Adventure Magazine Cover, April 3, 1918 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

78 Adventure even as he finished the shade of Bertand the Montreal mail courier seemed to rise from the depths of Grande Portage Bay. There came the snoring surge of waters swiftly cloven, a triumphant yell out of the lakeward dark, the thump of a quickly- wielded paddle upon a canoe gunwale, and the next instant a lone birchbark craft tore through the water-gate of the pier and spilled its lone occupant on the cribwork at their feet. “Spotted Deer!’’ exclaimed Carlisle, rec- ognizing the Cree dispatch-bearer he had sent down to James Bay by the Hayes with the report of victory for the governor. ‘“‘Ae,” replied Spotted Deer, “with the sun and the stars I have paddled to meet you here.” He held out a dispatch that bore the governor’s seal. Hastily Carlisle broke it open and glanced it over in the red flare that the camp-fires sent across the water. His hand shook a little as he passed it on to Andrews. | “Read it out, Andrews,” he begged. “It concerns them all as well as me.” Andrews read aloud: I was overjoyed to get the news of the North- westers’ defeat. Its consequences will be far-reach- ing indeed. It means no less than the conserving of our charter till such time as we see fit to surrender it. It means the founding of a Western empire which we shall pioneer. Words can not express my delight and my satis~- faction at the trust I had in you, and I want to record that trust in a more material way. As I wrote you, the James Bay climate has been hard on me. ‘The doctor here at York Factory says I have no option but to leave. So I must sail on the London fur vessel this Summer. I shall carry my resignation with me, and you I have appointed temporary governor in my stead till I reach England and have the London Committee ratify the appointment. Any appoint- ments you: may think due those under you, I shall also slate accordingly, as one of my last acts before giving up the governorship. Spotted Deer speaks of a rumor that runs hinting of another honor you will win. My sincerest con- gratulations and the hope to see you both soon! I am arranging a grand reception for you when you reach James Bay. ‘“Paul—Paul!’”’ breathed Joan tensely, while Carlisle, his eyes shining into hers, mutely pressed her hands. “You dwellers in the wilderness, I intro- duce Governor Carlisle and his wife!’ an- nounced Andrews, handing the dispatch back and stepping aside. From the massed brigades a vociferous cheer thundered out, and simultaneously the fifteen hundred paddles poised in per- pendicular salute, the crimson firelight flashing from the blades. Carlisle acknowledged the salute with upraised hand and began to speak in res- onant tones fraught with deep emotion. “Men of the Hudson’s Bay, I take the governor at his word. You have earned more than any men may get in this world, but this much at least may be yours. To Galt, Lewis, Lea, Garry, Hampton, Jarvis, and Wells I give the permanent Factorships, of Cumberland House, the Pas, the Nep- owin, Moose Lake, Chimawawin, Grand Rapids and the Carrot River. ‘““‘Waseyawin, Missowa and their middle- men are no longer Factor’s crew. ‘They are governor’s crew, and to the middlemen I add Smoking Pine and Spotted Deer. And you, Drummond, I make chief brigade Leader of all the Hudson’s Bay Company’s brigades.” A second time the vociferous cheer thun- dered out, the generous-hearted tribute of the brigade men to these honored officers, and the officers in grim pride acknowledged the tribute—all but Eugene Drummond. His diable mystery was dissolving at last, and, unthinking of his high appointment, his volatile face worked, his milk-white teeth gleamed, his thin nostrils quivered, his coal- black eyes danced as he stared at Andrews on the pier loosing the cord to’ drop his brand-new cassock and pull away the mos- quito veil. “Mon Dieu!’’ cried Eugene, gesticulating with outstretched finger and streaming his raven hair this way and that with nervous head jerks. ‘Mon Dieu—look there!”’ Carlisle, Joan and Wayne wheeled swiftly, but Andrews was not there. By the discarded cassock and mosquito veil stood a tall, straight, handsome, gray- haired, grave-faced stranger in the ancient but dashing uniform of Butler’s Rangers. “By the Doom—Captain Charles Car- lisle!’”’ identified Wayne. GomiGcbdooksteo