The Lure of the North

He was not very hopeful, but agreed with Scott, who thought it might be worth while to look at the reef, since the specimens the Metis had brought showed traces of silver and lead. T

g the rivers and across the lakes. Thirlwell had no tent, but it is not a great hardship for a well-fed man, wrapped in furs, to sleep beside a big fire behind a bank of snow, and he had no misadventures as he pushed into the wilds. The ore pro

s stiffened on the sledge-traces and their feet got numb. The cold got worse when snow began to fall and when they camped one night Thirlwell noted that they had used more food than he thought. The transport of provisions is perhaps the ma

se. When he had eaten a meal Thirlwell sat with his back to a snow bank and a big fire in front, holding up a moccasin to the blaze. This w

up the river. Thirlwell put on his half-dried moccasins and reluctantly left the camp. He had met nobody but an Indian on the tra

sky was clear and the frozen river, running back, white and level, through the dusky forest, glittered in the light of a half moon. This was all that Thirl

oke drifted past the scattered pines. Then as they struggled through a brake of wild-fruit canes a blaze leaped up among the the rocks and he saw an indistinct figure crouching beside a f

ut, if you don't mind,

e back to our camp," Thirlwell repli

that hung from his shoulder. "All gone except

hing to eat?" said

rest this morning. The worst was

woods consume large quantities of nearly boiling tea. Then he turned

," he said. "By good luck, we camped in perhaps the

smile, "I do not know if it was luck

onary shivered although the fire snapped and threw out clo

and then take a smoke. I'm curious to lea

y people as they moved their traps, and one night when very tired I slept in damp moccasins. The fire got low and next morning my foot was slightly froze

times galls into a sore that will no

eam that belonged to the Hudson's Bay. He was not going farther but offered to lend me t

sked, knowing that skill is required

was a stubborn, bad tempered animal, and missed his master's firm control. Then, one evening, we came to a creek. The stream had kept the channel open here and there, and I thought the ice thin, but it was open, rocky country round about, and I saw a clump of pines in the di

e him past. As I limped by his side with the whip, I thought I heard the current gurgle under the ice, but we went on, the dogs snuffing and treading cautiously. Then the

nd I leaned down and seized my blanket. There was a bag of food beneath it that I tried to reach, but perhaps I shook the sledge, which began to slip down, and I saw the dogs roll among the trac

ong appeal. But I suppose you remember

agine the stream swept it under the ice, for I could only see the dark water foam. All the food I had excep

gn of sympathy. "A nerve-shaking

ter, and perhaps they took the back trail to the spot we started from. Well, as I could not follow, I limped on until I reached the pine clump

is courage had not failed. The man had often risked

d you before it was too late. It's somethi

ept as well as usual for some hours, and then opened my eyes. I think, however, I was not quite awake, or else my brain was dull, because I felt no surprise although a man was in my camp. The fire had burned low and he stood back in the gloom where I could

n?" Thirl

ther Lucien.

te man? It looks impossib

into the shadow, and I called out. There was no answer and I got up. It took a little time-the blanket was round my legs and my foot hurt-and when I stumbled away from the fire he had vanished and there was

ll, meaningly, "you

because light snow was falling when I got up and the wind

oden pipe with a nicke

fe. "Fifty-cents, at a settlement store! Not the kind of things the Indians buy, and this is not the stuff t

white man. But the thing's not to be understood. He knew you were starving and stole away! Then where did he come f

scoll was trapping about Stony

eir camp and gave him food. After he had eaten they lay down with their feet to the fire and Thirlwell said: "If the man had seen your fire and come to borrow something or find out who you

a curious calm. "Perhaps we shall find out who h

anket across his fa