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[Sec 2Mgc 171.

,jg-iiia:«t

vRClf ; r M k KXZIE

■7 t:

y(>H /r/ \TFP

^mf

M.l> OXI.I.\

^rwi Jtow «»tr. fr5 Sr. i'^ i a CHifkcwtAW*

lot'J'll'JC 1.1,

^--.^':^^

'archie m'kenzie

THE YOUNG NOR'-WESTER

By J. MACDONALD OXLICV

• > •

LONDON

THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY

S6 Paternoster Row and 65 St. Paul's Churchyard

0^^ ^y. J..) I

290300

MonmsON AND (illlH, PRINTKrW, EDINBI'RQII

CONTENTS

CHAP.

PAOE

IIIMSKLF .\N1) HIS IIUMK , ,

. . 7

II.

A BIIUSII WITH THE BI.SON

III.

TIIK niVAL ESTABLISHMENT

IV.

KIDNAl'I'ED .....

IN CAl'TIVITY ....

VI.

IN THE NICK OF TIME

VII.

WINTER AT KOUT CHIPEWYAN

VIII.

FIKE AND FAMINE ....

. 106

IX.

THE MOOSE-HUNT ....

. 121

THE UETITRN IN TRIUMl'H .

. 135

XI.

Sl'MMEIl AT FOUT CHIPEWYAN

. 148

XII.

LESSONS NOT TO BE FOliGOlTEN .

. 161

XI]I.

THE EXPEDITION TO THE GUEAT SLAVE LAKE

. 174

XIV.

AT GREAT SLAVE LAKE

. 187

XV.

'the PORTAGE OF THE DROWNED*

. 200

XVI.

ARCHIE TO THE RESCUE .

. 215

XVII.

THE END OF MILES M'DOUOAL

. £28

XVIII.

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES

. 242

^£^

i2r^^™^__^H

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

CHAPTEli I

HIMSELF AND HIS HOME

E was but a few niontli.s younger tlian the
century, having first opened the big grey
eyes, that were afterwards to see so many
strange and stirring scenes, in the month
of May of the year of Our Lord one thousand
eight luindred, in the very heart of the vast
northern wilderness of Canada.

A remarkable mingling of race and character was
this baby boy, whose advent brought great joy to
Fort Chipewyan, and upon whom, without any formal
baptismal service, for priest and parson alike were quite
unknown in that far-away place, the name of Archibald
was conferred by his proud fatlier, Mr. Donald M'Kenzie,
an official of the great North-West Fur Company, in
command of the fort already mentioned.

B ARCHIE M'KENZIE

11' tliuiu 1j(j anytliinj,' in a name, one neeil have no
Uilliculty in sottlinj? what nation little Archie's 'ather
bfflon^ed to, and you had only t«» take a good look at
him to wee that his name fitted him, for he was a
Scotchman in every line of liis face and turn of his Imdy.
They called him ' lii;^ Donald ' in the Nortli-West, for he
stood full six feet higli, and was so stout of limb, broad
of shoulder, and deep of chest, that exertion seemed to
fatigue him no more than danger appalled him. lie had
not a handsome face, but, better than that, a transparently
frank, honest one ; and with his shaggy eyebrows, heavy
moustache, and dense brown Iteard, from whose midst
issued a voice (»f startling depth and volume, commanded
universal respect among the voyagnirSt hois-hruUcs (half-
breed.s), and Indians wlio formed the subjects of his
realm.

For the factor of an important fort in those days held
little «liort of regal sway over the men who were under
him, and the Indians who came to barter their precious
peltries fur liio beads and blankets and kettles and
hatchets. lie was responsible only to the Company,
whose headipiarters were at Montreal, thousands of miles
distant, and so long as the number of packs sent yearly
from his district showed no falling off, he could do pretty
much as he liked, without interference from anybody.

Donald M'Kenzic had sailed across from Scotland when
just out of his teens, to make his way in the New World
as best he might, with nothing but keen wits, strong
hands, a brave heart, and a clear conscience to help him.
Meeting in Montreal with a brother Scot, a few years his

I f

■i

IILVSEIJ' AND HIS HOME

senior, who had been sonic time in Uie employ of the
Nortli-West Fur Company, or ' Nor'- Westers/ as they
WLie generally culled, and who stirred his imagination
and amhition alike by graphic descriptions of life with the
fur-traders, he determined to enlist in the same service.
He had no dilliculty in obtaining an engagement. The
Comi)any was composed mainly of Scotchmen, and so
sturdy and promising a fellow-countryman did not have
to go a-begging. He was accepted on ?^ight, and that
same summer despatched to Fort William, ai i ha far end
of Lake Superior, where he entered upon the Mio in which
his career was to be one of thrilling expe' Mice and str* *,uy
succes." ''.I til the brown beard was plentifully streaked
with grey, and he could iionourably iciir<j, rich iu
reputati(jn and in purse also.

As junior clerk Donald had travelled up and down
a large portion of the wilderness lying between Lake
Sujierior and the llocky Mountains, remaining for a time
at Fort Fenibina, Fort Qu'Appelle, Mooso Fort, and other
of the many posts scattered by the Company over this
immense territory, until he had become thoroughly
acquainttl with the workings of the fui trade and the
wiles of the Indians with whom it was carried on. Then
he was appointed to a permanent position at Fort
Chipewyan, on the shore of mighty Lake Ath.'ibasca, and,
little more than a year before Archie arrived, had, through
his sterling good rpialities, reached the important and
responsible position of factor of the fort, so that his
ultimate promoti(jn to a partnership in the Company was
only a question of time.

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

I :
I

When oiicG he could consider himself settled, it might
be for a score of years, he very wisely looked about him
for a companion and helpmate. • It need hardly be
explained that he had a very limited range of choice in
making his selection. There was no such thing as society
in the ordinary sense of the term at the forts. The tide
of settlement had not yet touched those continuous wilds
which the North-West and Hudson's Bay Fur Companies
sought jealously to keep for themselves as a fur preserve,
but which were destined to be the home of millions.
Beside the employees of the Companies, a few enterprising
spirits who ventured to do a little trading and trapping
on their own account, and the Indians, whose lodges and
wigwams were scattered at wide intervals over tlie rolling
plains, or hidden among the depths of the forests, there
was no other human life.

But fortune favoured Donald M'Kenzie and sent him a
good wife nevertheless. He had not been long on the
lookout when there came to the fort a hardy xoyarjeur,
having with him his wife and daughter, and no sooner
had the factor's eyes fallen upon the latter, than he said
to liimself with an exultant chuckle, ' Hecli, Donald lad !
— but she's a braw one. It's doing your best to get her
you must be ; ' and with his customary promptness and
resolution he set about the business forthwith.

Donald's enthusiasm was not without good cause, for
Virginie Latour possessed no ordinary share of beauty.
Her father, Jean Baptiste, as was very usual at that
time, had taken him to wife the dusky belle of a Cree
encampment, and she had borne him this one child, in

HIMSELF AND HIS HOME

d, it might
about him
hardly be
\ choice ill
as society
The tide
nous wilds
Companies
f preserve,
' millions,
iterprising
I trapping
odges and
lie rolling
3sts, there

ent him a
ig on the
voyafjcur,
10 sooner
Ln he said
iiald lad !
get her
ness and

lause, for
' beauty,
at that
f a Cree
child, in

whose face and form were happily united the best
(jualities of both parents. As fair of skin as her father,
she had the regular features and lithe, graceful iigure of
her mother, while in her character were blended the
childlike buoyancy of the voijar/cur and the grave dignity
of the Indian. Arrayed in her picturesque buckskin
costume, richly adorned with beads and spangles, and
bearing herself as proudly as though she were a princess,
Virginie would have made a marked impression in any
social circle, and to the warm-hearted Donald, longing for
the grace of feminine society, she seemed a veritable vision
of beauty.

His wooing was short but satisfactory. Shrewd Jean
Biiptiste fully recognised the advantage of having the
head of a fort for a son-in-law ; while Virginie on her
part had not to look long with her splendid brown eyes
upon ' Big Donald ' to make up her mind that he was
immeasurably superior to any of the young voycKjmrs or
hois-hrnUcs, who, in the ordinary course of things, would
most probably be her fate.

So they took one another for better for worse, the
marriage service, after Scotch usage, in default of a
minister, consisting of Donald acknowledging Virginie to
be his wife in the presence of her parents and of his
subordinates. The union proved very happy. Donald
grew increasingly fonder of his wife ; and if Virginie did
at times betray the quick temper that she got from her
father, or the tendency to sullen sulking that came from
her mother, when she could not have her own way about
something, why, the big Scotchman just thought to himself

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

that it was the way of women-folk to ' gang agley ' now
and then, and, instead of giving back hot words, closed
his lips firmly over his tongue, and went away. And
then, so sure as he did, when perhaps he was sitting at
his desk poring over his ledger, or consoling himself with
a pipe in a quiet corner, there would come a gentle step

behind him, which, although his keen ears heard it well,
he pretended not to notice, and presently a little brown
hand would be laid upon his shoulder, and a soft voice
would murmur pleadingly in a quaint patois, half French,
half Indian, * Donald, my dear, do you love me still ? '

Then the answer came quick, and left no doubt as to its
sincerity, and the cloud would vanish, and all would be
sunshine again in the M'Kenzie household.

HIMSELF AND HIS HOME

»3

igley' now
•rds, closed
ivay. And
sitting at
mself with
jentle step

rd it well,
tie brown
soft voice
I French,
ill?'

) as to its
would be

It was a proud and happy time for both when they
entered into ttie dignity of parenthood, and as little Archie
tlirove and developed, their joy in him increased, without
ji .shadow to mar it, for tlie kind fairy that bestows good
lienlth was not behind the giver of good looks, and neither
nioasles, whooping-cough, croup, mumps, nor any other
of tlie ordeals througli which the average boy has to pass
nowadays, disturbed the serenity of Archie's cradle.

By the time he was twelve years old he stood full five
feet in height, and was the very picture of health and
heartiness. Three different races were represented in him,
and he showed some of the most striking traits of each.
Tluj bright, frank face, the firm mouth, the steadfast
purpose were as clearly Scotch as the merry laugh, the
love of nuisic, tlie fondness for dress were French, and the
})iercing eye, the acute ear, and the wild passion for
outdoor life were Indian in their source.

In like manner did he share in some of the faiHnu;s of
his strangely mixed parentage, for he could be as obstinate
as any Scotchman, as excitable as ri,ny Frenchman, and as
jealous as any Indian, and altogether was a sort of a boy
that it would have sorely puzzled the common run of
parents under ordinary circumstances to deal with, but
who, away up at Fort Chipewvi^n, in the midst of a life
that was anything but ordinary, and with the fiim hand
of a father who brooked no disobedience controlling him,
gave every promise of growing up into a worthy manhood.

It must not be forgotten to mention that ere he was
quite half way to the twelve years already mentioned, a
little sister appeared upon the scene to divide the affection

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

that he had been monopolising, or, as the saying is, to put
his nose out of joint, and our young gentleman resented
this intrusion so warmly that it positively was not safe to
leave him alone witli tiny liose-Maric. He would attack
lier instantly. Once, indeed, he came very near ridding
himself of his rival by tumbling her cradle over on top
of her.

When he grew older, however, this childish jealousy
disappeared, and he became as fond of his sister — who was

just a comical little copy of her mother — as he had been
jealous of lier, playing happily witli her all day long, and
taking such good care of the wee one as to prove a real
help to Mrs. IM'Kenzic.

And now it is full time to tell something about the
home in which these young folks were growing up. Fort
Chipewyan still exists, and to find it you must take a
good map of the Dominion of Canada, and look right into
the heart of the vast region called the North-West
Territories. There you will notice an immense lake,

is, to put
I resented
ot safe to
lid attack
r ridding
sr on top

jealousy
■who was

S^'h^

ad been
•ng, and
e a real

out the

lort

take a

;lit into

i-West

lake,

HIMSELF AND HIS HOME

«S

bearing the Indian name of Athabasca, and at the south-
western end of the lake, occupying a commanding position
upon a promontory that juts out from the northern shore
into the cold blue water, is the fort, whicli has been for
nearly a hundred years one of the most important centres
of the fur trade.

To the traveller approaching it after having been
for weeks accustomed to nothing better than a wigv/am,
the fort presented a very imposing appearance. First of
all, there was a palisade of huge pickets, with sharpened
points, whose twenty feet of height made it impossible to
scale them without ladders. This stood in the form of a
S4uar(\ the sides of whicli were not less than one hundred
yards in length. At each corner frowned a Imstion marked
witli looplioles for muskets, while above the gates, of
wliicli tliore were two, one facing the lake and the other
the land, rose lofty lookout towers, that enabled the
sentinel upon tliem to see anything within the radius of
many miles.

Inside the square, and arranged so as to make the best
of the space at hand, wore tlie buildings which housed the
factor and his family, tlie clerks who assisted him, the
postmaster, interpreter, royofjcura, and other employees,
and finally the store and warehouses, all built in the
strongest manner of logs, and looking very rough, but
very solid. In front of the factor's house stood a ilag-pole,
from which, on special occasions, the flag of Old England
would flaunt upon tlie breeze.

In mid-winter, when all hands were at home, the
garrison of the fort comprised some fifty men, Scotch,

ARCHIE APKENZIE

French, and half-breed, many of them with families ; and
to keep all these in good behaviour, seeing how apt they
were to proceed from argument to blows, when they
hud nothing else to do, required no small address and
determination on tlie part of the factor. But so firm and
just a hand did he keep over tliem, tliat there was not a
better ordered post in the country than Cliipewyan, nor
one whose chief was in better favour.

Not only because he was the factor's son, and it was
therefore good policy, but because they all liked him for
himself, th^ men made very much of Archie, and did their
best to spoil him. He was always eager to be in their
company, and his father, intending as lie did that he should
follow in his footsteps, put no restraint upon him for the
earlier he began to learn the life of a fur-trader, the more
tlioroughly would ho master it.

The consequence was, that at an age when tlie ordinary
city boy would be thought a wonder if he could catch a
ball fairly well, or ride a pony without falling oil', this
child of the wilderness could swim like a duck, ride like
an Indian, hit a squirrel witli an arrow at thirty yards, and
paddle a canoe like a voyarjeur.

Nor had his education in other ways been neglected.
His father had been a fairly good scholar in his young
days, and among the treasures he had gathered about him
since coming into the North-West were a number of
volumes of fiction, poetry, history, science, and theology,
which were a source of never-failing pleasure to him, and
the contents of which he took delight in imparting to
Archie, who proved an apt pupil, being able to read well

fall

HIMSELF AND HIS HOME

33 ; and
ipt they
;ii they
ess and
irm and
IS not a
y'an, nor

I it was
him for
lid their
in their
e should
for the
lie more

ordinary
catch a
fi; this
ide like
ds, and

!"lected.

oung

out him
aher of
leol.jgy,
ini, and
rting to
ad well

Nvliun Ijut eight years old, and enjoying very much his
; father's enthusiastic teaching.

For this schooling there was plenty of time in the long,

' cold winters, when the factor spent most of his days in

tlic bosom of his family, and when sometimes for a whole

week no one who could possibly help it would think of

■:, venturing out of doors, so intense would be the cold and

I fierce the gales that blew about Fort Chipewyan. Then

I would the trappers and voijagcurs gather about the roaring

lires, and while away the hours in thrilling tales of hair-

X l)rcaclt]i escapes, and miglity exploits in which the Indian,

the bear, the bullalo, and the elk always got the worst of

I it in tlie end, and which made Archie's blood bound in his

'\ veins, as ho longed for tlie day when he could take his

; place among tliese lieroes, and endure and triumph with

them.
I ' Oh, father ! when shall I be big enough to go with
"I you ? ' he exclaimed longingly, one day, as the factor was
' ■? iibout setting forth on one of his journeys in quest of
i Indian camps where furs might be found.

' When shall you be big enough, Archie ? AVell, let me
see,' responded his father, with a smile ; and then, after a
J i)ause, ' I think I might venture to take you when you
I are about fifteen.'

I 'Fifteen, father? Oh, that's ever so far off!' cried
,, Archie dolefully. ' Won't you take me before that ? '
I ' Xut on a long trip like this one, laddie,' answered Mr.
I ]\['Kenzie in a kind but firm tone. ' You would only be
11 our way, you know, and that wouldn't be pleasant.'
Archie did not relish the reflection implied in liis being

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

in the way, and would have liked to argue the point at
lengtli, but his father was too busy to listen to him then,
and he had to content himself with muttering —

* I'm very sure I shouldn't be in the way. Why
couldn't I take care of myself, I'd like to know ? '

However, there was nothing to do but to submit ; for
his mother, who loved her children so passionately that
she was never content to have them out of sight, would
give him no support, he knew, and he must only await his
father's pleasure in the matter.

But while waiting he could be preparing, and one of the
most important accomplishments beiiig the management
of a canoe, he consoled himself by paddling about in his
own lit Lie beauty, made especially for him by one of the
Indians, who wished to find especial favour in the eyes of
the factor.

It was one of the loveliest days of the all-too-short
summer that comes to Athabasca, and the lake looked its
best, as it stretched away from the foot of the fort, a vrst
expanse of dimpled blue. Archie had been but a few
minutes in the canoe, and was not far from land, when
who should come running down to the beach but little
liose-Marie, no hood upon her curly head, or moccasins on
her chubby feet as she scampered towards Archie, calling
out eagerly —

' Archie, Archie, take me with you ! '

Archie's first impulse was to refuse her on the same
ground as his father a little while before had refused him,
namely, that she would only be in the way. But, before
he spoke, his mind changed. It was against the rules for

■i

lie point at
him then,

/ay.
?'

Why

lubmit; for
nately that
light, would
[y await his

I one of the
lanagement
bout in his
one of the
the eyes of

11-too-short
B looked its
fort, a Vv"st
but a few
land, when
1 but little
occasins on
ihie, callin''

1 the same
efused him,
But, before
le rules for

HIMSELF AI^D HIS HOME

•t

him to take Eose-Marie out in his canoe. Mrs. M'Konzio
(lid not consider he could yet be trusted with so precious
a passenger, and hitherto lier orders upon tliat point liad
]»ccn obeyed.

lUit this morning Archie was just ii\ the mood to be
reckless. He felt very much put out at what his father
had said to him, and when liose-M.irie, with her toes
touching the edge of the water, stretclied out her arms
beseecliingly, and repeated her request to be taken in, the
thought Hashed into Archie's mind —

' I'll show them I can manage a canoe,' and turning
towards the shore he called out —

' All right, Rose, I'll take you.'

Rose-Marie clapped her hands for joy, and eagerly
awaited his approach.

' Take care now, Rose ; climb in and sit right down,'
cautioned Archie ; and in another moment the little girl
was sitting demurely in the bottom of the canoe.

With a half-reckless, half-repentant feeling, Ar(3hie
paddled off, his little passenger beaming delightedly, as
the canoe glided through the ripples, which nuule soft
music against its birchen sides. His intention was to go
out to an island that lifted its head from the water about
half a mile away, and to land there for a while, as it was
a great place for the berry that the [iidiaus called tdtri^iioi/
mccna, but which we know as the choke-cherry.

Rose-Marie kept as still as a mouse, although her tongue
wagged merrily, and Archie's steady paddling soon brought
the canoe to the island, where he ran her gently up on the
beach, and they got out to hunt for choke-cherries. Their

•i

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

' ('

search was successful, and when they had had enoiigli,
Archie broke off a big l)raiich laden with the red beads
to take back to their mother, and they returned to tlic
canoe.

]>y this time Rose-Marie was f^ettinp; tired and restless,
and Archie had more than once to caution sharply —

' Be still, there, Rose, will you ? You'll upset the canoe
if you don't'

But Hose was not in the humour to obey. She wriggled
and squirmed about in a way that made Archie both cross
and nervous.

At length, when they were not more than half-way
home, the little witch caught sight of a dead fish gleaming
white on the surface of the water, and exclaiming, * Oli,
Archie, I've got a fish ! ' made a sudden grasp at it. As
quick as a flash Archie sprang forward to stop her, but he
was too late. She had reached far over the side, and
when he moved the cranky canoe was overbalanced, and
the next moment they were both plunged headlong into
the deep, cold water.

•s
if
■"(

fid enough,

red beads

lied to the

nd restless,

dy—

t the canoe

wriggled
both cross

half-way

1 gleaming
"ing, 'Oh,
at it. As
ler, but he

side, and
meed, and
Hong into

CILVrTER II

. nPUSIl WITH THE lilSON

riCniE'S first feeling was one of terror,
and wild anxiety to save his own life.
Jiut so soon as he had risen to the surface
and cleared the water from his eyes, he
thought of his sister. Fortunately they
had fallen close together, and at once he
saw her struggling frantically not a yard away. Two
eager strokes brought him to her, and catching her by
the arm, he shoved her towards the canoe, crying out —

' Take hold of the canoe, Eose, quick ! ' liose-^Iarie
put out her little hands more by instinct than by
understanding, and happily caught a good grip of the
bow of the canoe, to which she clung desperately.

Archie came close beside her, and sought to cheer her
by saying bravely —

'Don't be frightened, Eose darling; we'll be all right
soon.'

Poor little Rose, all the colour fled from her plump
cheeks, her curly hair clinging lankly about her neck,

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

,1 1

raid her heart beating as though it wanted to break loose,
made no attempt to answer him, but ching tightly to the
canoe, which just served to keep her head above water.

It was well enough for Archie to say that they would
be all right soon, but there certainly did not seem much
ground for liis confidence. They were at least a quarter
of a mile from tlie sliore, and even could little Eose have
held on so long, it was not at all possible for Archie to
push tlie canoe to land, while to get back into it was no
less out of the question. Unhappily, too, there was no one
in sight at the fort, and his shrill cries for rescue got no
response save from the mocl'ing echoes.

Altliough it was midsummer, the water was too cold
to be long endured. A few minutes more, and tiie
M'Kenzie household would have ' 3cn made desolate,
when Providence, in the guise of a brown Indian,
intervened.

Old Akaitchko had been paying a visit to his nets at
Whitefish Point that morning, and was returning with a
full fare, and in high good humour, when his keen eyes
caught sight of the overturned canoe, and the next
moment Archie's cry fell upon his ear. Instantly the old
man bowed over his paddle, until it bent like a bow in
liis hands, and the canoe, laden as it was, leaped over
the water as though it shared its master's eagerness.

' I come, I come ! ' he shouted at the top of his voice,
and drove the paddle still deeper into the water.

Archie heard his shout just in time, for he was fast
losing strength, and could hardly have held on a moment
longer. Putting his arm about liose-^Iarie, he cried —

break loose,
tightly to the
3ve water.

1 they would
' seem much
st a quarter
le Ilose Iiave
for Archie to
ito it was no
e was no one
escuc got no

'as too cold
e, and the
le desolate,
■vn Indian,

his nets at
ling with a
keen eyes
the next
tly the old
e a bow in
3aped over
less.
? his voice,

was fast
a moment
ried —

A BRUSH WITH THE BISON

' HuiTali ! Akaitchko's coming to us.'

lUit the girl did not answer, for she had fainted, and
only his grasp prevented lier from sinking. The next
nicnient tlie Indian's canoe shot up to tliem, and bending
skih'ully over, the strong old man lifted poor little Hose in
lieside liini, saying in Ids own tongue —

'You next, Archie.'

lielieved of liis l)urden, Arelue let go of his own canoe
and cau'dit liold of tlie other, into winch, witli the
assistance of AkaitcldvO, he presently clambered, and
(h'opped exhausted on the bottom.

Tlie Indian gave a grunt of approval wliicli s])oke
volumes, and tlien resuming his paddle, plied it with a
vigour that soon brought them to the l)eacli, where,
without a word to Archie, whom he evidimtly deemed
ipiile able to look after himself, he picked up the still
insensible girl as though she were a litth^ bal)y, and
Iiiislenctl to the fort, Archie following behind at a much
slower pace, and already beginning to wonder what
conseipiences his act of disobedience would entail.

As it turned out, he came off scathless, for his father,
who could punish soundly enough when he thought the
occasion required it, was away, and his mother was too
rejoiced at the escape of her darling llose-AIarie to think
of doing any more than enjoining solemidy upon Archie
neviT to take his sister out canoeing again until he should
have permission from her.

01' course, ohl Akaitchko came in for Mrs. M'Kenzie's
warmest gratitude, receiving as reward such a supply of
tea and tobacco as he had never had in his life before, and

ARCHIE APKENZIE

the assurance, moreover, that he need never go with empty
pannikin or pipe so long as she was at hand to fill them
for him. "Whereat the old man felt that he had nothing
more to ask for.

Little Rose-!Maric was none the worse for her
adventure, not even taking a cold, thanks to hei vigorous
constitution, developed by constant outdoor life ; so that
in the end there was nothing to be sorry for but the act
of disol^edience which might have had such dreadful
consequences.

Life at the fort in midsummer was apt to be very
quiet and uneventful. Mr. M'Kenzie and the majority of
his men would be absent, either taking the furs as far
down as Lac a la Crosse on tlieir long journey to Montreal,
or bringing back the supplies of goods and provisions
which were sent up to meet them ; or, when this was all
over, they would be away out upon the prairies hunting
the bison, moose, and deer, whose juicy meat, dried in the
sun, and tlien pounded into slireds and mixed with melted
fat, would be packed into great bags of skin, and under
the name of pemmican form the principal item of food
during the long winter months when neither bison nor
deer was to be had. So that Archie saw very little of his
father at the very time when he would have liked most
to be with him, and this made him all the more impatient
to be permitted to accompany him on his expeditions.

His delight, then, may be imagined, when, one morning
of the following summer after that in which the canoeing
incident occurred, Mr. M'Kcnzie, who liad arranged for a
trip in (|uest of bison over the plains of the Peace River,

A BRUSH WITH THE BISON

th empty-
fill them

I nothing

for her
vigorous
; so that
t the act
dreadful

be very
jority of
s as far
[ontreal,
ovisions
was all
hunting

II in the
I melted
i under
of food
ion nor
e of his
id most
patient
ns.

lorning
Lnoeiiiij
d for a

Kiver,

having received the usual petition from his son, instead
of dismissing it at once, hesitated in replying, hummed
and hawed, looked at the sturdy little chap from head to
foot, and then, as if unable to withstand the arguments
expressed in his flushed face, eager eye, and trembling lip,
said in the tone of a man who thought he should not give
way, but really could not help it —

' Very well then, laddie, you may come this time ; but
mind you, you must not get into any mischief.'

Preparations of quite an imposing character were made
for this hunt, the Indian who had been charged to report
the appearance of the bison having brought in word that
two immense herds were to be found not far apart, and
about one hundred miles to the south-west. This was
just the opportunity the factor desired to lay in a stock of
meat out of which to manufacture the indispensable
penimican, and so every man and horse that could be
.spared from the fort were ordered out for active service.

Everybody was in high good humour, the Indians and
half-breeds hugging themselves with deliglit at the prospect
of unlimited gorging of juicy tongue and unctuous liump,
the white men full of pleasurable anticipation of a lively
hunt, and the very horses and dogs eager for the chase ;
while most excited of all was Archie, now a big boy of
fourteen, and thinking himself equal to anything.

'Of course I'll take my gun, father,' said he, bringing
in an excellent little musket that the factor had i)rocured
especially for him, and which he liad now cleaned and
polished until it shone in his hands.

' Do you think you can do better with that than with

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

^<i|

your bow and arrow, Archie ? ' asked Mr. M'Kenzie
quizziiigly.

' I don't i^/mi/j, father ; I know,' replied Archie proudly.
* Can't I hit the bull's eye two times out of three at sixty
paces ? ' he added, with a tone of reproach in his voice.

' Can you indeed, my boy ? ' exclaimed Mr. M'Kenzie.
' Well, I'm sure that's not bad shooting, and you ought to
secure us a good fat bulFalo calf at least, if you can do as
well as that. Don't you think so ? '

'I'll do my best, father,' answered Archie; 'and I shall
be very much disappointed if I don't do that much for
you, at any rate.'

The following morning, bright and early, the expedition
set forth from the fort, Mrs. M'Kenzie and liose-jNIarie
accompanying it to the gate, and then climbing up into
one of the towers and watching its progress until it was
lost in the distance.

There were twenty-five men all told, and nearly twice
as many horses, for they hoped to bring back with them a
good quantity of meat. Besides Mr. M'Kenzie, there were
Ferdinand Wentzel, his right-hand man, a Norwegian, and
a most trustworthy, excellent clerk, who had been in the
employ of the Company almost as long as his chief ; Colin
Iiobertson, a junior clerk, a red-haired, freckle-faced,
hot-tempered, but brave and energetic young Scotch-
man ; and Alec MacGillivray, another Scotchman,
though of a ipiite different nature, being quiet, reserved,
\nd cool.

These men, with John Stewart, a Canadian, composed
the factor's staff of assistants at Fort Chipewyan, and the

A BRUSH WITH THE BISON

I'ly twice
!i tlieii] a
ere \\ere
•iaii, and
311 ill the
f; Colin
le-faced,
Scotcli-
itchinaii,
eserved,

)mposed
and the

hitter had been left in command of the little garrison which
would liold the fort until the return of the expedition.

Tlie remainder of the party consisted of Canadians and
Indians in about equal numbers, acompanied by a
Mondcrful collection of dogs of all sorts and sizes, that ran
about among the horses, barking noisily, by way of
expressing their interest in the undertakiug. They were
all in light marching order, for it was intended to lose no
time upon the way either going or coming. The bison
must be reached as soon as possible, and then, after the
hunt was over, the sooner they got back to the fort with
the results, the better would be the pemmican.

Archie was well mounted, his steed being a pretty
piebald mustang his father had given him the year
before, having iirst made sure that it was well broken in
and of a trustworthy temper. It was a speedy, enduring
animal, and while on its back Archie need not fear being
left behind by any of tlie others.

He rode along beside his father, who was mounted
upon a splendid black stallion of unusual size, whose
impatient spirit he kept in check by means of a powerful
.Spanish curb that no horse could resist.

' You'll have to keep your wits well about you, Archie,
when we sight the bullalo. It'll be every one for himself,
yuu know,' said the factor, smiling proudly down upon
the 1)07 ^t ^^^s stirrup.

' I'm sure I don't care, father,' answered Archie lirmly.
' If .^pot and I cannot keep out of the way, why, we're
only fit to be run over ; aren't we. Spot ? ' and he patted
the mustang's neck fondly.

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

' lint look here now, Arcliio, do you seriously iinugino
tliiit you arc going to kill a buffalo yourself with that
playtliing ? ' asked Mr. M'Kenzic in a bantering tone,
lioiiiting at the musket which hung from the boy's shoulder.

The colour mounted into Archie's face, and his eye
il ashed for a moment in a way that suggested a hasty
answer, but, controlling himself by an effort that was not
lost upon his questioner, he replied respectfully —

* Well, father, if you had only seen how I killed that
carcajou over at Beaver Creek the other day when you
were away, you wouldn't laugh at my gun. It isn't
very big, but it can shoot straiglit, and pretty far too;
can't it, Mr. Wentzel ? ' appealing to the Norwegian, his
especial friend among the employees, who happened to
ride up at that moment.

* There's no doubt but that it can do good work in your
hands, Archie,' responded Wentzel.

' And don't you believe I could kill a buffalo with it ? '
asked Ihc boy eagerly.

' Certainly you could, if you were only lucky enough
to hit him in tlie right place,' said Wentzel.

'The proof of the pudding is in the eating, Archie,'
broke in Mr. M'Kenzie ; ' and all I hope is that you may
have the best possible chance to show what you can do
witli your pop-gun.'

Archie was just ready to speak warmly in defence of
his firearm, when one of the Indians rode up with a
communication to make, which claimed his father's
attention, and he had to content himself with saying to
the Norwegian, with a touch of indignation in his voice —

A BRUSH WITH THE BISON

• I'up-gun, to be sure ! It's no pop-gun, is it, Mr.
Wentzel?'

To which Mr. "Wentzel replied, ' No, indeed, Archie.'

By the afternoon of the second day they had reached
the locality indicated by the Indians as that where the
bison were to be found, and the expedition moved forward
with the greatest care, sending out scouts in all directions,
lest they should come suddenly upon the herd, and
stampede it before they were ready to deal with it.
Tliey made no fire in the camp that night, but stayed
their hunger with cold victuals, and the following
■orning everybody was astir at daybreak, and impatient
; r the fray.

They were entering upon a beautiful country. Away
before them until they seemed to touch the horizon
undulated the great plains of the Peace liiver, covered
with the bunches of rich, thick grass that forms the
bison's favourite food, and intersected at wide intervals
by shallow valleys, along whose bottom ran lazy little
tributaries of the Peace. The weather was perfect, and
there was every reason to expect a successful hunt.
Before they left camp there were some black dots to be
made out toward the south, which were probably outposts
of the herd, and toward these the hunters directed their
way, spreading out into a long line, and moving as
steadily forward together as the nature of the country
permitted. Far in advance of the others were old
Akaitchko and another Indian, whose very appropriate
name when translated was Long Legs, tlie two most
experienced hunters in the country, and these two the

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

others "anxiously watched for the signal which would
mean that the bison were in sight.

Up one slope and down anotlier, across narrow coidns
and broad intervals, splashing through th'^ streams that
now had shrunk to half their size, and avoiding the
mud-holes in which their horses might have stuck fast, the
line of attack moved steadily forward, every man holding
his gun across his saddle before him, ready for instant use.

Archie, who rode at his father's left, trembled so visibly
with suppressed excitement, that the factor became
concerned lest his gun should go off accidentally, and
give a premature alarm.

' Keep cool, my lad, keep cool,' said he. ' If your
pop-gun goes off before it ought to, it will play mischief
with us.'

Understanding his father's meaning at once, Archie
blushed as if he had betrayed himself, and sitting up very
straight in his saddle, grasped the gun firmly, saying —

' I will keep cool, father, never fear ; this won't go ofl'
until it's told to. But look, father, isn't Akaitchko
signalling ? '

The factor glanced quickly at the old Indian. Sure
enough, from the hither slope of a near hill, he was
making gestures that said as plain as words —

' The bison — I see them. Come on, but take care.'

The others soon saw the signal also, and all moved
forward as quietly as possible until they were beside
Akaitchko. The old man was fairly palpitating with
excitement, as he said in a hoarse whisper to Mr.
M'Kenzie —

J BRUSH WITH THE BISON

' Thousands of 'em ! urn — uin ! Fine — fut — good/ and
lie rolled his tongue expressively in liis mouth.

Creeping cautiously to the sumnut of the liill, the
factor, lying at full length, looked over into the valley
l)olo\v, and beheld a sight that did his heart good ; for
there, within easy reach and utterly unsuspicious of
(Inngcr, was as noble a herd of bison as ho had ever soon

in his life — bulls, cows, and calves, all fat and in fine
condition.

Without a moment's loss of time the order of attack-
was arranged. One half of the party, with Wentzel as
leader, were despatched to make a wide lUtour, and if
possible get on the other side of the herd, while those
who remained would not move until this had been done.

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

TliG rolling nature of the ground made this manonuvrL'
easy of accomplishment, and twenty minutes later the
signal came from the crest of the opposite slope that
showed Wentzel's division had fulfilled their mission.

Tlio l)ison were feeding down towards a large pond
that filled the valley at the farther end, and Mr.
M'Kenzie's scheme was to stampede them into this pond,
where they would be entirely at his mercy. When all
wns in readiness, he called to his men to mount and see
that their guns were all right ; then, giving Archie an
alfectionate clasp on the arm, he said in a low, tender
tone —

* Look well out for yourself now, Archie. Don't get in
the way of the herd, or anybody else.'

Before Archie has time to make any reply, his father
roars out at the top of his stentorian voice, 'All
together now — Charge ! ' and the whole party as one man
start on the gallop down the slopes, and joining line in
the level valley, bear down upon the startled herd like an
avalanche, the Indians giving vent to the most blood-
curdling whoops as they urge their mustangs to their
utmost speed.

So sudden is the onset that t!ie hunters are right upon
the bewildered bison ere they get fairly started in flight,
and the sharp report of the guns tells that the work of
death is begun. Each man chooses his animal, and seeks
to bring it down. Archie is soon separated from his
father, and, determined to show his mettle, he singles out
a fine yearling bull, and sends a bullet into him behind
the shoulder, as he had been told to do. But, much to his

A BRISH WITH THE BISON

luuiunivTt'
Inter tho
lope tliat
sioii.

rge pond
and Mr.
his pond,
^Vlien all
!; and see
.rcliie an
kV, tender

I't get in

is father
ce, 'All
one man
\ line in
1 like an
t blood-
to their

¥':

siir[)rise, his quarry refuses to fall, and he is just wonderiii}^
whether he eould luiinage to reload on horsehaek, when
he discovers that lie is himself in too niueh dani^'er to
Ljive any more attontiou t > the bison, for his horse, to
whom tliis hunt is an entirely novel experience, has
hcconu! frantic with fright, and is carryin<; him right
into the h"art of the herd, now fully started on its mad
staiujiede towards the ]iond.

: 'I

lit upon
n flight,
work of
id seeks
om his
gles out
behind
h to his

cHAriEU III

THE RIVAL ESTABIJSIIMKNT

OD help US ! ' cried Wentzel, wlio was the
first to realise Archie's danger ; ' tl:p boy's
caught in the stampede ; ' and losing
all thought of shooting bison in hi^
anxiety for his young friend, he slung
his musket over his shoulders, and con-
centrated his energies upon the task of forcing his horse
through the terrified herd in an attempt to get to Archie's
side.

A moment later the factor also became aware of his
son's critical position, and he in like manner paid no more
attention to the hunt, but made strenuous efforts to reach
the i,i. perilled boy.

In truth the situation was a very serious one. The
thousands of maddened bison were thundering down the
valley at a terrific pace towards the pond, to whose miry
depths far more of them would fall victims than to the
hunters' bullets. The pond was hardly half a mile
distant, and unless Archie were extricated from their

THE RIVAL ESTABLISHMENT

midst before they reached it, the chances were thiit he
would share their fate.

Both Wentzel and Mr. M'Kenzie saw this clearly, and
urging their horses to the utmost, they fought their way
from different directions through the surging rabble of
beasts. Fortunately they were mounted upon very
powerful animals, to whom a buffalo hunt was no novel
experience, and, tremendous as the task seemed, did
succeed in making progress towards the> goal. At length,
almost at the same moment, they gained their point. They
came up on either side of Archie, and eacli grasping one
rein of his horse's bridle, they drew close together until
the three horses were touching. Then came the struggle
for escape. The bison, crazed with terror, their noses
almost touching the ground as they lumbered furiously
forward, pressed them on every side. To halt was out of
the question. The utmost that could be done was to
slacken speed somewhat, and thus gradually work back
to the rear of the stampede. Happily they were not
very deep in the herd, and when the vanguard was
brought to a standstill by the deep mud of tlie pond's
margin, the whole mass began to slow up, until finally
it was possible for the three riders, whose united
strength had enabled them to hold their own much
better than if they had been separate, to edge round and
force their way out into freedom, just in time to save
themselves from being carried by the mol) into the mire,
where hundreds of unfortunate creatures were already
engulfed.

