
may collect that reward"
Does not the Mounted Mar
get some of it,"
They are not permitted They
work for the wage Of a clerk. fo}
glory and medal scoffed Kin.
oceti Clean up the cave. Youns
Macleod will be here inside OF