Adventure, November 1915 — page 111: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Posts of Pillage Helbaud turned back to the free-trader, his lips thinned down to a straight line un- der his pointed mustache. “YT care not for the Hudson’s Bay,” he boasted. “I care not for Ivan Trevor. When I have done with you, I will see to him and his monopoly. You disguise a threat under ostensible information, but the threat has no effect. And though you changed front at this moment and amalgamated with Ivan Trevor, it would do you no good, for I am strong enough to smash you both.” “Bold words! Bold words!” sneered Du- bawni. “T would that Ivan Trevor were here to listen.” “In my own good time I will be where he can listen. But if you are wise you will listen now. Sell, or be forced to sell! That’s my ultimatum to you.” “There is no force in this camp or in this province to make me sell.”’ “Think again. There are ways and means to force you. I have made my offer, an of- fer that inflicts no loss upon you, and I give you till dark to consider it. Till dark, no longer! When night falls you will either be one of the Arctic Fur Company or you will be— But what is the gain of anticipating? I know by nightfall you will be one of us, and your daughter, too!’ “‘Never, never!” declared Masita, furious- ly. “I hate you, Helbaud. I despise you. My father’s scorn of you is to mine as the Southland zephyr is to the Northland bliz- zard. You are a dog, low-caste and black- hearted, and your end will be violent and bloody.” “Mon Dieu, but I like the spirit of youl’ breathed Helbaud, lifting up the shield of irony to screen the writhing of his being under her lashing tongue. “But you will be - wise, I know, and not tempt your father to a rash decision. That is why I am giving you time. And, meanwhile, will you eat? I and my associates have had nothing under urgency of work since noon, and the call of ‘supper comes opportunely. You, too, have long hours and long miles behind you, and food will no doubt be most welcome. Therefore, come and dine.” He threw open the door connecting the council-hall with the dining-hall and mo- tioned the girl to pass through first, but Masita recoiled from his outstretched hand. “Not a bite! Not a crum!” she refused, her eyes ablaze. ‘‘Not a sip of water in any house of Helbaud’s!”’ flanked the Manikuagan shores. 109 And Dubawniz, his big hands slipping over her shoulders and tilting her chin up, gazed into her blazing eyes with admiration. “Par Dieu, well spoken!” he lauded. “We break no bread with him.” “As you will, then,” returned Helbaud malignantly. “Ripe judgment sits on fast- ing they say. Therefore, I take it your de- cision will be sage enough!” He swept them a mocking bow and minced along at the head of his associates into the dining-hall. CHAPTER VI HELBAUD’S HENCHMEN DINE PB with the zest of Mushalagan’s winey air were the appetites of Du- bawni and Masita, and the sight of the la- den tables in the messroom only tantalized them in their hunger. But they would rather starve than give sign of it, and they gazed on the feast of healthy, virile men with impassive faces. Great, long tables ran down the middle of the room, and at these the motley canoe- men gorged themselves after their hercu- lean toil of the portage. Their menu was varied, for each dined according to his breed and the menu of his fathers before him. Some feasted on fish taken from the ice- cold waters of the Mushalagan, the Ishi- manikuagan and the swift-flowing Mani- ‘kuagan River itself. Others gnawed the wholesome white breasts of partridges, taken in the hills that While others devoured venison by the pound, veni- son salted after the manner of the white man or dried after the manner of the savage. Some few ate pork, but these were the ones of hopelessly mixed blood-strain, half- breeds, quarter-breeds and what-not-breeds, whose line of descent was an unfathomable mystery. The white men among them ate whatever was at hand. With calm impartiality they helped themselves to four different meats in as many courses, but it was noticeable that Indians as well as whites favored the fa- mous hominy dish. For to the man who packs from dawn to dark over the rocky footpath of the portage, or wades the white-water at the end of a tow-line, there is no food so sustaining as hominy, and every man who follows the ute j Ad Pi Vy (CORMICLOOC) S (E@) TE eee oe PAN It tes heh