Archie's face was as white as a sheet, and his c-}es had

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

a strange, half-dazed expression in them as he looked at
his father without uttering a word.

* Thank God, laddie, for a very narrow escape!' exclaimed
the factor in a reverent, grateful tone ; and then, turning to
the Norwegian, ' And thank you, Wentzel, for your timely
aid. I doubt much if I could have saved the boy alone.'

"Wentzel blushed, and murmured something about its
being nothing, he was only too glad to be of any service.
Then Archie seemed to come to himself, and laying liis
hand upon his father's knee, said in such a pleading way,
' Was I very much to blame, father ? I really could not
help it. Spot was frightened by the guns, and I could
not hold him.'

Evidently he dreaded his father's saying something like
this : ' There now,'Archie, it is just as I told you. You're
not fit to take part in a hunt yet, you see.'

But if any such idea was in Mr. M'Kenzie's mind, he
took good care not to express it. On the contrary, he
answered the boy's anxious question by asking another,
which completely turned the current of his thoughts —

' Why, laddie, what's become of your gun ? '

Archie instinctively threw his hand to his shoulder,
but no gun was there. Without doubt he had dropped it.

'Let it drop, eh?' said the factor, smiling. 'Well,
it'll need a new lock, stock, and barrel by this time, if I'm
not mistaken. Did you fire it off before you let it go ? '

'Yes, indeed, father,' replied Archie promptly, much
relieved at this turn in the conversation. ' I shot a
young bison right behind the shoulder, just where you
told me to.'

THE RIVAL ESTABLISHMENT

' Oh, ho ! I'm glad to hear that,' said the factor.
' Suppose now we go back a bit, and see if there is
anything left of the gun.'

They accordingly rode slowly back over the turf, torn
up by thousands of furious hoofs, and had not gone far
before Archie exclaimed joyfully —

' There he is ; I know him by that queer tuft of hair on
liis hump. That's the fellow I shot.'

Lying on the ground at their feet was a splendid young
bison, who had evidently died hard.

iiliiiliiliiiiSliiiiiiiiiyiiiiiiliiiiiilli^^

' So that's your prize, Archie ? ' said Mr. M'Kenzie. ' Let's
see if we can find your bullet. On which side did you
shoot him ? '

' On his right side, father,' answered Archie.

The bison was lying on his left side.

Tlic factor scanned him carefully.

'Eight you are, laddie,' he cried, touching with his
finger a spot just behind the shoulder. 'Here's youf
mark. Your pop-gun lias been good for something after

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

all. This is as fine a piece of meat as we shall get
to-day.'

While tliey were talking the Norwegian had gone on,
keeping a sharp look-out upon the ground, and presently he
called out —

* Hurrah ! I've got it, and I don't think it's injured at
all.' Jumping to the ground, he picked up the gun, and
turned it over in his hand. '^

* No,' he declared, ' not injured a bit, only some slight
dents and scratches.' And he handed it to Archie.

Greatly relieved, Archie took his gun, and patting it
tenderly, said to it —

' You're not broken, are you ? You'll kill many a
buffalo for me yet — see if you don't.'

In the meantime the work of death had been going on
fast and furious, until the factor, unwilling that there
should be needless slaughter, shouted to the men to stop,
an order which, being pretty well tired out, they were not
loth to obey. On reckoning up the results of the hunt,
they were found to be entirely satisfactory. Over one
hundred bison had been killed, the majority being fat, tender
young animals that would make the best of pemraican ;
and it now remained to cut their meat up into long strips
and dry these in the sun before returning to the fort.

This work occupied several days, during which Archie,
who had no relish for it, amused himself exploring the
country round about, riding upon Spot and accompanied
by a pack of dogs that were always getting very much
excited over something, but in the end not accomplishing
much. The prairie dogs afforded him some fine practice

THE RIVAL ESTABLISHMENT

in shooting, so that he did not find the hours hang heavily
upon his hands.

The homeward journey was a sort of triumphal progress,
everybody feeling that the expedition had covered itself
with glory, and none being better pleased than Archie
himself, for he considered that he had fairly won his place
among the men, and that there would no longer be any
question about his accompanying his father whenever he
wanted to do so.

On his return to the fort the factor was met by Mr.
Stewart, who had been left in charge, with a communication
that caused him to look very grave, and to make clear the
import of wliich it will be necessary to take a little dip
into history.

The North- West Fur Company did not by any means
have the field to itself in carrying on its business. It was
not, indeed, the first in that field. More tlian a century
before there was any such organisation, the 'Honourable
Company of Merchant Adventurers trading into Hudson's
Bay,' or, as it was called for short. The Hudson's Bay
Company, had been granted by royal charter very extensiv(3
and indefinite rights and privileges in the great lone land
of the North- West. Until late in the eighteenth century
this Company had been content with the business that
came to the shores of the bay, many of their Indian
customers travelling hundreds of miles and enduring great
privation in order to exchange their beaver, bear, and mink
skins for guns, beads, blankets, kettles, hatchets, knives,
and other articles with which the Company alone could
supply them.

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

But long before this the gay, daring, reckless conreurs
dcs hois of Canada, and in their wake tlie shrewd, enterpris-
ing merchants of Montreal, had been pusliing farther and
farther into the West by way of the Great Lakes, and the
Ouinipique, Assiniboine, and Saskatchewan Eiver routes,
competing eagerly in the quest for furs, and resorting to
every expedient, proper and improper, to get the better
of the Indians and of one another ; with the result that in
a little while they brought both themselves and the trade
to the verge of lain. In this extremity some of the
shrewdest of th: Sc ' hmen saw their opportunity, and,
suggesting combination instead of competition, succeeded
with little difficiiifcj' * ' ui .*.:'i g the clashing interests into
one body which should work harmoniously for the benefit
of all. Thus came into being the great North-West Fur
Company, which at once set to work witli immense energy
and exceeding skill to make vast fortunes out of the peltry
traffic. Forts and posts were established North, South,
and West from Eed River, and no effort was spared to
secure every skin that was to be had.

Of course this could not go on very long without
infringing upon the chartered privileges of the Hudson's
Bay Company, and this corporation, awaking from its long
sleep, manifested little less energy and enterprise in
looking after its rights. Wherever the Nor'-Westers
established a post or built a fort, the Hudson Bays
promptly put another near by ; and when the latter
happened to be first on the spot, the former returned the
compliment. Thus, not half a mile distant from Fort
Chipewyan stood Fort Wedderburne, the Hudson Bay

THE RIVAL ESTABLISHMENT

establishment, a much less extensive affair, but still
sufficient to show that the older Company had no idea of
leaving its rival unwatched and unopposed.

For some time tlie rivalry between the two companies
had been of quite a friendly nature. The residents were,
as a rule, upon excellent terms, and frequently enjoyed
one another's hospitality in the shape of balls and dinners
during the long, dreary winters. But of late years
a different spirit had begun to show itself. In the
Red lliver district, where the competition was keenest,
unfortunate collisions in which blood was shed had
occurred, and a feeling of uneasiness and of mutual
suspicion was taking the place of the old cordiality and
good fellowship.

The worst feature of this new order of things was, that
the rivals sought by every device to alienate the Indians
from each other, bidding for their exclusive friendship by
extravagant presents, and — to their shame be it said — by
lavish outlay of the poor red man's deadliest curse, the
firewater for which he would at any time barter his very
soul.

Against both these evils Mr. M'Kenzie had, until this
summer, been able to make a successful stand. So much
was he respected and admired at Fort Wedderburne, that
no chill had fallen upon the pleasant relations between
the two establishments, and so profound was the influence
his splendid courage and unwavering fair dealing had
won for him among the Indians, that not one of those
whom he could rightly regard as his parishioners had need
to be bribed by firewater to remain faithful to him.

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

But early in the season the factor at Fort Wedderburne
had been recalled, and his place filled by one who brought
witli liini from lied River feelings of intense animosity
against tlie Nor'-Westers, and a burning ambition to win
renown by doing them all the harm he possibly could.
Mr. M'Kenzie hit the mark when he surmised that the
change was no accident, but only the first steps in a
carefully prepared policy, the object of which was tlie
downfall of Fort Chipewyan.

In ma"y respects the Hudson Bays could hardly have
chosen a better agent for their purpose than Miles
M'Dougal. He had been in their employ from his teens,
and to him the Company meant everything. For it he
lived and moved and had his being. No strategy was too
mean, no use of force too brutal, provided the Company
profited. The end justified the means, and not a qualm of
conscience had he, so long as he succeeded. He was very
different in appearance from Mr. M'Kenzie, being of
middle stature, and very thickset, with absurdly bowed
legs and huge flat feet. His head was squal^and seemed
almost to rest upon his broad shoulders, so short was his
neck, and his face was no less ugly than his figure was
ungraceful, yet the one spoke as plainly of craft and
cruel determination as the other did of strength and
tireless endurance. Altogether he was one who at
first glance made you feel that it were far better to be
his friend than his enemy, and best of all to be neither
the one nor the other.

On his arrival at Fort Wedderburne, Mr. M'Kenzie had
at once made overtures of friendship, but they were so

THE RIVAL ESTABLISHMENT

ungraciously received tliat he did not repeat them, and
with much regret realised that the two forts must soon
become hostile camps instead of sociable neighbours. Not
only so, but that henceforth he must maintain a sleepless
vigilance if he would hold his own against this new
influence, accounts of whose evil work in other districts
had already reached Fort Cliipewyan. In a fair open
contest he had nothing to fear. He had many advantages
on his side. His men outnumbered M'Dougal's two to
one. His establishment was larger and better equipped.
He had won the confidence and the love of the Indians by
a thousand acts of kindness and long years of honest
dealing. There was but one way in which M'Dougal
could hope to supplant him, and that way Mr. M'Kenzie
knew well enough his rival would not hesitate to adopt.

From the curse of firewater the factor of Fort Chipewyan
had kept his skirts clear. He detested strong drink in
every shape, and if at any time the alternative between
using it in his trade and resigning his position had been
presented to him, he would have resigned at once. His
superiors fully understood this, and respecting his sturdy
principles, made no attempt to interfere with their practice.
No post sent in better returns than his, and that was all
they were concerned about. But the new factor at Fort
Wedderburne had not been long installed before the
firewater argument was brought into play, and the news
which met Mr. M'Kenzie on his return from the buffalo
hunt, and which made him look so grave, was that a
band of Chipewyans, whose coming with many packs of
peltries he had expected, had been met by M'Dougal

ARCHIE APK/iN/JE

and his men u day's journey from the fort, and plied
with li([Uor until, forgetting all their obligations to Mr.
M'Kenzie, to whom the furs were pledged for advances
made, they had parted witli them to their tempter, at a
price far below their real wortli, and were now well on
their way home again, for they would not dare to come to
the fort.

Mr. M'Kcnzie would not cast a cloud upon the general
rejoicing caused by the success of the hunt by letting it be
seen how much he was disturbed.

'M'DougaVs outwitted us this time, Stewart; there's
no getting over that,' he said, assuming a cheerful
expression. * But never mind, it'll be our turn next, if
we only keep our eyes open. He's taught us a lesson we
mustn't forget.'

That evening he called Wentzel into his room, and they
had a long and earnest talk together.

* There's trouble brewing, I greatly fear, Wentzel,' said
the factor, making no pretence to hide from his right-hand
man and trusty confidant the gravity of the situation,
' We must try and meet guile with guile as long as we
can ; but so surely as I'm sitting here, it'll come to fighting
yet. The Hudson Bays claim that we're nothing better
than trespassers, you know, and some day, when they
think they're strong enough, they'll order us out, and
then — it will be a sair day for some of us.' And a heavy
sigh welled up from the big man's chest, for his thoughts
turned to his beloved wife and darling children, who
would be sure to suffer most in the event of hostilities
taking place.

THE RIVAL ESTABLISHMENT

There was a pause, during wliich both men smoked
their pipes in silence, and then tlie Norwegian, taking his
from his lips, held it before him, and, as though he were
addressing it, said slowly —

'Tliose are our furs they got from the Chipewyans.
They've stolen them just as much as if they'd taken them
from our storehouse. Aren't you going to make them
give them up ? '

The factor's eyes flashed angrily at this reminder of
the scurvy trick M'Dougal had played upon him, and the
temptation was strong to accept the challenge so quietly
and yet so earnestly offered, and to spring to his feet with
a vow that those furs should be in Fort Chipewyun
storehouse ere another sun had set. But his Scotch
sagacity stood him in good stead. He knew well enough
that to begin in that way would be tlie height of foil}',
and putting a strong curb upon his feelings, he replied in
the same measured tones in which Wentzel had spoken.

' No, no, "Wentzel, that would not do. We must keep

off the evil day as long as we can. Don't let our men

hear you talking like that, but, instead, just give them a

hint to have as little to do with the Fort Wedderburne

folk as possible. M'Dougal will lose no chance to be

ugly. Let him be the first to quarrel. We must try tc

have right as well as might on our side, and, besides, there

ought to be letters soon from Fort William, and I want

to wait and see what news they bring before taking Mr.

M'Dougal in hand.'

The question was further discussed between the two

men, with the result that Wentzel agreed that Mr.
4

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

iM'Kcnzie'n way was tlio best. Accordingly, no eflbrt
was made to recover tlie fuvH, l)ut the various employees
were instructed to be on tlieir guard, and matters went on
as usual, until, as fate would have it, Archie had an
encounter with the factor of Fort Wedderburne that came
very near causing the smouldering lires to burst out into
open llame, and subsequently brought very disagreeable
consequences upon himself.

I i i

il! i

ClIAPTEli IV

»• »;

KIDNAri'KI)

JiCHIK liiid no lack of playmates at the
I'oit. Although his fathor Wii- the only
Olio of the oflicials that had yet taken to
himseli' a wife, many of the employees were
married, and, as a rule, their partners were
*^? Indian women who had been purcluised, not

wooed. The >.'^ildren of these mixed marriages swarmed
about the place u. all stages of growth, from innocent
little papooses done up tightly in their bark cradles, to
well-crrown boys as full of mischief as eggs are full of

meat.

Over these tawny companions Archie held un-
questioned sway, not merely because he was the factor's
son, but because he had fought his way to leadership by
sheer force of fists. As already told, he was of a proud,
ambitious, impetuous nature, that brooked no authority
save that which he was in duty bound to recognise. Had
he been asked to choose a motto for himself, and been
familiar with classical literature, his choice would certainly

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

have been, Aut Ccesar aut nuUus, which, put hito plam
English, means, " I'll be boss or nothing."

Being gifted with more than usual powers both of mind
and body, Archie, once his supremacy was clearly
established, had little difliculty in maintaining it, and
very proud was he of the small army of boys that obeyed
lri« orders us implicitly as their fathers did the commands
of Mr. M'Kenzie.

There was no limit to the fun they had.

In summer the noble lake was always ready for races
in canoes or exciting swimming matches, while the broad
level stretch at the other side of the fort made a fine
ground upon which to play the game of Crosse, out of
which the modern game of Lacrosse has been developed.
Then in winter-time came the snow-shoeing away across
the plains and back to the I'ort, the tobogganing down
the steep shores of the lake and out upon its iceclad
bosom, and the setting of snares for the foxes, minks,
martens, and other furry creatures that they were now
and^then lucky enough to take captive.

One fine cool autumn afternoon, the boys were having
a grand time of it playing Crosse on a piece of clear
ground about midway between the two forts, when a fleet-
footed youngster, seeinp '\at his side were getting nmch
the worst of it, picked .p the ball in his crosse and ran
off with it at the top of his speed in the direction of Fort
Wedderburne. As soon as the others understood his
trick, both sides joined in the chase, yelling with all their
might, while they did their best to run him down.

On they sped towards the fort, the little rascal wli

()

KIDNAPPED

was running off with the ball intending to make believe
to seek refuge there, because he knew well enough it was
not likely any of the others would dare to follow him.
Too absorbed in their play to notice anything else, they
swept round a rise in the ground, and suddenly were
brought face to face with Mr. M'Dougal, who had just
issued forth from the fort mounted upon a young horse
whose education t"» tlie saddle had not yet been completed.
The unexpected and startling appearance of this horde
of yelling young savages, as nught be expected, proved
altogether too much for the nerves of the half-broken
animal, and with a wild spring to one side he pitched
the surprised factor clear over his head, and galloped off,
leaving him sprawling upon the ground.

A good deal shaken up, but not otherwise the worse
for his tumble, Mr. M'Dougal scrambled to his feet and
looked about him, to find a score of boys grinning from
ear to ear at his discomfiture. He was furious enough
because of his fall, but this adding of insult to injury, as
it seemed to him, drove him frantic. He held in his
hand a stout riding-whip of twisted raw hide, and
brandishing this, he rushed upon the boy nearest him,
roaring out —

'You little scoundrels, I'll teach you not to frigliton
my horse again ! '

He looked dreadful in his raging wrath, and tlio boys
shrunk from him appalled, tlieir merry shouts giving way
to cries of terror. But happily they were all too agile for
him to get within striking distance, and lie would have
wasted his fury upon the empty air had not one of the

ARCHIE AfKENZIE

smallest of the lads, in his eagerness to escape, tripped
and twisted his ankle, and in a moment the factor was
upon him.

The poor little fellow looked up pleadingly into the
big man's face, his tawny cheeks made pallid with fright,
and only one with the instincts of a brute could have
struck him as he cowered on the ground. But M^^^s

M'Dougal was a Itrutc, and, moreover, he was beside him-
self with passion. With the full strength of his arm ho
struck the lad a blow across the back that brought out a
piercing scream of anguish, and the cruel whip was again
raised to strike when a clear young voice cried out
indignantly —

' You coward ! you brute I Don't strike that boy

again.

Astounded at being thus addressed, Mr. M'Dougal let

KIDNAPPED

his hand drop as he turned to see who had spoken. It
was Archie, who, with face aflame and blazing eyes, stood
not ten yards distant, full of a wild desire to fling himself
at the factor's throat, for the prostrate boy was little
Sautloulai (Sunshine), the youngest son of old Akaitchko,
and dear to Archie, not only for his father's sake, but
because he was the brightest, best-natured boy at the
fort.

On seeing who it was, the factor gave a fierce snort of
contempt.

' Coward and brute, eh ? Just wait until I'm done with
this chap, and then I'll give you your turn,' he growled,
and had once more lifted his whip, when Archie's crosse,
hurled witli all the boy's might, and with admirable aim,
struck his arm just at the elbow, and chancing to hit the
funny-bone, caused the whip to drop from his paralysed
grasp. Eoaring out an awful oath, the factor paused for
a moment to rub his injured member. Then, regaining
the whip, and forgetting all about little Sautloulai in his
unbounded rage at Archie, he rushed after the latter like
a maddened bull.

]>ut he might as well have i based a will-o'-the-wisp.
In all his life he had never known a day when he could
run as fast as Archie, and now that he was verging towards
middle age, and as stout as his active mode of life would
suffer him to become, Archie could have given him
twenty yards in a hundred and beaten him easily.
Laughing gleefully at the success of his interference in
his playmate's behalf, and at the idea of ]\Ir. IM'Dougal
imagining he could catch 7m/«, Archie bounded off lightly,

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

his pursuer toiling laboriously after him, until they came
within a hundred yards of Fort Chipewyan, when the
factor, being by that time completely winded, decided to
give up the chase, and, shaking his whip after the fleet-
footed boy, panted out —

' You little wretch, I'll punish you well for this yet, as
sure as my name's M'Dougal ! '

Then, turning about, he went in search of his runaway
steed.

In the meantime the rest of the boys had fled to cover,
and when Mr. M'Dougal finally disappeared, made their
way back to the fort, well pleased at having got off so
well. As for poor little Sunshine, who had not only a
sore ankle but a bruised l)ack to endure, he received so
much sympathy and attention, particularly from Archie,
tliat he hardly regretted his sufferings.

When Mr. M'Kenzie heard of what had occurred, he
could not help enjoying a hearty laugh at the ridiculous
light in which it presented his rival, and he praised
Archie warmly for the manly part he had taken. ]3ut
when the laugh was over, his face grew grave again as he
said —

' It's all well enough to laugh, Archie, and I certainly
don't blame you, my boy, for what you did. But at the
same time I should be very glad if this had not happened.
M'Dougal is your enemy as well as mine now, and he
won't lose a chance to do either of us an ill turn. Keej)
well clear of him, Archie lad, and of all belonging to him.'

The factor not only spoke the truth, but uttered a
])i'ophecy in these words. Mr. M'Dougal would not

KIDNAPPED

indeed lose a chance of doing either of them ill. To the
animosity he felt towards Mr. M'Kenzie, just because he
was his rival, had been added a sense of personal injury
and indignity that fdled him with a consuming thirst for
revenge, which nothing but revenge, sweet and full, would
ever appease. But Archie did not know this, and having
promised his father to keep well out of Mr. M'Dougal's
way, he thought little more about the matter as the hot
summer cooled into autumn, and the chill days drew
near.

In spite of all the efforts at interference from the
Hudson Bays, the Nor'- Westers, by dint of ceaseless
vigilance and skilful bartering, secured a rich return of
peltries as usual, and it was with no small sense of relief
tliat their chief regarded the approach of winter, when the
Indians would all have returned to their homes, if such
they might be called, and there would be no more need
of watching for them night and day lest they should
fall into the hands of his rival.

He was glad, too, when it was no longer necessary for
him to be in the saddle or the canoe day after day, or
absent from the fort for a week at a time, for he loved liis
little home circle, and found his greatest happiness in
gathering wife and son and daughter about him, and
relating the events of his last journey, or reading to them
from one of his books.

Nor was he alone in his gladness. His good wife
Virignie, now showing a becoming df^gree of matronly
plumpness, and Kose-Marie, fast growing into bewitching
maidenhood, welcomed no less eagerly the season tliat

ARCHIE MKENZIE

kept the men much at home, for then the one had her
Donald and the other her Archie, and neither the one nor
the otlier had yet found more engaging society.

The getting ready for the long dreary winter was a
serious business at such a large establishment as Fort
Chipewyan. Innnense stocks of pemmican had to be
prepared, uncounted white-fish dried and stacked away,
the precious stores of flour, tea, and tobacco brought up
from below, hundreds of cords of wood drawn from the
forests and piled along inside the palisade, and the various
buildings carefully gone over, that not a chink might be
left througli which the prying winter winds, always on
the look-out for an opening, could make their way.

Archie had not much time for idling in these busy days.
He acted as a sort aide-de-camp to his father, and it was
' Archie, jump on to Spot and ride over to where they're
cutting the wood, and tell Mr. Wentzel I want to speak
to him ; ' or, ' Archie, just run down to the lake and see if
the canoes are back from the fishing-grounds ; ' and so forth
and so forth. Sometimes Archie felt quite proud of being
so useful. Sometimes he thought it a bit of a bore, and
perhaps just when he was needed most would take it into
his head to m.ake himself scarce, so that the factor would
have to press one of the Indian lads into service instead.

' You are a queer chap, Archie,' \\\a father would say to
him, when the boy would return after one of these sudden
disappearances. ' I'm afraid I don't half understand you
yet. But I'm not going to worry about it. You're sound
enough at the core, and I can trust you to come out
straight enough in the end.'

KIDAAFPED

It was just by putting this implicit trust in his son that
the factor showed his far-seeing wisdom. A parent with
less penetration would probably have sought to curb and
check the boy's impetuous, wayward spirit, with the result
of making him either sullen or deceitful, or both. But
the shrewd Scotchman's idea, as expressed in his own
words, was —

' Give the laddie his head. Don't worry him. ]\Iany a
good horse has been spoiled in the breaking.'

The natural result of this method of dealing was, that the
most delightful understanding existed between father and
sou, and when under stress of temptation Archie would
now and then manifest an unruly spirit, no sooner did he
recover his balance than he at once sought his father's
forgiveness, and that granted, promptly forgot all about
the matter in his joy at being restored to favour.

While the winter preparations were still in progress, an
incident occurred which, although not thought of mucli
importance at the time, proved to have a deep significance
when reviewed in the light of subsequent events.

Late one afternoon, old Akaitchko, who had been out
upon the plains in quest of deer, came hurrying back to
the fort, evidently in a state of considerable excitement.
He would speak to nobody until he found Mr. M'Kenzic,
and when he reported to him what he had seen, the latter
showed that the communication interested him deeply.
It was to the effect that, while about ten miles off', to the
north, the old Indian had perceived the approach of a
band of Indians.

Now it was not usual for Indians to visit the fort in

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

numbers late in the autumn. They were at that time too
busy securing their winter supply of buffalo meat and
white-fish. Consequently Akaitchko's suspicions were
aroused by the appearance of this large body, and he had
contrived to inspect them carefully without allowing him-
self to be seen. His surprise was increased when he made
out that they belonged to none of the tribes which came
regularly to the fort, and he was of opinion that they must
belong to the tribe known as the Quarrellers, whose terri-
tory lay along the far northern banks of the M'Kenzie
Eiver, and concerning whom all sorts of blood-curdling
stories had circulated southward. They were known to
wage unceasing war with the Eskimo of the Arctic regions,
and were credited with eating their enemies as fast as they
killed them. They were given to the practice of strange
and horrible rites, had no respect for the law of ownership,
stealing whatever they could lay their hands upon, and
were altogether regarded as the blackest of black sheep by
the other tribes.

What possible object they might have in venturing so
far south was a question that could not be answered too
soon. The factor, accordingly, although darkness was at
hand, mounted his horse, and rode out to meet them. He
had not gone far, however, when he was met by three of
the strangers, who had evidently been sent on ahead as
ambassadors, while the main body awaited their report.
He then learned tbat Akaitchko's supposition was correct,
and that they were of the Quarrellers tribe, and had come
down for purposes of trade. He was enabled to hold
communication with them by means of a Beaver Indian

ill I

KIDNAPPED

from Great Slave Lake whoin they had brought along as
interpreter, he being sufficiently familiar both with their
dialect and with the Chipewyan which was in use at tlie
fort.

Being anxious to obtain the fullest possible information
about these new-comers, the factor greeted them cordially,
and invited all three to return to the fort with him. Alter
some discussion amongst themselves, the Beaver Indian
and one of the others accepted, the third Indian returning
to his people.

A bountiful meal of the best the fort could provide was
placed before the guests, and when they had eaten as only
hungry Indians can eat, and filled their pipes to overflow-
ing from their host's tobacco-pouch, the factor proceeded
to inquire into the object they had in making so lengthy
and unusual a journey.

The Quarreller at first did not seem inclined to be com-
municative, and sat puffing away with the contented air
of one who had dined well ; but the Beaver Indian was
full of talk, and from him Mr. M'Kenzie learned that the
main purpose of their coming was not barter, although
they had many packs of valuable furs, but to obtain a
number of muskets, accounts of whose terrible deatli-
dealiug powers had reached even their remote region.
Their hereditary foes, the Eskimo, had been getting rather
the better of them of late, and determining to utterly wipe
them out, they sought the assistance of the white man's
' thunder-arrow,' for so they described the musket.

When they were gone, the factor had a long talk over
the matter with his wife and son and Mr. Wentzel. It

ARCHIE APKENZ/E

S':

was as fixed a principle vvitli liim to refuse tlie Indians
lircarnis as firewater.

' My reason's elear enough,' lie argued. ' Let the Indians
have all the guns they want, and it'll he the story of the
Kilkenny cats over again. Besides that, the l)eaver and
l)ufralo will go fast enough as it is. There's no need to
hurry them with bullets. If every Indian carried a gun,
they'd soon make furs so scarce that we might as well go
out of the business. No, sir ; so long as I can have my
own way, not a pound of gunpowder nor gallon of brandy
shall they ever get at Fort Chipewyan.'

Mrs. M'Kenzic! looked admiringly into her husband's
face as he spoke, for she knew well what sad work both
firearms and firewater had wrought among the red men
to the South, and she had always strongly supported him
in his views.

Archie, who had been gazing thoughtfully into the fire,
as soon as the factor finished, turned to him and asked —

' But, father, won't Mr. M'Dougal give the Indians what
they want, and might we not just as well get their furs,
since we have the first chance ? '

To which question Mr. Wentzel, who did not altogether
share his chief's opinion, gave an approving nod.

Mr. M'Kenzie, assuming an expression of shocked
surprise, exclaimed, with a dramatic gesture —

' Would my boy Archie tempt me like that ? Get thee
behind me, Satan.'

Archie reddened up to the roots of his hair, and tried to
stammer out something in his own defence; while his
mother, seeing his confusion, hastened to his rescue.

KIDNAPPED

' I don't think Archie means to tempt you, DonaM,' said
she gently. • He only spoke what was in his mind, and
what, I confess, was in my mind too, although of course I
don't think it's a good argument.'

The factor laughed pleasantly, and clapped Arcliie on
the shoulder.

' You only spoke the wisdom of the world, laddie, and
I'm not blaming you. ]iut look here, my son : if you knew
that the guns these Quarrellers want would be used to
slaughter poor Eskimo, who had nothing better than arrows
and spears of bone, would you take much satisfaction in
supplying them ? '

' No, indeed,' cried Archie promptly. ' I was not
thinking of that when I said what I did.'

The end of it was that, refusing to do any business with
Mr. M'Kenzie unless he would let them have the guns
and ammunition, the Quarrellers took themselves and
their furs over to his rival, whose emissaries had been
amongst them from the first. There they remained for a
fortnight, which was little better than a prolonged hoisso7is
or * drinking match,' Mr. M'Dougal, for reasons which will
subsequently appear, seeing fit to supply them not only
with the firearms, but with as much brandy as they could
drink, with the result that no less than five murders were
committed, for all of which tlio new weapons that INIr.
M'Kenzie had so wisely refused them were responsible.

Mr. M'Kenzie gave orders that none of his people should
have anything to do with them, and awaited with some
impatience their departure.

Tliere had come to Athabasca the last spell of mild

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

weather ere the stern ^'rasp of winter finally closed upon
the land, and Archie, who was passionately fond of hunting,',
taking little Sautloulai as his companion, went after
partvidf,'^ in the forest that began al)0ut a mile from the
fort, and stretched away interminably northward. On ids
way thither he encountered Mr. M'Dougal, returning to
Fort Wodderburne from a sinnlar errand, and al'terwards he
remend)ered the peculiar look which came into the factor's
lace, a look of vindictive triumph, which seemed to say, * I
see my cluince to get even with you now.'

But he soon forgot about the meeting in the excitement
of partridge-shooting, and indeed forgot about the ilight of
time also, so that his companion, who was acting the part
of retriever for him, and consequently not enjoying the
sport {IS much as the one that did the shooting, had to
remind him more than once that the sun had set, ere he
bethought himself of turning his face homeward.

He divided the birds, of which there were around dozen,
into two lots, and giving Sautloulai one, was just about to
sling the other upon his shoulder, when suddenly four
Indians, who had crept up unseen, ilung themselves upon
the boys, and before they could utter a cry or make a
movement to escape, had bound and gagged them, and were
bearing them off rapidly into the fast-darkening depths of
the forest.

CHAl'TKli \

IN CAI'TIVITV

swift and sudduii was the captuiv that
neither of the hoys coukl niiUve u
struggle heforc they were so securely
hound that all struggling was useless.
Uttering no sound save deep ' ughs ! '
expressive of satisfaction at their
.success, the Indians, seeming to find their prisoners no
more impediment to sjjced than they would have found
the partridges, hastened onward until they reached an
open glade, wliere, by the dim light, four horses could
be descried tethered to the trees. Upon these they
mounted, two of them taking a l)oy on in front, and
keeping the animals at a rapid walk, they pushed ahead,
it evidently being their determination to put as nuich
distance as possible between themselves and the forts ere
daybreak.

It Would not be easy to describe the thoughts that
were passing through Archie's mind while all this was
happening. So harmonious were the relations between

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

Fort Chipewyan and the Indian tribes fu^' and near, tliat
lie had always been accustomed to look upon the red men
as his good friends. Indeed, he was a great favourite
amongst them, and many a trick of the paddle and artifice
of the snare had he learned from their deft lingers, while
in turn he would give them little presents of tea, or
tobacco, or beads, that were always welcome. By being
much in their company, he had scraped some acquaintance
with their language, and by dint of vigorous gestures
could make himself fairly well understood in the
Chipewyan and Beaver dialects. The tinge of Indian
blood in him of course made this all the sasier, and, in
fact, he felt almost as much at home amcng his duskv
cousins as among the white men.

Oonse(|uently, when he found himself carried oiF in this
strange and startling fashion, he was not long in making
u]) his mind as to who his captors were. Without a doubt
they were some of the Quarrellers, but what reason they
had for their action he could not imagine, think as hard
as he might. Even though there had been no gag in his
mouth, it would be useless to ask questions, for the
(Quarrellers' dialect was utterly unknown to him, and it
was already so dark tliat he could not see their faces
clearly enough to read the expression upon them.

The Indians who had charge of liimself and Sautloulai
were in the middle of the single file, and when the horses
came close together, he could hear tlie poor frightened
little fellow behind him crying bitterly. His own heart
was beating wildly, and he knew that his face was white
with anxiety, but he resolved that, come what might, he

IN CAPTIVITY

would bear himself like a man, and let those Indians,
whatever might be their design, see that the son of the
factor of Fort Chipewyan would not bring discredit upon
himself by showing the slightest symptom of fear.

Throughout the night the journey was continued
witliout a halt, the Indians seeming to find their way
almost as readily as if it were broad daylight. In this
tliey had much help from the moon, which rose about
nine o'clock, and threw its cold beams upon their path,
enabling Archie to perceive that they were following
closely the left bank of the Slave lliver, whicli forms the
connecting link between Lake ^-ithabasca and the Great
Slave Lake, more than two hundred miles duo north ; and
he began to wonder how far his captors would take him
if he was not rescued from them.

The gag prevented him from speaking, but it was no
obstacle to thinking, and his brain busied itself with
anxious speculations as to what the dear ones at the fort
were doing, and whether they had yet found any clue as
to his strange disappearancr He wonld, of course, be
missed as soon as the night came without his return, and
lie felt sure that no time would be lost in sending
serirchers out after him. But, alas ! it was not much they
would be able to do in the darkness. The ground was as
hard as iron. Xot even old Akaitchko's marvelhnis eyes
could possibly track liis footsteps, and then lie and
Sautloulai had wandered in all directions through the
woods, seeking the partridge coveys, so that even the best
of dogs would be at fault. The more lie tliouglit tliis
over, the heavier grew his heart, and it rec^uired all his

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

self-control to keep back the tears that tried hard to make
tlieir way down his cheeks.

Soon aftoi' diiyliglit tlie Indians turned off sharply to
the left, and pushing through a tliick bunch of timber,
came into a secluded dell, where a spring of clear water
bubbled up through a growing rim of ice, and the grass
grew rank and dense. The leader said something that
sounded like a succession of grunts, to Nvhi^^h the others
responded with ppproving 'ughs!' and tlien tiiey all
dismounted, and hobbling their horses let them loose to
feed and rest.

As soon as he wns put down, Archie turned to the
Indian with whom he had ridden, and with appealing
looks and i-estures besou-'ht him to remove his bonds.
The Indian consulted with his companions for a
moment, and then, to the boys' immense relief, took off
both gag and thong.^, and set tliem free. By a common
ini])ulse the two lads threw their arms about one another's
necks ; and then poor Archie, wearied with the long ride,
cliilled to the bone by the piercing night air, and
overcome with a sense of his utter helplessness, could
control himself no longer, and the sobs, hitherto so
manfully kept back, shook his whole frame, as little
Sautloulai's tears mingled with his own.

But it was not for long. His passion of grief presently
spent itself, and drawing himself up, he said in a firm tone
to his companion —

' Crying won't make it any better, Sautloulai, so let's
cheer up and see what they are going to do with us. I
don't believe they'll do us any harm. Perhaps they only

IN CAPTIVITY

bo make

irply to
timber,
xr \vater
he grass
Liig that
le others
tiiey all
loose to

:1 to the
ippealiug
is bonds.
S for a
took off
common
another's
long ritle,
air, and
ss, could
therto so
as little

presently
firm tone

i, so let's
th us. 1
they only

mean to keep us until father finds us out, and gives them
guns and powder to give us up again. I do think that
must be it.'

Shivering, hungry, and exhausted, Sautloulai looked
like anything else rather than sunshine, yet he tried to
smile hopefully through his tears at Archie's brave words,
and the latter was encouraged to add —

' Tlie braver we are, the better they'll be to us, Sautlouhu,
so we won't let them see any more crying if we can help
it, will we ? '

In the meantime the Indians had started a fire, and
were preparing some pemmican soup in a small kettle one
of them carried on his back. There was nothing else for
breakfast save tliis, but there was no lack of appetite, and
even the boys forgot their troubles long enougli to eat a
licarty meal, at which the Indians seemed very weii
pleased. So far as could be judged, they meant no harm
to their young captives beyond the carrying them off, and
what possible object they could have in this, except the
one he had mentioned to Sautloulai, Archie was entirely
at a loss to conceive.

A couple of hours were spent in the dell, and then the
liorses were caught and remounted, the boys being put
witli different Indians this time, but left unfettered, and
the little party moved off' again in the direction of Great
Slave Lake, the same rapid pace beiug maintained, and
every hour meaning at least six miles' more distance
between the boys and their liome.

And now what was taking place at Fort Chipewyan ?
As the darkness approached, and Archie did not return,

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

I 1

ill

li'l

his mother began to worry about him, and again and again
sent liosc-Marie to the gate to see if he was not coming.
Mr. M'Kenzie had been down at the lake fishing, and did
not get back until niglitfall. Tlie moment he appeared,
his wife asked him if he had seen anything of Archie, and
on his replying in the negative showed so much anxiety,
that, saying reassuringly, ' Oh, the lad's all right. He's
Ijcen so eager after the partridges that he hasn't noticed
the sun going down,' he called up one of the half-breeds,
and sent him off to the woods to hurry the boys home.
An hour passed, during the course of which the factor
himself began to share his wife's concern ; and then
the half-breed returned, saying that he could not find
a trace of the boys, although he had shouted, and fired
off his gun, and in every way tried to attract their
attention.

Now seriously alarmed, the factor ordered out every
man in the fort, and, rapidly organising them into three
parties, commanded respectively by Mr. Wentzel, Mr.
Stewart, and himself, and well supplied with pine torches,
set forth in search of the missing boys. If he had
only known that the factor of Fort "Wedderburne,
standing at his gate, and catching the gleam of the
torches as they flitted like fireflies through tlie trees,
smiled with grim triumph, Siiying to himself, ' Hunting
for your cub, eh ? Wish you luck in finding him.
It's Miles INI'Dougal's turn now,' he might have tried
other measures to get upon the track of his son. But
he knew nothing then of his remorseless rival's part in
the matter.

