Adventure, November 1915 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

The Posts the free-traders alone but against Ivan Tre- vor. We must protect ourselves, our trade and our company, and the moment the logs of his fort go up on the Kaniapiskau, the logs of a fort of ours go up too.” “Mon Dieul” lamented Masita. ‘It is sad. It is horrible, Francois, to war against your heart. I hope it will not come to that. For I am as you. I can not change my al- legiance, and as you say one stands with one’s company to the death.” “T can not see but that it will come to bit- terness and bloodshed in the end,” returned Lavergne gloomily. “But the present is of the most concern. Your father will not give in. We know that for a truth. And this Helbaud, there is no telling what he may do. He may torture your father, or insult you. “You can not take the risk, and that is why I gave you the sign. Ivan Trevor is near at hand, at the mouth of Ishimanikua- gan Lake. His camp lies not far from the camp of the Ishimanikuagan Indians, al- though they, being in Helbaud’s pay, do not for good reasons know it. He has come across from Seven Islands Post by the Ga- briel River, and he has with him Seven Is- lands, Moisie, Mingan and Romaine men.” “And,” burst out Masita, “they will at- tack af “No, they are not strong enough for at-' tack. Helbaud has mustered more force _ than even Ivan Trevor gave him credit for being able to summon. Besides, Helbaud is yet within Quebec territory, within his rights, and the Factor makes no lawless raids. He will follow him over the Height of Land, and there on the Kaniapiskau, where Helbaud thinks to sway the Labra- dor, the day of reckoning will come.” “But Helbaud himself had no regard for the law,” declared Masita, her anger rising at remembrance of the outrage. ‘He seized us on a traveled highway.” “Yes, but he will not hold you long,”’ com- forted Lavergne. ‘Go back swiftly now and tell your father. Tell him to be ready. When the second relay of packers goes into eat and Betarde is at the other end of the beach, you will hear the whistle of the cur- lew. As soon as you hear it, dash out of the door. Let your father smite down any one who happens to be in the way. I shall be standing with the canoe afloat, and in another second we shall be off.” : “But Betarde, and the other paddlers!’’ of Pillage 113 exclaimed Masita. ‘““They will give chase. And you, Francois! You will be unmasked. Mon Dieu! I tremble to think what they would do to you if they caught us.” “They will not catch us,’ vowed La- vergne grimly. “There will be three pad- dles. Your father is a strong man, and I— by Heaven! I will burst blade, body and craft before they catch us. We can make the Factor’s camp before them. Quick, Masita. Stroll back to the council-hall just as you came. I see some of the first relay of packers coming out.” CHAPTER IX A RACE FOR A PRIEST ASITA turned from the beach, but she had hardly taken a step towards the council-hall when the voice of Helbaud rang out above the brawling of the river. “Francois!” it called. “Frangois La- vergne!”’ And both Masita and Lavergne looked up with a start to see the Arctic Fur leader in the messroom doorway, a smoking cigar in his hand and the flush of wine on his cheeks. “Francois!” he called again. - “Do you hear? But perhaps the river rapids have deafened you or the sight of the girl has put you in a trance? Eh? “Hello! Fran- cois!”’ Masita had frozen in her tracks like some wild animal or bird discovered at close } quarters, and Lavergne, on a lower level near the waterline, moved aside to take the range of Helbaud’s eye. “T hear,” he answered, “though the brawl of the white-water is somewhat loud.* You — want me?” ‘You know the Indian camp near the mouth of Ishimanikuagan Lake?” Masita gave an almost inaudible gasp. Frangois’s figure stiffened. “Ves, I know it well,” he answered firmly, though there was a riot in his heart. ““Gothere. Atonce, this minute. There is a priest there, Father Boccairre,. minis- tering among them. He knows me well. Tell him I want him instantly, and see that you linger not on the way. And you, Betarde, bring the girl back from the river. See that she gets no chance to escape.” Helbaud with a flourish of his cigar was gone while he spoke, gone back to the wine E@PMICLOOOKS & com