Adventure Magazine Cover — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

The Silver Fox “Poor feller,” he thought, “guess he’s about allin. But that warm water done the trick all right. Ill wash ’em again in the mornin’. It’s sure the stuff for snow- blindness.”’ Wethers moved restlessly, and presently turned over to face the wall, with his mis- shapen back toward his partner. Conroy quietly settled down in his blankets and went to sleep. As he was losing conscious- ness, he again felt a little glow of grateful pride that he had found so quickly and ac- curately a good remedy for his companion’s sufferings. He was awakened next morning by Weth- ers, calling petulantly for him to get up and make ready to start for the post. ‘“How’s the eyes, Pete?’’ asked Conroy. He shivered slightly in the chill of early dark- ness. ‘Rotten. Worse’n last night. I got to see a doctor, I guess. Say,’ he added, as his partner began to blow the glowing coals in the fireplace to a blaze, ‘‘we got to git started. Must be light, ain’t it?” “No. Not for an hour yit. Ill heat some water an’ wash your eyes agin. Seems to do ’em good, don’t it?”’ “You will not,” yelped the Weasel, sud- denly panic-stricken. ‘‘Don’t doa bit o’ good. Makes ’em worse. Worst thing in the world for snow-blindness.” “Why, I thought—” began Conroy, a little hurt at this outbrust. “Don’t care what ye thought. I won’t undo my eyes, I know that. Best thing for "em is to keep ’em covered. You git break- fast, an’ leave me be.”’ He tossed about, muttering and grumbling. “4 AN HOUR later the two men were “Sq on their way to the post at Trois Lacs. Pete, holding to a leather thong whose other end was tied to Conroy’s belt, stumbled along alternately cursing his - companion’s haste and complaining peevish- ly at the slowness of their journey. Jim held his peace, only hurried as much as possible to get a doctor for Pete’s eyes. There was small chance of any medical aid at the settlement and he might have to go down to Cobalt. Travel on the hard-packed snow of the river was easy and before dark the partners came in sight of the post. Pete fell silent and-did not-speak until they entered the log- house of the factor. 143 ganoTie Indians, voyageurs, some trappers, and Angus McMurtry, the sheriff, were in the long, low-ceiled room, crowded around the stove. In a corner behind the counter was the factor, checking fur-bales for shipment. As Conroy led Wethers into the store, the conversation stopped and all looked curious- ly at the blind humpback. McMurtry and the factor came forward and shook hands with Conroy, asked how the trapping was up his way, made a remark or two about general subjects, but avoided any reference to Wethers. Conroy explained. ‘““Old Wethers, he went snow-blind yester- day. Any doctor here? I brought him out so’s he could git fixed up.”’ “Oh, Father Caillaux will be in tomorrow... He knows somethin’ o’ medicine,” said the factor. The sheriff said nothing, but looked at Wethers with intentness. ‘“‘T’m a lot better,’ whined the Weasel. “Guess I'll be all right by tomorrow. Say—” he hesitated. ‘Is Injun Billy here- abouts?” “Non,” said a voyageur. ‘‘Beelee ees oop de Waboos tr-rappin’ beaver. Ah see heem tree day hago at Portage des Loups. He have vaire good chance, he tell me.” ,’ said Wethers and breathed more freely. “I was goin’ to see him here about a trip. -Guess he’s forgotten it.” He dis- missed the subject from his mind. “Say, Barrett,” he added, ‘‘can I see you a minute?” The factor led him to the corner where Wethers in great agitation pulled a pelt from his shirt-front and laid it before the other. He tried to look triumphant. 3 ‘“‘How much fer that one?”’ he asked. “Why,” said Barrett, “I guess about a dollar.” MICLOOOK C©@