IN CAPTIVITY

iiid again
t coming.
J, and did
appeared,
:chie, and
1 anxiety,
ht. He's
't noticed
If-brecds,
lys home,
he factor
md then
not iind
and fired
act their

lit every
ito three
zel, Mr.

torches,

lie had
Llerlnirne,

of the
le trees,
Hunting

^ him.
ve tried
ion. But

j)nrt in

Sending the other two parties on aliead, with orders to
search as though their lives depended upon success, Mr.
M'Kenzie went over to tlie camp of Quarrellers, to try if
they could give him any hint as to the whereabouts of the
boys. ])Ut his visit was fruitless. ]\Iost of the men were
oitlier still drunk, or stupid from the effects of their pro-
longed debauch ; and anyway the Beaver Indian, by
whose aid alone it would have been possible to hold com-
munication with them, was not to be found, the truth
being that, shrewdly anticipating such a step, M'Dougal
had the Indian at that moment lying in a drunken sleep
in one of his storerooms.

Soon seeing that there was nothing to be gained from
them, Mr. M'Kenzie hastened to the woods, and joined the
others in their eager search, which continued without
pause the whole night through, none being more active than
Akaitchko, who loved Archie but little less than he did
the darling of his old age, bright little Sautloulai. Neither
he nor the factor could in any way understand their sons'
disa]ipearance. It was too early in the winter for wolves
or wild cats to be dangerous. There were no bears known
to be in the neighbourhood, and the Indians round about
were considered almost as trustworthy as the employees of
the fort.

The more he turned the matter over in liis mind, the
more convinced Mr. M'Kenzie became that the factor of
I'ort Wedderburne was in some way at the Ijottom of the
boys' disappearance. But how, in the absence of any
evidence, was he to bring the thing home to him ? If the
<,>uarreller3 knew anything, they could not tell it, even

ARCHIE M'KENZTE

I I *

i.' '

4 i

i " '1

3 'I
I' Mi

though they would, and none of M'Dongal's men would
dare to betray their master's secret.

Wearied, worried, and perplexed, Mr. IM'Kenzie returned
to the fort at daybreak, to be met at the gate by his wife,
who Iiad not closed her eyes all night, and wlio, on seeing
him without Arcliie, burst into a passion of tears, and fell
lialf fainting into his arms. Forcing a hopeful expression,
the factor sought to comfort her, although indeed his own
heart was very heavy, and it was only because he knew
he must eat in order to bear the fatigues of the day before
him, that he could taste the food made ready for him. In
twos and threes the other searchers returned, all having
the same disheartening reply to make to Mrs. M'Kenzie's
eager questionings ; and while they were resting and eating
tlieir breakfast, Mr. M'Kenzie determined to swallow his
pride, and go over to Fort Wedderburne, in the faint hope
of there lighting upon some clue to his boy.

He found M'Dougal enjoying a morning pipe, and liis
suspicion that this man knew something about the matter
was deepened by the malicious leer which marked his
ugly countenance as, rising from his chair, he greeted his
visitor with mock courtesy —

* I'm sure this is an unexpected honour, Mr. M'Kenzie.
Pray take a seat, and fill up your pipe. There's a great
deal of comfort in a smoke these cold mornings.'

Not heeding either the tone of the speaker or Ids
invitation to smoke, Mr. M'Kenzie plunged at once into
the subject which engrossed his thoughts. Still wearing
that m{\licious leer which made his visitor long to smite
him in the face, M'Dougal answered lightly —

IN CAPTIVITY

en would

J returned
' ]iis wife,
on seeinr;
!, and foil
cpression,

I his own
he knew
ay before
liini. In

II havintr
'Kenzie's
k1 eating
illow his
int hope

and lii.s
3 matter
■ked his
eted his

'Ken/ie.
a great

or liis
ice into
vearinn;
smite

' Do I know anything about your boy ? Well, I don't
just understand how I am responsible for him. He has
not been in the way of informing me as to his movements.'

Mr. M'Kenzie's hand clenched, and an angry Hush
l)urned on his bronzed cheek, but restraining his rising
wrath, he said in a quiet, firm tone —

'I did not imagine that Archie would have told you
where he was going, but I thought that perhaps you or
some of your men might have seen him yesterday after-
noon, and I would be obliged if you would kindly make
inquiry amongst them.'

' Oh, certainly ! very happy to do so, I am sure,'
replied M'Dougal. ' Come with me, and we'll ask the men.
They're all about the fort somewhere.'

So the two men went out together, the one already
despairing of gaining anything by his visit, the otlier
rejoicing in the depths of his evil heart at the father's
deep concern, and the knowledge that every hour's delay
decreased the cliances of Archie's recovery.

The men were closely questioned by Mr. IM'Kenzie
without result. As a matter of fact, they were quite as
much in the dark as he was himself. Except M'Dougal,
only one man at the fort possessed the secret, and that
was the Beaver Indian, still safely shut up in the store-
house, and thus prevented from revealing it, even thougli
he had been so disposed. After a fruitless hour's inquiry,
]\Ir. ]\rKenzie returned to Foi't Cliipewyan, and gave
direction for one half of his force to make ready to set out
again, this time upon tlieir horses, and witli provisions for
several days.

ARCHIE M' KEN/. IE

I I

Tho necessary preparations took some little time, and
the sun was well up in tlie heavens when Mr. ]M'Kenzie
bade g(»od-hye to his weeping wife and daughter, and
telling them to pray for his speedy return witli Archie
safe and sound, rode off at the head of a dozen of his best
men. As Lake Athabasca lay to the soutliward, tliere was
no chance of Archie having gone in that direction. He
must be in the north somewhere, and accordingly the
little band pressed forward rapidly towards the Slave
liiver, and was soon lost to view in the depths of the forest.

In the meantime, the quartette of Quarrellers, with their
two captives, had been making good progress in the
direction of Great Slave Lake. The day was clear and
cold, the ground hard with frost, and they followed as
closely as they could the line of the river, occasionally
making a short cut across country where its windings
were too frequent. Aside from his natural anxiety,
Archie found the journey intolerably wearisome. He had
not a comfortal»le position, perched up behind a none-too-
clean Indian, and compelled to cling tight to him in order
to save himself from falling olf. His guardian never
uttered a word, and even if he had, it would not have been
intelligible. Sautloulai was too far away to talk with.
So he had no other resource than his own thoughts. But
these were moving briskly enough. Now they were
turned to Fort Chipewyan, and what was being done
there to recover him. Anon they were occupied plainiing
out schemes for escape.

He felt sure that already every man that could possibly
be spared from the fort was out in search of him, and that

IN CAPTIVITY

time, and

]\I'Keii/iu

liter, iuul

\\ Archie

f liis best

.iiere was

;ion. Pie

ugly the

he Slave

he forest.

i'ith their

j in the

lear and

lowed as

ixsionally

-viudings

anxiety,

He liad

one-too-

in order

never

ve been

v with.

s. But

f were

2r done

anumi!:

ossibly
id tliat

if ihcy could only liiL upon Ids track, they would not rest
until they had overtaken him. But would tliey tind any
. traces of his capture, and of the way in which lie liad l)een
carricil off? Alas! he knew well enough the cliances
were very slight, and that only by some happy accident
could they get any hint of what had happened.

The more he thought over the matter, the more clearly
it came to him that his best, if not his only plan, would
be in some way to delay the progress of his party, in order
tliat his father might have as much time as possible to
catch up, in case he was upon their track. To ellect his
own escape was out of the (piestion. lie would be run
d'jwn and recaptured in a few moments, even tliough he
should succeed in breaking away. If, then, the point was
to retard tlie speed of the Indians, the most natural way
to gain it must be to deprive them of their horses, ami,
impracticable as this might seem, Archie's bright brain,
during the course of that long day's ride, brought forth a
scheme that was no less hopeful than daring.

At midday the little party halted for a couple of hours,
the horses grazing while the Indians smoked an after-
dinner pipe, and Archie had an opportunity of talking
with Sautloulai, and telling him of his scheme. The little
fellow was in a very miserable mood, and it did not cheer
him much. It did not mean immediate escape, and he
was so desperate with cold and weariness, that at a word
from Archie he would have made a dash for liberty there
and then, although all four of the Indians were sliarply
watching every movement of the two l)oys. But Archie
was full of hope, and did his best to cheer his comi)aiiion.

ARCfflE M'KEiV/JE

I' ■!

M 'I

lillM

Tlie nftornoon was the same as the morning; u}) hill
and down dale, through hunches of timber, and across
streams already wearing their winter breastplate, keeping
up a steady jog-trot most of the time, the Indians ])us]u;d
on, until by sundown Fort Chipewyan lay nearly a hundred
miles to the south, and their tired animals had no more go
left in them. Then the halt for the night was made, and
the time for the carrying out of Archie's project drew
near.

Every nerve tingled with excitement, and his heart beat
so wildly that he dreaded lest he should betray himself,
but he managed to appear composed enough, and shortly
after nightfall lay down near the fire, and apparently fell
into a sound slumber.

The others soon followed his example, the Indians not
thinking it necessary to keep watch, and presently all was
silent save the soft crackling of the expiring fire. Half
an hour passed, and then one of the sleepers stirred, lifted
his head gently, looked round about him warily, and
listened intently to the heavy breathing of the Indians.
A moment later he rose to his feet and crept noiselessly
towards the horses, that were standing in a group together
not many yards away. He held a knife in his right hand,
and when he reached the animals, who started at his
approach, but were soon reassured by his soft cooing, he
stooped down to their forefeet, and gave four cuts in quick
succession. Then, straightening himself up, he crept back
to his place as noiselessly as he had left it, and rolling his
buffalo robe about him, seemed as though he had never
stirred.

i
\

,'; up hill
Liul across
G, keeping
ns puslu'd
a liundrcd

more go
made, and
•jcct drew

heart beat
y himself,
id shortly
reutly fell

idiaus not
;ly all was
ire. Half
red, lifted
uily, and
! Indians,
loiselessly

1 together
ght hand,
3d at his
wooing, he
5 in quick
rcpt back
oiling his
ad never

CHAPTER Vr

IN TIIK NICK OF TIME

N his haste to make ready and get away after
^^^^bM ^^^^ ^^"> ^^^'- M'Kenzie did not notice that

...saflav^o Akaitchko was not among his followers
l)Ut after they had gone a little distance,
he bethought himself of the veteran
hunter, whose rare gifts and long ex-
perience made liim peculiarly valuable for just such work
as that which they now had in hand, and he called a halt
to in(piire, with some anxiety, if any one knew what had
become of him.

' Oh, Akaitchko's all right,' said Mr. Wentzel ; ' I saw
him riding oil' to the woods on his best liorse a few
minutes after you went over to Fort Wedderburne. He's
just gone on ahead to try and pick up the boys' trr.'l.*

* God grant he may find it soon ! ' exclaimed the factor
fervently. 'Every moment is precious, liut hark! isn't
that the sound of hoofs ? '

They were approaching a glade in the forest, and
distinct upon the still morning air came the hoof-beats of

ARCHIE M'KENZIR

a galloping horse, iiiul the next moment, as they eanic out
into tlie o])cn, they saw Akaitchko bearing down upon
them at full speed. Ifeining up his horse with a
suddenness that threw it back upon its liaunches, the oi.:l
Indian, with intense excitement ex[)ressed in every lino
(•This wrinkled face, cried out —

' Me found dm ! — me found him 1 '

The factor's heart gave a wild bound of joy, and gras})ing
tlie Indian's arm, 'ic sliouted to jiim as though he won^
deaf —

' Found who ? My boy Archie ? '

Akaitchko shook his head. 'Xot Archie, but him trail,
certain sure.'

The answer was disappointing, though it gave grounds
for hope, and in a quieter tone the factor inquired —

' Found his trail ? Where ? Far from here ? '

* Not much far,' replied Akaitchko. ' Come, I show
you ; ' and wheeling his horse round, he set olf in the
direction he had come. After going about half a mile, he
reached a sort of shallow gully, along whose bottom ran
a little stream, and there, in the newly-formed ice, as plain
as print, were the marks where four horses had crossed
within the preceding twenty-four hours.

By the subtle, incomprehensible instinct of his race the
old hunter had hit upon the truth.

' Bad Indians with horses — pick up boys — take 'em
away. But Akaitchko catch 'em, certain sure;' and his
face darkened into an exi>ression that Iwded ill fur the
men wdio had carried off his son, if he should ever get his
hands upon them.

IN THE NICK OF TIME

came uul
wii upon
with ii
3, tlie old
.'ery Hik^

grasping
lie wnv

liiii trail,

grounds

I show
in the
mile, ho
.om ran
as pLiin

crossed

rare the

vo 'em
and his
for the

get his

* Yes, I believe Akaitchko's right,' cried Mr. M'Kenzie ;
' and as sure as I'm alive, that scoundrel M'Dougal is at
the bottom of this ! These Indians, whoever they are,
will be sure to follow the river bank. We must run them
down, if we kill our horses in doing it. Go ahead,
Akaitchko. You take the lead. We'll keep you in sight,
however fast you go.'

Without waiting for another word, xVkaitchko obeyed,
and the others, stringing out into a long Indian file, did
not allow him to leave them far behind, as, at a pace
possible only for perfect riders, he hurried on, making
liglit of the many obstacles that crowded the way, and
would have seriously hindered less daring horsemen.

Knowing every yard of the country by heart, Akaitchko
was able to avail himself of many shorts cuts and helpful
lUtours, whereby the speed of his party was made much
greater than that of the men he was tracking, and every
now and then he was encouraged by finding traces of the
objects of his pursuit. In the excitement of the hunt
both he and Mr. M'Kenzie were able, in some measure, to
forget their anxiety about the boys, and through the long
hours of that day they spared neither themselves nor their
horses, until at length the coming of night made further
progress impossiljle.

It was very trying to stop when perhaps they were not

many miles behind the four mysterious horsemen ; but the

animals were exhausted, and, any way, they were more

likely to lose ground than to gain it by proceeding in the

dark. So a fire was made, a frugal meal of pemmican and

tea prepared, and then, leaving one to take his turn at
6

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

watching, the others rolled up in their bison njbes, and
were soon in slumber deep.

If the fathers had known that only ten miles farther on
their own dear boys were also in camp with their captors,
the darkest night that ever came to Athabasca would
hardly have prevented them from rushing forward to their
rescue. But there wa^j no little bird or fairy to tell them
this, and wearied with the fatigues and anxieties of the
day, they slept as soundly as any of their companions.

For some time after Archie got back to his place by the
camp fire, he felt too excited to compose himself to sleej),
but at length he fell into a deep, dreamless slumber, from
which he did not awake until broad daylight. The
moment he awoke he looked eagerly about him, for his
first thought was — ' Have I succeeded ? '

With a delicious thrill of delight he saw that he had.
Not a horse was to be seen, and three of the Indians had
disappeared also, no doubt in search of the missing animals.
The fourth Indian was sitting sullenly by the fire with his
gun across his knees, and when he noticed Archie moving,
he pointed it at him, muttering something that clearly
meant —

' If you make any attempt to escape, I'll put a builei.
through you.'

But Archie was not frightened. He felt too happy at
the success of his scheme.

' Don't look so cross,' he said, with a smile . ' I'm not
going to run away, I'm just going to get some breikfast.'

The kettle was still on tlie fire with some pemaiican in

I
I

IN THE NICK OF TIME

r(jbes, and

farther on
iir captors,
Lsca would
,rd to their
D tell them
ties of the
anions.

•

lace by the
If to sleep,
mber, from
ght. The
im, for his

hat he had.
.ndians had

g animals,
re with his
lie moving,

lat clearl}'

it a buiiei.

.) happy at

'I'm not
re dv fast.'
D'.inican in

i
I

it, and rousing Sautloulai, Archie proceeded, with his
help; to scrape it clean. Then, feeling ready for anything,
he sat down opposite his surly guardian to await
developments. He v/as quivering witli suppressed
excitement, and apprehensive lest the Quarreller, observing
it, would suspect him of having something to do witli the
disappearance of the horses. But no such notion seemed
to enter the stolid savage's brain as the minutes slipped
by and the sun rose higher in the heavens.

Coxiifortable in the knowledge of the Indian not bein"
able to understand a word they were saying, the two boys
tnlked freely together.

' Xow wasn't my plan a good one ? ' asked Arcliie
triumpliantly. ' Don't you see, the moment the horses
found themselves free, they started out for home, and tlie
Indians have no more chance of catching them than they
have of catching that bird,' pointing up to a hawk swooping
swiftly through the air above their heads.

' But how do you know the horses belonged to the
fort ? ' asked Sawtloulai.

' Oh, that's easy enough,' replied Archie. ' The
Quarrellers hadn't any horses with them when they came,
so they must have got them at the fort. And then
another thing : if father's on our track, — and I'm perlcctly
sure he is, — he'll likely as not meet those horses on their
way back, and that'll tell him we can t be very far ahead,
and he'll hurry on just as fast as he can. You see if he
doesn't catch up to us to-day.'

' Oh, how I hope he will ! ' exclaimed Sautloulai. ' 1
want to get back ! I'm fdraid to be with tliesc bad

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

Indians ; ' and the poor little fellow looked as if he were
rcadv to burst into tears.

Arcliie put his arm about him tenderly, ' You will get
back, Sautloulai, never fear. The great God up tliere will
take care of us both. He won't let those bad Indians do
us any harm.'

His constant companionship with Archie, a companion-
ship which extended even to his sharing the benefits of
the factor's teaching in the winter-time, had given this
Indian boy a comprehension far beyond that of his fellows,
and the mention of God, the mysterious and all-powerful
]\Ianitou of tlie white men, to wliom ]\Ir. M'Kenzie prayed
so often, calmed and comforted liim. If Archie was sure
of such help, they would certainly get out of all their
troubles yet. So he set himself to wait in patience.

Two liours passed, and Archie was beginning to find tiie
suspense intolerable, when tliere was a rustling in the
underbrusli to the right, and all three sprang to their feet,
tlie Indian with finger upon trigger, and the boys with
hearts throbbing with hope. But it proved only the other
tliree Indians, returning from their unsuccessful hunt after
the horses. Tliey were evidently in the worst of humours,
and tlie boys felt cold shivers of apprehension going down
their backs as the angry savages regarded them with looks
whose meaning it was not difficult to make out. Archie
could not help thinkin that in some way they held him
responsible for the loss of the horses.

As they consulted earnestly together, he thought to
himself, ' Oh, what wouldn't I give to know what they're
talking about!' Had he been able to understand the

IN THE NICK OF TIME

if ho were

oil will get

tliere will

Indians do

ompanion-
benefits of
given this
lis fellows,
ll-powerful
izie prayed
c was sure
; all their
ince.

to find the
ng; in the
their feet,
boys with
r the other
hunt after
■ humours,
oing down
with looks
Archie
'■ held him

hought to
lat they're
stand the

succession of guttural grunts and growls that did duty for
a language with them, he would have found good cause
for anxiety. The fact was, they were in a very serious
dilemma. They had been bribed by M'Duugal to carry
olf the boys, their reward being a horse, a gun, and a lot
of annnunition and pemmican apiece. They were all the
more willing to undertake the job because they knew two
such sturdy lads would be welcome additions to their tribe,
and especially the white boy, whose presence would, they
thought, bring them good luck, and ensure them victory
over their inveterate enemies, the Eskimo. But now>
without horses to carry them, what were they to do ?
They could not get along as fast with their prisoners as
without them, and if pursuit were being made, as was
most probable, they would be overtaken without fail.
Then, if caught with the boys in their custody, what else
could they expect than condign punishment at the hands
of the enraged pursuers ? The simplest way out of the
difliculty seemed to be to make away with the boys, and
then to scattti' into the woods, and try and uieet again at
the shore of Great Slave Lake, when all danger of pursuit
was over.

This was the plan proposed by the oldest of the
quartette, and supported Ijy the youngest. But happily
the others were either too tender or too faint of heart to
agree oil-hand. They thought it would be l)etter to turn
the boys adrift to shift for themsehes as be.st they might,
and to make good their own retreat thus ianencuml»ered
by their captives. The discussion waxed warm, and as
the minutes dragged by, Archie, waiting with intense

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

! ' ' I , ■

I '!

M i

anxiety for the issue, kept eye and ear strained, in hope
of detecting sonic sign of coming rescue. No Indian
surpassed him in sharpness of sight or keenness of hearing,
yet nothing could he see or hear.

At length the eldest Indian, getting into a passion,
brought the discussion suddenly to an end by a fierce
whoop, anu ran to get his gun, wliich he had left wrapped
up in his robe by the fire. Archie guessed the meaning of
this action, and prepared to make a struggle for his life.
At the same moment there came from the other side of
the valley a sound that sent a tlirill of hope to his heart.
Was it an answering whoop, or was it only an echo ? He
did not wait to decide. Crying out, ' Now, Sautloulai — for
your life ! ' he gave his companion a sharp push, and with
tlie leap of a deer sprang off in the direction whence the
sound had come, Sautloulai close at his heels.

So sudden was the movement, that they had made
nearly twenty yards before the Indians recovered
sufliciently from their surprise to start after them. With
a ferocious grunt, the one who had gone for his gun took
quick aim at the fugitives, and pulled the trigger, but
there only came the sharp snap of the cap. Dashing
tlie gun to the ground, he darted off cfter the others,
uttering another of his awful whoops.

It was a magnificent race. Archie and Sautloulai
were as lieet a pair of boys as ever wore moccasins, and
their pursuers men in the prime of life. The valley bottom
was fairly level, and the grass, thick and dry, made a
springy cushion for the feet. The boys were in far better
condition than the Indians, the latter being much the

/A THE NICK OF TIME

, in hope

Indian

hearing,

passion,

a fierce

wrapped

aning of

his life.

side of

is heart.

0? He

[lai — for

ad with

3nce the

d made
covered
Witli
un took
;er, but
basiling
others,

itloulai
ns, and
bottom
nade a
better
ch the

worse of their late ' drinldng-match.' For a short distance
the odds were decidedly with the lads. But where and
how was the desperate struggle to end ?

Across the level the runners sped, and up the farther
slope, whose ascent caused their speed to slacken, and
l)rought their pursuers nearer. They were already losing
breath and strength, and little Sautloulai, lagging behind,
was but a few yards ahead of the firemost Indian, when,
from above them, the whoop that Archie's acute ear had
caught a few moments before rang out again, and mingled
with it a glad ' Hurrah ! ' that he knew at once came from
his father's throat. He looked up in joy inexpressible.
I'pon the edge of the slope stood his father and Akaitchko,
with guns at shoulder.

' Down, Sautloulai, down ! ' shrieked Archie. Instantly
the boys dropped to the earth, and at the same moment
the two men pulled trigger. There was no empty snap of
cap this time. A single report awoke the echoes of the
valley, and the two foremost Indians, each with a bullet
in his brain, plunged headlong to the ground, while
their companions turned and fled backward in wild
dismay.

Springing from their horses, the two men rushed
down the slope, and clasped their boys in a passionate
embrace.

' Thank God ! thank God ! ' was all the factor could say,
while tears of joy streamed down his cheeks. ' You're not
liurt, laddie, are you ?'

' Hurt, father ? ' cried Archie joyfully ; ' not a bit — only
a little out of breatli.'

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

I ,' 'I :i

'I ■!

' i'

As if to make sure that ho was correct, Mr. M'Kenzie
licld liiin at arms' length, looked hiiii all over, and then
gave him another hug.

* Oh, Archie lad, but my heart's light again ! ' he cried.
' Come, now, and tell me all about it.'

If not quite so demonstrative, yet no less sincere was
the old hunter's greeting of his favourite son ; and Sautoulai
almost forgot how much he had suffered in his enjoyment
of his father's unusual exhibition of affection.

Meanwhile the two Quarrellers had been running for
dear life to the cover of the forest, and by the time Mr.
M'Kenzie thought of them, had vanished into its depths.
Akaitchko, reloading his gun, asked if he should follow
tliem.

'No, no,' was the answer. ' We've got our boys, and
those two,' pointing at the motionless forms upon the
ground, ' have paid dearly for their crime. That's enough.
Let us cachd their corpses, and get back to the fort as
quick as we can.'

The two fathers had outstripped the rest of the party
in their eager pursuit, and it was some little time before
the other men came up. When they did, the bodies were
buried in a huge pile of stones, to protect them from the
wild beasts, and the guns and robes at the camp having
been gathered up, the homeward journey was begun, both
Archie and Sautloulai having horses to ride, tlieir rescuers,
by great good luck, having caught two out of the four of
which the Quarrellers had been so cleverly deprived.

As they rode along together, Archie, with great gusto,
and a pleasant sense of having liorne lumself creditably,

IN THE NICK OF TIME

^rKenzie
uid then

he cried.

cere was
5autoulai
iijoyiuent

iniiig for
time Mr.
,s depths-
Id follow

)oys, and

pon tlie

enough,

fort as

le party
le before
ies were
roni the

liaving
m, both
■escuers,

fou)' of
;d.

t gusto,
ditably,

related all that had happened to him since he was carried
off by the Indians — how he had been suddenly seized, and
bound, and hurried away — how all that night he had
travelled without rest — how, during the following day, he
had thought out the scheme for his own deliverance, and
iiow successful it had proved. The factor's heart glowed
with pride at the recital. Truly his w.as a son to Ijoast of,
and one from whom the very best things niiglit conttdently
be expected. Such courage, such skill, such coolness,
would command success anywhere.

' You are well worth rescuing, Archie,' said he, looking
fondly at his boy. ' For all the trouble you have cost me,
you will repay me a hundredfold in due time.'

* I hope so, father,' responded Archie brightly ; * and this
I'll promise you, that if ever anyjjody carries you off, I'll try
and do as much for you, as you have just done for me.'

' May you never get the chance, my boy ! ' said tlie
factor ; ' but if l^rovidence should so will it, I have no fear
but you will do your duty.'

Little did either of them dream tliat the future held in
store for Archie the opportunity to make good his words,
which were not indeed spoken in jest, but in real earnest,
although the event they contemplated seemed about as
remote a possibility as could well be.

They reached the fort early the following morning, to
be welcomed with tears of joy by Mrs. ]\rKenzie, and with
smiles of gladness by Hose-Marie, both of wliom showed
in their pale faces the tokens of the anxious hours of
waiting they had spent.

' Oh, my darling boy ! ' cried Mrs. M'Kenzie, folding

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

Archie to her breast. ' What should I have done if you
had never come back to nie ! ' And Archie was not
ashamed to return tlie emlnvace with interest, in proof of
how deeply he felt himself.

They iiad a long talk together over the matter. Mr.
M'Kenzie'H suspicion that the factor of Fort Wedderburne

'hM

was tlie instigator of the attempt upijn Archie had grown
into a conviction, and yet he could not see his way clearly
to bringing the matter home to his rival. He now began
to regret that he had not captured the two Quarrellers
who survived, and extracted in some way from them the
information which he felt sure they could give. By use of
the sign language, which all Indians use more or less,
they might have been made to understand what was

IN THE NICK OF TIME

9»

lone if you
) was not
in proof of

itter. Mr.
iddorburiic

ad iifrown
ly clearly
o\v began
uar rollers
them the
By use of
3 or less,
kdiat was

wanted of them, and, so long as the bribe was big enough,
there was not much fear of tlieir persistently refusing to
reveal the truth.

But it was no use crying over spilt milk. In his joy at
recovering his son, he had for the moment forgotten
everything else, and now the only witnesses against
M'Dougal were utterly out of reach. Yet he could not
deny himself the satisfaction of letting the scoundrel
know that his part in the matter was well understood,
even if it could not have been proved in a court of justice.
So, taking Archie with him, and accompanied by Mr.
Wentzel, he went over to Fort Wedderburnc that very
afternoon.

They found the factor alone in his room, having a good
spell with pipe and bottle. There was not much standing
upon ceremony in that primitive society, and having
knocked at the door, and been ordered in a gruff voice to
' come in,' they had entered without further ceremony.
Tiie moment his eyes fell upon Archie the factor started,
and a guilty flush spread over his face. Then, recovering
himself by an evident effort, he rose from his chair, and
invited his visitors to take seats, and make themselves
at home, while he procured some more mugs, that they
might drink with him. Mr. M'Kenzie and Mr. Wentzel
exchanged meaning looks as Mr. M'Dougal covered his
confusion by bustling about the room ; and, after he had
brought the mugs, courteously declined the proffered
whisky, saying that they never drank at that time of day.

Mr. M'Kenzie then inquired if the factor had lost any
of his horses.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

»-iM

- IIIIU

IM
1.8

••25 1.4 1.6

■* 6"

►

e7.

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(7)6) 872-4503

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

* That I have ! ' exclaimed he, with a great show of
indignation. * Those rascal Quarrellers ran away with
four of the best of them ! '

* The horses were not given them, then ? ' asked Mr.
M'Kenzie meaningly.

' Given them ? * roared M'Dougal. ' Do you think it's
likely I'd waste my horses upon such miserable beggars
as tlioso ? *

' Possibly not — although why not horses as well as
guns ? ' replied Mr. M'Kenzie, looking at him very hard,
and then continuing, * But I had a reason in asking about
tlie horses.' And without more ado he proceeded to tell
the whole story of Archie's capture and rescue, and how
two of the Quarrellers had lost their lives. The
countenance of the bafHed rascal during this recital was
an iimusing study. He realised clearly that his guilt was
known, and that the three before him had come over for
the express purpose of letting hira know that it was known.
He longed to rise and command them to be gone, but he
was shrewd enough to understand that this would be a
most impolitic proceeding. So, keeping himself under
control, he heard the story out, and then got rid of his
unwelcome visitors with the best grace he could muster,
giving vent to his pent-up feelings the moment they had
disappeared, in a volley of oaths that surpassed anything
even he had previously achieved in that direction.

ihow of
y with

:ed Mr.

link it's
beggars

well as
ry hard,
g about
I to tell
nd how
. The
ital was
uilt was
over for

known.
, but he
Id be a
f under
1 of his

muster,
hey had
nything

CHArTER VII

WINTER AT FORT CHIPEWYAN

N Athabasca winter is no trifling matter.
The frost -king is monarch of all lie
surveys, and even though there may ha
some who feel disposed to dispute his
right to freeze their noses and congeal
their cheeks, he receives their protests
with cool indifference, and continues his mischievous
work with unabated zeal.

His advance agents, the early snowstorms, first make
their appearance about mid-September, but only for a
flying visit. They come in the evening perhaps, stay
all night, and vanish before the morning sunshine.
Later on they reappear in greater force, and proloii",^
their stay, until at last, by the end of Octol)er, the
ground having been prepared for them in the meantime,
they enter into full possession, and far and near, from
horizon to horizon, the prairie is covered with the white
robe of winter. Then the autumn blasts, upon whose
bosoms the snowUakes have been borne, having done

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

n ;

their work, sink to rest, and the long, still, cold winter
is fairly begun.

Mr. M'Kenzie was not at all sorry when the snow
came. During the haste and bustle of the brief summer,
many things had to be left undone that the ample leisure
of the winter permitted him to accomplish ; and, moreover,
it gave him much more time with his family, a privilege
which he heartily appreciated. For the very same reason
Mrs. M'Kenzie and Eose-Marie shared his views; but
Archie held an entirely different opinion. He could see
no fun in the much confinement the intense and incessant
cold made necessary. He found it very hard to endure
this patiently. There was of course a certain amount
of snow-shoeing and tobogganing to be done ; but even
these amusements became rather monotonous when they
were the only ones, and he looked forward with no
little impatience to the return of spring, when with the
warm days came freedom to do just what he pleased.

The programme of his day ran pretty much as follows.
In the first place, — and here no doubt many another boy
would heartily envy him, — he tumbled out of his warm
bed into the frosty atmosphere of his room just whenever
he liked. There was no nine o'clock school at Fort
Chipewyan, nor anything else to make it necessary
for our young hero to get up at any particular time,
especially as he knew that his fond mother would have
breakfast hot for him whenever he appeared. So if
his dog Edaiye (Friend), the gift of an Indian chief, and
a creature of extraordinary sagacity, rubbed his cold
nose against his face, and challenged him sooner than

WINTER AT FORT CHIPEWYAN

he felt inclined to respond, he could with an easy
conscience say, with the sluggard of the nursery rhyme,
' You have waked me too soon, I must slumber again,'
and turn over for another nap.

As the M'Kenzie household, however, was run on
the sound principle ' early to bed, early to rise,' Archie
did not often feel tempted to lie long abed, but, obeying
Edaiye's gentle hint, would roll out of the bedclothes
and plunge into his own clothes with all possible
despatch, for there were no hall stoves or registers at the
fort, and the only warm place was the living-room, where
glorious wood fires, crackling and roaring upon a hearth
that occupied one whole side of the room, waged
successful battle with the cold, so long as they were
faithfully attended to.

After breakfast the factor always had prayers, Mr.
Wentzel, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Kobertson, and Mr. M'Gillivray
generally joining in the service, which consisted of the
singing of a few verses of a psalm, the reading of a
passage from the Bible, and then a brief but fervent
prayer from Mr. M'Kenzie. This over, Archie was free
to do as he pleased, unless his father should, as sometimes
liappened, want his help in the storehouse, where there
was always something to be done to the goods or furs ;
or in the office, where the accounts were kept.

Beside Edaiye, Archie had a follower who vied with
the dog in his devotion, and tliat was Sautloulai. Since
their adventure witli the Quarrellers, the little fellow
was more than ever wrapped up in his ' white brother,'
and as sure as Archie went out of a morning, no matter

ARCHIE APKENZ/E

what the weather might be, he found the Indian hoy
waiting for him as patiently as tlie innnortal lamb that
Mary had. He really seemed to know no happiness
apart from Archie, and his absolute submission to the
latter's will would have spoiled a boy less sound at
heart, and led him to tyrannise over his dusky subject.
But instead of playing the part of tyrant, Archie nmch
preferred that of patron and protector, with the result
of maintaining a relation that was creditable to himself
and eminently satisfactory to Sautloulai.

With Sautloulai and Edaiye in willing attendance,
then, Archie would sally forth, warmly wrapped in furs,
to find amusement for the few hours of daylight.
Sometimes gathering together the other boys about
the fort, of whom there were a dozen or so, Indians and
half-breeds, they all would take their tobofr';^ans, and go
over to a long steep slope that ended at the edge of the
lake, and offered a perfect natural slide. If the cold
did not bite too keenly, this was grand fun, for of course
they had races, and trials as to who could go the farthest,
and comparisons of skill in standing up, and all that
sort of thing. Archie stood easily first at these sports,
and longed for more serious opposition than any of his
playmates could give him, so that he was very glad
when now and then Mr. Wentzel or one of the other
clerks would come down with his toboggan and challenge
him to a contest of speed and skill. Then there
would be great excitement. All other sliding would
be suspended to watch the struggle. The spectators'
sympathies were all with Archie, and if he won, they

WINTER AT FORT CHIt EWYAN

ian boy
nib that
appiness
I to the
ound at

subject,
ie much
10 result

himself

endance,

in furs,

ilaylight.

s about

ians and

, and go

of the

le cold

course

arthest,

all that

sports,

of his

ry glad

e other

lallcngc

there

would

ctators*

n, they

would split the air with joyous whoops, while if he were
beaten they would disappointedly grunt, ' Ugh — ugh ! '
and scowl at the audacious victor.

]5esidc the tobogganing the boys had another resource
in which they took even more delight, and that was
trapping. As has been already mentioned, the skirls
of the great northern forest reached well-nigh to the
lake, and among its mysterious mazes the bear, lynx,
wolveiine, marten, mink, and other animals whose
ill fortune it is to wear valuable skins, had their lairs,
while the foxes swarmed everywhere, and the wolves
ran about in howling packs, seeking what they might
devour. Then at intervals along the course of the
river were colonies of l)eaver, living cosily in their domed
dwellings, veritable citadels for strength, and to be
stormed only by well-equipped assailants.

Archie had a very tender spot in his heart for the
beaver. He could not take any pleasure in killing theiii.
Tliey seemed such wonderfully clever, interesting animals,
that he thought it nothing else than a shame to take
away their lives, even if their coats were so well worth
the trouble of securing.

This feeling was very much strengthened by what he
saw one summer afternoon, w'ncn, with Sautloulai and
Edaiye, he had l)een following up a lillle stream that
fell into the lake some distance from the fort. Tiiey
were much delighted at coming upon a beaver colony
of whose existence they had not previously kncnvn, and
creeping up very cautiously, they were able to watch
the proceedings of the busy little animals for a long
7

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

time without their prosenco being detcctod. Telling
his mother and llose-Marie about it on his return home,
he said —

' But oh, if you could only have seen the live little
biiby beavers playing with one another, I'm sure you'd
never want to kill a beaver again ! '

'I'm sure I never want to kill a beaver at anytime,
Archie dear,' smiled his mother.

'Oh no, of course you don't; but father and the rest
of them do, and it just seems to me cruel, when they
are so clever and so harmless.'

' But tell us about the five little bal)y beavers, Archie,'
broke in Hose-Marie, impatient for the story.

'Don't be in such a hurry, sister; I'm just going to.
Well, you know, as we were hiding there, and seeing
them all at work, we noticed a fat little fellow climb up
on a log just on the edge of the water, and while he sat
there blinking in the sun, and hjoking as if he thought
a good deal of himself, along came another just like
him, and giving him a push, sent him head foremost
into the water, while he at once climbed into his place.
Then the one that was pushed off came back and upset
the other, and they kept this up for some time, three
others presently coming along to join in the fun, and
then the whole five went in for a grand time. They
played with one another just like lilLle children — and
they looked like children too, mother, indeed they did,'
added Archie earnestly. ' I'm sure they were talking to
one another, and anybody could ses that they were
laughing just as we do.'

WJNTEK AT FORT CJIIPEWYAN

Mrs. M'Kcnzio smilod liali" inoroilulously, but liose-
Maria, accepting every word, cried out eagerly —

'Oh, Archie, how I'd like to see theiu ! Won't you
take me some day ? And what i^l.se did the beavers do V

'Why, they i)layed about on the log for a time,
l»ushing one another and playing chase in the water,
until Edaiye gave a bark, which scared thcni out of their
lives, and they dived into the water, an<l we didn't s(!e
them any more. But I t(dl you what it is, I don't see
where the fun comes in of killing such creatures as
those.'

* I'm glad my boy has such a tender heart,' said Mrs.
M'Kenzie, beaming proudly upon him, 'and I hope he
will always keep it tender.'

But Archie had no such compunctions about any of
the other fur-bearing animals. They were all lish when
they came to his net, and there was nothing he enjoyed
better than to accompany Akaitchko when he made the
round of his traps. No matter how cold the weather
might be, he was always ready for this, and this last
winter he and Haulloulai had been ruiniing a line of
traps of their own, in which they caught many a mink
and marten. Akaitchko showed them how to prepare
the traps, and went with thum on their rounds, as Mr.
M'Kenzie did not tliink it prudent for them to go alone.
Sometimes he would accompany them himself, and then,
oh, how proud the boys felt if their artful snares were
found to have been successful !

The traps used were of two kinds. For the larger
animals it was a steel ailair, much like an oidinury

lOO

ARCHIE APKEN/JE

rat-trap, only about iwico as big, and without teeth, and
witli two springs instead of one. To one of the springs
a chain was attached, having a weiglit at tlie end, so tliat
the animal could not drag the trap oil', and then ese.\pe"».
\\\ setting tliis trap it was spread out Hat, and just covered
with snow, while upon it and around it chi]>s of frozen
meat or lish were temptingly scattered. Tliis bait would
bo the only sign of the presence of the trap, and the
animals never became so shrewd as to understand tliat a
free lunch in the wilderness of the North might be less
tiangerous a temptation than it is in the cities to the
South. They greedily take what is given them, asking
no questions for conscience' sake, and the first thing they
know is, they have put their foot in it — the trap — very
seriously.

