icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Log out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon

Where the Sun Swings North

Chapter 2 THE CHEECHAKO

Word Count: 1745    |    Released on: 30/11/2017

nsteadily on the threshold, hands thrust deep in the pockets of his grey tweed trousers, chin up-tilted from a strong, bare throat that rose out of his ope

the Pol

greasy w

strip of

rth to eigh

his eyes on the singer

s now, and I'll be damned if he's been sober three times since he landed. Seems to be hitting it up extra strong now that th

ere came a narrowing of the old hootch-maker's eyes. It

tion, sought the distant peaks stained with the blush-rose of sunset. The evening-purple of the hills fringed the bay with mystery. Gulls floa

on the step, indicatin

e, son, and get yore

mooning and come here.

parted his lips, though born in a liqu

an outsider would think-that I am-a-fellow of rare-judgment and s-s

the immediate effect of the fiery native brew of the North was evidently wearing away, and preceding the oblivion that was fast comin

at you say: Up here-my people-never know. Me-a squaw man! Lord! What do I want-with-a squaw?" He laughed as at some blu

stidious you'll be a year from now." His lip lifted on one side

our-taste in women, Chief. Wouldn't do-it-if sober. Hate to be sober. Makes me feel-re-responsible for so-many things. . . . Hence flowing bowl. 'Member old Omar-unborn Tomorrow and dead

ay-colored baskets of wild strawberries, red and fragrant from the sand-dunes along the lagoon. From the Indian Village, a short distance dow

garments. Unlike the other women, she wore no disfiguring handkerchief on her head. Her face, oval and creamy-brown, was framed by two thick braids that fell over her shoulders. In the

ou!" She laughed, pushing

was lighted by long-lashed childish eyes, war

ith an imperious gestur

ans

ural Thlinget he spoke to the girl, pointing f

ubled eyes to Kayak Bill, sitting silent, imperturbable, in a cloud of tobacco smoke, his int

umped in stupor against the flag-pole. . . . A look of unutterable scorn distorted

ned expression the girl shrank back. Her shawl shivered into a vivid heap about her feet. The b

, her wide, idolatrous eyes raised to his, her

. "No, no! I can not do! Too mooch, too mooch I loof you, Paul

st to have his bookkeeper a squaw-man. The old Hudson Bay Company factors had proved the advantage of having their employees take Indian women. For his own health's sake he must get rid of Naleenah. Th

the scarcely burned weed away, crossed deliberately to the h

rdered, "and go

l men drifted curiously toward the sto

head and passed a slow h

y legs, "making sleeping porch-of your-steps. . . . Awf-lly

gesture Kilbuck mo

apped, "and-" he paused significant

ag-pole. The trader placed the arm of the stupefied young man across her slim shoulders. O

ll, perhaps, knew its real significance. The old man now stood in the doorway of the store

led schooner had drifted. As it advanced there was wafted across the water a

attitude. He followed the direction of the old man's gaze and beheld the incoming vessel ju

. On the deck of the schooner men ran about as the sails were lowered. The v

e trader, turning to his henchman, "and ta

nging of a violin. Wonderfully low and tender it began. Swelling, it rose and soared and tre

n, swaying in the doorway of his cabin, steadied himself

eean. Dreams-more-dreams-" He stumbled into the room and the weepin

er objects on the water. Kayak Bill in the doorway, took another long look through the glasses, then stepped down to

the binoculars. "There's two women aboard o' her, instead o' one. 'Pears to me like one

hich the Canadian coureurs du bois used to shou

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open