Adventure Magazine Cover, December 18, 1919 — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

ee 160 and beheld a high hill which Flat Mouth called the Dog’s House. What was most encouraging was to behold the banks of the Mouse. That night as we sat in the smoke of a smudge to protect ourselves from the mos- quitoes, wearing dressed-leather hoods over our heads as an additional protection, Miss Dearness coughed and choked and at last managed to say— “The X. Y. will pay you for the robes and skin you paid for me.”’ “Never,” I imperiled my lungs by reply- ing. “It’s the only trade I ever made [ was satisfied with. I’ve only one thing~to regret.”’ She nodded for me to explain, andI said— “Since we started from the Missouri you’ve been so wrapped and bundled up I’ve forgotten what the color of your hair is. 3) Instantly the hood flew off, the capote fell back, and, in defiance to the millions of mosquitoes, the red glory of her, hair was revealed. With a yelp of protest I leaned forward to aid in adjusting the hood and the capote and, losing my balance, would have made clumsy work of it had she not caught my elbow and steadied me for a second. Flat Mouth, who had been with the horses to see that the torture inflicted by the mosquitoes did not stampede the ani- mals, now drew up to our fire, the horses crowding in behind him to get into the smoke. I wanted to talk withthe girl— to have her talk to me, and yet I was glad he came. I fired questions at him to keep my mind from her. We leartied our course now would be down-grade and over a pleasant country with no obstacles to speak of. The land was dotted with small hillocks and these usually were covered with buffaloes. If it had not been for the mosquitoes, the trip would have been very comfortable. Of course we must forever be on the watch against the Assiniboins and Sioux—and also against a pursuing party of the Minne- tarees.. The latter we expected to discover at any time, swarming down on us to give back our robes and reclaim the girl. Not until we reached the ridge did we cast them out of our fears. The first night after quitting the ridge, when a fresh wind had blown the mosqui- toes away and we were bowing our heads ears. Adventure over our cooking, some uncontrollable im- pulse seized me and mastered me, and shortly I awoke to the astounding fact that I had kissed the girl. She made no move of resentment, nor said any word, but put on her dressed- leather hood and glanced at me reproach- fully. I jumped to my feet and strode off in the darkness, cursing myself. She was under my protection, and I had not sup- posed my three years in the wilds had so entirely wiped out my training. I can see now I was unnecessarily harsh with myself, that I was young and meant no harm. Still I took myself to task seriously enough that night. When I went back and found her, still hooded, a pathetic and lonely little figure, I had no fine words. I kicked the turf and did manage to blurt out: “That won’t happen again. Don’t bake . your face with that hood.” With that I went over by the horses and threw myself down. Her cold voice cut like a knife as it fez lowed me, saying— “Having bought me, I suppose you bee lieved you owned me.’ I groaned and dug my fingers into my Before I slept that night I knew I loved her and had spoiled everything by my unpardonable action. HE MOUSE was conquered and we passed down the Assiniboin in two canoes obtained from Fort Assiniboin. I paddled one, and she and Flat Mouth paddled the other. I had attempted to renew our old footing as if nothing had happened, but the glance she gave me told me how hopeless it was. I met her only as we landed to make a camp at night, and then only as we ate our fish and meat. She no longer eyed me coldly, but stared at me without seeming to see me. At the Forks we passed the camp of some H. B. men from the Albany factory. I waved my hand but did not turn in to join them. I had no heart for companion- ship. It was not until I was some miles up the Red that I observed the absence of the girl’s canoe. It came in sight just as I had finished cooking and eating a fish and was resuming my journey. I knew she and the Pillager had turned in at the H. B. fire. I forced myself to think of old Tabashaw Eomicbooks ~ After that . (E@)