The trappers prefer that while they are about the
business they should put both feet in it, because then
tliey Ccinnot drag the trap any distance, nor can they
escape the way that they do sometimes when only one
foot is caught, by eating that unfortunate member oil',
close to the iron, and hobbling away, sadder, if not wiser,
for the experience.

For the smaller animals a liome-niade traj) was used,
it being simply two logs, one of which was supported over
the other by means of a small stick in such a manner
that when the mink or marten cre})t between the two,
and pulled the bait, he pulled the support away too, and
down came the upper log upon his back, crushing him
Hat.

In order to encourage enterprise on his part, Mr.

WINTER AT FORT C III PEW VAN

lOI

t, Mr.

M'Kenzie kept an account with Archie, in whicli ho was
credittMl witli every skin lie brouj^lit in, and tlierc \)einj4
no oi)portunity at the fort to spend liis earnin«,'s, he was
accordinf,dy hiying up quite a snu<,' little halance, which
would Hoi'iG day come in very handy. Some time ago he
had admitted Sautloulai into a junior partnership, and
the two worked alonj* together most harmoniously; for
Archie did the thinking for l)oth, and the little Indian
was really but anotlier pair of hands for him — and a very
deft pair they were too. (Joing the round of the traps, a
business that had to be attended to every two or three
days, was a very interesting and sometimes exciting
piece of work, and they both looked forward eiigerly to
the day when they could go oil" trapping on tlieir own
account, and witliout Akaitchko or Mr. M'Kenzie in
chiirge.

Tiie present winter had so far not been a good one for
the young trappers. They had set and baited their trajis
again and again with deepest cunning, and gone back full
of hope, only to find they had drawn a blank. Xow the
bait would all be goltbled uj), and not a trap sprung.
Again, the only trophy would be a fox's foot, gnawed off
close to the cruel spring by IJeynard, who, althougli he
had never read the ninth chapter of Mark, knew well
enough that it was better for him to ' enter lialt into life'
than, by keeping both feet, to lose life altogether. Or,
what was most exasperating of all, they would find that
the trap had done its work, and caught a good mink or
marten, but that the pest and plague of the Canadian
trapper, the hateful carcajou or wolverine, had come

I02

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

along, and out of sheer viciousness ' made ragglea ' of the
defonculoHS captive.

This hitter aggravation had happened several times of
late, and the hoys* hearts were hurning with desire for
revenge u])on their tormentor. With Akaitchko's aid
they set traj* after trap for liim with nicest care, l)ut in
vain. Detecting its exact position in some mysterious
way, ho would l)urr()W underneath, and steal the l):iit
without disturhing the spring ; or, waiting until some
other animal Imd paid the penalty of venturing too near,
he would coolly devour botli it and tlie bai^.

However, 't's a long lane that has no turning. The

boys persevered, and in the end they got their reward,

altliough not without a struggle. Tiiey had gone out for

the afternoon, under the old Indian's care, as nsual. It

was a very cold, but perfectly still day. Tlie sun shone

down from a chtudless sky, yet seemed to have no warmth

in its rays. The boys' l)reatli, as they pressed forwards,

l)lew back and froze upon the mulUings of their neck and

e;»rs. They had to watch their noses carefully, lest Jack

Frost sliould turn them into marble. But they did not

mind the cold, as, clad in furs from head to heel, and shod

with snow-shoes, they stepped rapidly over the undulating

drifts in tlie wake of Akaitchko. Tiie carcajou had l)een

growing more and more daring, and they more and more

determined to catch him. Apparently the way he looked

at it was that a kind providence was providing him with

abundant food in the form of bait or ready-caught prey,

and he proposed to enjoy the situation as long as it

continued. In order to deceive the wily animal, they

WINTER AT FORT CHirElVVAN

103

Til

placed the traps in a diflToront spot encli time, and liatl
thus been «,'ra(lii!dly workiiif^ away from tlie fort, until
now tlie end of tlie line was nearly two miles distant.

In the lirst few trajts they found nothing, l)ut presently
came to one containiiig the shretls of what had once been
a fine mink.

'Confound that l)rute!' cried Archie wrathfully.
' Here's some more of his work. Oh, if I could only get
my hands upon him ! '

' Take care him don't get him's clawij in you, Archie,'
said the old Indian significantly. Iiim l)ite hke fiend,
ceii,.t!ii sure.'

'Oh, I'll take good care of that, Alraitchko,' replied
Archie. ' I know what he can do.'

Tiiey were approaching the end (»f the line as they
talked, and when they reached it Archie stopped short,
looked all around with a surprised expression, thrust the
ramrod of his gun into tlie snow, and finally exclaimed —

' Well, what do you thiidv of that ? That carcajou has
not only eaten the mink, but I believe he's eaten my trap
too ! This is the very place I set it ; I know by that

bla

ze on

the tr

ee.

Akaitchko smiled in an amused, superior way.

' Carcajou got strong teetli, lait can't eat trap all the
same. Most likely trap l^ite liim. lie try run awiiy.
See.'

' To be sure,' said Archie, his face radiant at the
thought. ' The brute can't have gone far with that heavy
trap. Let's see who'll find him first.'

There had been a slight fall of snow during the

104

ARCHIE M'KEN/JE

iiioriiiug, so lliiit wliatcvof marks ilie wolverine might
liave made were comparatively liitMen ; but, determined
to hunt him up, the three trappers wenu oH' in different
directions to examine the underbrush, which was very
tliick thereabouts. Akaitchko took the right hand, and
the boys, not far apart, took tlie left. It was not easy
work getting through the underbrush on snow-shoes, yet
the snow was too deep to permit of laying the shoes aside-
They had left their guns at the foot of the blazed tree,
and were armed only with a hunting - knife and small
hatchet apiece.

Now stooping low to avoid a snow-laden branch, and
again springing over the trunk of a fallen tree, they made
their way carefully through the dense growth of young
timber, not knowing at v hat moment they might encounter
tlie ol)ject of their search. After a good deal of this,
Archie, thinking it quite enougli, called to Sautloulai —

' lie couldn't drag that trap as far as this. Let's go
back to the tree on another track.'

' All right,' shouted Sautloulai, and so, leaving Akaitchko
to his own devices, they retraced their steps. The little
Indian was alone, but Archie had Edaiye with him, and
tried to keep close behind the eager animal, who seemed
thoroughly to enter into the spirit of the hunt. Suddenly
there was an exclamation from Sautloulai, followed
quickly by a cry of alarm, the harsh growl of some furious
creature, and tlie rattling of a chain. This was what
had happened. I'ushing on rather carelessly, Sautloulai
had come to a fallen tree which lay not fifty yards from
where the trap had been set, and, without pausing to

WINTER AT FORT CHIPEWYAN 105

coiisulor whether or not there iniglit be anything on tlie
other side of it, lie attempted to spring over it. It was
not a big tree, but one cannot take niucli of a jump on
snow-slioes, and, instead of clearing it neatly, the toe of
his left shoe cauglit at tlie top, and he took a header into
the deep snow on the other side. lUit before he fell he
had time to see what called forth his cry of alarm, for
lying close to the tree-trunk was a dark brown mass that
could be naught else than the dreaded carcajou.

For a moment the creature seemed too startled to do
any mischief. ]>ut it was only for a moment, and before
Sautloulai could extricate Jiimself from his awkward
position, it sprang forward and buried its terrible teeth
in his left shoulder.

'Archie! Archie! quick! He's killing me!' shrieked
the poor little fellow.

'AH right, I'm coming!' An hie shouted back, and,
with hunting-knife in one hand and hatchet in the other,
he rushed to the rescue of his friend.

CIIAPTEl: VIII

FIUE AND FAMINK

' li' ^^^'^ si^lit that iiiet liis eyes wlieii he

reuelied tlie spot wn.s startling; enougli.

Lying Hat upon liis breast, and unable

to regain Lis feet l)ncause (»(" the clumsy

snowshoes, little Sautloulai was com-

pletely in tlie power of the carcajou,

which, infuriated by its sufl'erings, was biting at liim

savagely, iind had already given him serious wounds, as

the blood upon the snow made plain.

It would not have lieen easy to shoot at the animal
without running the risk of injuring the boy, but Archie
did not wait to get his gun. lie had no fear of lighting at
close quarters. Ilis one tlionglit was to save Sautloulai,
aiul springing forward, he raised the hatchet, and aimed a
blow with all his might at the wolverine. Tlie wily creature
saw it coming, and made a ([uick movement, which saved his
head, but not his shoulder, into which the sharp steel bit
deei>ly, causing him to forget tlie boy prostrate before him,
and to turn with a horrid snarl upon his plucky assailant.

100

107

1^4 I

.! ;

; i

FIRE AND FAMINE 109

Owing to his being on snow-shoes, Archie could not
entirely escape the wolverine's onrush, and one of the
big fore-paws, catching him just below the knee, cut
through the thick legging as tliougli it had been paper, and
scored a deep ga.h riglit down to the ankle, from which the
blood ilowed profusely. Ihit that was his last a.lvantage.
The keen hatchet did not miss its mark the next tin^e.
Swinging it desperately, as the brute turned to renew its
attack, Archie buried it in his brain, and with a convulsive
struggle the carcajou rolled over dead.

Not stopping to examine his prize, Archie huriied to
lift up Sautloulai, and at the same moment Akaitchko,
whose quick ear had caught the boy's cries, came rushing
to his side. Tiiey h.und that tlie poor little chap had
faulted through terror, pain, and loss of blood, and tliey
placed him tenderly upon the tree-trunk, Archie holding
his head in his lap, while the father batlied his face with
snow, and strove to staunch tlie gaping wounds.
^ In a few moments the boy opened his eyes, and putting

his hand to his shoulder, moaned piteou.sly—

' It hurts me— it hurts me ! Oh, how it hurts me ! '
Archie had no thought for liis own wound, wliicli was

still bleeding freely, and tlie tears that came into his eyes

as he bent down and softly kissed tlie brown face in his

lap were tears of sympathy, not of pain.

'I know it hurts you, Sautloulai dear,' he said

soothingly. ' But it will soon be better when we get you

back to the fort.'

Akaitchko's only remark was one of liis expressive

' Ughs,' which meant in English, ' This is a bad business.'

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

lint thore was no doubt as to liis anxiety, nor as to th(5
skill either witli which ho quickly bound up his son's
shoulder, and made ready to l)car him to the fort. Tliis
was all done before he noticed Archie's hurt.

' Carcajou do that ? ' he inquired, pointini^^ to tlie wounded
leg, and Archie nodding; his head allirmativcily, ho added,
' Him cruel, certain sure,' and without anotlier word ])ro-
ceeded to bind it up in the same skilful fashion. 'Come
now/ he said, ' home (puck.'

IMcking up his son as though he were a mere l)aby, he
placed him gently upon his broad shoulder ami strode off
in the direction of the fort, leaving Archie to bring the
guns and follow him as best he could, the carcajc a, whose
undoing had cost so much, being left neglected in the
trap. If all were well the next day, they might perhaps
return for him, but at present they had a much more
important matter in hand, the saving of Sautloulai's
life.

Archie had a hard job getting back to the fort. His
leg was exceedingly sore, and only constant motion pre-
vented it from becoming so stiff as to be useless. Happily
the bleeding ceased altogether, and he had not lost enough
blood to weaken him at all. Yet he sometimes felt as
though he could not go a step farther, he must lie down
and rest a little. Then it was that Akaitchko's exa' pie
inspired him, as the stalwart old Indian, bearing his pre-
cious burden, urged his way onward without pause, seem-
ing to be entirely superior to the ordinary limits of human
strength and endurance. Keeping close behind him, Archie
plodded on with a dogged determination, until at last the

FIRE AND FAMINE

III

His

n piG-

appily

nouu;li

felt as

down

:;r pie

is pre-

seeiii-

luniaii

\rchie

st tho

welcome walls of the fort came into sisht, and summoning
all liis energies for a final spurt, lie even took the lead of
the Indian, and kept it until he dropped exhausted at the
gate.

The return of the trappers in so damaged a condition
made (juite a sensation in the fort, and they were at onee
surrounih^d hy an eager crowd of (piestioners. Ihit
Akaitchko, thinking only of his hoy, would answer nohody
as he hastened to his own quarters, where Sautloulai's
mother would diess his wounds far better than he could
do ; and Mr. ^M'Kenzie hurried Archie in to have his
injury attended to, so that the crowd had to wait some
time before tlieir curiosity could be satisfied.

Wlien the story came to be told, Archie received abund-
ant praise for the brave part he had taken, and Sautloulai
much sympathy for his sufferings, while everybody rejoiced
that the carcajou had met its reward at last.

The little Indian was not able to leave his bed for some
weeks, but Archie, after limping around for a week, had
no further bother witli his leg.

Determined that so mucli trouble should not be taken
for nothing, Mr. Wentzel tlioughtfully set off the follow-
ing morning after the killing of the wolverine, and finding
the body untouched, bnjught it to the fort on a toboggan,
when one and all declared it was the largest of the kind
they had ever seen. The skin, of course, went to Archie's
credit in his steadily growing account with his father for
furs supplied.

The weeks followed one another uneventfully as the
winter dragged its slow course along. January was an

I 12

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

intensely cold month, and marked by many snowstorms,
which piled up the drifts about the walls of the fort, both
inside and out, until it seemed as though tlie buildings must
be buried if the storms continued. The paths shovelled out
between them became deep cuts, wliose sides rose above
Archie's head, and it took no small amount of work t(j
keep the road open to the lake, wlience tlie water supply
was drawn. For days at a time Archie could not go out-
side of the fort, and he took advantage of this enforced
inaction to learn from Akaitchko how to weave snow-shoes
and bend toboggans, two very valuable accomplishments
for one who expected to spend the greater part of his life
in the Canadian wilderness.

In his own home tliere were books to read with Eose-
Marie, and chess to play with his father, and other employ-
ments which helped the time to pass. A good portion of
each day was, of course, spent with Sautloulai, who was
never so happy as when Archie kept him company. The
two boys presented a curious contrast. Archie, now in
his sixteenth year, stood five feet seven inches in his moc-
casins, and weighed full one hundred and forty pounds.
His hair was light and curly, his eyes dark blue and as
clear as crystal, his complexion fair where it was not
freckled ; his countenance, if not precisely a handsome one,
for the mouth was rather large and the cheekbones over-
prominent, was thoroughly pleasing, good humour, courage,
honesty, shrewdness, and determination being written upon
it in unmistakable characters. His figure was about as
good as it could be. He was broad of shoulder and hip,
narrow of waist, deep of chest, and stout of limb, the leg

riRE AND FAMINE

'Storms,
rt, both
fjs must
illcd out
e above
work ttj
■ supply
, 20 out-
enforced
)\v-shoes
shmcuts
[ his life

th Ptose-
employ-
Drtion of
who was
ly. The
now in
his moc-
pounds.
and as
was not
lome one,
lies over-
courage,
,en upon
labout as
land hip,
the le<'

taperinjLf to a trim ankh-, and the arm to a neat wrist that
many a hidy might liave envied. Strengtli, si)eed, and
en(Uirance were liis in no small measure; and very proud
was he, naturally enough, of his sujjeriority in all
things that demanded these (qualities over any of his
companions.

Sautloulai, on the other hand, was an out-and-out
Indian, albeit a i)articularly prepossessing one. He was
slight of figure, dusky of face, and his hair hung in long,
straight black locks upon his neck. Speech did not How
as freely from his lips as lYom Archie's. lie had not
much to say for himself, but he seemed to think a great
deal. Although a year younger, and not at all his equal
in strength, he was almost a match for his 'white brother'
in speed and endurance, and he had inherited from his
father in large degree that subtle acuteness of eye and ear
which ensured his being a successful hunter. lie had a
singularly bright and affectionate disposition for an Indian,
and, as has been already mentioned, he held towards Archie
an absorl)ing, unselfish affection that was really beautiful.
The companionship of the factor's son was a grand thing
for the young Indian. Archie insisted on his learning to
read as well as speak English, and was even teaching him
to write.

' You may be a postmaster some day, you know, Saut-
loulai,' he would say ; ' and then if you can read and write,
just think how much more all the people will think of
you.'

And thus encouraged, little 'Sunshine' would once
more attack the difViculties of pot-hooks and hangers,

114

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

vvisliiiig all the lime to the bottom of hi« heart that he
was uniiii,' bow and arrow instead of pen and ink.

Ever since the attempted abduction of Archie no com-
munication had been held with Fort Wedderburne. It
was reported ])y some of the Indians tliat M'Dougal spent
most of his time drinking l)randy, and had shown such
brutality towards his employees that many of them had
left early in the winter, and gone south to other establish-
ments, leaving him with but a handful. And presently
the news came that the factor had followed them, his
supply of food having failed, owing to a proper stock not
having been laid in during the summer.

' A mighty good riddance,' said j\Ir. M'Kenzie, when he
heard it. 'May his ugly face never be seen in this
neighbourhood again ! I knew well enough he wasn't
getting in enough meat to last him all winter, but it wasn't
my business to tell him. Thank Providence we haven't
made that mistake ! We could have a fcstiii a tout
manger once a week, and still have plenty to last until
spring.*

A fcstiii a tout manger, it may be explained, is a very
popular institution among the Indians. The literal
meaning of the term is a feast at which everything
must be eaten up, and as the host on such an occasion
endeavours to provide as much as he possibly can, it
generally happens that his guests go away feeling very
uncomfortable about the waistband. Could Mr. M'Kenzie
have seen but a few days into the future, he would hardly
have spoken so complacently about giving a festin a tout
manger every week.

FIRE AND FAMINE

i'5

Unit lie

no com-
irne. It
;al spent
wn such
liem had
;stablish-
presently
hem, his
itock not

, when he
1 in this
le wasn't
b it wasn't
e haven't
ti a tout
last until

is a very
le literal
v^erything

occasion
y can, it

ing very

I'Kenzie
hardly

tin ct tout

Arcliiu's room in the factor's house was at the hack,
and the one window, which liad a sluH't of parchment
in lieu of glass, faced in the direction of the storehouses,
tliese buildings being placed between the house and the
walls of the fort, and a little distance apart. There were
two of tliem, one containing ^.le goods for barter and the
furs that had accumulated, and the other the stock of
pennnican, jerked meat, dried fish. Hour, salt, etc., besides
the ammunition, spare guns, hatchets, and other things
of corresponding value.

The end of Feljruary was approaching, and the worst of
the winter seemed to have passed. In a little wliile the
days would grow warmer and the immense drifts begin to
waste away. One cold, still, moonless night, Archie got
so excited over a bison hunt in a dream, tliat, just at the
critical moment when a huge bull was charging down
upon him with most nuirderous intent, he s[)rang out of
his way so energetically as to spring clear out of bed, and
woke up to find himself shivering on the floor, lie was
aljout to dive back under the warm clothes again, when it
struck him that the window showed out with unusual
distinctness, and if his ears did not play him false, he
surely heard something that sounded strangely like the
crackling of fire.

It was not his way to hesitate, liushing to the wiiid(jw,
he dashed his fist through the parchment and looked out,
unheeding the stream of frost-laden air that poured in
upon him. The next moment he bounded into his father's
bedroom, crying out —

* Get up quick, father ! the storehouse is on firo ! '

ii6

ARCHIE MKENZIE

111 Jill iii.sUint lliu factor was uwako.

'What do you inuan, Archie?' ho exclaimed. 'Arc
you sure ? '

'Yos, father,' answerL'd Archie. 'Coine into my room
and sec.'

(Jiie fjlance was sufTicieut.

'Heaven lielp us, you're right!' .i^roaned Mr. M'Kunzie.
' Get into your clothes quick, and call the men.'

In a wonderfully short time both father and son were
dressed and were arousing the sleeping men, who, tumbling
into their clothes, hurried to the fire. lUit by this time
the ilanics were in full possession of the storehouse in
which the i)rovisions were kept. Crackling and hissing
in the calm, still night, they rose higher iind higher, filling
the air with the odour of burning meat, while the men
whose only supply of food was being destroyed before
their eyes looked on in helpless horror. Mr. Wentzel,
Akiiitchko, and some others, drawing the hoods of their
capotes about their heads, dashed fearlessly into the
burning building and lironght out a few bags of
pennnican, salt, and Hour ; and Archie, inspired by their
gallantry, was about to imitate it, when the factor
grasped him by the arm and drew him roughly
back.

' The powder ! ' he cried, in consternation at the thought
that had just occurred to him. ' Get back for your lives !
get back ! '

He did not speak a moment too soon. Indeed, the
words had hardly left his lips before a loud explosion
shook the very ground upon which he stood. Another

1. ' Aro

ny room

['Keiizlu.

son wero

this time

liouse in

I hissing

3r, filling

the men

d before

VVcntzcl,

of their

into the

igs of

}y their

e factor

roughly

thought
Lir lives !

eed, the
xplosion
Another

F/A'E AND FAMINE

117

and another followed, and had not the men fled from the
spot, many of them must luive been killed by the broadside
of heavy timbers and burning fragments tliat came from
the doomed liuilding.

Only for the snow that Liy deep upon the roofs and
high about the walls of the other buildings, tliey too
would inevitably have shared the same fate. Happily,
however, the firebrands quenched themselves harndessly
in the protecting drifts, and only the storehouse was
desti \.

But of all the buildings in the fort that very one was
the most precious. The goods and the furs might easily
have been spared; ])ut the food and the powder — how was
it to 1)0 replaced, and what was to be done in the face of
such a catastrophe ? The group that gathered in the
factor's room after the lire had l)urned itself out bore veiy
gloomy and troubled faces. Two l)ags of pennuican,
containing eighty pounds each, a bag of Hour, and another
of salt of the same weight, represented all that was
left of a stock of provisions calculated to last until
midsummer.

Counting all hands, there were sixty persons to be fed
at the fort. The five loaves and two fishes for the
multitude were hardly a less adequate provision, and,
alas ! there was no one here to multiply each bag of
peinmican into a hundred.

"Tis a grievous state of things,' said Mr. M'Kenzie,
looking anxiously at Yirginie and Iiose-]\Iarie, who, not
yet entirely recovered from the excitement of the night,
were sitting together beside the lire. ' There's not much

ii8

ARCHIE APKENZIE

more than cnoiigli penimicaii for them, and where can we
get more until the snow goes?'

' But we don't want it all, Donald dear,' cried Mrs.
M'Kenzie. ' You and Archie must have some too.'
The factor smiled sadly.

' I'm not thinking only of myself,' said he. * But there
are other women and children, and they must have a
bite too. As for us men,' glancing round at the clerks,
' we nmst just live on the skins until we can get some
meat.'

Tlie other men nodded a gloomy assent. They under-
stood well enough what the factor meant. Mr. Wentzel
in particular had aheady passed through a similar
experience, having lived for weeks upon nothing but
dried beaver and moose skins.

"What made the situation so f^ rious was the absence of
game within reach of the fort. The hares, whicli usually
were a safe dependence, had totally failed, and tlie moose
seemed to have been driven southward liy the severity of
the winter. Neither could the lake be looked to for food
supplies. The intense cold had covered it with an icy
armoui from three to five feet thick, and made the fish so
torpid that they would not touch bait, while net-fishing
was of course out of the (piestion. There was no disguising
the fact that fiimine, gaunt and pitiless, stared them, in tlie
face, and that unless a supply of meat were obtained in
sonui way, many of the weaker ones must perish, for
the diet of dried skins would not furnish sullicient
nourishment to sustain lifr very long, except for the very
stronu'est.

FIRE AND FAMINE

119

re can wo

led ]\Irs.

>ut there
'> have a
e clerks,
get some

y uuder-

Wentzel

similar

ling' hut

sence of
usually
e moose
verity of
for food
an icy
3 fisli so
i-fishinnr

>guisiiig
1. in the
ined in
ish, for
lilicient
lie very

Ciathering into his own hands all the provisions that
remained, so that he might dole them out to the best
advantage, Mr. M'Kenzie prepared for the worst. His
wife and daughter were his chief concern. He and Archie
might endure to the full limit of human strength, hut they
were ill fitted to hear extreme privation. He had always
cared for them according to the best of his ability, and
they had never before been called upon to suffer actual
need.

Yet none were calmer or more cheerful than they.
Not because they failed to realise the seriousness of
the situation, but because they had such implicit faith
in the big father and the sturdy son, that they felt
perfectly confident of their proving equal to the
emergency.

' Don't you feel so badly about us,' said Piose-Marie,
looking l)ravely up into her father's face. ' We'll eat such
a little every day, that we'll make what we have last all
right until you get some more.'

As though some malign fate had befallen the fort, the
week following the fire proved so wild and stormy that
hunting was out of the (|uestion, and the men, eager and
anxious as they might be to try their fortune on the
prairie, were compelled to stay indoors. Archie found
the skin stew a poor apology for the comfortable meuls
he had been accustomed to, but lie did his best to be
cheerful over it, and even refused decidedly to take the
tempting bite his mother pressed upon him from lier own
all too scanty portion.

'No, no, mother dear. I'm one of the men, you know,'

HMI

I20

ARCHIE APKENZIE

he replied proudly, drawing himself up to his full hei-ht
' I must not liave anything better than they have.'

Yet, poor fellow, how his mouth did water for what
would have seemed very unattractive fare to many of our
readers had it been placed before them !

ifii!

ill height.

for what
ny of our

CHAriElt IX

THE MOOSE-IIUNT

Y the time the weather cleared, Mr.
M'Kenzie had liis plans perfected for
dealing witli the crisis. Taking a stronrr
party of his l)est men, he would follow
the Elk liiver southward, in the hope of
linding a band of the noble animals from
whom the stream was named, while the others should
remain at the fort to await his return. The moment
Archie heard of the arrangement, he was determined to
accompany his father. lUit the I'actor at first did not
approve.

' I think you had better stay at the fort, Archie. Here
you are sure of at least something to live upon, poor stuff
as it is ; but if you go witli us, who knows what you may
have to suffer ? ' he urged.

' If I could do any good by staying at tiie fort, father,'
replied Archie respectfully, ' I would not mind staying.
But you know I can't. There's no hunting or trapping to
be done, for all the animals have vanished sf)mc\vliere,

11,!^

; i

122

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

and it's just miserable hanging about in this way, waiting
for spring to come.'

The factor regarded his son with a sympathetic smile.

' You certainly don't lack energy, Archie,' he answered,
' and I know it's hard work for you to do nothing ; but
don't you tliink your mother and Rose-I\ "arie would l)n
better pleased to have you with them ? '

'Doubtless they would, father,' said Arcliic, 'and if I
could be of any use to them, I'd stay quick enough. But
what can I do ? I can't get them food, and Mr. Stewart
and Mr. M'Gillivray and plenty of the men are staying
to take care of them. Oh, father, you must let me
go with you ! I can stand aljout as much as you can
yourself.*

Now the truth of the matter was that Mr. M'Kenzie
was no loss eager to have his son with him than Archie
was to go, and it was only a feeling of affectionate anxiety
lest he would have to suffer too much hardship in the
enterprise, that prompted liini to refuse his request. But
as he listened to his earnest pleadings, he saw plainly that
it would make the 1)oy very unhappy to leave him
liehind ; so, after some further show of resistance, more to
satisfy his own conscience than for any other reason,
he gave his consent, and Archie went off delightedly
to tell Akaitchko that he was to be one of the hunting
party.

Without loss of time the necessary preparations were
made. The party consisted of fifteen men, and included
Mr. Wentzel, and of course Akaitchko, but not Sautloulai,
much to the little fellow's grief. It comprised the

THE MOOSE-HUNT

best hunters in the fort. The factor, Archie, and the
Norwegian were the only white men, tlie others being
either half-breeds or Indians. Each man took a toboggan,
upon which he put his gun and bufMo sleeping robes,
and which ho hoped to bring back heavy witli moose
meat. A small quantity of pemmican and salt was taken
as a resource in extreme emergency, and also a quantity
of beaver skins with which to make skin stew when there
was nothing else to be had.

In the matter of ammunition their supply was all too
scant, and but for the happy accident of a small quantity
of powder and bullets having been left in the storehouse tliat
was not burned, although as a rule they were all kept in
tlie other, the only availal)le stock would have been what
each man happened to have in his own room. As it
turned out, there was sufficient to furnish each memljcr
of the hunting party with twenty-five rounds, and to
leave a hundred rounds or so at the fort, in case of an
opportunity to use them presenting itself.

'Now, my men,' said Mr. M'Kenzie to his little
company, ' you see how little powder we have. Not a
sliot must be wasted. Let all who can use the bow take
one with them, and plenty of arrows. If we have the
luck to find some ptarmigan, we can kill them better with
arrows than with bullets.'

The parting was a trying one for the M'Kenzies. None
knew whether they should ever see each other's faces
again. For the hunters there were perils from storms,
starvation, and wild beasts to be encountered ; for the
women the long, wearing anxiety of waiting, and the

124

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

possibility of succmnbing to the inevitable privations of
their life. IJcfore starting out, the father gathered his
family iibout him, and in earnest prayer committed them
to the earo of the Omnipotent. Then, banishing all sign
of worry from his rugged face, ho strained his wife and
daughter to his Ijreast, and hastened out to take command
of the men awaiting him at the gate. Archie delayed for
one final parting hug, and then darted after him, his mother's
prayer, ' Kind God, take care of my boy,' following him
as he hastened to join the little procession, which had
already begun to move through tlie gate into the vast
white wilderness, where they must take their chances of
life or death.

It was a very grave and quiet party. The men were
in no mood for joking or laughter. They fully realised
how much depended upon the success of their expedition.
They were all dressed alike. A long coat made out of
either bison or wolf skin protected the body, and a ccqMc
of the same material covered the head. Trousers of thick
blanket cloth were tucked into stout leggings that fitted
close to moccasins gaily decked with beads and quills,
and round the waist was a broad leather belt, from wliich
hung a hunting - knife and hatchet, while across the
shoulders were suspended the powder-horn and bullet-
pouch. They were, of coarse, all mounted upon snow-
shoes, without which not a mile of progress could have
been made.

Taking a short cut across the lake, they struck the Elk
River where it loses itself in the lake, and finding that
its frozen bosom, covered with lirm-packed snow, made

THE MOOSE- HUNT

125

ations of
lered his
ted them
all sign
wife and
onunand
[iiyed for
mother's
ing him
lich had
;he vast
ances of

en were
realised
sedition.
) out of
a ccqiotti
of thick
it fitted
[ quills,
1 whicli
oss the
^ bullet-
i snow-
Id have

the Elk
tig that
', made

an excellent road, they tramped all tlie rust of that day
steadily southward. The factor's idea was to keep on
until lie reached tlie confluence of the Ihiflalo with the
Elk liiver, aud then, turning off to the west, to hunt for
moose among tlie thickly timl)ered valleys whieli make
dark lines in tlie rolling prairie between the lied Eiver
and tlie IjuH'alo. This would entail a full week of hard
traveHing, during which they would have to find susten-
ance along the route somehow; but Mr. M'Kenzie felt
sure it would lie only wasting time to stop short of the
lUiffalo reiver, as there were no really good hunting-
grounds in the intervening country.

Of the whole party Archie was the only one who did
not have to drag a toboggan after him. He was quite
willing himself to do it, but his father insisted that they
sliould have only one between them, and that he himself
should drag that one ; so that, being free to move about
as he pleased, Archie, accompanied by Edaiye, instead of
keeping in line with the rest, made himself busy beating
the cover along the banks of the stream in search of
partridge and ptarmigan.

They were by no mean unsuccessful either. Edaiye
was a capital hunting dog. Nothing could escape his
keen eye or nose, and many a bird did Archie contribute
to the camp kettle, brought down witli a well-aimed
arrow. His gun he did not use at all; it had to be
reserved for larger game. And as time after time his
arrow sped to its mark with unerring aim, he thought
what a fortunate thing it was that he had taken such
trouble to be expert with the bow as well as with the

126

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

gun. llu missiid ScUitluultii very iiiucli, and iV'lt inclined
to iind fault witli his father for leaving the brave litMe
Indian behind. But he did not express that feeling,
knowing well that Mr. M'Kenzie had a good reason for
everything he did, and moreover had required to be
coaxed into letting him (Archie) go.

The weather seemed to be settled fair. One cold, clear,
bright, windless day succeeded another, and under happier
circumstances the party would have been quite a merry
one ; but as they were all half starving, never being able
to get enough to entirely appease their hunger, and in
addition to their own sufferings could never forget the
families and friends at the fort, the preservation of whose
lives depended upon their securing abundance of meat,
they talked little and laughed less as they tramped on
towards the hunting-grounds.

The part of each day's programme that pleased Archie
most was going into camp for the night, partly because
he was always vu.y tired by that time, and partly because
tliere was something romantic about it that appealed to
his nature. The manner of preparing the bivouac was
as follows. A sheltered nook amidst the trees was chosen,
and the snow scraped away w^th the snow-shoes in the
shape of a circle to the depth of three feet or more. The
hatchets were then busily plied until a great pile of
firewood was ready. In the centre of the circle the fire
was then built, and upon the snow around it the men
spread their buffalo robes, and stretching themselves out
with feet towards the fire, and heads protected by the
wall of snow, rested as only weary men can rest.

THE MOOSE-HUNT

127

tt inclinccl
rave litUe
t feeling,
reason for
ed to be

old, clear,
r happier
a merry
'eing able
r, and in
Drget the
of whose
of meat,
mped on

d Arcliie
because
because
sealed to
uac was
3 cliosen,
s in tlie
re. Tlie
pile of
the fire
he men
Ives out
by the
A\ rest.

Archie never failed to sleep soundly. Not even hunger
could keep him awake, and in the blessed oblivion of
sleep he forgot for tlie time all his discomforts and
anxieties.

When they were tliree days out, tliey came to the
junction of the lied liiver with the Elk, and some
of the party were for leaving the Elk and followin«'
up the other stream. But Mr. M'Kenzie would not
consent.

*We can't afford to lose a single day,' he said. 'If
we keep right on to tlie P>uffalo, we can then work
back to liere, and if there are any moose about, we'll
have all the sliorter distance to carry them home.
Don't you tliink so, Akaitchko?' turning to the old
Indian.

' Me think so too,' assented Akaitchko. ' We get moose
near Buffalo, sure.'

Arcliie was so eager to have a try at the moose, that he
felt rather disappointed at his father's decision.

' Might it not be worth while to stop here for one day,
and see if there are any moose about ? ' he asked. =.

' Don't be impatient, laddie,' replied his father, patting
him on the shoulder. ' You'll have plenty to do once we
find moose, I can tell you.'

So for two days more they tramped and camped, and
at last reached the mouth of the Buffalo in better spirits
than they had been since setting out, because partridges
and hares had been found in sullicient quantity to keep
the pot pretty well supplied. Turning away from the
Elk Biver, upon whose bosom they had marched for

fTsr

i'!l

1,1;/

128

ARCHIE APKENZIE

about il week, they .struck oil' up the liull'iih) aiiil foHowed
its course uutil sundown. The farther tliey went tlie
liigher rose their hojic's. On every .si(hj tliey .<^aw in
fUmiulance tlie trees and sliru])S ujjou wlioso tender Juicy
twigs the great creature; tliey were in searcli (A loves to
feed. Where its food was ,so ])lentiful, th(» animal itself
could not be far distant.

With every son.sc upon the alert, and his gun ready for
instant use in his liand, Archie, accompanied by Edaiye,
kept along the river bank, every moment hojiing to light
upon some trace of the moose. I'resently the dog gave a
quick, eager bark, and hastening Ibrward, Archie to his
delight found printed in the snow the mark of hoofs that
there was no mistaking. Only the broad foot of the
moose could leave such a track behind, ami it had not
been long made either. A young birch tree stripped l)are
of its smaller branches explained the animal's presence.
He must have had a good meal, and have gone off feeling
very comfortable. I*ossibly, then, he was not far away,
and reposing in some cosy nook while his dinner was
digesting.

For a moment Archie was possessed with the wild idea
of following up the track, alone, and venturing to attack
the moose single-handed. One well-aimed shot mio;ht
do the business, and then what good grounds he M'ould
have for boasting ! He would undoubtedly be the hero
of the hunt. His heart beat like a trip-hammer, and his
breath almost ceased as he struggled with the temptation.
Then there came to him the thought of his father's jrrave,
loving countenance, and the tones of tender reproof in

THE MOOSE-HUNT

12()

;ut the
f^aw in
31' juicy
loves to
\\ itself

>{i(ly for
Kdaiye,
to light
f gave a
3 to liis
lofs that

of the
had not
)cd bare

esence.

feeling
away,

ler was

ild idea
attack
might
! would
le hero
mil his
itation.
grave,
roof in

wliich he would say, could he read what was passing in
his mind —

'Don't be rash, my lad, don't be rash. You've only
one life to lose, and you've no right to risk that
recklessly.'

' No, I won't ! ' he exclaimed, as though his fatlier were
present and he were answering him. ' It would be a
crazy thing to do.' And calling Edaiye to him, he
hastened down the bank to apprise his father of what
he had seen.

His piece of news aroused the greatest excitement.
The eager men wanted to leave their toboggans where
they were, and rush olf after tlie moose. J>ut the factor
would not allow that.

' We can't be too careful, my men,' he said. ' I shall
be much mistaken if the moose have not yarded somewhere
near. It's just the right sort of a country for a yard,
and to go ilying off after that fellow miglit perhaps spoil
our chances of taking a score of them — and it's meat,
not sport, we're after now.'

The whole party accordingly climbed the bank, and,
piling their toboggans in a heap together, prepared for a
systematic hunt. Every man saw to it that his gun was
properly loaded and capped, and his hunting-knife ready
for immediate action. Then, leaving two of the men in
charge of the toboggans, Mr. M'Kenzie directed the
otliers to spread out in a long line, yet keeping within
hearing distance of each other, and to steer due north
until the game should be found. The factor's position
was in the centre of the line, with Archie on his right,

130

ARCHIE APKEN/JE

m
ijii.

tliu end mull l)(3ing Mr. Wontzel and Akaitchlco. As
siluiitly as it was po.ssi])lo for them to move, they stole
oil tliroiif^di the forest, eacli man eager to be the liist
to catch siglit of tlieir prey. They must have gone at
least a mile without seeing anything save a partridge or
two, wliicli were permitted to flit liy unhurt, when Mr.
]\['Kenzie's attention was attracted by a sound as if a
sudden breeze had sprung up and was shaking the trees
not far ahead of him.

' llist ! ' he cried, under his breath, and held up a
warning hand to Archie, who looked inquiringly towards
him.

They both stood perfectly still for a moment, and
listened intently. Tlie disturbance among the branches
increased. Archie hastened to his father's side.

' It's one of them riding down a tree,' said Mr.
IM'Kcnzie, his face beaming at the prospect of soon
achieving the object of their long journey. ' Let's
creep up on him, and see if he's alone, or belongs to a
lierd.'

Redoubling their c;ao, and bending low, so as to
remain unseen as long' ..s possible, the hunters crept
forward breathlessly ip.itil they reached a sort of ridge,
to the crest of which they made their way, and peeped
cautiously over. Then a sight met their eyes that made
them thrill with joy, for in the hollow below, a cup-like
depression about a hundred yards in diameter, was a
moose-yard, containing nearly a hundred of the splendid
creatures, bulls, cows, and calves, some moving lazily
about cropping the branches of the surrounding trees,

THE MOOSE-HUNT

131

:o. As
ey stole
tliu first
gone at
bridge or
hen Mr.
as if a
the trees

Id up a
' towards

ent, and
branches

said Mr.

of soon

' Let's

ings to a

,0 as to
rs crept
of ridge,
1 peeped
lat made
cup-like
•, was a
splendid
ig lazily
iig trees )

otliers reclining conifortuhly upon the well-trodden snow,
enjoying the sunshine wliich [Mjured down upon them,
and which tlieir complete protection from the wind
enabled them to fully enjoy.

It was the lirst time that Areliie had ever seen a
number of moose together, and they looked so stately,
so contented, so happy, tliat his heart smote him at the
idea of disturbing their peace with murderous bullets,
even if tlieir llesh was so badly needed. ]]ut liis father
had no such compunctions.

' Slip off quietly along the line that way, and I will go
this way to get the men together. We mustn't open lire
until we have the yard surrounded,' he whispered, his
eyes gleaming with eagerness.

Archie instantly obeyed, and the two dropped down
behind tlic ridge, and separated in search of the others.
One by one they were found, and told of the good news,
without any alarm being given to the moose. As directed
by the factor, one half of them, making a wide tUiour,
approached the yard from the opposite side, while the
rest awaited the signal that would announce tlieir being
ready.

These few minutes of waiting were very hard to bear,
for the moose, seeming to get some wind of the danger
threatening them, showed signs of restlessness, and began
to sniff the air suspiciously, and utter strange, inquiring
grunts. But at last the weird, shrill whoop, that only
Akaitchko knew how to give, pierced the air, and,
released from all restraint, the impatient hunters sprang
forward.

132

ARCHIE APKENZIE

ill; I

The sudden appearance of so many men, all shouting at
tlie tops of their voices, threw the moose into the wildest
confusion, and they huddled together in the centre of the
yard, trembling with terror. This was precisely what the
hunters wished. Aiming with the utmost care, for every
bullet was as precious as if it had been made of silver,
they fired a volley into the struggling mass of animals,
which brought a number to the ground. Tlien hurriedly
reloading, shouting loudly all the time, so that the
frightened creatures should not break away, they repeated
the volley, and still more were laid prostrate. The
massacre bade fair to include the whole herd, when, just
after the second volley, and before any one had time to
reload, a huge bull that had been only sligi^dy wounded
in the neck broke away from the others, and ut^tering an
appalling roar, charged down upon the circle of slayers.

It chanced that Archie was right in the line of his
onset. His father had moved some distance from him,
but saw the danger even before Archie did.

' Oh — the lad ! ' cried the factor, loading his gun with
feverish liaste. He could not possibly reach the boy in
time to get between him and the bull, but a well-aimed
bullet might save him.

' Look out, Archie. l\un to me for your life ! ' he
shouted, ramming down a heavy charge.

Archie, intent upon watching the struggles of a young
moose that he had shot, had not noticed the bull bearing
down upon hi)u until his father's call fell on his ears.
Then, aroused to his imminent peril, he started to run
towards the factor. It was the best thing he could do,

THE MOOSE-HUNT

133

outing at
e wildest
re of the
what the
for every
of silver,

animals,
liurricdly
that the

repeated
ite. The
hen, just
. time to
wounded
tering an
ayers.

of his
'om hiiii,

^un with
e boy in
U-aimed

ife!' he

a young
. bearing
his ears.
1 to run
ould do,

and yet it served to make him all the more conspicuous
to the infuriated creature, which, sending forth again its
awful roar, and looking terrible beyond description, with
its black mane erect, bristling hair, bloodshot eyes, and
foaming mouth, turned as he turned, and ploughed through
the snow in hot pursuit.

Now, had Archie been in his moccasins on smooth
ground, he might have safely defied even a fierce bull
moose, for the latter is a clumsy animal at best, but he
was upon snow-shoes, and in the midst of woods where
the roots and branches of trees protruding through the
snow were ready to trip him at every step. He could not
llee at full speed from his furious pursuer, but had to
look carefully where he placed his feet, so that his rate
of progress seemed agonisingly slow to his father, who,
having by this time got his gun loaded, was hastening to
meet him.

' Quick, Archie, quick ! ' cried Mr. IM'Kenzie. ' lie's
right behind you.'

Archie gave a nervous glance over his slioulder. Sure
enough, the moose, coming on at his lumbering gallop, was
not more than twenty yards behind. Oh, if only he had
wings instead of snow-shoes ! His feet seemed weighted
with lead. A terror such as he had never known in his
life before struck to his heart. He felt as though he could
not breathe. A horrible sense of suflbcation oppressed
liim. His father appeared to be hopelessly in the distance.
Yet life was sweet, and he would put forth one more effort
to reach him. Gathering himself together for a supreme
spurt, he leaped forward over the snow. But before he

134

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

had taken two more steps, the toe of his right snow-shoe
caught in a projecting root. He made a frantic but futile
effort to retain his balance, and then, with a piercing cry
of terror, phmged headlong into the snow right in the
path of the mooso.

II 'iis':i

III ,1

low-shoe
ut futile
'cing cry
b in the

CHArTEri X

THE RETUllN IN TRIUMPH

ECHIE'S cry was echoed by a groan of
horror from his father. Ejaculating a
prayer for divine help, the factor levelled
his gun and fired. But in his haste he
aimed too high, and the bullet did the moose;
"/ no more serious damage than to pierce a liole
through one of his mighty antlers, causing him to shake
his head a moment, and then continue his course.

So impetuous was his onset that he could not check it
when he came to Archie's prostrate form, and planting his
lioois upon the boy's back, he lumbered heavily past. In
this piece of good fortune lay Archie's salvation. By a
tremendous effort he regained his feet, and ere the bull,
finding out his mistake, could wheel about and renew the
charge, he had dodged round to the other side of a stout
birch that providentially stood near.

In the meantime, Akaitcho, intent as he was upon
hnn-oiim the whole herd, had become aware of Arcliie's
peril, and hastened to the rescue. It was well, not

136

ARCHIE AfKENZIE

only for Archie, but for his father, that the old Indian
appeared when he did, for the latter, determined to aid
his son at all hazards, and knowing there was no time
to reload, had dashed down his gun, and, drawing his
hunting-knife, rushed recklessly upon the moose with that
inadequate weapon.

Seeing Akaitchko approaching from the other side, Mr .
M'Kenzie stopped, and shouted —

' Fire ! for mercy's sake, fire ! '

Akaitchko did not need to be urged. He was only
waiting for the chance to take such aim as would make
one bullet do the work. The next moment the chance
came. As the great creature circled about the tree,
striking it fiercely with his antlers in his blind fury, he
presented his full side to the Indian. Instantly the
levelled gun spoke, the bullet went swift and straight to
its mark just behind the moose's fore - shoulder, and
uttering an awful sound, half groan, half roar, he dashed
his head against the tree and fell over in the snow, upon
whose spotless wliite his life-blood soon made ruddy
stains.

The moment he full, Archie forgot his terror, and
springing out from behind the birch, stood over liis
prostrate foe, crying exultingly —

'Turn about is fair play. You trod on me, now I'll
tread on you.'

The fallen giant of the forest, as if stung by the taunt,
made a desperate ellbrt to regain his feet, but all in vain.
His power to harm was gone, and with a deep sigh he laid
down his head and expired.

THE RETURN IN TRIUMPH

137

Id Indian
ed to aid
no time
wing his
with that

side, Mr.

^as only
lid make
3 chance
■he tree,
fury, he
itly the
'aiglit to
ier, and
3 dashed
w, upon
) ruddy

'or, and
ver his

low I'll

3 taunt,
in vain,
he laid

'Ah! him big moose/ exclaimed Akaitchko admiringly,
as with his eye he measured the magnificent proportions
of the animal. He was indeed a monster. Mr,
M'Kenzie in all his experience had never seen a grander
specimen. He could not have stood less than twenty
hands in height, nor turned the scale at much under two
thousand pounds, while the branching antlers that so
royally adorned his massive head were full six feet from
tip to tip.

' Next to my joy at your fortunate escape, Archie dear,
is my satisfaction at securing so splendid a moose,' said
Mr. M'Kenzie ; ' and it is you, my good Akaitchko, that
I have to thank for both. Trust me, I'll not forget how
mucli I owe you.'

The old Indian's eyes gleamed with pleasure at tlie
factor's words, ])ut his only reply was a kind of pleased
grunt, as he bent over the moose, and began the work of
cutting it up.

Leaving him to finish this task, Mr. M'Kenzie and
Archie hurried back to the moose-yard, to find that there
was nothing left for them to do except assist in the final
operations. Barring a few, not more than a score
altogether, which had followed the lead of the big bull,
and broken through the fatal circle, the entire herd had
been bagged. A grander day's work could not l)e
conceived. On the trampled and stained snow before
them the hunters had a suliicient store of delicious
venison to carry the fort safely through the remainder of
the winter, and well on into Ihe spring. No more fear
of famine now. Tired and hungry as the men were, they

■IV

138

ARCHIE APKENZIE

could not settle down to work until they had executed u
dance of triumph over their fallen victims, and hugged one
another all round, by way of expressing their exuberant

joy-

For the business of turning the moose into meat Archie
liad no hankering. On the contrary, he was particularly
anxious to see as little of it as possible. Yet he did not
like to be idling about when all the others were working
like beavers. Happy thought! There was something he
could do

' falln:!, hadn't I better go back to the men we left in
chnvgo of the toboggans, and tell them to come along ? '
he t:ugg../ued.

' A capital idea, my lad,' said the factor ; * if you don't
mind going through the woods alone.'

' Of course I don't,' replied Archie, with a superior
smile. ' There's nothing in these woods to harm me. So
come along, Edaiye ; off we go.' And away he went,
stepping swiftly over the snowdrifts, until he vanished
behind a ridge.

His route was plain enough, for all he had to do was to
follow the marks of the snow-shoes back to their starting-
point on tlie bank of the river, and tlie distance being not
more than two miles, he accomplished it in less than half
an hour.

He found the two men sitting beside a little fire, and
almost wild with impatience and curiosity. They had
heard the reports of the guns, sounding faintly through
the still air of the forest like the popping of corks from
distant bottles, and they knew tliat there must be

THE RETURN IN TRIUMPH

139

ixecuted a
iigged one
exuberant

at Archie
.rticularly
ic did not
) working
ething he

we left in
e along ? '

r^oii don't

superior

mo. So

he went,

vanished

lo was to
starting-
3eing not
than half

fire, and
'hey had

througli
rks from
must be

exciting work in progress. As soon as Archie caught sight
of them, he took off his cap and waved it in the air,
sliouting —

' Hurrah ! Hurrah ! We've killed a hundred ! Hurrah ! '

' Killed a hundred what ? ' they cried.

' A hundred moose/ he answeretl. ' Come along.
Hurry up and help them. There's any amount of work
to be done.'

Tlie men did not need mucli hurrying up. Gathering
everything together, they hastened to join their comrades,
Archie helping by dragging two of the toboggans as his
share. They were heavily loaded, and could not go very
fast, but the prospect of such a dinner as they had not
enjoyed for many a day kept them from getting weary,
and in good time they reached the scene of the hunt.

On their way thither they noticed grey shadows flitting
silently through the woods to right and left, and at
intervals a wild, weird howl broke in upon the stillness.
Tlie wolves had scented the slaughter, and were assemblitig
for a feast. Clearly there would be need of watchers at
tlie camp that night.

As soon as he rejoined his father, Archie reported
having seen the wolves. Indeed, while he was speaking
there came a howl that told its own story from the top of
the ridge to the right.

' Just what I expected,' said the factor. ' If we want to
Iceep what we have got, we'll have to fight those grey
pirates for it. But I don't think we need be afraid of
them.'

Archie did not at all like the idea of being surrountled

140

ARCHIE MKENZIE

by wolves. They were a long distance from the fort.
They had but a few rounds of ammunition apiece, and,
loaded as the toboggans would be with the precious meat,
it was bound to be slow work getting home. Boy-like, he
felt much more disturbed at the idea of a danger that
might continue day after day, than of a peril whicli,
though far more serious, would, for better or worse, be
over in a few minutes. The object of their expedition
having been so fully accomplislied, he was impatient to be
back at the fort, and to see his mother and sister enjoying
the juicy venison that would be brought them.

' Bother the wolves ! ' he exclaimed in a fretful tone.
' Why can't they leave us alone ? If they want moose
meat let them kill it for themselves, and not come
sneaking round us watching for the first chance to steal
what we've had so much trouble to get.'

The factor laughed quietly. ' It's not the way with
wolves to consult one's feelings, Archie. They prefer
following their own sweet will. But we'll do our best to
disappoint them this time, won't we, laddie ? '

* I hope so, father,' replied Archie despondently. Then,
after a pause, he added, *0h, how I wish we were safe
home again ! '

'My poor boy,' said Mr. M'Kenzie, putting his arm
about him tenderly, ' I don't wonder you say so. You
must be very tired of this, and greatly in need of a rest.
I'm thinking I was right in wanting you to bide at home.'

The fact of the matter was, that as to both mind and
body Archie was in a very run-down condition. The
meagre fare, the continuous travelling, the stress and

THE RETURN IN TRIUMPH

141

1 tlie fort,
piece, and,
cious meat,
)Oy-like, lie
anger that
sril which,
worse, be
expedition
tient to be
T enjoying

3tful tone,
int moose
not come
ce to steal

way with
ey prefer
ur best to

y. Then,
were safe

his arm
so. You
of a rest,
at home.'
mind and
in. The
ress and

strain of tlie moose-hunt, had completely exhausted him,
and, big boy as he was, he thought witli inexpressil)le
longing of his comfortable home and his beloved motlier,
and in the bottom of his heart wished that he had not left
tliem to go upon, this expedition. He would have given
anything to be lying on the floor before the lire, with his
head resting on his mother's lap, and her soft brown hand
gently stroking his forehead, as she loved so to do. Oh
that dreadful distance of bleak, snow-covered wilderness !
How could he be patient until the long journey was over ?
And then the wolves ! Was there no getting rid of them ?

But he had to keep these thoughts to himself, for
everybody was too Imsy cutting up the moose and packing
the meat snugly into the hides for transportation to the
fort, to pay attention to anything else. It was not a
particularly pleasant employment, and so Archie went oil'
to the top of the ridge to see how many wolves were
gathering. Sure enough, there they were, skulkhig about
among the trees in ever-increasing numbers. How he
longed for some magic power, something more deadly than
the best aimed bullet or arrow, wherewith to destroy the
miserable brutes !

The men's work was but half done when night came
and put a stop to it, so all hands turned to and cut an
immense quantity of wood, with which a circle of fire was
built about the camp, and tlien two-thirds of the men
slept, while the other third kept watch.

Tired as he felt, Archie at first found it hard to get to
sleep. The wolves drew as near to the fire as they dared,
and, sitting upon their haunches, howled so dolefully and

142

ARCHIE APKENZIE

persistently, that every now and then those on wate^,
losing all patience, would snatch up burning brands and
charge upon the unwelcome chorus, causing a temporary
panic amongst them, and securing silence for a while. At
length, during one of these lulls, he dropped off, and did
not waken until broad daybreak.

That morning the work was fhiished. All the meat
that could not be taken was slung high in the trees out of
the wolves' reach, in order that if necessary a second trip
might be made for it, and by midday the party started
upon its return journey, with nearly three thousand pounds
of venison stowed carefully upon the toboggans. Heavily
loaded though they were, they hoped to be no longer
getting back than they were coming down, because, with
strength sustained by abundant food, they would be
capable of much greater exertion.

Greatly to their joy and comfort, the fine weather
continued unbroken, and as no more snow fell, they had
the advantage of the path broken on their way down.
The wolves followed them day by day, and refused to be
frightened away. Every now and then one would be
shot, just to let the pack understand that the hunters were
not to be trilled with. But this had no effect upon the
others. They just paused long enough to eat up their
stricken comrade, and then continued the pursuit. It
was fortunate for the heavily laden hunters that they
were passing through a well - wooded country, which
afforded them the means of keeping up big fires every
niglit, or assuredly neither they nor their treasure would
ever have reached Fort Chipcwyau.

THE RETURN IN TRIUMPH

on watr'i,
muds find
tein])orary
vliilu. At
If, and did

the meat
ees out of
)Cond trip
ty started
nd pounds
Heavily
uo longer
[luse, witli
,vould be

weather
they had
ay down,
led to be
vould be
ters were
upon the
up their
'suit. It
hat they
r, whieh
es every
re would

Archie found the constant presence of tliese tormentors
very trying. If he could only have waged war upon them
with powder and bullet, he would not have minded half
so much. lUit it was the leaving them alone that botliered
him. It seemed to him like sitting still and allowing
yourself to be freely bitten by mosquitoes without as
much as raising your hand to brush them olf. Yet there
was no other alternative. However, the longest journey,
as well as the longest night, has an end, and with the
fort drawing nearer and nearer, his depressed spirits began
to assert their elasticity.

The closer he got to home, the more absurd the conduct
of the creatures seemed. What a fruitless chase was
theirs ! He almost pitied them as he thought of the
profound disgust they would feel when the last toboggan
passed through the gate, and the heavy door shut them
out contemptuously in the cold.

On the twelfth day from their setting out, the eyes of
the wearied hunters were gladdened by the walls of Fort
Chipewyan coming into view, the one dark patch amid
the universal white. They halted for a moment to send
up a cheer, for powder was too precious to be expended in
a feu de joie, and then pressed eagerly forward. Ere the
van of the procession reached the gate, the whole :;arrison
poured forth to welcome it, and the air was iiUed with
cries of joy and hearty greetings in English, French, and
Chipewyan, as the wives and children gathered about the
dear ones whose return had been so anxiously awaited.
Never before in the history of the fort had such a scene
been witnessed. All were included in the rejoicing, for

144

ARCnili APKEN/JE

tlio success of the expoilitioii meant tlio rescue of all from
the tlreudful possibility of death by famine.

As soon as ho could, the factor withdrew to his own
quarters, and with Virginie and liose-Marie for sm;'" ^'ut
suflicient audience, and Archie as prompter, procee^.^^i to
relate the events of the trip, the dewy eyes, trembling lii)S,
and changing cheeks of his listeners showing how dee^ ^y
the story stirred them. When he told of Archie's narro y
escape, Mrs. M'Kenzie threw her arms about her son, a? 1
pressing him to her heart, lifted her eyes upward as si j
murmured —

* How kind the g(jod (lod is ! lie heard my prayers or
my boy, and kept him safe. What would 1 have doi if
that dreadful moose had crushed him to death ?' ant -he
shuddered at the very thought.

In the comforts of home Archie so(jn forgot all his
tribulations while on the expedition, and retained Imt one
regret, namely, that he had not l)een able to kill more of
those scoundrelly wolves. lie found great enjoyment in
relating his adventures to Sautloulai and the other ])oys.
They were, of course, eager for every detail, and if in his
desire to satisfy their interest he added sundry eml)ellish-
ments to the narrative — why, what boy would not have
been tempted to do the same under similar circumstances ?
The fact of the matter was, he rejoiced in the prestige
which the fact of his being the only boy in the party
naturally gave him. The older he grew, the stronger
became his thirst for leadership. He could not brook the
idea of any other boy at the fort being his match in
anything, and the more complete and unquestioned his

TJIE RETURN IN TRIUMVII

'45

[\ll from
liis own

3Cvv-.i to

ling lips,
V (Ice^ ly
) iiarro v
son, ju 1
1 as bi J

lyuvs or

I doi ir

an< 'lie

all his
but one
more of
niciit in
ler l)oys.
if in his
n])ellish-
lot have
stances ?
prestige
le party
stronger
ook the
atch ill
ned his

sujireniacy stood, the hetter he was jdeased. His position
lis the factor's son was of course very iiiueh in his favour.
Indeed, hut for this he niiglit have had more serious
op]>osition than he had in the various contests of skill and
stien^^th tliat ui'ic often taking place. His eompt^titors
naturally shrunk from doing their host against him lest
they might incur his ill-will, and from this cause ho
sometimes won victories that might have lieeii defeats.

The result of all this was the development of a
consequential, })atronising manner that was much to he
H'gretted, and of which the two junior clerks, Stewart and
M'Clillivray, were especially conscious. It irritated them
exceedingly, and caused them to clierish in their hearts
a vigorous desire t(j 'take the young cub down a jieg or
two' at the first o]»portunity. The factor was not unaware
of this failing on his son's part, but thought it well to
.:,: • nothing about it.

' Til. lad's young, and if he sticks out his liorns too far,
he'll learn by plenty of hard knocks to haul tliem in ngain.
Doulttless I was just as foolish myself at his years.'

If the truth must be told, Mr. M'Keiizie was just a
wee bit open to the same charge, even at his mature years.
He to(» had been for many years wont to have pretty much
his own way in his little domain in the heart of the
Canadian wilderness; and much as Mr. Wentzel, the next
in command, loved and respected him, he could not hel[)
sometimes wishing that his chief had not quite so good an
opinion of himself or such unshaken conlidence in his
own judgment. But there are spots on the sun, they say,
and the M'Kenzies, father and son, had no more than

146

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

their share of human frailty, to which it would not have
been necessary to make any reference but for its bearing,
as far as concerned one of them at least, upon forthcoming
events.

After tJie excitement occasioned by the return of the
liunters had suljsided, life went on very quietly at the
fort. Although sullicient meat had been brought in to
liist, with strict economy, until the spring, Mr. M'Kenzie
thought it well to send off a party for what had been left
hung up in the trees. Accordingly, the men who had
remained in the fort, with Akaitchko as guide, were
despatched, under the command of Mr. Stewart, to do
this work. Sautloulai, much to his joy, was permitted to
accompany his father, and far better provisioned than the
first party had been, the second expedition started gaily
southward. They were gone only ten days, and had a
v(!ry quiet time of it, except when the wolves sat round
and howled them to sleep. They found the meat
untouched and in perfect condition, and brought back
nearly as much as the others had done. This second
supply removed all necessity for short rations, and plenty
rciuned where famine had threatened.

Spring is a very laggard comer to Lake Athabasca.
Not until /^^vil does the air grow really warm and the
snow shov igns of melting. Only one very new to the
country would ever think of hunting for May flowers in
the month their name suggests. May, indeed, is more a
month of mud and slush than anything else. The hills
are streanung with water, the hollows are turned into
ponds, the brooks into torrents. There is absolutely

lid not have

' its bearing,

forthcoming

etiirn of the
lietly at the
nought in to
[r. M'Kcnzie
ad been left
len who had
guide, were
ewart, to do
permitted to
led than the
started gaily
!, and had a
38 sat round
I the meat
Tought back
This second
I, and plenty

e Athabasca.
wm and the
Y new to the
\y tlowers in
id, is more a
3. The hills
turned into
3 absolutely

T//^ RETURN IN TRIUMPH ' ,47

nothing to be done but to wait for the world around you
to dry np,

Tiiis was the time of year that Archie found hard to
get tliroiigh. It was so fine overhead that staying indc.rs
«3emed out of tlie question, but then it was so wrctrlied
under foot that one could do nothing when out.

Tiie days, therefore, dragged heavily, and ho looked
forward with much impatience to the coming of summer
in earnest, when everything was possible, and each long
day might ])e filled with enterprise and acliievement.

■^BH"

CHAPTER XI

SUMMER AT FORT CIIIPEWYAN

UKELY and steadily, if not quite rapidly
enough for impatient Archie, the days
grew warmer and longer, until at last
the thrice welcome summer entered
into full possession. An Athabasca
summer has not the same length of
life as one farther south, but what it
lacks in duration it makes up in l)eauty. The days are
l)riglit, clear, and warm without being oppressive, the
nights are cool and refreshing. Rain comes but seldom.
Tlic ground, so deep frozen in winter that it never really
thaws out to the bottom, retains sufficient moisture to
render rain almost unnecessary. Tiie prairie puts on a
robe of richest green, spangled with i lowers innumerable.
The trees beside the watercourses rustle proudly in the
breeze their flaunting wealth of foliage. The birds, glad
to be back from their winter refuge in the south, express
tlieir joy in wonderful warbling ; while the deer grow fat
upon their verdant pastures, the beavers toil earnestly at

148

£ n

SUMMER AT FORT CHIPEWYAN

149

te rapidly
, the days
itil at last
r eutered
A-thabasca
ength of
it what it
days are
ssive, the
it seldom,
ver really
oisture to
)uts on a
uinerable.
ly in the
jirds, glad
h, express
[• grow fat
rnestly at

their dams, the fish leap sparkling from the lake, and
everywhere there is life, life joyous and unfettered, in the
midst of which any one possessing a sound body, a clear
conscience, and a sure supply of ordinary comforts, can
have no possible excuse for not being happy.

And Archie was happy. Not a happier boy had foot
upon the continent, for, beside enjoying all the essentials
to liappiness just mentioned, he was in the first flush of
Lliat precious pleasure which comes from the sense of
Ijeing considered something more than a mere boy. He
did not cherish the ideal of manhood. But to send a
bullet or an arrow straight to its mark, to paddle a canoe
hour after hour without missing a stroke, to tramp on
snow-shoes four miles an hour for half a day without
sitting down to rest, to bestride a half-broken horse and
stick there until the creature, panting and exliausted,
confessed defeat, to set a trap so cunningly that even
tlie wary wolverine would fall a victim, — these were some
of the attributes of manhood according to his way of
thinking, and all these lie possessed in w degree which
renderetl the pretty high opinion he field of liimself at
least excusable, if not altogether admirable.

lie found great enjoyment in recounting his various
exploits to his mother and sister. They had nothing but
applause for liini. They never dreamed of ofi'ering either
criticism or counsel. Everything that he did seemed
good in tlieir eyes, and he desired no more appreciative
audience. Ihit his tongue did not wag (|uite as freely in
his father's presence. If he had been talking much about
liimself, and chanced to glance at the factor's face, he was

ISO

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

apt to find its rugged outlines touched with a kindly yet
i|uizzical smile, that sometimes caused him to feel as
though his father were amused at him instead of being
impressed by him. In fact, although it made his clieeks
burn to take that view of it, lie could not help thinking
sometimes that the factor would have very much the
same look if he were watchiii" the antics of a conscious
puppy-dog.

One evening, after he had been dilating at some lengtli
upon the way in which he had mastered a two-year-old
horse whose education was but begun, Mr. M'Kenzie,
who had listened with no small pride to the story of his
son's prowess, hiding this feeling behind the smile that
bothered the boy so much, said quietly —

' Eh, lad, no doubt but you did well. It's no easy job
to stick fast to one of those wild creatures. But though
you're learning how to master them finely, I was just
thinking there was something else you need learn to
master, Archie, which may be a tougher task than even
the two-year-old.'

Pleased at his father's praise, which was all the more
precious for being sparingly bestowed, Archie forgot the
curious smile, and asked eagerly —

'What is that, father? I'm not afraid to try anything
that there's any sense in trying.'

' There's plenty of sense in trying it, Archie,' answered
the factor. 'The wisest men have been those who tried it
hardest.'

Ly this time Archie began to suspect that it was not
something in the physical world his father had in mind,

I
%

SUMMER AT FORT CHIPEWYAN

'51

diidly yet
feel as
of being
lis cheeks
• thinking
nuch the
conscious

ne length
)-year-o]d
kl'Kenzic,
ory of his
mile that

' easy jolj

nt thouuli

was just

learn to

han even

the more
orgot the

anythin

answered
10 tried it

t was not
in mind,

and that lie was coming in for a bit of a lecture. But,
determined not to flinch, he asked again —

' Well, ftither, what is it ? I'm in a hurry to hear.'

' You've got to go no flirther than yourself for an answer,
kiddie,' replied Mr. M'Kenzie, the smile giving place to a
luok of profound affection as he added, ' You're much
concerned to be a man, Archie, and I'm not saying it
becomes you ill to have such notions. But there's no use
in hurrying off if you're not ready for the road. If tlu-
porridge is too hot, it's better to let it cool than to scald
your mouth with it. And before thinking so much of
breaking in horses, and such-like doings, you'd do well to
make sure that you've broken in yourself.'

Archie blushed and was silent. lie felt tempted to
protest against his father's words. lie was sure he did
not deserve them But somehow or other the tongue
ihat could say so much in argument with anybody else
always seemed stiff and halting when the discussion was
with the factor, so, deeming discretion the better part of
valour, he held his peace, as well as his opinion that he
knew well enough how to take care of himself. Had he,
liowever, been able to look a few weeks ahead, he would
hardly have deemed the hint so undeserved.

So soon as the travelling became good, tlie Indians
began to make their appearance at the fort, bringing with
them the bales of furs wliich represented the results of
their winter's trapping. The first to arrive were of course
the Chipewyans, a quiet, peace-loving, and fairly lionest
people, sturdy of stature and dark of countenance, who,
under various tribal uames, but speaking much the same

1^2

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

language, occupied the vast region extending from Hudson's
I Jay to Lake Athabasca, and thence northward to the snow-
covered territories of the Eskimo. They were excellent
hunters, and generally came well loaded with valuable
peltries, with wliich they discharged the debts incurred
tlie previous autumn for supplies advanced, and then were
granted fresh credits. For the factor always found them
trustworthy customers. Their debts were debts of honour,
and whatever their liunters and trappers secured came
straight to him. If they returned with empty hands, it
was entirely because fortune had not favoured them in
their precarious business.

During the trading season everybody was very busy at
Fort Chipewyan. The annual visit thither was the great
event in the Indian calendar, and they took care to make
tlie most of it. Bringing all their families and possessions
along with them, they would set up their tepees not far
from the walls of the fort, and proceed to business with a
deliberation and indifference to the Hight of time that tried
hard the patience of the white men. But to hurry them
was out of the question. It would have given offence by
suggesting that their concerns were not of the utmost
importance, and a falling away in custom would have
surely resulted. The only thing to do was to have as
many to wait upon them as possible, and thus remove all
excuse for unnecessary delay ; and accordingly, as either
interpreters, clerks, or packers, there was work for every-
body.

What Archie liked was to be in the trading-room with
his father, and to watch the Indians as they came in one

Hudson's
the snow-
excellent
valuable
incurred
:hen were
Lind them
f honour,
red came
hands, it
them in

r busy at

the great

to make

ssessions

not far
3S with a
hat tried
Ty tlieni
Fence by

utmost
Id have
have as
novo all
s eitlier
r every-

Dm with
e in one

SUMMER AT FORT CHIPEWYAN

153

by one, unrolled their packs, and selected their supplies.
He had a decided bent for business, and was no poor hand
at a bargain himself, having inherited a good share of his
father's Scotch shrewdness, and the factor adbrded him
opportunity for developing his commercial talents by
allowing him to do some trading in his own interest, tlie
base of his operations being what stood to his credit for
the furs he trapped himself during the winter.

The way they did business at the fort was as follows.
The Indian with his pack of furs came to the trading-room,
where he was welcomed by the factor, and given a small
present 01 some kind to put him in good humour. Only
one Indian was allowed in at a time. Having opened the
pack, and separated it into lots according to the different
kinds and qualities of skins, the factor then put a valua-
tion upon each lot, and handed the expectant Indian a
number of little pieces of wood indicating tlie number of
' made-beavers ' to which his ' hunt ' amounted. For the
beaver was then, throughout the whole North-West, what
the dollar is amongst Americans to-day, the common
standard of value and medium of exchange. Everything
that could be bought and sold had its value in 'made-
beavers.'

Having made sure that he had got all the sticks the
factor could be coaxed or cajoled into allowing, the trapper,
then feeling almost as lich as an Astor, proceeded to
tlie store-room, where he found himself surrounded by a
bewildering wealth of blankets, knives, hatchets, kettles,
traps, tobacco, tea, and so forth, luitil his feelings, as he
gazed eagerly about liim, were pretty much like those of a

IS4

ARCHIE APKENZIE

hungry schoolboy let loose in a confectioner's. Then
would business really begin, and then would the dusky
purchaser, by his liesitation, his indecision, his sudden
clianges of mind, his unreasonable demands and childish
sulking at their denial, test the patience and diplomacy of
the factor and his clerks to the utmost. The bundle of
sticks was soon found to bo quite inadequate to the
demands made upon it. A blanket took twelve of
them, a kettle ten, a hunting-knife two, and there were
not half enough left for all the tea and tobacco he
craved.

So there would be more coaxing and arguing and
promising, until at last, having been granted as much
credit as the factor deemed prudent, and realising that
there was nothing more to be gained, the Indian would
take himself off to his tepee to proudly exhibit his
purchases, and l)oast of the good bargains he had made,
wliile another hastened to fill his place ; and thus it
went on all day long, until the whole band had been
served.

While part of the staff were thus engaged, the other
part were sorting, cleaning, and repacking the furs in
secure bundles for despatch to Fort William, hundreds of
miles away, on the shore of Lake Superior. The canoes,
too, had to be put in thorough repair, new ones built if
necessary, plenty of pemmican laid down, and other
preparations made for tlie long journey by river, lake,
rapid, and portage to the central depot. Mr. Wentzel was
to take charge of this expedition, and Archie begged hard
to be permitted to accompany him.

SUMMER AT FORT CHIPEWYAN

155

* Surely I'm big enough to go now, father,' he pleaded,
' and I would like it so much. Mr. Wentzel says he'll he
very glad to liave me.'

' I quite understand your being eager to go, Archie boy,'
said the factor kindly, ' lUit somehow I feel as if 1
couldn't be without you this summer.'

' Ihit, father, I haven't been to Fort William, or even
to Ked lliver, since I was a little chap, and I do so want
to go,' persisted Archie.

The factor took the boy's Hushed face between his
hands, and turning it up so that their eyes looked straight
into each other, said in a tone so serious that it went
straight to his son's heart —

' I cannot explain why, Archie, but something tells me
you had better not go away from me tliis sunniier, aud to
heal your disappointment I'll promise you this. If .all is
well next year, I'll take not only you, but mother and
Ptose also, and we'll all go to Fort William together.
What say you to that, laddie ? '

In an instant the cloud vanished from Archie's face,
and was replaced by a beaming smile. For tlie sake of
such a delightful prospect as that, he was quite willing to
forego the pleasure at hand.

' Hurrah, father ! ' he cried; ' that will be just splendid.
I won't say another word about going with Mr. Wentzel.'
And so the matter dropped, very much to the factor's
satisfaction.

Ihit busy as they were at Fort Chipewyan in summer-
time, it was not all work. There was plenty of play too.
In the long lovely evenings, after the day's work

iS6

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

was done, Ihure weiu races on foot and on horseljack,
wrestling contests, Lacrosse matclies, canoe races, and
other spurts, in which tlie garrison of tlie fort and tlie
picked athletes of the lodges round aljout were pitted
aguinsl each other. Xo one enjoyed these games more
tiiun the factor himself, and he encouraged them l)y
offering prizes frequently, which were very eagerly com-
peted for.

About midsummer there came to the fort a large band
of Indians from the plains of the I'eace River. They were
much superior in stature and looks and general bearing
to the Chipewyans, and were in fact unusually fine
specimens of the red man. They had a rich supply of
skins, and from the way in which they prepared their
encampment it was evident they proposed to make a long
stay, taking advantage of their nearness to the lake to do
a good deal of fishing.

They proved to be very expert in all the amusements
in vogue at the fort, and not an evening passed without
some exciting event taking place. Among the boys of
this band was one in whom the clerks Stewart and
M'Gillivray found what they had long been looking for,
namely, a rival that Archie would have hard work to
defeat. This was the eldest son of the chief, a stalwart,
shapely lad of sixteen, to whom the name of iJeddakoonnai,
or ' the Lightning,' had been given because of his remarkable
lleetness of foot.

He was a very line-looking young fellow, of about the
same height as Archie, but more lightly built. His
countenance was pleasing, if his complexion was dark, and

SUMMER AT FORT C/lf/'ElVYAN

'57

when ho smiled ho displfiyecl two rows of sliiniiif,' tootli
that no dentist coidd have count^^rfcitcd. Wq'wv^ tho
cliief's son, he was always clothed in the best of buckskin
iind beads, and idtojjjctlier presenUid (|uite a strikint,'
;ij»])carancc as lie moved over the ground with tlic lonir,
lithe step peculiar to his race.

The first time that Beddakoonnai and Archie met, tho
])ale-face boy realised that he was no longer to have
matters all his own way, and the spectators congratulated
themselves on the prospect of some more than usually
tixciting contests. The occasion was a race of about a
(quarter of a mile in length. Archie had entered simj'ly
lur the fun of the thing, expecting to have no difUculty in
winning. lie noticed the new-comer among the starters,
but took it for granted he would havt' no particular
troulde in defeating him. Accordingly he was careless
al)out starting, and allowed the others to get well off l)efore
lie moved himself. Then he put on a spurt to overhaul
them, and one by one they were caught up to and left
l)(^]iind, until, by the time the race was two-thirds run,
oidy one remained. This was the tall, dark son of tli(.!
Peace lliver chief, and Archie did not fail to notico
I lie ease with which he was speeding over the ground.
Calling upon himself for the best that was in him, Architi
made a desperate effort to run down the Indian. For a
few moments it seemed as though he would succeed. The
distance between them materially decreased. Already he
liad begun to exult in another victory, when, to his intense
chagrin, just as they were shoulder to shoulder, the
Indian, who seemed to have plenty in reserve, put on a

'5«

ARCHIE AP KEN/IE

()

siulduii l)urst of apoed that loft Arcliio, who liad shot his

l)olt too soon, hopck'ssly in tho rear, and carried him to

tilt! {^oal a winner by full tifteen yards.

Archie felt his diseoinfituro keenly. He blamed himself

for havin,!^' been indiri'crcnt about <^(!tting a <j;ood start, and

burned to wipe out the stain of defeat. His keen eye at
nco caught the gleam of satisfaction in the faces of

Stewart and M'Oillivray, as they pretended to sympathise

with him and cmcourage him by saying —

' A sly chap that chief's son, Archie. He's no gre<3n

hand at racing. You'll have to give him a good beating

next time, for the honour of the fort. It would never do

for an Indian to worst our champion.'

And even his father's well-meant words — ' Ah, Archie,
my lad ! Met your match this time, eh ? Well, we
can't always have it our own way, you know. If the
Iiulian boy can beat you at running, you doubtless can
beat him at something else, so don't take it to heart,'
— angered rather than soothed him, because they seemed
lo imply that lieddakoonnai had conclusively proved his
superiority, and this the young Scotchman was far from
being ready to admit.

He liardly slept that night for worrying over the
surprising result of the race, and early the next i ornin>;,
taking Sautloulai with him as interpreter ' aght out
the Peace Eiver chief's tepee, and gave ] .lakoonnai a
formal challenge for another trial of apeed Liiat < . cning.
The young Indian accepted with an alacrity that rather
disconcerted his challenger. It seemed to indicate sucli a
serene confidence in his own superiority. But this was

SUMMER AT FORT CHI PEW Y AN

159

shot his
I liim to

I hiiMscir
tail, and
311 eyo at
faces ol'
inpathiso

tio grocii

boating

never do

, Archie,
Veil, we
If the
less can
D heart,'
' seemed
3ved Ills
'ar from

ver the
-urniag,
ght out
)oniiai a
f vening.
I rather
J such a
his was

not really the case, the truth of tlie mutter l)eing that the
night before M'Oillivray and Stewart liad paid a visit to
the Indian encampment, and after expressing in big words
their admiration of tlie lleet-footed lad, had [>romised him
wliat above all things his heart desired, a good gun and a
supply of anununition, if ho would again defeat liis pale-
face opponent.

lieddakoonnai's eyes Hashed eagerly at the ofler of
this tempting i)rize, and in his own tongue he cried,
accompanying the words with expressive pantomime —

* My name is the Lightning. To-morrow I run like tlie
lightning. My pale-face brother will see nothing but my
back. Oh yes, I am the Lightning. No one can run su
fast as L'

AVhen Mr. M'Kenzie lieard of the intended race, he
attempted to dissuade Archie from it.

' I doubt if you're doing well to try that Indian eliap
so soon agjiin, Archie,' said he. ' I never saw one of his
kind show a cleaner pair of heels. You'd better have a
little practice first, I think.'

' Tut, father ! ' replied Archie impatiently. ' I can beat
him right enough. It was only because I was so foolish
as to let him get a good head start that he beat me last
night.'

The factor smiled one of his deep, shrewd smiles, and
shook his head in a sceptical way as he answered —

' Maybe, my lad, maybe ; but don't be o'er-sure. They
tell me the boy's name means " the Lightning," and light-
ning's pretty hard to beat, you know.'

But Archie was not to be dissuaded. He could think

i6o

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

of notliiiig else ])ut tlie race, and wc ild have no peace ot
niJrid until it was over and done with. Meanwhile, the
news went round of liis challenge and its acceptance,' and
everyhody in t^ie fort and among the encanipnients looked
forward eagerly to th(> ai>]>roachiiig contest.

CHArTP]U XII

LESSONS NOT TO V,K FOIIGOTTEN

HEN the time came for the race to lie nni,
Arcliic was ])y no means in condition to
do himself credit. He had slept badly
the previous night, and had fidgeted and
fussed all day until he had got himself
into a feverish, excited state that could
nf»t fail to tell against him. Now and then the voice of
his calmer reason found opportunity to whisper that he
would show more wisdom by postponing the race than by
persisting in it. But the mood of unreason was upon him,
and he yielded to its sway.

The event took place at six o'clock in the evening.
The distance had Ijcen fixed at half a mile, as affording
tlie fairest test of Itoth speed and endurance. The track,
it need hardly he explained, was no modern cinder patli,
but as level a piece of prairie as could be found in tlie
near neighbourhood of the fort, Starting from the top of
a slight slope, tlie runners wouhl descend it to a stretch of
level ground, and tlien, after crossing that, come to another
11

lC2

ARCHIE MKENZIE

slopo upon the side of wliicli a stake driven into the ground,
Willi a l»lankct thrown over it, formed the turning-point,
and thence back to the goal.

Every man, woman, and child in the fort and encamp-
ment turned out to witness the contest. Archie was the
first to make his appearance, his face having an anxious,
impatient expression that showed liow deeply he was
stirred.

Beddakoonnai did not keep him waiting long, and as he
passed through the crowd M'Gillivray cauglit his arm a
moment, and whispered in his ear —

' Ilemcmber, now, you beat him well, and you shall have
this too ; ' and he touched the handsome hunting-knife that
hung in his belt.

The Indian gave one of his brilliant smiles by way of
reply, and hastened to the starting-post. Archie's quick
eye did not miss this little incident, and in an instant he
understood its meaning.

' He wants him to beat me,' he muttered bitterly.
* That's all lio cares for the honour of the fort.'

Mr. jM'Kenzie was the starter, and as tlic two boys
ranged themselves in line he was struck by the difterenco
in the expression of their faces. The Indian looked
excited, but sanguine of victory. His eyes were flashing
with eagerness, and his whole body seemed to (piiver like
a faie steel spring. Archie, on the other hand, had a
stern, Bet look, as though his very life w^ere at stake. The
colour liad entirely deserted his face, his breath came in
quick, short pants, and he showed none of the l^right,
confident spirit of his rival.

LESSONS NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN 163

' ground,
ig-point,

eiicanip-

! was the

anxious,

lie was

iiid as he
is arm a

liall have
aiife that

>y ^vay of
ie's quick
iistant he

bitterly.

wo boys
in'ercnce
n looked
e Hashing
luver like
d, had a
dve. The
came in
e l)right,

'Keep a tiglit Inld upon the reins, laddie,' said the
factor in a low ton.\ ' Don't go too fast at the start'

Archie made no reply except to tighten tlie grip of his
fists and fix liimself more carefully at the line.

' Are you ready ? ' cried the factor, while the spectators
held their breath, and could hear their hearts beat like
little drums. ' Then — Go ! ' and amid the shouts of tlie
men and soft murmurs from the women the two boys
darted off shoulder to shoulder.

jl!^ow, had Arcliie been in his ordinaly cool, canny state
of mind, lie would never liave acted as he did. Ihit,
instead of that, he was so wrought up as to be quite out
of his own control, and, as though his idea was to distance
his opponent at the start, he darted down the slope at tlie
very top of his speed, opening a wide gap between himself
and Beddakoonai, it was true, but causing his father to
shake his head gravely and exclaim —

'Tut! tut! What's the lad about? He'll be blown
before he reaches the blanket.'

While Stewart and M'Gillivray looked into each other's
faces with a smile that aid, ' He's doing our work for us.
He can't keep that up.'

Meantime, the Indian, going as easily and lightly as a
bird, had reached the level ground, and put on a spnrt
which reduced by one half Archie's lead, and when the
two came to breast the other slope the ascent seemed to
matter little to him, while it was evident that Archie's
speed was slackening. When they turned the stake, the
white boy led by fully ten yards, and taking advantage
of the down hill, he let himself out for another burst that

li :

164

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

gave him ten yards more before the Indian followed his
example.

Then Beddakoonnai, as tliongh hitherto he had been
only trying to keep Archie in sight, but now proposed to
show the speed that was in him, uttered a slirill whoop,
swung his arms about his head, and bending forward like
a young tree in the wind, bounded over the level with the
spring and stride of an antelope. More beautiful running
could hardly have been conceived. Never had the pco}»le
at the fort seen anything to surpass it. Zq> light was the
])oy's step that it seemed as though his foot might
have touched a grass blade without crushing it. On
he came, overhauling Archie at every stride. The
twenty yards were quickly cut down to ten, the ten
reduced to five, and as the runners reached the foot
of the final slope they were once more shoulder to
shoulder.

Now did Archie regret his folly in forcing the pace at
the start, for while he was labouring hard, his chest feeling
as though it would burst, his brain reeling, and his legs
weakening under him, the Indian boy at his side was
running as steadily and strongly as though the race were
only begun. Concentrating all his faculties upon one
supreme effort, he strove to make a finishing spurt that
would carry him first to the goal. But the effort was
vain. Beddakoonnai perceived his purpose, llis time
had now come. Once more he gave his piercing wlioop,
and then, leaping to the front, left his opponent behind
almost as though he had been standing, and shot over the
line an easy winner ; while poor Archie staggered blindly

LESSONS NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN 165

owed his

md been
)posed to
[1 whoop,
/ard like
with the

runiiins;
LC people
; was the
3t nii«;lit

it. Oil
le. The

the ten
the foot
ulder to

e pace at
3t feeling

his legs
side was
•ace were
pon one
)urt that
Tort was
lis time
g wlioop,
t behind

over the
1 blindly

after him, and would have fallen but for his father's
prompt support.

The Peace River Indians showed their joy by a chorus
oC guttural ' Ughs,' intermingled with wlioops, in which
M'Gillivray and Stewart would dearly have liked to join,
liad tliey dared thus openly to express their glee ; and the
factor, too big of lieart to withhold a due meed of praise,
even thougli tlie victory was over his own son, gave tlie
panting Indian a hearty clap on the back, exclaiming —

' Well done, youug fellow. I'rettier running I never
saw in my life. You deserve to win ; ' and then, taking
Arcliie by the arm, hurried him off to dress and rest. So
l)rofound was his son's chagrin, that Mr. M'Keuzie made
no attempt to console him, knowing well it would be a
mere waste of words. "When they reached the house,
Archie, giving no heed to the expressions of tender
sympathy his mother and sister souglit to make, went
straight to his own room, threw himself upon his bed,
and — if the truth must be told — burst into a wild passion
of tears. Never in his life before had he met with so keen
a humiliation, and tlie bitterest portion of it was the
conviction ileep in his heart that there was little hope
of his ever wiping out the defeat he had sustained.
r>eyond a doubt, in Beddakoonnai he had met more than
his match, and further trials would only have the same
result.

He did not leave liis room until the following morning,
and by that time there was fully formed in his mind a
plan for retrieving his reputation, in part at least, the
thought of which somewhat restored his ecpumimity. If

i66

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

Beddakoonnai was swifter, he was surely stronger. He
would issue another challenge, this time to a wrestling
niiitch. Wrestling was always a favourite amusement
among the Indians, and his old friend Akaitchko had
taught him every trick of hold and tackle known to that
wily veterar, so that no one of his own age or weight had
ever been abh; to vanquish him. Accordingly, he paid the
Peace Iliver tepee a second visit, and througli liis faithful
Sautloulai made known liis wishes.

The Indian was not quite so prompt about taking him
up this time. He knew well enough how to wrestle, but
his eyes told him that Archie ought to liave more strengtli,
and if his skill were equal, why, he was sure to get the
best of it.

' The Lightning's tired,' he said doubtfully, ' and has no
heart for wrestling. Will not his pale-face brother run
another race ? ' and he smiled in a conscious way that was
very aggravating.

'Xo, I will not run another race just now,' replied
Archie. * But I will wrestle. Is the Lightning afraid to
wrestle with me ? '

Beddakoonnai's eyes Hashed at the taunting question,
and just then Mr. Stewart appeared, with face full of
curiosity. Instantly the Indian threw away his assumed
indifference.

'Is the Lightning afraid?' he cried, springing to his
feet, and waving his arms. ' No, he is not. He will wrestle.
Oh yes, he will wrestle with his pale-face lirother.'

And he struck an attitude as though he would begin
at once.

LESSONS NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN 167

iger. He
wreslling
uusemeut
cliko had
.'11 to that
eight had
; paid the
3 faithful

,kiiig him
estle, but
streiigtli,
) get the

id has no

ither run

that was

,' replied
afraid to

question,
3 full of
assumed

g to his
I wrestle.

Id begin

' It is well,' answered Archie quietly. * We will wrestle
at sundown ; ' and he went away with Sautloulai.

As soon as he was out of sight, IJeddakoonnai, with a
crafty look in his bright eyes, turned to Mr. Stewart.

'My pale -face brother wants to wrestle witli me.
What will tile white chief give me if I throw him —
so ?' and lie pointed expressively to the grouncb

' What would Eeddakoonnai like ? ' asked Mr. Stewart,
willing enough to do anything that would ensure Archie
getting another ' taking down.'

* Beddakoonnai would like to have a hatchet, sharii,
sharp, sharp ; ' and he showed his glistening teeth.

Quito relieved at the moderation of the request, Mr.
Stewart readily promised to comply with it, and the
Lightning on his part promised to do his best to give
Archie another beatinu'.

The news of the second match soon spread, and when
the time came everybody, as before, was there to witness
it. Archie's bearing was so different this time that his
father did not think it necessary to give him any
cautioning. Instead of being anxious and impatient,
he was calm and resolute. He seemed to have regained
his confidence in himself, and to entertain no fears as to
the result. But his mother, who did not altogether like
wrestling matches, fearing some strain or injury, could
not refrain from saying —

'Be very careful, Archie. Don't overdo yourself ; ' and
Archie smiled reassuringly, and said —

' All right, mother ; I'll take good care of myself.'

The wrestling took place upon a smooth soft, level

1 68

ARCHIE APKEN/JE

piece of turf just outside the gate. Tlic spectators ranged
themselves in a circle ; the womeu and children squatted
upon tlie ground, the men standing up behind them.
There was a murmur of admiration as the two boys stepped
into the ring, accompanied by their fathers as seconds.
Tiiey were both naked to the waist, their only clothing,
in fact, being short buckskin breeches, just reaching to
the knee, and soft moccasins. The style of wrestling was
that known nowadays as catch-as-catcli-can. Starting
from opposite sides of the ring, tlie contestants approached
until but a yard apart, and then circled warily about
each other, watcliing for a good chance to jump in and
tackle.

The contrast between the pair was very striking —
Archie, with skin as fair and smooth as a woman's except
wliere the sun could burn it, and compact, well-knit
frame, set liis feet firmly upon the sod at every step ; wdiile
the Indian, as brown as a nut, and lithe and nctive as an
eel, seemed to touch the ground only with tiptoe. For a
couple of minutes tliey dodged and feinted, and then
Archie, seeing his opportunity, sprang at Bcddakoonnai,
gripped him around the waist, and the struggle began. At
the start the issue was by no means certain. What the
Indian lacked in strength and weiglit, he seemed fully to
make up in expert agility. lie writhed and squirmed
and twistcil in Archie's gras]), meeting artifice witli artifice,
and sliowing thorough training in the exercise. Evidently
he would have to be tired out before he could be overcome.
To and fro they swayed and staggered, locked tight in
each other's embrace, now one seeming to have the

ZESSCLVS NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN 169

s ranged
S(|iiiitted
d tlieiii.

stepped
seconds,
clothing,
!hing to
ling was
Starting
•readied
y about

in and

•iking —
3 except
ill - knit
; while
^e as an
For a
id then
oonnai,
Ml. At
lat the
fully to
uirmcd
irtifice,
idently
?rcome.
ight in
ve the

advantage, and then the other. The spectators, who had
begun by cheering every movement, soon grew so absorbed
that they forgot to cheer, and the struggle went on annd
perfect silence. At lengtli 4rchie's superior strength and
stamina began to tell. Slowly but surely, twist and
contort as lie might, Beddakoonnai's supple form was
bent backwards, until, with a sudden supremo ellbrt,
Archie swung him clear olf his feet, and piinuid liim to
the ground, with both shoulders pressing into tlui turf.
It was as fair a fall as C(juld be asked for, and springing
to his feet, Archie walked back to his father, smiling
triumphantly, wliile the Indian, witli a sullen counteiinnce,
picked himself up, and went to his corner.

Tiie arrangement was that they should wrestle for the
best two out of three bouts, and after a few minutes' rest
they faced one another again, and the cautious seeking
for an opening recommenced. This time the Indian was
the first to attack, and so quick was his onset, that he had
secured a favourable hold before Archie could ward him
oil', liut even this advantage might not have availed him
much, had not his opponent, ere they had been struggling
a minute, lost his foothold through the sod giving way.
Beddakoonnai felt his feet slip, and seizmg his opportunity
with a swiftness worthy of his name, ])ut forth liis whole
strength, and at tlie same time gave Arcliie's otlier foot
a vicious kick. It was not a fair thing to do, but it
succeeded. Unable to recover liimself, Archie fell over
on his side, and thence upon his back, and thus lost the
second bout.

Tlie excitement was now intense. Each of the boys hud

170

ARCHIE MKENZIE

won a full 5111(1, tliougli the cliancos were, if anything, in
Archie's favour, still IJecldakoonnai had plenty of vigour
left, and was much inspirited by his success, against which
his opponent scorned to protest, even if it had been obtained
by resorting to a mean expedient.

' Keep very cool, laddie,' whispered the factor to his
son. ' He'll soon tire, and tlien you may do with him
what you i)lease.'

Archie smiled and nodded, and took his place in tlie
ring. They were much longer this time than before in
coming to close quarters. They feinted and fenced about
the circle, each trying his best to gain some advantage at
the start, until at last, by a common impulse, they rushed
together, and grappled. Bearing in mind his father's
injunction, Archie at first did keep cool, and sought to do
no more than frustrate the Indian's clever and impetuous
ellbrts. But as the strungle went on his blood rose.
Beddakoonnai, determined to win at any cost, put into
practice every knavish trick the cunning fellow knew. He
dug his sharp nails into Archie's back. He tried more
than once to thrust his knee into his stomach. He even
bit him upon the shoulder.

Then diil Archie lose all control over himself. The
wild blood in his veins asserted its presence as it had
never done before. A passion of fury seized upon him, so
transforming his countenance that his father, catching a
glimpse of it as the wrestlers swayed to and fro, felt
strongly tempted to rush in and part them. But the
thought that his action miyht be construed to mean over-
anxiety for his son restrained him.

LESSONS NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN 171

vigour

Wull would it have l)een had lie thus interfered, for, a
few nioments later, Archie, enraged beyond all thought of
the eonsequences, shook liimself free from IJeddakoonnai's
grasp, and tlien, rushing at him again, eaught him around
the waist, and l)ending his back with a tremendous
elfort, hurled him clear over his head. With a dull thud
that sent a thrill through the breathless spectators, the
Indian struck tlie ground, and lay tliere motionless.

With a fierce look of triumph his conciueror stood over
him, and stretching out his hand, said —

* Here you are. Let me help you up.'

])Ut Beddakoonnai never stirred. Startled at his
stillness, Archie bent down and lifted his head. It lay
limp and lifeless in his grasp. The eyes were closed. Ko
breath seemed to come from the set lips. With a sharp
cry of alarm he laid it down again, just as the others
gathered round, wondering what was the matter. In a
moment all was clear. A sunken stone from which the
turf had been torn away by the wrestlers' feet had
received the Indian when ho fell headlong, and a
bleeding bruise just over the right temple told its own
story. Beddakoonnai, if not dead, was seriously injured.

Instantly all thought of triumph in Archie's mind gave
way to keen concern for his vanquished opponent.

' Oh, father, he is not dead ? ' he cried. ' He cannot be
dead ! I did not mean to kill him — indeed I didn't.'

'Of course, of course,' said tlie factor consolingly.
* Don't fash yourself, laddie ; he's only lost his wits a
minute. We'll soon bring him to ; ■ and then, stooping
down, he lifted the senseless form gently upon his mighty

172

ARCTTIF. APk'ENZ/E

sliouKlciVs, and strode rapidly off to his own house, Arcliie
keeping at his side, his heart heiivy with appreliension.

Oil roarhiiiL,' tlie liouse, tlie niediciiie-chest was ransacked
for restoratives, whieli were one after anotlier api)lied l)y
Mr. M'Kenzie and In's wife, but a]»parently to no purpose.
Txiyoiid a liardly ])or('e]>ti]ile hroalhinL,', tlie Indian showed
no sin'n of life. The hours drammed on, and still he
moved not. Arehie was in a pitiable state of anxiety.
He could not remain in the room, but would rush out and
wander aimlessly nround for a few minutes, and then come
back, asking eagcirly, 'lias he come to yet?' only to be
met with the answer, ' Not yet, Archie.'

Oh, how l)itterly he reproached himself for his
mad outburst of rage ! lie could easily have thrown
Beddakoonnai without hurting him at all, for the boy's
strength was nearly exhausted, and in a minute more he
would have been like a child in his hands. Ihit alas !
he could not hide from himself the painful truth, that a
desire to be revenged as well as to triumph had idled his
heart. His father's words, ' Before thinking so nuich of
breaking in horses, you'd do well to make sure that you've
broken in yourself, Archie,' came up in his mind, and each
of them brought a pang of remorse. He realised that he
had borne hiniseU' more like a savage than the son of a
Christian gentleman. With passionate earnestness he
vowed that never acjain would he so disgrace himself.
He felt that if Beddakoonnai really died, he could never
be light of heart again. His whole life would be shadowed,
because of a moment's blind fury.
While the anxious hours dragged slowly on, there sat

LESSONS NOT TO BE FORCOTTEA

•73

30, Arc! lie
[Vision,
•aus.'icked
pplied l>y
' purpose.
II showed
still ho
anxiety.
I out and
leneoiiie
\\y to be

in ono corner of the room, as silent and motionless as if
cast in In'onze, the Peace lUvev ciiief. lh\ was a medicine
man of j^reat repute amon*,' his own ])e(»{)le, lait in the
presence of the factor and Jiis more potent remedies ho ut
once admitted his own powcrlessness, and un([uestionin<^ly
connnitted his strickciii son to the white man's ministraticjns.
lie took no notice of Arcliie. If lu; cherished iiny hard,
revengeful feelings, no trace of tlieiu apjteared upon liis
impassive countenance. His whole attention was lixed
upon the motionless form that he loved b(!tter than
anything else in the world.

for I lis
thrown
'le boy's
more he
ut alas!
I, that a
lied his
luich of
) you've
lid each
that he
3n of a
less he
limself.
1 never
dowed,

Jre sat

ClIALTEK XIII

breath.

TIIH KXI'EDITION TO THE (WIVAT SLAVE LAKE

T was almost midiiiglit before Bedilakoonnai
showed any signs of coming to himself.
Then at last, to the unspeakable relief of
the anxious watchers, he stirred a little,
opened his eyes, moved his head as though
it gave him pain, and took a long, deep
l)Ut immediately he relapsed into such perfect
stillness, tliat Archie, who was bending over_him, eagerly
welcoming the tokens of returning consciousness, cried out
in agonised alarm —

' Oh, father, is he dead ? Oh, don't let hiui die ! '
Mr. M'Kcnzie was half persuaded that the boy had
really drawn his last breath, and there was a pitiful hjok
of despair upon the face of the Peace liiver chief. liut the
keen intuition of Mrs. M'Kenzio told her that the ead had
not yet come. Laying one soft hand upon the Indian
boy's forehead, and the other upon Archie's shoulder, she
murmured tenderly —

' lie is not dead, Archie darling. He will not die.'

174

EXPEDITION TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 175

ilakooiiiuii
3 himself.
3 relief of
tl a little,
as though
ong, deep
1 i)eifeet
11, eagerly
cried out

ie!'

Loy had

il'ul looli

Jiut the

ead had

Indian

Ider, slie

ie.'

And slie was riglit. I^eddakonnnai was not dead, nor did
he die, tliough liis escape from death was little short of
miraculous. Later on in the night his consciousness came
fully hack, and he was able to s{)eak a few words to his
father, which caused the dark, troubled countenance to
l)econie radiant with joy, and wlien the morning dawiu^d
his recovery was no longer a matter of doul)t. He would
need to be very rpiiet for many days, but in due time lie
would get up as strong and active as ever.

During the next few weeks lieddakoonnai lived in
paradise. Archie, his mother, an<l l!ose-!Marie were
unwearied in their attentions, while his own father, and
the factor, and others came in constantly to see him ; and
altogether he was made so much of, that, barring a certain
uncomfortable sense of confinement due to his being so
long in a room, when his previous experience had been
entirely of wigwams, he felt as happy as a bee in clover,
and was in no hurry to confess convalescence.

Ill the meantime the sunnner was wearing on, and the
factor became impatient to put intc execution a design he
wished to carry out before the advei; .. of autumn. This
was to take a number of his men, and go up north as far
as the Great Slave Lake, in order to visit the different posts
established upon its borders, and stimulate them to
increased activity in obtaining furs, the returns from that
district having somewhat fallen off the piist two seasons.
Ueing convinced that lieddakoonnai was ([uite welleninigh
to go l)ack to his father's lodge, yet feeling reluctant to ask
him to leave his house, he resorted to di[)lomacy. The
Indian already possessed a gun ami hunting-knife — and

I 76

A R CHIE M'KENZIE

])v tlie

tlio fiif'tor liad ,1 sli

\'(i suspicion no
acquired tlieiii, although lie sa.^cly kept his own counsel.
But a pistol might tempt him. He accordingly offered
him an excellent pistol, on condition that he leturned to his
own encampment. The Indian, of course, eagerly took
the hait, and thus, hetween winning a race and getting a
])roken head, hecanie the proud possessor of a hunting
outfit that uo other redskin in the country could
matcli.

His hands being thus freed, Mr, M'Kenzie lost no time
in making ready for the expedition, and Archie, feeling
sometlnng like Pilgrim after the bundle rolled olf his back,
enthusiastically assisted. He had learned lessons that
would last him through life. He had suffered defeat from
both the physical and moral standpoint, r>nt, like a brave,
clear-headed fellow, he determined to let such defeats point
the way to future victories. He no h^iger thought of
himself as an 'Admirable Crichton,' but simply as a boy
with much to learn still, and very willing to be taught.
The race and wrestling match marked a distinct epoch in
his experience.

The prospect of the trip to Great Slave Lake filled him
with pleasure. The farthest he had ever been in that
direction was when the Quarrellers ran off with him at the
instance of Miles JNI'Dougal, and he longed to see for him-
self the country concerning which ]\rr. Wentzel, Akaitchko,
and others had told him many things. Sautloulai, of course,
would 1)0 one of the party this time, and they were sure
to have some grand sport together, especially as they were
both now fully admitted into the ranks of the hunters.

EXPEDITION TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 177

how lie
counsel.
' offered
ed to bis

•ly took
ettiiig a
huntin^t]^
J colli' I

no time
feelini^f
lis back,
ns tbat
;at fron;
a brave,
ts point
night of
s a boy
taiiglit.
[)0ch in

d him
in tliat
at the

)r hiiu-
litchlvo,

course,
re sure

y were
lers.

Tlie time was the beginning of the month of August,
and allowing himself six full weeks for his journey, the
factor calculated upon being back before the end of
September, so that he would have the finest weather in all
the year. jSIossrs. Stewart and M'Gillivray would share
tiiu responsibilities of looking after the fort and j\Irs.
^I'lvenzie and Iiose-Marie, during his absence, and lie
would leave twenty trustwortliy men under their comniand,
he himself taking ten, besides Akaitchko, Arcliic, and
Sautloulai.

It was a magniiicent morning when the expedition
started. The fourteen members of it were disposed in
four large, strong canoc^, Mr. M'Kenzie, Archie, Siuuloulai,
and Akaitchko taking the lead in the largest, the others
following, with three or four men in them, according to
their size.

In addition to its human freight, each canoe carried a
good load of provisions, ammunition, goods f(jr trading,
and buffalo robes for sleeping in, done carefully up in
bundles of about ninety pounds weight, for convenient
handling at the diiferent portages.

i\Irs. ]\I'Keiizie and Ilose-Marie were at the shore for
a last kiss and good-bye. They had grown somewhat
accustomed to lengthy absences on the factor's part, bu!-
this was the first time Archie was to leave them for long,
and they knew they would sorely miss him.

' Oh, father, I wish yo I'd take me too ! ' cried Hose,

looking up at the factor with a most beseeching little face.

' Couldn't you take me even yet ? I could Ijc ready in a

lew minutes.'
12

.78

ARCHIE M'KEN/JE

llur fathor siuileil iiirec'tiuiuitely u[)()U hur.

* And what would my little lassie do if I did let her
come ? ' he asked, taking her soft cheeks between his big
hands.

' Oh, I don't know. I'd be as good as I could, and try
not to be any trouble,' replied Eose, half hoping he might
yet consent.

' And what would mother do without her daughter, and
all the rest of us away ? ' inquired Mr. M'Kenzie further.

Itose - Marie turned to look at her mother, in whose
brown eyes the tears were already gathering. With (piick
sympathy she understood her feelings, and darting towards
her, clasped her about the waist, exclaiming —

' My darling mother, I won't leave you ! '

' God bless you for your kind little lieart, Eose ! ' said
the factor. ' I'll give you a promise that will make you
happy. If all goes well until next spring, I am going
to take you and mother and Archie with me down to
Fort William, to show the gentlemen there what a line
family I have, Now then, just keep thinking of that,
and you'll soon be comforted for not going with us this
time.'

Eose-J.Iarie did not take in the import of this promise
as fully as Archie had done when it was made to him,
but she knew from her father's tone that it meant
something very delightful, so she wreathed her pretty face
in a radian^ oUiile as slu^ answered —

' All right, father: I'll wait until lu'^ther and I can go
together. TJiat will 1)c best of all.'

Then tlie final farewells were said, the canoes shot out

id Icl lier
en his bi.^

d, and try

he miglit

Lglitur, and
3 further.
, in whoso
Vith quick
iKj; towards

Piose ! ' said
, make you

am going
e down to

lat a line
.!•• of that,

th us this

is promise
de to him,
it meant
pretty face

1 I can go

s shot out

EXPEDITION TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 179

from the shore, and in a few minutes rounded the point
that liid them from siglit, while those tliat had come
(h)wn to see them off went sh^wly back to tlie fort, wliere
Hfe wouhl move very quietly until the little fleet returned.

The course of the canoes lay due north from the point,
and paddling briskly on, ere the sun reached its zenith
they were threading their way through the maze of barren
projections called tlu? Stony Islands, which mask the
entrance to the Slave lUver. Old Akaitchko knew every
turn and twist of the shortest channels, and wasted no
time in following blind leads, although it wouid have
sorely puzzled the ordinary individual to make out by
what marks he was guided, the different islands seemed
to have such a bewildering family resemblance. Sitting
right behind him, and keeping perfect stroke as the canoe
rippled steadily forward, Archie closely studied their
course, and wondered if by any possibility he could retrace
it. A similar thought passed through Mr. M'Kenzie's
mind, for he called out —

' Archie, do you think you could pilot us tli rough these
islands if you had to ?'

' I'm afraid not, father,' answered Archie ; ' I'd have to
take a good many lessons from Akaitchko first.'

* Well, my lad, get all the lessons you ciiii. Make
Akaitchko tell you every secret of his skill, for such
knowledge will be of incalculable value to you when you
come to strike out for yourself, as you must do before
long;' and the factor heaved a sigh, as thougli the prospect
of his son striking out for himself \- uot particularly
attractive.

i8o

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

'No fuar but I'll do that, father,' rusi)OiulL'd Aichif.
' It was fur that very reason I took my place
here.'

JJuriii.Lf the next few days Archie had })lenty of
o])portunity for studyinj^' the fascinating science of canoe
management. Their course down the Slave Iviver was
marked ])y every imaginable difliculty and obstacle.
Kapids, shallows, whirlpools, and waterfalls f(jllowed one
another in close succession, and Akaitcliko's skill and
strength were often tried to the utmost to prevent
disaster. In this he was successful so far as his own
canoe was concerned, but some of those who came behind
were not equally fortunate.

After its confluence with the I'caco, the Slave IJiver
became a magnificent stream nearly three-quarters of a
mile wide, down which the canoes sped with delightful
rapidity, the current being exceedingly swift, until they
reached a group of islands separated by narrow channels,
in passing through which the utmost care had to be
exercised. Beyond these islands was a whirlpool, which
seized the frail barques and tossed them to and fro like
chips, causing Archie's lieo.rt to leap to his mouth more
than once, when it seemed as if they must be upset by
the violence of the whirls. But in the end the persistent
paddlers, aided by the mighty current, worked out their
own deliverance, the whirlpool was passed unscathed, and
they pitched their tents just beyond the seething waters,
for the factor considered that his men deserved a good
rest after their prolonged struggle.

But, unhappily, it was not in the order of things that

EXPEDITION TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE i8i

, Aicliii'.
ly pliicc

)lcnty (if
of canoe
liver was
obstacle.
)weil one
ikill and
prevent
his own
le behind

,ve Iviver

:ters of a

leiightful

ntil they

channels,

[id to be

ol, which

I fro like

utli more

upset by

persistent

out their

tlied, and

ig waters,

d a good

mgs that

they should have much of a rest that night, for hardly
had they got the tents up before a terrible thunderstorm
fell upon them, the rain poured down in torrents, and the
violence of the wind made the river overflow its banks,
completely Hooding the site of the eneanijiment. Nor was
this all, for when the storm subsided the mosquitoes came
in swarms that actually darkened the air, and their
tormenting stings grew so unendurable that at last the
whole party were compelled, after snatching a hasty
su})per, to return to their canoes, and seek refnge in
llight down-stream.

iJrifting and paddling all night, they passed the
lieindeer Islands soon after sunrise, and a few hours
later reached the mouth of the Dog lliver, where a halt
was made in order to set the nets and try to catch sonu^
lish. The boys felt too weary to care about anything lut
sleep, and selecting a shady, sheltered spot under the trees,
they lay down for a good nap, which they had without
interruption.

Early in the afternoon, Mr. M'Kenzie wakened tlu^m
with the pleasant announcement that dinner was ready,
and they were then in excellent humour to do full justice
to tlie delicious trout lu'oiled to a turn by Akaitchko, the
man of many accomplishments.

Dinner disposed of, they re-embarked, and essayed the
intricacies of the Dog llapid. Their canoe got through
safely, and so did the next, but the last two, being
allowed to approach too close, came into violent collision,
with the result that the sternmost had its bow broken
short off. Fortunately, the accident happened near the

I 82

ARCHIE APKEN/JE

shore, and tlie disablod caiioc was bcaclicd l)efoi'o it
had time to sink. But tho injury took two hours to
repair, ;uid no I'urtlier progress could bo made that

evening'.

Bright and early next morning they set oil' again, and
paddled steadily until they reached the Cassette Portage,
where they had to carry their canoes and their contents
more than a quarter of a mile — and very hard work they
found it. The boys, of course, could not Ijc expected to
shoulder one end of a canoe, or a ninety-pound pack, so
their part was to carry the guns and ammunition,
which gave them each a pretty fair load. They were
as happy as a pair of larks at midday. This active,
varied, adventurous mode of life was precisely according
to their liking, and they enjoyed every moment of
it.

After the Cassette Portage came a narrow channel full
of troublesome rapids, through which the canoes danced
in a way that would have been poor fun for a ' tender
foot,' but which only tickled the l)oys' midriff pleasantly,
causing them to shout in audacious glee as their barc^ue
darted hither and thither through the curling, foaming
waves, under the unerring guidance of Akaitchko. To
these rapids succeeded the Portage d'lMiibarras, a very
short one, and then a little farther on tlie Little
Pock Portage, in the course of which a curious
accident happened to the second canoe. While it
was being curried over the rough, rocky pidh, the
bowman slipped upon a loose stone, and let his burden
fall to the "round, with the result that it broke in

EXPEDITION TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 18-

two as promptly and perfectly as if it w(>ro a stick
of candy.

' V(jii there!' exclaimed Mr. IM'Kenzie, when he
saw tlic catastrophe. ' What on earth are you men
aliout ? '

The one who had stundded picked luniseU' up, and
eyed the; broken canoe ruefully.

'Him bad break, sartain. Jhit,' with a sudden
brightening of his countenance, 'not take long mend
him.'

'Ah ha, you redskin rascal!' cried the factor in
pretended anger ; ' it's .all well enough to talk that way,
but you must take better care of my canoes. The
next man tliat Itreaks one, I'll break his bead, see if I
don't.'

The process of repair took only a couple of hours.
The sundered halves were skilfully sewn together,
the join thickly covered with rosin, of wbicli a
sui)ply was carried for the purpose, and then, the canoe
being made quite as good as before, the journey was
resumed.

The Mountain Portage was the next, and here they had
to toil up the steep sides of a high liill, which they found
very hard work, and by the time they got safely down the
other side they were all so weary that the factor directed
tlie tents to be pitched for the night, though it was still
some hours to sundown. So splenditl was the view from
the summit of the mountain, that the boys went back there
after supper, and watched the sun sinking out of siglit
behind the western hills. At their feet the river broadened

1 84

ARC/I/E M'KEN/JE

out to almost a mile in width, and they could follow its
course for a loii^' distance nortliward.

' See, Sautloulai, that's the way we'll go to-morrow. I
wonder how many more of tliese tiresome portages we've
still before us,' said Archie.

' Only two more, father says,' answered Sautloulai.

' lliirrali ! tliat's good news,' cried Archie ; ' for I'm just
about sick of portages.'

' So am I,' answered the Iiulian. ' It's too hard work
for mc. I'd rather run the rapids in llic canoe than tote
everything overland.'

' I don't sec why we couldn't try some of them.'

'Try some of what?' inquired Mr. M'Kenzie, at that
moment joining them.

' Why, try running some of these ra[tids instead of
portaging,' explained Archie.

Mr. M'Kenzie did not answer at once, but pointing
with his outstretched arm to where the river seemed to
lose itself amidst a maze of pine-clad islands some miles
awav, he said —

'Tliat is our last portage, Archie. There is only
the I'elican rortage between. Do you know the name
of it ? '

'No, father,' replied Archie, 'I don't; l)ut I'm very
glad to know it is the last, for I've had all tlie portaging
I want for some time.'

' Well, Archie, that's the Portage of the Drowned.'

'The Portage of the Drowned?' echoed Archie in a
somewhat startled tone 'What a doleful name! How
did it come to be called that ? '

ollow its

rrow. I
;es wo've

id.

I'm just

id work
liiin tote

at tliat

itead of

)oiiiting
iinud to
iiiilos

s only
3 nnmo

11 very
rtaijiiiii'

in a
How

EXPEDITION TO GREAT SLAVE LAKE 185

The recollection was evidently a iJainfiil one for the
factor, and he was silent for some minutes before replying.
At last lie said —

' .Sit down here, laddie, and I'll tell you the .story. It's
just twenty years now since it happened. T was only a
clerk then, like Vlx. Siuwart, and we were niakiii*; a trip to
the Slave Lake, just as we are iloing ikiw. There were tliree
canoes, and I was in the head one. Keskarrah, the best
i^niide in tlie country, was our pilot, and when we came to
llie rapids, he thought that the lieight of the river would
make it safe to run them, instead of going overland. So
he arranged for our canoe to go on ahead alone, .and if we
got tlirough safely we would fire a gun as a sigiwd for the
others to follow. Olf we .started, and a right terribh; time
we had of it. The rapids were awful. They tossed us
about as if our heavy canoe was l)ut a feather. Not one
of us expected to get through alive. Even Keskarrah
looked frightened, lUit he was a wonderful hand at
steering, and we all worked for dear lif(i, and in the end
liis skill and our own strength brought us safely to the
bottom., and we put into the bank all of one mind, that no
other canoe should run the same risk. Just as we landed,
a duck rose up a few yards away, and one of our men,
without stopping to think, picked up his gun and tired.
The moment he did, lie remembered about the signal, and
alarmed at the possible consequences of his thoughtless
act, rushed oil' along-shore at full speed to prevent the
other canoes from starting. But he was too late to sto})
one of them. It was already well into the rapids, and it
had no Keskarrah to pilot it through. Standing upon

•^^..

^x.

<>^>s? %

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

y.
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1.0

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Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

«■
*

^u^ ,A <-'

^i:^ ^^^

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

i86

ARCHIE AVKENZIE

tlie l)ank, and utterly powerless to help, ho had the
aj;ony of seeing the canoe dashed upon a rock, and all
four men drowned in tlie dreadful rapids ; and ever since
then the phicc has been called the "rortago of the
Drowned." '

Imd the
, and all
ver since
5 of the

^S#

^/?^^^^2

ata«^

'2?^

feJ5

^'^^-^e^jp^T

CIIAriER XIV

AT GREAT SLAVE LAKE

ItClIIE gave a shudder as Mr. M'Kenzie
finished liis explanation of how the
Portage of the Drowned came by its
ill-omened name.

' After hearing that, father, I'm r.o longer
anxious to try running the rapids. If we
(lid, perhaps there might be more than one Portage of the
Drowned,' said he.

'There might indeed, Archie boy,' Mr. M'Kenzie
replied ; ' and the giving a new name to a rapid would
be poor consolation for losing one's life, wouldn't it?
But come along, we must be getting back to camp ; ' and
they all descended the liill to where the tents were
latched.

The next day's canoeing was of a very uneventful
character. The rocks and liigh land ceased at the last
portage, and tlie river bank l)ecame low and conijuised of
soft rich soil held together by the tangled roots of the
trees and shrubs that crowned the sunnnit. The stieani

187

i88

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

spread out until it was a full mile in breadth, and the
rushing current quieted down to a sluggish drift.

When the party reached the mouth of the Salt Iliver,
they turned asiue and ascended that stream for twenty
miles, until they arrived at the salt springs which change
its sweet waters into brine, Mr. M'Kenzie wished to
gather some of the salt that the licat of tlie summer had
made ready by evaporation, and ordered a day's halt for
the purpose.

Tliis arrangement pleased the boys greatly. They did
not object to being ' up Salt Creek ' upon these conditions,
for, the factor not needing them to lielp in gathering and
packing the salt, they were free to go off for a day's
hunting, which, whether they had any luck or not, would
be a great treat after the restraint and toil of many days'
canoeing. As soon as breakfast was despatched, therefore,
they started out together, Mr. M'Kenzie calling after
them in a bantering tone —

* Be sure and bring us back a buffalo at least, boys.'

Archie stopped and turned round. ' What will you
give me if I do ?' he asked, with a challenging smile.

' AVliat will I give you ? ' laughed the factor. ' Wliy,
let me see. I'll give you five pounds in good money as
soon as we get back to the fort.' He felt very safe in
promising this, because ])ison were rarely known to
venture so far north as that locality.

Archie's eyes sparkled. Five pounds in good money,
and a trip to Fort William promised for next suunner,
when he would have a fine chance to spend it royally.
He caught Sautloulai by the arm.

AT GREAT SLAVE LAKE

189

, and the

lit Iliver,
r twenty
li chfinge
islied to
nner had
halt for

rhey did
nditions,
ring and
a day's
>t, would
ny days'
berefore,
ig after

dll you
le.

' Why,
oney as
safe in
)wn to

money,
uunier,
■oyally.

'Sautloulai, do you hear that? Five pounds! Just
thiidv of it. Uh, if we can only find a bull'alo ! ' he cried,
fairly dancing with excitement.

But the Indian sliook his head doubtfully. ' Akaitcliko
says no buflalo about here. Told your lathe." so last
night.'

Arcliie's heart sunk. Tliat, no doubt, was why ]\[r.
M'Kenzie had made so lavish a promise. He knew he
woulci never be called upon to redeem it. However, he
would not let out he had no hopes, so, calling back
gaily, 'All right, father, I'll get a buffalo for you if
there's one to be had,' he wheeled about, and was soon
lost to sight in the shrubbery that fringed the river
bank.

' Your father's a splendid hunter, Sautloulai, and knows
a great deal,' said he, eager to persuade himself that the
five pounds were not utterly unattainable; 'but he might
make a mistake, you know, and these plains certainly
look as if there might be bulfalo about.'

Sautloulai was not quite ready to admit that his father
could make a mistake, yet at the same time he was in
entire sympathy with his companion's eagerness to secure
the tempting prize, so his only reply was a very diplomatic
' Ugh ! ' which Archie understood to mean assent to his
suggestion, and was content.

They tramped on for a couple of miles in a direction
parallel to the course of the stream, it being their idea
that whatever game, large or small, there might be, was
more likely to be found near the water tlu

any

.'Ise ; and, moreover, there was no fear of their being lost,

IQO

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

so long as they kept the river iii sight. Avvuy westward,
until bounded l)y a dim line of Idue-tinted hills, stretched
the plain, waving with dense grass turned Itrown by tlic
sunnner heat. The sun rode high in a cloudless sky.
The air was warm without l)eing oppressive. A delicious
breeze blew across from the hills ; and the two boys,
exulting in the possession of perfect health and more
than ordinary vigour, and thoroughly equipped with
guns, tomahawks, and hunting - knives, made up an
elfective picture as they pushed rapidly forward, keeping
a keen lookout for something worth a charge of powder.

There were ducks paddling about in every little pond,
and snipe and plover in plenty, but they resolutely
passed them by. To lire might be to disturb some
nobler game within sound of the gun, and, any way, they
could get all they wanted on the way back, and it was no
use burdening themselves then. liy and by they got
thirsty, and turned to the river for a drink. Archie was
a little ahead of the Indian, and as he made his way
through the bushes he caught sight of something which
caused him to throw himself flat upon his stomach and
hold up his hand with a gesture for Sautloulai to do the
same. The boy dropped at once, and then wriggled
forward silently until he was beside the other.

Archie was quivering with intense excitement. His
face was as pale as it could become, and, not trusting
himself to speak, he pointed with trembling finger to the
opposite bank of the river.

The moment Sautloulai looked, he too shared his
companion's emotion, for just entering the water,

AT GREAT SLA VE LAKE

191

ivcstward,
strctclied
n by tlic
Hess sky.
delicious
wo boys,
11 d more
»ed with
up an
keeping
)wder.
Ic pond,
!Solutoly
'b some
ay, they
: was no
liey got
ihio was
liis way
? which
icli and
> do the
wriggled

t. His

rusting
to the

3d his
water,

with the evident intention of crossing, was a noble
bison, utterly unconscious of the presence of any danger !
Unless alarmed, he would undoubtedly land right at
their feet. He was all alone, a young bull driven
from the herd to seek his own fortune, and bearing the
marks of recent conllict. Without opening their lips,
the boys looked into each other's eyes. Despite the
opinion of old Akaitcldvo, then, there were bison still to
be found on tlie Salt Itiver plains, and the five pounds
might yet be won.

Breathlessly they awaited the bison's ap[)roach. In a
leisurely fashion he stepped into the water, too shallow
to take him off his feet, and ploughed through it until he
reached the other sid.e. Then he drew himself out,
and stood for a moment sniffing the breeze somcwliat
suspiciously.

'Now,' whispered Archie. The two guns made but a
single report, and the two bullets went straight to their
mark in the broad breast of the bull, thus suddenly
awakened to his peril. With a tremendous bellow the
giant creature lowered his head and charged furiously up
the bank. The slope was slight, and in an instant he
was at the top and looking around for his assailants.
The boys had separated, one to tlie riglit, the other to
the left, and were reloading tlieir guns with feverish
haste.

He caught sight of Sautloulai first, and with anothei
bellow bore swiftly down upon him. Tlie clever Indian
waited until he almost touched him, and then, step[)ing
coolly to one side, resumed ramming down the powder.

Vi t.

192

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

l>y tlic tiiiiu the bison had checked his mad onset and
rolurned to tlie cliarge, Sautloulai's gun was ready, and
tliis time, as lie dodgod, he discliargcd it into liis side, a
little below the shoulder. Mortally wounded, yet still
able to do mischief, the infuriated animal, at tliis moment
seeing Archie, who, having reloaded, had hastened to his
companion's aid, made a fierce dash at him, and tlie boy
narrowly escaped his deadly horns. l>ut a ([uick spring
aside saved him, and the bison crashed into a clump of
trees instead. In so doing he tripped and fell. Archie
saw his opportunity, and seized it. IJefore the creature
could regain his feet, another bullet had gained its
way to his vitals. He strove gallantly to rise, but
the weakness of death was upon him. He got as far
as his knees, and remained there a few seconds, swaying
from side to side, the blood pouring from his wounds,
and crimson foam dripping from his mouth. Then,
with a pitiful sound, half groan, half roar, he fell over,
a shudder ran through his mighty frame, and he was
dead.

' Hurridi ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! ' shouted Archie, as,
grasping Sautloulai's hand, he danced three times round
the huge carcase. ' What will father and Akaitchko say
now ? We've killed our buffalo in spite of them, and the
five pounds are ours. Ours, Sautloulai ; ours, my hearty !
and won't we have a fine time making them lly ? Just
wait till we get to Fort William.'

* Is Sautloulai to have some of the money ? ' asked the
Indian shyly.

' Why, of course you are ! ' cried Archie. * The buffalo

AT GREAT SLAVE LAKE

isot and
(ly, and
I sido, a
ret still
moment
\ to his
tlie b(»y
c spring
lump of

Archie
creature
ned its
ise, but
it as far
swaying
wounds,
Then,
.'11 over,

he was

liie, as,
s round
jko say
and the
hearty !
Just

ked the

buli'ulo

is as much yours as mine. Jiut come, let us run back td
the camp, and tell them the good news.'

Leaving the guns beside the carcase, tlie boys set oH' at
their Itest pace for the camp, and did not take long
to reach it. Tlie men were getting dinner it-ady when
they arrived, and Archie burst in upon them, [lauting out —

* We've killed a buffalo — a great big one ! *

'None of your tricks, you rogue,' said the factor, taking
his son playfully by the ear. * Are you in earnest ? '

' Of course I am ! ' exclaimed Archie. ' Ask Sautloulai.'

Sautloulai was too much out of breath to say anytliing,
but nodded his head vigorously, while a triumphant smile
spread over his face. The questions then poured in thick
and fast, and when the whole story was told, the men
could hardly wait to eat their dinner, so imptitient were
they to see the bison for themselves.

Immediately after dinner the whole party took to their
canoes, and paddled up the stream to where Archie ])ointi'd
out the marks made by the bison in crossing, and led them
straight to the scene of its death.

'Well done, my lads ! ' exclaimed Mr. M'Kenzic when
ho saw the great creature. ' A buU'alo it is, and a line one
too. I'm afraid there's no way of my getting out of
paying you the five pounds, Archie.'

' The money's Sautloulai's as well as mine, fatlicr,'
spoke up Archie. ' I couldn't have killed the builalo (done,
you know.'

' As you say, laddie,' returned his father. ' It will be
given to you in good time, and you can share it with

Sautloulai in any way you like.'
13

194

ARCHIE APKHN/JE

Tlieru was ^'reat rcjoiciiicj over the l)ison. He proved
to 1)0 ill excellent eoiulition, aiul the men soon had him
cut up into convenient i)iece.s, and stowed away in the;
ranocs. Tln-n, resuminL,' tlieir ])lace.«, thi^y madt; \\\i'. air
x'wvjf, with tlicir jolliest sonj^'s as they swept down tlie
river.

\\\ tlio course of tlie following afternoon they passed
the junction of tlie Slave lliver with the waters of the
(Jreat Slave Lake, and pushing right out into the lake,
succeeded in reaching IMoose-deer Island before the night
set in. On the island stood a small post of the North -
West Fur Company, and here they made a stay of a few
days to rest and relit. The boys' first business was, of
course, to explore the island. They found it to be about
three miles round, witli a hill in the centre, rising several
luindred feet in height, from tlie summit of which they
had an outlook far and wide over the magnificent slieet of
water below them.

' Ttjii't this grand?' exclaimed Archie, seating himself
upon a ilat rock, and gazing around with appreciative
eyes.

Sautloulai, who had no care for the [ticturesrpie, and
regarded a landscape entirely from the point of view of
the hunter and trapper, had no other remark to make in
reply than one of his guttural * Ughs ! ' which Archie
always translated in tlie way that suited him best.

' But oh, how lonely this place must be in winter ! '
continued Archie. * It is tiresome enough at Fort
Chipewyan, but it must be ever so much worse here;'
and he gave a shiver as he pictured to himself the utter

AT GREAT SLAVE LAKE

•95

B proved
liiid him
y in tin;
5 \\w. air
uwii tlic

y ]i.ass('(l
rs of the
the lake,
the nii^ht
c Noitli-
of a few
i was, of
be about
g several
icli they
, slieet of

»• liiinsoU
iri'ciative

i|Uo, and
view of
make in
Arehie

winter ! '
at Fort
e here ; '
he utter

desohition of the scene. Tlien his thoughts turned from
the view to a malter tlint had been much in Ids nnnd of
laic. ' Sautloului,' he cried, with a suchU'uness tliat made
tlio Imhan start, 'I'm getting tired of tluifort; I want
to see other ])laces. Not like these,' and he ]iniiiled
contemptuously at the shabby little establi.sliment bflow
them, which hardly deserved the name of fort, ' but
]»laces where there are crowds of people, and line big
houses, and splendid shops, like Montreal, Father has
often told me about them, and Fm longing to go and see
them. Wouldn't you like to see them too ? '

Sautloulai shook his head dubiously. He was a child
of the prairie. The wonders of big cities had not much
meaning for him. His ambition carried him no higher
than the obtaining of a situation as hunter or canoeman
at the fort, just like his father had, which would ensure
him food and shelter the whole year round.

Archie hardly expected him to enter into his feelings,
so he did not mind his silence, but went on—

* I'm so glad father has promised to take us to Fort
William next summer. He's sure to keep his word, and
if he gets that far, perhaps he'll take us right on to
Montreal. Indeed, he nmst do it. ]\Iother and IJose
want to go as much as I do, and we'll join together and
make him.'

Enjoying in sanguine expectation the vaguely conceived
delights of such an expedition, Archie gave a ringing
whoop, and rushed down the hillside at a reckless late,
Sautloulai following him much more cautiously, and
having the opportunity for a sly laugh at his companion's

196

AKCJIIE M'KEN/JE

oxponse, vvlicn, irippiiif? ovor a liiddoii root, he took a
brillifiiit lioH(l(!r into 11 blueberry busb, md was i^'lad to
bftVG lielp ill i^ettiii;^' out a<^aiii. A ^'ood deal HJiakcii up,
and soMi('\vli;it put out by bis tumble, Arcbie slrudv a
more sober Ljait for Ibc rest of Ibe way to tlie Ibrt, wlicro
Ibo two arrived just in tiuu; for dinner.

Tben; was iiotbiiij,' to Ite sliot or trappt'd on llie island,
and Arcbie was very j^lad wbeii tlie i>arty once more
launclied tlie canoes, and set out for Fort I'rovideiicc,
anotber of tbe Fur Company's posts, situated on tbe
mainland, two days' journey nortli-west from Moose-derr
Island. Tbey bad a juTtty rouj^li passage tbilber, and
were more tban once compelled to run for sbelter into tbe
narrow ebannels between tlie iniunnerable islands tbat
dotted tbe lake, so tbat tliey did not reacli tlieir destination
until tbe nioriiin<,' of tbe tbird day.

At Fort Providence, tben tbe fartbest iiortb of all the
Fur Company's estal)lisbments, and a place of not mucb
more importance tban Moose-deer island, a stay of several
days was made, as Mr. M'Kenzie wisbed to bave a pow-
wow witb tbe Copper Indians, in wbose country tbey
were, and messengers had been sent out to summon tlieni
to tbe fort immediately upon tbe arrival of tbe expedition.
On the afternoon of the third day the Indians appeared,
and the following morning a conference was held before
the gate of tbe fort with all due solemnity. In order to
make an imposing appearance, Mr. M'Kenzie and his
men were arrayed in their very best clothes, and armed to
the teeth with guns, pistols, tomahawks, and hunting-
knives, which they ostentatiously laid aside as soon as

AT GREAT SLAVE LAKE

t97

tlioy took llieir scats. Tlie Indians likewise had on their
brave.st attire, and hore their hest weajions, foUovviii^' the
example oi' the pale-faces in putting the latter away before
takiii",' their places.

Archie was much disaitpointed in tliese new
acquaintances, Tiiey were siiorter, sliL,'hter, u^dier, and
dirtier than any Indians he had ever seen before. Tliere
was nothing interesting or impressive about tlicm, and
when, by way of opening tiie proceedings, tln-y rose at iha
command of their chief and executed tlieir trilial dfuice,
it was with great dilliculty that lie could rcstrai- aimseif
from l)eing gui'^v < I the bad manners of laughing in th. ir
faces.

The dance was after this fashion. The men and woiucii
formed a ring together, the former holding a bon-j dagger
between tlie fingers of tlic right hand, which they kept
extended above tlie head, and in continual motion, while
their left hand was worked backwards and forwards in a
horizontal direction. The women let both arms hang
motionless at their sides. Then all set to work to jump
about, and throw themselves into various absurd postures,
meantime keeping up a hideous wailing that })assed for
singing, and bringing their heels together at every pause
in the music, as if they were having a high old time.

* Is that what they call dancing?' exclaimed Archie,
with a curl of his lip. ' I wonder what they'd think of a
Highland fling. "What do you say, fatlicr ; may we show
them one ? '

* Certainly, Archie, if you want to,' said the factor,
smiling. ' They'll think all tlie more of us if we show

1 98 ARCHIE M'KENZIE

thcni sonictliing new in the way of a dance. Who'll dance
it M'ith you ? '

'Oh, Sautloulai will. He can dance as well as I can,'
replied Archie. * We had plenty of practice last winter.'

' Go ahead, then, laddie. I'll whistle for you,' returned
the factor, and amid the wondering expectation of the
Indians the two boys took their places in the middle of
tlie circle. The factor at once struclv up u lively tunc,
whistling it with the strength and purity of a ilute, and
the young dancers started oil' to open the eyes of the
aborigines.

]joth the whistling and the dancing were entire
novelties to tlie red men, and it Avas hard to say which
they admired the most — tlie W( nderful music which came
so freely from the puckered lips of the big pale-face, or
the intricate evolutions of the graceful boys, one of whom
was evidently of their own kind. Their dull, dirty
countenances lit up with smiles, they unconsciously kept
time with head and hand to the rhythmic movements of
the dancers, and altoLi;ether showed such unmistakable
pleasure in the performance that Archie was fain to
modify his first impressions, and admit that they were
good for something after all, if it was only to appreciate
liis dancing.

The dance was followed by a smoke all round at tlie
expense of the factor, and then by the s})eeclies, which
were, in brief, on the pale-faces' part that they wanted
more furs, and on the red men's part that they wanted
more goods ; with the result that each promised to do the
best they could for the other, Mr. M'Kenzie exacting

•■>

AT GREAT SLAVE LAKE

199

•■>!

tlio most solemn possil)le undertaking from tlie chief and
his followers to have no dealings with the Hudson's I'ay
people, but to bring all their peltries to the Xorth-West
Company's posts.

Satisfied that his visit would have good effects, the
factor distributed a lot of presents among the tril)o,
making the poor natives happy for the nonce ; and soon
after his party re-embarked in their canoes, and bidding
good - bye to * Fort Providence, to whose lonely little
garrison tlieir visit had Iteen a rare gleam of pleasure in
the dull monotony of their lives, set out gaily upon the
journey back to Fort Cliipewyan.

.-- (,

I !

CHArTiai XV

' THE rOKTAGE OF THE DllOWNED '

OR tlie return journey Arcliio clmngcd his
seat, in order that lie miuht be able to
talk freely with his father. His head
was full of the idea of being allowed to
visit Montreal the following summer, and
he was constantly bringing up the subject.
' Well, Archie,' said his father, ' I'm sure I'd be very
<dad to take you to Montreal. For that matter, I'd like
well cnou'di to go there on my own account, but I really
do not see my way clear to doing it. I'm afraid you'll
have to be satisfied with getting as far as Fort William.'

' But, father,' Archie urged, 'just think how long it is
since you've been there yourself. Surely the Company
will give you a holiday after so many years' steady

service ? '

• The Company might very M-ell do it, my lad ; there's
no doubt about that. None of their factors have served
them more faithfully than I have,' answered Mr. M'Kenzie.
'Ihit these are troubled times, you know. I'm always

200

THE PORTAGE OF THE DROWNED' 201

looking for M'Dougal to be back at Weddcrburnc with a
gang of ruffians from the Bay or tlie Eed Iiivcr, and it
woiddn't do for me to be away from Chipewyan in that case.'

' But perhaps he won't come back, fatlier,' urged Archii'
earnestly, 'and then there'd be nothing to prevent your
going, would there ? '

' Well, of course that would make a difference,' admitted
the factor. * I'd feel freer to go, for it's not likely there'd
be another of the same kind in his place, and Mr. Wentzel
could look after the fort right enough for a while. And
that reminds me, I hope we'll find Wentzel back when we
get to the fort. He's full due now, and ought to be there
before us.'

' Tliat dreadful Mr. ]\rDougal ! ' cried Archie in tones of
intense aversion. ' I hope he'll never show his ugly face
at Lake Athabasca again.'

*I hope the same, with all my lieart,' said t^e factor.
* ]3ut I misdoubt it. I've a kind of premonition that that
man's going to give us some trouble yet.'

'Well, as sure as he does, father, I'll make him suffer for
it,' burst out the boy, his face Hushing witli passionate feeling.

'Softly, laddie, softly,' said Mr. M'Kenzie soothingly.
' He played you a sorry trick, no doul)t, m trying to have
you carried off by the Quarrellers. But, remember, it is
not ours to take vengeance. The good Book teaches better
than that.'

'Yes, I know it does, fatlicr,' admitted Archie, very
reluctantly. ' But surcdy such wicked men deserve to be
punished some way ? '

' Certainly, my boy, certainly they do, and they are.

202

ARCHIE MCKENZIE

Sooner or later the puiiislunent comes. But it is not for
any of us to take upon ourselves to administer it.'

Arcliie was silent. He was ready enougli to argue with
his father, but lie knew it was useless to attempt to argue
against the Bible. And yet there burned within him,
losing none of its strength through lapse of time, an
intense desire to repay the factor of Fort Wedderburne for
the evil he had souglit to do him. The Indian passion for
revenge was in his blood, tempered, it is true, very
materially Ijy the other elements of his nature and the
excellence of his training, but there nevertheless ; and as
i:^. contemplated the possibility of the man he hated
inflicting a still further injury by preventing his 'Vither
from going to Montreal, he felt that he was equal to doing
anything to him, short of taking his life.

In the meantime, the party was making steady progress
southward. As they were going up-stream, they could not,
of course, advance quite as fast as on the down trip, but
they paddled away all the more vigorously for that, and
in due time came to Salt Eiver, into which they turned
again in order to replenish their supply of salt, having
divided what they had got before between the Moose-deer
Fort and Fort Providence. They also kept a sharp look-
out for bison, and the boys tried hard to repeat their
former success while the salt was being gathered, but not
a horn, hump, or hoof was to be seen. The following
morning they arrived at the foot of the ill-omened ' Portage
of the Drowned,' the first of the series of rapids which
would have to be overcome before the Salt Eiver settled
down to quiet ways again.

'THE PORTAGE OF THE DROWNED' 203

The arrangement was the same as before, the boys
carrying the guns and ammunition, and the two men first
taking up the canoe, and then making a second trip for
its lading. When they reached the head of the rapid,
Archie was delighted to find a fine fiock of ducks fioating
quietly on the bosom of the river a couple of hundred
yards from shore.

'Hurrah! Here's luck!' he cried. ' Sautloulai and I
will bag some ducks for dinner while you're bringing up
the packs. Came along, Sautloulai; let's launch the canoe.'

* Be careful not to get into the current, Archie,' called
out Mr. M'Kenzie. ' It's very strong at the head of the
rapids.'

* All right, father ; I'll look out for it,' answered Archie,
paddling out from the bank, while his father and Akaitchko
hastened off for the baggage.

Stealing gently over the still water, the canoe drew near
the unsuspecting ducks. They had evidently never seen
such a thing before, and perhaps mistook it for a floating
log. But when, having got within range, Archie laid down
his paddle and picked up his gun, the birds, startled by
the movement, rose from the water, and fled away in the
direction of the rapid.

The moment they did, Archie fired into their midst. It
was a rather long-range shot, but his gun was a good one,
and at least a part of its contents did their duty, for one
duck fell at once, while another, after frantic endeavours
to keep its balance, soon followed its example, although,
having only a broken wing, it was able to continue its
^'ight-by swimming.

204

ARCHIE APKENZIE

* Paddle Sautloulai, paddle hard ! ' shouted Archie, for-
getting everything in his eagerness to secure the ducks.

The dead one was soon picked up, and seizing the other
paddle, Archie sent the canoe rippling through the water
after the wounded bird. A dozen vigorous strokes brought
it within reach, one well-directed blow of the paddle
finfshed it, and having got it safely on board, the boys
turiied ihe canoe towards the shore.

To their surpvise, they found that they could make no
headway. Tliey put all their strength into their strokes,
but the canoe refused to respond. A strong(ir inlhience
than they could exert was fighting against them. Soon
tliey realised tlieir peril. In their thoughtless haste to
recover the ducks, they had ventured too near the rapid,
and were now in its irresistible grasp.

' Sautloulai,' gasped Archie, his face whitening with
terror, ' we're in the rapids ! '

The Indian made no response, save to dig his paddle
more desperately into the swirling water.

' It's no use,' cried Archie ; ' we can't get back, we'll have
to run them. Save your strength for that.'

The boy kept on paddling as if he did not hear him.

'Stop, I say!' shrieked Archie. 'You're only tiring
yourself for nothing. Let's turn her round and run for it.'

As though in a dream, Sautloulai obeyed. lie was
dazed with fright, and Archie, seeing his condition, and
realising that if they were to escape at all, he must think
for both, sought to control his own feelings, and nerve
himself for what was coming. Happily he had the bow
of the canoe, and if Sautloulai would only obey his

chie, for-
iliicks.
he other
he water
broiiglit
I paddle
ihe boys

make no

strokes,
iilluenco
I. Soon
baste to
le rapid,

ig with

paddle

'11 have

lini.
' tiring

for it.'
le was
)n, and
t think

nerve
he bow
ey Iiis

« TBE PORTAGE OF THE DROWNED' 205

commands, they might yet survive the passage of the
terrible ' Portage of the Drowned,' slight as the chances
were.

' Xow, Sjuitloulai,' shouted Archie, 'do just as I tell you,
and don't be afraid.'

The frail l)ar(|ue was turned about, and at once sped
away down-stream like an arrow. For a little distance
the current ran smoothly, giving the boys time to In-ace
themselves firmly in their places and prepare for their
tremendous struggle with the relentless rapid. Only by
some miracle could they escape the fate of those whose
death had given the place its name, and yet that miracle
might take place. Keskarrah had got through safely, was
the thought tliat flashed into Archie's mind. Might they
not do so too ?

' Do just as I tell you, Sautloulai,' he shouted once
more ; and the Indian, who now seemed to have somewliat
recovered his wits, straightened himself up, and answered
with a steady —

' All right, Archie, I'll do my best.'

There was no chance for further words. The next
moment they were amidst the wild turmoil of water, ami
the canoe swerved and plunged, and darted hither and
thither, as the violent swirls and eddies caught it in their
grasp for a moment, and then flung it away with reckless
force. The whole volume of the river was here confined
to a narrow channel running between high banks, and
thickly studded with miglity boulders worn smooth l)y the
ceaseless rush of water. Great as was the peril from the
furious waves, these boulders were still more to be feared.

206

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

Were the canoe but to touch one of them while Hying on
at so tremendous a speed, it would be crushed like an
et'i'-shell.

Diaced firmly in tlie liow, and holding" Ids ]):iddl(' befnic
him as a ])()!(» with which to push tlie cinnx! away Irnm
\\\y\ rocks, Arcliii^ ])rought every power of mind and hodv
to Ijear upon his work. Tlie task was one from whicli
oven Akaitchko, the l)c.st canoeman in Athaljascn, would
have shrunk, and well was it for the boy that his training
in the management of the canoe had been so thorough,
for one misUdvcn stroke, one wrong signal to Sautloului,
and their fate was sealed.

In the intensity of the struggle he forgot all his fear
and nervousness. He even felt a thrill of exultation
when a b(julder that threatened destruction was safely
passed or a gaping whirlpool dexterously avoided. There
was a wonderful exhilaration in the wild descent, and
(>veu when in the very midst of it the thouglit came to
iiim —

' If we only get through alive, what a fuss they will
make over us ! '

In the meantime, the two men upon the bank al)ove
had become aware of their sons' peril. It was Akaitchko
who first observed the canoe darting after them, and
without a word he grasped the factor's arm, and pointed
down to the raging waters below^

'Merciful heavens!' exclaimed Mr. M'Kenzie, as an
awful chill struck to his heart. ' Our darling boys !
Can we do nothing to save them ? '

The old Indian shook his head despairingly. Indeed,

207

' rilE PORTAGE OF THE DRO IVNED ' .^09

no earthly power could have liclped tlie boys then ; an.l
realising this, the factor, breathing a prayer at every
step, ruslied frantically along the l)ank, turiung every
moment to look at the canoe, uln-Ie Akaitchko followed
close behind. The inequalities of the -rcund would ,a
intervals shut them out from sight of ilie canoe, and
when it came into view again, still lidnig tlie billows
bravely, the factor would gasp out a fervent ' Tliank
God ! ' and take fresh hope.

The i-apid ended in a sharp drop, almost worthy to
be called a fall, and after escaping in some marvellous

manner all other perils of the passage, the ean..e now

came to this, the last, and the most appalling of all.

Archie knew of its presence, and prepared for the worst.

The canoe could not possibly pass it without upsetting.

They must swim for their lives tlien.
' Be ready to swim, Sautloulai," he cried, at the top

of his voice.

Tlie next moment the canoe shot far over the bi-ink
of the fall, and disappeared in the foam at its foot.

'They're gone!' groaned Mr. M'Keuzic, catching sight
of what had happened from the high bank above.

But liardly had he spoken before first one head and
then another appeared. They were not lost yet. But
neither were they saved. The canoe, flung violently
over by the furious torrent, had dealt poor Archie a
cruel blow upon the head, and rendered him insensible.
Before striking out for the shore, Sautloulai looi.ed
around for his companion, and saw him as he rose for
an instant, white and still. With quick intuition he

2IO

ARCHIE APKENZIE

realised what was the niatUsr, and tlierc came to liini
tliu iif)l)li3 tliouglit to rescue his helpless friend or die
with liiin. Though only a poor Indian boy, he hud the
hero spirit in him.

licgardless of the fact tliat, owing to the; fearful strain
of tlie passage of the rapids upon both his nervous and
physical system, and the sudden plunge into the icy
water, he liimself had l)arely sufficient strength left to
reach the land, Sautloulai fouglit his way to Archie's
side, and catching him by the arm ere he sank again,
put forth all his remaining energy in a supreme el'l'ort
to make the shore.

lUit gallant as the effort was, it would have ended
mournfully for both, had not Mr. M'Kenzie and
Akaitcliko, reaching the foot of the rapid at the same
moment, iiung themselves instantly into the water, and
with mighty strokes cloven their way to the struggling
boys. They were just in time, and no more. Little
Sautloulai's strength was not equal to his spirit. Even
alone and unencumbered he would have had hard work
to free himself from the current's grasp, but burdened
with Archie, he could do no more than keep afloat, and
that only for a few minutes at best. Exhausted and
despairing, he was giving up the struggle, when the
voice of the factor, crying —

'Keep up, Sautloulai! keep up, my boy!' fell upon
his ear, and a moment later a powerful hand seized him,
while another relieved him of his senseless burden. Mr.
M'Kenzie and his own father were beside him, and the
next thing he knew they were all four safe upon the

■J

THE PORTAGE OE THE DROWNED' 2\\

c to him
nil or (lie
e hud tho

rful fstmiii
ivvous and
3 tho icy
Lli left to
• Archie's
nk again,
MUG ellort

ive ended

nzie and

the same

•ater, and

struggling

Little

Even

ard work

jurdened

loat, and

sted and

dien the

ljU upon
zed him,
len. Mr.
and the
pen the

it.

shore, and surrounded hy tho rest of tlie party, who had
just returned from their first trip over the portage.

Archie, wliu liad l)een only :<h'glitly stnnned, soon
recovered consciousness, and then great was the rejoicing
over tho Ijoys' extraordinary escape, wliile the men vied
with one another in showering praises upon Sautloului
fur his lieroism, mucii to the gratification of proud old
Akiutchko. So soon as Archie was himself again, he
looked about him at the circle of snnling faces, and then,
turning to his fa' /• with a sly twinkle of the eye, said
in a quiet tone —

•We'll have to give the place a new name, fiither ;
won't we ? '

'IIow is that, Archie?' asked the factor, beaming on
his son with uiuitterable affection.

' Why, instead of calling it " The Portage of the
Drowned," it ought to be called " The Portage of the Loys
that wouldn't drown." Don't you thiid< so ? '

The factor's answer was to throw his brawny arms
about his boy, and give him a hug worthy of a black bear.

' It was a miracle, laddie, nothing but a miracle,
for which we cannot be too thankful to a merciful
Providence.*

The thrilling episode cost the party their morning,
and Archie and Sautloulai their guns, for of course it
was impossible to recover the latter. Rut the canoe and
paddles were regained uninjured, and in the afternoon
the homeward journey was resumed. Nothing further
of note occurred. Portage after portage was passed
without trouble. By the middle of the third day tha

212

ARCHIE iWKENZIE

canoes were once more cleaving the watei's of Lake
Athabasca, and ere the evening darkness came, their
occupants were receiving warm welcomes from the dear
ones eagerly awaiting their return at Fort Chipewyan.

The whole evening was given up to rejoicing and
recounting the incidents of the trip, Mrs. M'Kenzie and
Piose-Marie listening with bated breath and overflowing
eyes as the factor told of the passage of the ' Portage of the
Drowned.' When he had finished, Mrs. M'Kenzic strained
Archie to her bosom, murmuring through her tears —

• ]\Iy precious boy — my precious boy ! ' Then suddenly
rising from her chair, she exclaimed —

' That darling Sautloulai ! I must see him and thank
liim for myself. Archie, do run and bring him in ! '

Off sped Archie, delighted at his errand, an-' presently
returned holding by the hand the Indian boy, who hung
his head and looked as sheepish as if he were about to
receive reproof instead of praise. As soon as he entered
the room, Mrs. M'Kenzie rushed up to him impulsively,
and taking his tawny face in her hands, gave him a
hearty kiss upon both clieeks, greatly increasing the poor
lad's confusion, while lioso-Marie made matters . till worse
for him by promptly imitating her mother's example.

' Donald, this dear boy must be well rewarded, mustn't
he ? ' said Mrs. M'Kenzic.

' He shall indeed, Virginie,' replied the factor. ' We
can never fully repay what we owe him.'

As soon as he could, Sautloulai beat his retreat, the
proudest and happiest little Indian in the North-West
country.

raters of Lake

!ss came, their

I from the dear

Chipewyan.

rejoicing and

M'Keiizie and

md overflowing

' I'ortage of tlie

Kenzic strained

ler tears —

Then suddenly

Iiim and thank
him in ! '
, ani' presently
boy, who hung
were about to
I as he entered
m impulsively,
5, gave him a
asing the poor
ters .till worse
1 example,
warded, mustn't

! factor. ' We

is retreat, the
le North-West

' THE FOR TA GE OF THE DRO WNED ' 213

After Archie and Rose -Marie had gone off to bed,
the factor and his wife drew their chairs closer together
by the crackling fire, and settled down for a good long
talk. They mtide an effective picture as the lireliglit
flashed upon their countenances, tlie factor's so square,
strong, and shaggy, and Virginie's so smootli, plump, and
placid, now that all cause for anxiety was gone, and her
dear ones were safe at home again.

' I wonder what's delaying Wentzel,' said Mr. M'Kenzie.
'He ought to be back before this. I hope nothing lias
happened to him. It would be a bad liusiness if we
didn't get our year's supplies. We need almost every-
thing.'

' We haven't heard a word from him,' replied his wife.
* I do hope he's all right.'

'If he isn't, we're all wrong, Virginie. Could the
Hudson Bays have interfered with liim, I wonder? 'and
tlie factor knitted his brow perplexedly.

'The Hudson Lays?' cried Mrs. M'Kenzie. 'Oh,
Donald, I forgot to t^ll you 1— Mr. M'Dougal's back at
Fort Wedderburne.'

With an exclamation of profound annoyance the factor
sprang to his feet, and began pacing up and down the
room with heavy steps.

' M'Dougal back at Wedderburne ? When did he come
bcvck?' he asked, looking so disturbed tliat the placid
expression gave place to one of tender anxiety on his
wife's pretty face as she answered —

' I'm not just sure when. But he can't be back long.
Mr. Stewart told me about it only yesterday.'

214

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

' I hoped we were done with him/ growled tlie factor.
* His presence here can mean nothing Lut mischief.'

Ever since M'Dougal had attempted to rob her of
Archie, Mrs. M'Kenzie had felt towards him tlie most
intense aversion, l)ut she did not quite understand why
her husband should show so much concern.

'But, Donald dear,' said she softly, 'you're not afraid
of the wretcli doing us any harm, are you ? Would he
dare to ? '

* I don't know, Virginie. I've a queer feeling about
that man which I can't explain. Something seems to
tell me that he's going to give us trouble yet. The
cowardly cur ! — to try to revenge himself upon a mere
boy ! I wish he'd never set foot here again.'

While they were talking, Archie came into the room
liali' undressed. He had overheard his father's excited
tones, and was curious to learn the cause. As he
appeared with, an inquiring look upon his face, Mr.
M'Kenzie, not waiting to be questioned, said meaningly —

' Archie, M'Dougal's back. I'm afraid you've a poor
chance of getting to Montreal, or even to Fort William,
now, for I can't leave the villain unwatched.'

"^^

the factor,
ief.'

»b her of

the most

taiicl why

lot afraid
Would he

ng about
seems to
'et. The
1 a mere

he room
excitoil
As he

ice, Mr.

liu-ly--

a poor
^Villiam.

CHAPTER XVI

AKGIIIE TO THE KESCUE

T his father's words Arcliiu's face ilamed
with sudden anger. Was the man lie
with so good reason looked upon as most
hateful of human kind to cheat him of
the joys on which his heart was set ? iSo
furious was his indignation, that for a
moment he could not find words to express it. Then,
with clenched fists and Hashing eyes, he cried —

'Mr. M'Dougal shall not prevent us going to Fort
William, father, or to Montreal either. We will go in
spite of him.'

Mr. M'Kenzie smiled bitterly.

' It is easier to say that than to carry it out, laddie.
My duty to the Company will not suffer me to desert my
post when I'm most needed, you know.'

Archie had nothing just ready to say to tliis, l)ut,
tlirowing himself into a chair, he gazed at the (ire
intently, as though he might find there some solution
of the puzzling problem. They talked for anotlior liour

'J15

2l6

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

without finding matters growing any clearer, and then
separated for the night, Archie returning to his room
very heavy at heart.

The next morning the factor made inquiry about Mr.
M'Dougal, and ascertained that he had brought back
with Idm an increased staff of employees, with a great
supply of goods, and evidently intended to enter into
competition, as vigorous as it would be unscrupulous,
with his rival at Chipewyan. What the factor did not
learn, because only those at Fort Wedderburne knew it,
was that the strife between the two Companies had
reached a crisis. Strategy and artifice had given place
to l.iriite force, one bloody encounter had followed fast
upon another, until at last the contest had culminated
in a battle royal tliat very summer before the gates of
the Hudson Bay's chief fort at lied liivcr, in which
Governor Semple, three of his ofllcers, and seventeen of
his num liad fallen victims to the bullets of the Nor'-
Westers. Tiienceforward the cry was, * War to the knife ! '
and Miles M'Dougal had come back to his post accom-
panied by a score of the most desperate characters in the
employ of his Company, and determined to deal the
Nor'-Westers a blow at Lake Athabasca that they would
not recover from for many a day.

As there never liad been any actual conHict between
the two forts, coarse and brutal as he was, he shrunk
from beginning hostilities in cold blood, Moreover, he
had his doubts as to the result of a trial of strength
with his sturdy, lion-hearted rival. A less dangerous,
yet no less ell'ective, method of obtaining his object

ARCHIE TO THE RESCUE

217

and tlien
his room

ibout Mr.
gilt bnck
li a great
liter into
Tupuloiis,
t' did not

knew it,
nies had
en place
•wed fast
Imiiiated

gates of
n which
nteen of
be Nor'-
3 knife ! '
; accom-
:s in the
leal the
y would

between
shrunk

)ver, he

itrength

igerous,
object

presented itself to his crafty brain, and without delay, for
the autumn was well-nigh gone, and his scheme must be
executed before winter came, he proceeded to carry it out.

Mr. M'Kenzie had been back for two days, during
which he had seen nothing of the Fort Wedderburne
people, when in the evening, while ho was enjoying his
aftcr-suppcr pipe before the fire, a messenger from there
asked to see him. A good deal surprised at this
announcement, he ordered the man to be sent in to him.
lie proved to Ixi one of the new staff, a keen, hard-faced
man, with an easy, plausible manner. He at once made
known the reason of his errand. Mr. M'Dougal had
])een taken suddenly ill, and was in great suffering.
None of those at his post knew anything about applying
remedies, and Mr. M'Kenzie's reputation as a ' medicine
man ' being founded upon many successful cures ])y the
aid of a well-furnished medicine-chest, his rival, feeling
his life to be in danger, had sent over for him, hoping
tliat in Christian charity he would not refuse to do what
he could to give him relief.

Mr. M'Kenzie was completely taken olf his guard.
No resentment for past injuries or apprehension of present
treachery was present in his mind, as, rising promptly
from his comfortable seat, he said —

'Certainly I'll come. The man mustn't die, if I can
help him.'

Wiiile he was buttoning on his coat, his wife, coming
up to him, whispered —

' Why should you go to him, Donald ? He would
never give you aid.'

i !!,

2l8

ARCHIE APKENZIE

* Hush, Virginie ! ' he answered softly. ' Does not the
Bible say, " Love your enemies " ? I'm dohig no more than
I would expect another to do for me.'

Meantime, the messenger was watching him with such
a look of crafty triumph, that, had the factor only caught
it, lie might have hesitated before putting himself in his
rival's power. But he suspected nothing, and filling his
pockets with different remedies, he kissed his wife, saying,
' Don't worry if I'm not back soon. I'erhaps I'll have to
stay all night with him if he's very ill,' and went out with
the man, whose evil face bore a leer of satisfaction at
these parting words.

As they walked over to Fort Wedderburne Mr. M'Kenzie
asked many questions concerning the sick man ; but his
companion seemed to know very little about the matter,
except that Mr. M'Dougal had sent him with the
message, and was anxiously awaiting his return.

All was quiet at the fort when he arrived, and he was
conducted at once to the suiferer's room. He found him
in bed, tossing about and groaning, apparently in intense
agony. Seating himself upon a chair placed conveniently
at the bedside, he began to ask M'Dougal some questions
as to his trouble. That moment a strong rope was flung
around him from behind. Without uttering a word, four
powerful men seized him in their grip, and giant thougli
lv> vas, so swift, so unexpected was the attack, that, before
;:. ..xW make any effectual resistance, he was bound
in T'id foot and lying on the floor as helpless as a
'') ' •; i; : 'nle the scoundrel whom he had so kindly come to
help, leaping from his bed, all pretence of suifering thrown

ARCHIE TO THE RESCUE

219

3S not the
more tlian

with sucli
ily caught
self m his
filling his
Fe, saying,
11 have to
out with
action at

VI'Kenzie
; but his

3 matter,
nth the

:I he was
unci him
. intense
eniently
uestions
'as flung
)rd, four

though

t, before

bound

'ss as a

come to

thrown

away, stood over liim, his repulsive countenance lit up
with a grin of diabolical triumph as he shouted —

' Who's the sick man now ? Ah, I've got you tight
and fast, and I'm going to send you on a pleasant little
trip to Fort York for the good of your liealth. What do
you say to that ? '

Dumbfounded at the man's abominable treachery, Mr.
M'Kenzie lay silent, and tried to take in the full purport
of his words. What did he mean by sending him to Fort
York, a thousand miles and more away, on the bleak
shores of Hudson's Bay ? As if in response to the be-
wildered look on the factor's face, M'Dougal continued —

' You don't seem to understand me. Well, I'll make it
plain enough. The Hudson Bays have put up with you
Nor' -Westers altogether too long. If we'd taken you in
hand twenty years ago, we'd have been saved a sight of
trouble. But we're going to rid ourselves of you now;
we're going to clear the country of you, and my orders
are to send you a prisoner to York, and to leave not a
stick of Fort Chipewyan standing.'

Losing all thought of himself in the anxiety for his
family these startling words aroused, Mr. M'Kenzie
moaned, ' My poor wife and children ! '

' Oh, you needn't worry about them,' sneered M'Dougal,
catching what he said. ' I've no quarrel with the women
and children. They can stay there all the winter, but
I'll give them notice to quit in the spring.'

And now did Mr. M'Kenzie's superb self-control stand
him in good stead. M'Dougal had expected that he
v>'ould storm and rage until exhausted, which would be

220

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

111 i

fine fun for himself and his rascally accomplices. But,
nuich to his disappointnuiut, the factor did nothing of tlio
kind. He thoroughly understood that it would not only
he utterly useless, but would expose him to tlie jeers and
taunts of his Ciiptors. So he lield his peace, while they
marvelled at his composure.

Presently, addressing M'Dougal, he asked, in tones of
quiet dignity —

* When do you intend to sUirt with me for York ? '

* Eight off,' replied M'Dougal roughly. ' The men are
getting ready now.'

The factor could not repress a shudder at the idea of
being thus ruthlessly snatched away from the dear ones
whose hearts would be torn with anxiety concerning
him.

* Is it any use asking a favour of you ? ' ho inquired,
witliout a trace of anger in his voice.

' I can't say,' answered the other. * That depends upon
what it is.'

' Will you let my family know what's become of me ? '

* Humph ! let me see. Well, I might send them back
word after we're safe on the other side of the lake,' said
M'Dougal grudgingly.

'I shall be grateful if you will. It will relieve their
minds a little,' said the factor, sighing heavily as he
thought how slight the relief would be; still, it would
be better than the harrowing uncertainty of entire

Ignorance.

A moment later, one of the employees came in and
announced that everything was ready.

ARCHIE TO THE RESCUE

221

lices. But,
liing of tlio
tl not only
ic jocrs and
wliilo they

n tones of

e men are

he idea of

dear ones

X)neernini>:

inquired,

ends upon

of nie ? '
hem back
lake,' said

eve their
ly as he
it would
>f entire

e in and

' Here you are, then,' said M'Dougal. * Just pick him
up and carry him down to the shore.'

Four of the men, lifting Mr. M'Kenzie to their shoulders,
bore him out into the night and down to the shore of the
lake, where two canoes and a number of men were in
waiting. The helpless captive was deposited in the
bottom of the largest canoe, a buffalo skin thrown over
him for warmth ; and presently the canoes, each having a
crew of four, set out across the lake, steering due south
by the aid of the stars, which sparkled brightly through
the still, clear atmosphere.

Harassed by the keenest anxiety, and suffering nmch
! icomfort from his bonds, Mr. M'Kenzie, enduring his
misery in heroic silence, looked up at the pitying stars
and prayed fervently for deliverance. He had no fear
of actual violence, so long as he quietly submitted.
M'Dougal was no doubt acting under some pretence of
legal authority, and the worst that could happen to
himself would probably be his being sent across to
England in one of the Hudson's Bay ships, and then
turned adrift to seek redress as he might, friendless and
penniless.

It WHS the wife and children whom he loved better than
his own life that occupied his thoughts to the exclusion
of all else. What was to become of them in the lonii
space of time that must intervene ere he could l)y any
possibility regain them, if M'Dougal carried his nefarious
scheme to completion ? Where could they go if driven
from Fort Chipewyan in the spring ? There was but one
ray of light upon this dark prospect. Wentzel might be

222

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

I. ■
!

aljlo to protect thcni and restore them to liiiii ut Inst.
]>ut where was Wcntzel ? What caused his strange
delay ?

In perfect silence, save for the soft splash of the
paddles and an occasional question as to their course
from M'Dougal, who was in the stern, to the Indian i)ilot
in tlie how, the party glided through the night hour after
hour, until at length the dark line of the southern shore
loomed dindy ahead, and presently the canoe touched the
beach not far from the place where the Athabasca Iliver
enters into the lake. Not caring to attempt the navigation
of the river, which was beset with shallows and sandbanks,
in the darkness, M'Dougal called a halt until daylight.
So tlie canoes were drawn up, a fire lighted, and the men
hastened to catch a wink of sleep. Much to Mr.
M'Kenzie's relief, the ropes were removed, and in their
stead his hands were tied together in front, and his feet
fastened so that he could take short steps, but could not
possibly run. In fact, he was hobbled in precisely the
same way as a horse. Sitting down before the fire, he
waited for the dawn, plunged in distressing thought.

As soon as day broke, the journey was resumed.
But, before the party started, Mr. M'Kenzie rcndnded
M'Dougal of his promise to send word to Fort Chipewyan.

' Oh, that's all right ! ' said M'Dougal carelessly. ' I
left directions at the fort for a man to go over and tell
your folks in the course of the morning. You needn't
worry yourself.'

And with this the poor prisoner had perforce to be
content, although it was very different from what liis self-

ARCniE TO THE RESCUE

223

im .'it last,
lis straii'^o

=^h of the
eir course
itlian pilot
hour after
liern shore
uclied the
isca Elver
navigation
andbanks,

daylight.
1 the men
I to ]\Ir.
I ill their
1 his feet
could not
iisely the
e fire, he
;ht.

resumed.
L'eminded
ipewyan.
ssly. * I
' and tell

needn't

ce to be
his self-

constituted captor had promised. As fast as their strong,
skilful crews could paddle tliem, tlie canoes advanced u[»
the Athabasca, while the factor tortured his brain with
endeavonrs to hit upon some feasible scheme of escape.

In the meantime, how had matters been faring at Fort
('hil)ewyan ? It was with an inexidicable feeling of
apprehension that Mrs. M'Kenzie saw her husband go
(jut. No sooner had he disappeared, than she reproached
herself for not detaining him, and although he had told her
he might be away all night, she felt so uneasy that she
determined not to go to bed until he returned. So all
night long she sat by the fire, or paced up and down the
room, a prey to the keenest anxiety. When dawn came
without her husband, she could bear the suspense no
longer, and rousing Archie, she bade him dress as (piickly
as possible, and run over to inquire why Mr. M'Kenzie
did not return.

Somewhat alarmed by his mother's evident concern,
although the good woman did her best to conceal it,
Archie obeyed promptly. But when he reached the fort,
he found the gates shut fast, and, knock and shout as he
might, not an answer could he evoke, so that, after
spending half an hour fruitlessly in the cold, he was
compelled to return no wiser than he went. And all the
time, the crafty rascal who had decoyed his father into
the trap was peeping through a loophole in the palisade,
and laughing gleefully at his vain endeavours.

A little later, Archie, now thoroughly alarmed, came
back. This time he was admitted, and, after being
badgered with inconsequent replies until about desperate.

}

aa4

ARCHIE APKICNZJE

ho was at len.L,'tli told tlio truth. Ho could not fully
tako it in at liist, but wlu'n lu3 horu tlio news baciv to lii.s
inotlu'i', \\v.\' passionate; distress liolpcd liini to ^^rasp the
seriousness, not only of his father's situation, l)ut of their
own likewise. At once he realised that he was face to
face with a crisis which called for his utmost i)ower. As
in the fairy stories, at the touch of the magician's wand
the trees turned into human beings, so, at the toucli of a
troul)le transcending all previous experience, the light-
lieartcil, eare-frec boy was transformed into an anxious,
determined man, with but one thought, the rescue of
liis father from the clutches of the scoundrels who had so
foully entra})ped him.

With a strange sense of having in some way suddenly
become older than his mother, he sought to stay her wild
grief, and comfort her.

' Mother dearest,' sjiid he tenderly, ' don't be so terribly
distressed. We will go after the ruflians and take lather
from them.'

Mrs. M'Kenzie checked her sobs and gazed eagerly into
her son's face.

* Oh, Archie darling, will you ? Oh, hurry, hurry,
hurry before they get too far ! liut no, Archie, you
nnistn't go. 1 can't let you go. They may take you too,
and then I'll lose both my husband and my son.' And
the poor woman gave way to another outburst of passionate
weeping.

'Not a bit of it, mother,' answered Archie stoutly.
' Once I catch up to them, I'll soon let them know what
they've got to do. No fear of them getting hold of me.'

ARC n IE TO TFIR RESCUE

225

lot i'uUy
;k tti Ills
rasp till'
, of tlicir
I face to
vur, As
I's wand
iK'li of a
10 li^L,flit-
aiixioiis,

DSCUU of

(J had s(j

uiddcnly
her wihl

:ui'iibly
:e lather

ndy into

mrry,
uu, you
'ou too,
And
ssionatc

stoutly,
w what
of nic'

And bidding her try to compose lierself, lie hastened out
to make ready for the pursuit.

To liis amazement and an. mi;, he found himself op[tosed
at the very outset l)y the man to whom he naturally
looked for the most helj). This was M'CSillivray, tiie
junior clerk, tlie only one of the ollieials left at the fort,
Stewart having gone oil' with a eouple of Indians for
a few days' deer-hunting, the day after j\Ir. ]\['Ken/ie's
return ; a eircumstance, hy the way, not unknown at
Fort Wedderhurne, whose spies had kept elose wutch
over the rival establishment.

^rCiillivray scouted the idea of following after M'JJougal.
It would be impossible to overtake the party, and even if
they did, they would only be putting themselves in the
way of their bullets. No, indeed ; lie was not going to l)e
a party to any such folly as that.

Disgusted and enraged at the man's canny cowardice,
Archie rushed off to Akaitchko's lodge, and, as he
expected, found the old man smoking his morning ]ii})e.
lUeathlessly he told his story, and very different was its
reception. The moment he took in the boy's meaning,
the "rand old Indian became the incarnation of avenLiin'j;
wrath. There was not a drop of blood in his heart that
he was not ready to slied for his friend and benefaelor
of so many years. No better ally could Archie have
desired. Hurrying through the fort, they gathered the
men together, and explained to them what had happened,
and what they proposed to do. At first there was some
demur, and M'Gillivray, secretly ashamed of his own
cowardice, sought to cover it by persuading the others to

2 2(3

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

agroo with him. JUit no sooner had he spoken, than
Archie rushed furiously at him, and catching him hy the
tliroat, cried —

' Say another woid, and I'll strangle yon ! '

M'Gillivray flung him off and slunk away, for his eyes
at that same moment caught Akaitchko's, and there was a
look in the Indian's that sent a shiver to his craven heart.

The!i Archie appealed to the men again, with pleading,
passionate words, while Akaitcldvo supported him with
gestures of infectious sympathy. Such intensity of feeling
was irresistible. The fire went from heart to heart. Fear,
prudence, indolence melted away like tow before it, and
in a few minutes every man in the crowd was read} ^o
start at once.

There were twenty men, all told, at the fort. Of these,
Archie selected the twelve who were most skilful with the
paddle and gun. Then all set to work with a will to make
ready. Arms, ammunition, IjuH'alo robes, and provisions
were gathered together. In a sore strait betwixt fear lest
Archie also should be taken from her, and hope that he
might be able to rescue his father, Mrs. M'Kenzie looked
helplessly on, while Hose-Marie bustled about, aiding her
brother *" » the best of her ability.

Within two hours after his return from Fort Wedderburne,
Archie marshalled his little force, and taking the three
best canoes in the fort, they hastened to the lake. No
time was lost in launching and getting off, and, once afloat,
the paddlers put all their strength into their work, as they
sent their light craft skimming over the water, now
rippled by a faint morning breeze.

ARCHIE TO THE RESCUE -7

Standing at the gate of Fort Wedderburne, and watcliinrr
tliese proceedings, was the man wlio liad been sent for :Mr.
M'Kenzie, an expression of mingled surprise and concern
marking his unprepossessing face. (riving vent to a
volley of oaths, he exclaimed —

*Ho! ho! is that what they're about? Going to trv
and run M'Dougal down. There '11 be bad work ''if they
do. But who can be at their head ? Wentzel and Stewait
away, and M'Gillivray afraid of liis own shadow, according
to all accounts ! Surely it can't be the young cub"?
Though he's a chip of the old block, they say.'

And back into the fort he went, to question some of the
others, while the three canoes grew smaller and smaller in
the distance, until at last they disappeared altogether, the
pursuit that M'Dougal thought out of the (luesUon being
well begun notwithstandinf'.

CHAPTER XVII

THE END OF MILES M'DOUGAL

II HE sun had reached its zenith ere the
•'^^j^-^ pursuing party touched the farther
^\ border of the lake, and one of the first
tilings wliich caught tlie keen eye of
of Akaitchko as he leapt ashore was the
little heap of grey ashes which told of a
fire not many hours extinguished.

'All ha !' he exclaimed, darting forward and taking up
some of the ashes in his hands ; * we not far behind 'em.
This their fire. Made last night. They go way one — two
— three — four — five — six hours. We catch 'em bimeby,
certain sure ; ' and there came a look of fierce joy into the
old man's face that boded ill for ' 'em ' when they should
be caught.

He had an account to settle with the factor of Fort
Wedderburne. That cruel stripe upon Sautloulai's shoulder
had cut even deeper into the father's heart, and the
memory of it M-as as fresh as though it had been inflicted
yesterday. With no partial retort would he he content.

2-28

til ere the
le farther
of the first
3en eye of
jre was the
ih told of a

I taking up
jehiiid 'em.
/■ one — two
m binieby,
ay into the
hey should

or of Fort
i's shoulder
i;, and the
jn inflicted
le content.

TlfJ^ END OF MILES MDOUGAL 229

Although he kept it to himself, it was his purpose full and
fixed to put it out of M'Dougal's power ever to injure Mr.
M'Kenzie or himself again.

Archie was greatly cheered by the evidence that his
father's captors were not many hours ahead, and his men
shared in his hopeful spirit.

'They can't go as fast as we can,' said he to them.
' We've got the best canoes on the lake, and we're bound
to overtake them before long, and then they'd better look
out for themselves.'

And his eyes flashed .-is he felt within him the same
spirit of determination that possessed Akaitchko.

All through the afternoon they paddled steadily,
Akaitc!iko, in the bow of the leadinn- canoe, steerinii" a
course that cleverly avoided the full force of the current,
and took advantage of every eddy and backwater. Al-
though the river ran swiftly on towards the lake, there
were no portages to pass, as the banks were low and the
depth of water suflicient for much larger craft than canoes.
A careful lookout was maintained, lest M'Doucial miuht
have been stopped by some accident, and they should
come too suddenly upon him. Indeed, the greater part
of the time one of the men ran along the bank in
advance of the canoes, and made sure that the coast was
clear.

Up to mid-day the weather was fine, but during the

afternoon the clouds gathered ominously, and the wind

blew from the east with a threatening chill in its breath.

Akaitchko did not like the look of thinus.

' Ugh ! ' he grunted, giving his shoulder an expressive

230

ARCHIE M'KEN/JE

>' I

.slirug; 'storm coming. IJad for us. Make hard work.
But never mind. Not stop us, certain sure.'

Tlic rain Ijegan to fall before dark, and it was only
after much difficulty tliat they succeeded in lighting a fire,
which soon sputtered out again. Tiicn, without any other
protection tlian that afforded l»y the trees, the tired men
curled up in tlieir buffalo robes to try and forget their
discomforts in sleep.

The next day was dreary beyond description. The rain
fell without cessation from dawn until dark. The wind
blew in fitful gusts, sometimes dashing the drops violently
into the paddlers' faces, and sometimes dropping almost to
a calm. Everybody got wet to the skin, and tlie utmost
care liad to be taken to prevent the ammunition and
provisions from being ruined by the water that was
everywhere. One after another of tlie men began to lose
spirit, and their paddling lacked that spring and vigour
wliich had marked it the day before. When they stopped
in tlie middle of the day to rest and appease their hunger
by gnawing at the cold dried meat (for to light a fire
seemed out of the question), there were some tliat grumbled
a little, taking good care, however, that Archie did not
overhear them, for they knew well enough what answer
lie would make.

During the afternoon, as the pitiless rain came pelting
coldly down, making it necessary to land more than once
in order to empty the canoes, the men became still more
discouraged, and by niglitfall tliere was not one of them
that would not have eagerly jumped at the suggestion to
give up the pursuit and return to Fort Chipewyan. Tliis

THE END OF MILES M'DOUGAL

231

I hard work.

it was only
jilting a fire,
ut any other
le tired men

forget their

1. Tl\o rain
. Tlie wind
)ps violently
tig almost to

the utmost
unition and
r that was
egan to lose

and vigour
hey stopped
lieir hunger
light a fire
at grumhled
hie did not
diat answer

ame pelting
e than once
3 still more
tie of them
iggestion to
ryan. This

state of feeling was not altogether due to the depressing
effect of the weather. After the first Hush of enthusiasm
had passed, and the contagion of Archie's fervour spent
itself, they naturally began to turn over in their minds the
probabilities of their mission.

They had no definite knowledge of the number of
M'Dougal's party. So far as they could judge, it was no
larger than their own. But of this they were not certain.
Then they well knew him to be a brutal, reckless character,
who would have no scru[)les about shedding blood if
driven into a corner, and although they were all brave
enough as hunters of wild beasts, they had never acted as
hunters of men before, and, with the exception of
Akaitchko, they shrunk from the idea of a hand-to-hand
struggle. Finally they felt the absence of their accustomed
leader, Mr. M'Kenzie. Had he been present to cheer
them by his genial smile, to inspire them with his own
serene courage, to set them an example of exhaustless
resources and unmurmuring patience, none of the influences
indicated would have had much weight with them. But
instead of the father they had only the son, a mere youth
after all ; and however fully they might sympathise with
Ids passionate impatience to rescue his father, and admire
his wonderful endurance and quenchless ardour, they could
not help feeling the lack of a stronger hand and a wiser
brain to control and direct them.

Akaitchko's penetrating glance soon took in the situation
of aftairs, and at the first opportunity he drew Archie
aside to make it known to him. Archie was at first
disposed to be incredulous. He thouglit perhaps the

232

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

Juilian was a litllo olHcious, or anxious to make himself
out tlie only faithful one. Then, as he looked more closely
into the earnest, honest face, he felt ashamed of himself
fur entertaining such a suspicion, and grew so indignant
witli llic men that he wanted to call tliem together at
once and give vent to his feelings. But tlie shrewd old
man restrained him.

' No, no,' said he, shaking his liead decidedly, ' you not
speak first. You not see anytliing. Just go riglit on.
Kinieby tliey F^^^ak you. Den you speak to 'em, and
that better.'

rerceis'ing tiie v-i'^dor^ •]^' this suggestion, Archie gave
no hint of knowing his men's feelings, although he found
it no easy task to conceal the anxiety as to them which
was now added to his worry concerning his father. But
when tlie following day broke upon the same dreary,
distressing state of things, he found it hard to resist saying
something to tl^em as they made preparations for the start
in a very slow, dispirited manner. They clearly had no
longer any heart in the matter, although happily they
were not yet ready to give open expression to their feel-
ings. But there was a sad falling off in their rate of
progress, and Archie fretted and fumed as the canoes
pushed their way all too slowly against the stream, already
much swollen by the heavy rain.

In tlie meantime, M'Dougal and his party had been
actually increasing the distance between themselves and
their pursuers. The case was very different with them.
They had a double reason for keeping up the highest
possible speed. They desired to get altogether out of

THE END OF MILES M'DOUGAL

233

ake himself
more closely
I of himself
indignant
together at
shrewd old

ly, 'you not
right on.
to 'em, and

Lrchie gave
•h he found
iheni which
ither. But
me dreary,
esist saying
3r the start
rly had no
ppily tliey
their feel-
eir rate of
the canoes
im, already

had been
selves and
vith them,
le hiifhest
ler out of

reach of pursuit, and they were anxious to reach Lake
La Crosse before the frost should come and compel them
to abandon their canoes and take to travelling on foot.
Mr. M'Kenzie gave them no trouble whatever. He was
unarmed and pinioned. They were well armed and un-
fettered. He could gain nothing by attempting to break
away. His only chance was to try and lull them into
carelessness by seeming to be resigned to his fate. He
maintained a dignified silence save when directly ad-
dressed, and then replied with grave courtesy. He made
no effort at conciliating any of his abductors. If he did
succeed in effecting his escape, it would not be by persuad-
ing one of them to betray his trust. Two sources of hope
cheered him in his trying situation ; one was that pursuit
would be made from the fort, the other that Mr. Wentzel
might be met, and M'Dougal compelled to surrender his
prisoner. They must encounter him if he were on his way
back to Athabasca, and any hour might bring him into siglit,
although no doubt M'Dougal would do his best to avoid him.
So intensely was his mind occupied with thouglits of
escape or rescue that the added discomfort of the rain
made little impression upon him. M'Dougal swore at
it with his accustomed vehemence, and the other men
grumbled, but the factor held his peace. In his far-seeing
sagacity he recognised in the rain a friend rather than a
foe. For so weary and uncomfortable did the men feel by
nightfall, that the task of keeping guard had its dilHculties
greatly enhanced, and the chances of the sentry for the
thne being relaxing his vigilance and indulging in a nnp
were thereby so much increased.

234

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

The third day came, and with it the rjiiii, now showing
signs of sleet. The men of Archie's party coukl stand it
no longer, and wlien he gave orders to start, they all hung
back, and finally one of them, Jean Baptiste Cadotte, a
briglit, good-tempered half-breed, and next to Akaitchko
the best man in the party, plucked up courage to speak
for his companions and himself.

' Arcliie,' he said, respectfully enough, * we want to go
back. We r.o catch up to Mr. M'Dongal. lie go quicker
than we. No use to follow any farther.'

Arcliie felt that the crisis had come, and that everything
depended on what he should say and how he said it.
Akaitchko stood near, scowling ferociously, and seeming
quite ready to slay Cadotte on tlic spot. But Archie was
too shrewd to think of trying threats. He was completely
in tlie hands of the men. He must appeal to their
sympathies, not to their fears.

And so, with the tears standing in his eyes, he pleaded
with them not to turn back. He reminded them of all his
father's kindness, of the fair and liberal way he had always
dealt witli his employees, of his unwavering goodness to the
Indians. He assured them that his motlier's heart would
break if they returned without the factor ; and wound up
by declaring that if they would not go on, Akaitchko and
he would, in the desperate hope of being able to rescue
Mr. M'Kcnzie somehow, for give up the pursuit they
would not.

The men listened with kindling glances. Their hearts
were touched as at the first. They could not be callous
to such an appeal. And then, just as he finished speaking,

THE END OF MILES M'DOUGAL

235

w showing
.Id stand it
sy all hung-
Cadotte, a
Akaitchko
;g to speak

rant to go
go quicker

3 very thing
le said it.
\ seeming
Lrchie was
'onipletely
to their

le pleaded
1 of all his
ad always
loss to the
art would
wound up
tchko and
to rescue
suit they

eir hearts
)e callous
speaking,

as though the heavens would respond to his passionate
words, the sleet suddenly ceased, the wind began to veer
round to tlie south, and a rift in the western clouds
appeared which gave promise of a speedy clear-up,

Akaitchko, quivering with excitement, exclaimed,
' Look — look ! rain all gone ! ' and pointed to the harbinger
of finer weather.

' Hurrah ! ' cried Archie exultantly ; * it's going to clear
up. No turning back now. Come, felhnvs, let's make up
for lost time.'

The last trace of opposition disappeared before his
impetuous urging. Like one man the hardy voyafjcurs
spurng to their work. The dark look left Akaitchko's
face, and in a wonderfully short space of time the canoes
were afloat, and cutting through the water at a rate that
made Archie's heart glad.

By midday tliey reached the place where the Washa
Cumow or Clearwater antl La liiclic llivers unite to form
the Athabasca or Elk liiver, up which they had been
making their way, and without hesitation Akaitchko
turned into the Clearwater, for M'Dougal was certain to
have taken that route, as it led most directly to Lake
La Crosse. So excellent had been their progress that they
might expect to make the Cascade Portage before dark,
and there they ought to find some trace of the men they
were pursuing.

The Clearwater was a very different stream from the
Athabasca. Its course lay in a valley between hills rising
to the height of a thousand feet. Its current ran deep
and swift, and both pole and paddle had to be used to

236

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

make licudvvay agair.st it. Dut the clay was bri-^'lit and
cold, and tlie men worked with a will, having promised
Archie tliat they would not say another word about
turnijig l)ack until they got to Methye Lake at all events,
and in tlie meantime would do their level best to overtake
M'Dougal.

]>y dint of persistent effort Cascade Portage was gained
an hour before dark, and leaping eagerly ashore, Akaitchko
hunted about for traces of the Hudson Bays. He had not
long to look. The marks of moccasined feet were plainly
to be seen in the soft sand of the landing, and having
examined them carefully, the old Indian gave an exulting
grunt, and announced with smiling face that the trail was
but a few hours old, and that in view of the difficulties of
the course M'Dougal could not be many miles ahead, for
the rest of the way to Methye Lake was a succession of
portages — Pine Portage, White Mud Portage, and others
— over which progress must be exceedingly slow.

While he was explaining this, an idea came to Archie
that made his heart leap within him. Why could thoy
not leave their canoes and proceed on foot ? They would
get ahead twice as fast, and, moreover, could keep on all
night instead of having to stop as soon as it was dark. If
the Hudson Bays were only a few hours ahead, they could
not fail to overtake them.

The moment he broached the scheme, Akaitchko endorsed
it warmly, and the other men, weary of canoeing, and glad
to escape the additional labour of portaging, joined in
heartily.

* Oh, you splendid fellows ! ' exclaimed Archie, tears of

THE END OF MILES APDOUGAL

237

li^'lit !ind

promised

Di'd about

all events,

) overtake

as gained
A.kaitchko
a had not
I'e plainly
id liavin"
1 exulting
trail was
iculties of
ahead, for
;cession of
nd others

to Archie
Duld th oy
loy would
}ep on all
dark. If
bey could

endorsed

and glad

joined in

), tears of

joy and gratitude brinniiing his eyes, a.s he l)eanied upon
his supporters. 'Won't my father be proud of you when
I tell him how bravo and good you've been ? Come along,
then ; let's get as far as we can before dark, and then we'll
take a rest, and start again when the moon rises.'

With great alacrity the men put the canoes in a safe
place, made up a good supply of ammunition and provisions,
and falling into Indian fde, with Akaitchko at their head,
set off along the p(jrtage path, feeling ready for M'JJougal
or anybody else on equal terms. They kept up a rapid
walk until nightfall, when they halted for a brief rest and
a bite of supper. A good iire was made, jJenty of meat
broiled l)efore it, big bumpers of hot tea absorbed, and
then the pipes were lit> and they gave themselves up for
a spell of well-earned repose. V)y the end of a couple of
hours they were well rested, aud in tlie best of spirits.
Archie was not afraid to ask anything of them now.

It was about seven o'clock when the moon, peeping
over the edge of the western range, gave the signal to
start. Each man saw to it that his gun was duly loaded
and capped, that his powder-horn hung ready to hand,
that knife and hatchet were in their place, and tightening
up their belts and pulling their caps down firmly on their
heads, they took their places in line behind the old Indiar,
aud resumed their rapid walk. Unless their leader had
miscalculated, they should come upon the Hudson's Lay
camp before midnight, and then —

Hardly a word did they speak as they pushed their way
onward, up-hill and down-hill, through dense underbrush
and over lichen-covered boulders, slipping and stumbling

-\>s

ARCHIE M'fCEN/JE

ofLc.ii wlieiv lliu shadows WL'i'D black, splasliiii<^f into liiddeii
pools of icy water left by the recent rain, but heedini^ n
discomfort or obstacle, as, keeping the river on tlicir riglit,
they followed its crooked, troubled course.

Wherever he <,'ot tlie Gi)portunity Akaitchko took a lonj,'
look ahead, in hopes of discovering M'Dougal's cani])-rire ;
and at length, after they had bccMi tramping for full lour
hours, ho caught a ihish of firelight from a hollow not
more than a mile away.

'Ugh!' he grunted trium})hantly ; 'me see 'em. liight
near. Catch 'em soon.'

' Where ? Where ?' exclaimed Arclue, all in a tremble-
' Show nie, quick ! '

Akaitchko pointed M'itli his forcllnger to M'here the
darkness was broken Ijy litful Hashes that told of an

expn-iny

fire.

'There they are, certain sure.'

One look Nvas enough for Arcliie. C'lutcliing liie
Indian's arm, he cried —

' Hurry ! hurry ! Let's go to them at once.'

])Ut Akiiitchko did not move.

' No, no, Archie. Mustn't hurry. Must be very careful
now.'

As the men gathered eagerly about, he gave directions
for the order of attack. Keeping close together, they
should steal quietly up to within fifty yards of the camp,
and then spread out so as to surround it.

With beating hearts and throbbing pulses the little
band of thirteen crept stealthily through the woods tow'ards
the unsuspecting objects of their pursuit. They were all

THE EXD OF MILES M'DOUGAL

!39

to liidden
t'c'diiiif 11(1
leir right,

)k ii ]

Ulll

anij)-lirc ;

full lour

)ll(nv not

1. Jiiglit

tronible-

liere tliu
1(1 of an

ling tlui

y careful

lirections
ler, they
he camp,

he little

i towards

were all

e\'i)ert in slulkiiig, and knew how to move as silently as
lynxes, S(j that th(! keenest ear could not have; tleteeted
them at a distance ol' a few yards. Xever in his life had
Arcliie felt such intense excitement. His l)reath cam(!
short and quick. Kvery nerve and muscle in his body
seemed to Ix; tiugling and quivering. It was W(dl for
him that he came next to Akaitchko, and had the example
of the (»ld Indian's st(jlid composure to restrain his wild
impatience.

Yard by yard the thirteen silent figures stole like
ghosts ui)on their prey. Each man lield iiis gun in hand
with finger upon trigger. There would be no sparing of
l)ullets, if the Hudson IJays should light. I'iVen Archio
felt no misgivings or qualms of conscience. His wonted
• Miderness of heart had l)een submerged beneath an
overj. — tp.ring sense of unprovoked injury and cruel wrong
that swepi i ery thing before it. There was little diil'ercnco
between his moc 1 and Akaitchko's now.

At length the camp came into fall view. M'Dougal
had halted beside White Mud Tortage, and his tired men
had lain down for a good long rest, he himself having
taken the first watch. But he was no less weary than
they, and, moreover, he had ra[)idly been making his way
during the past two days to the bottom of a keg of spirits,
and drunk himself into a muddled, boozy condition, which
made him a poor sentinel, llis prisoner, on the other
hand, was wide awake, sitting with his back against a
tree-trunk, and gazing thouglitfully into the flickering
fire. When Archie's eyes first fell upon him, it was only
by an heroic effort that he restrained the impulse to

240

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

rush forward and cut the thongs that bound hiui. But
Akaitchko, as though divining his thoughts, turned round
with a warning gesture, and the hoy became motionless
again. Then they waited for what seemed to him
interminable minutes, while the rest of the party encircled
the unconscious sleepers and their precious prisoner.

Presently a peculiar note like the distant hoot of an
owl broke the stillness. It came from directly behind
Mr. M'Kenzie, and was repeated on either side of him.
lie looked up with eager, inquiring face, and made as
though he would spring to his feet. But, IM'Dougal
stirring a little, he restrained himself. Once more the
owls hooted — this time still nearer the camp. Then a
dark form might have been seen crawling noiselessly
towards the factor. It came close to him. A hand
holding a long knife stretched silently past him. It gave
two quick cuts, and his bonds were severed. The factor
was free.

Archie could control himself no longer. Springing up
from the ground, he shouted —

* Here, father ! this way, quick ! '

It was a natural but unwise act. Ills shout, and the
factor's quick response, '^^'oused IM'Dougal. With a

horrible imprecation he ^S^^'^^^ ^'^ ^'^^ ^'^^^ ^'^^^ raising
the gun he had been hoiding in his hands, took aim at
Mr. M'Kenzie. He was too close to miss his mark. A
moment more, and his bullet had buried itself in the
factor's heart.

But that moment never came for him. Quick as his
movements had been, there was one at hand still quicker.

THE END OF MILES M'DOUGAL 241

The instant Arcliic rose Akaitchko had risen also, and,
anticipating what wonld happen, had covered M'Dougal
\Yith his gun, while a look of awful joy illuminated his
dusky countenance. His opportunity had come, and he
was ready fur it. Before M'Uougal's finger could find the
ti'igger, the crack of the Indian's musket split tlio still air,
and with a bullet crashing throug]i his hraiii the factor of
Fort Wedderburne plunged forward upon liis face, stone
dead.

Tlie report of the gun aroused the others, and tliey
sprang up, looking fiercely about them. Lut they found
a circle of deadly muzzles pointed at their hearts, and
their arms dropped helplessly to their sides, as they
realised that resistance was worse; than useless.

l(J

CHArTEK XVIII

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES

|AUSING for an instant only to give Archie
a fervent embrace, Mr, M'Kenzie at
once took the control of affairs.

' Lay down your guns ! ' he commanded,
and with sullen reluctance the Hudson
Bays complied.
' Put your knives and hatchets with them,' was the next
order. This too was done.

' Xow then, sit right down where you arc : and you,'
turning to his own men, ' take charge of them, and put
a liullet into the first man that n)akes a move.'

The Hudson Eays did as they were bid, and seating
themselves in a little group, were surrounded by the
Nor'- Westers, not one of whom would have hesitated a
moment to carry out the factor's instructions to the
letter.

Thon did ]\Ir. M'Kenzie feel free to indulge his joy,
and bidding Akaitchko keep wood upon the fire, he drew
Archie to him, and sat down to hear the story of his

212

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES

243

^vas the next

rescue. Beyond all expression was the delight of father
and son at their happy reunion. They forgot everything
else as tliey recounted to one another the details of their
different experiences, and nearly an hour passed in this
way before the factor had tliouglit for otlier matters. It
was not until Akaitcld^'o, growing impatient, pointed to
M'Dougal's body and asked, ' What do with this ? CacU
it ? ' that Mr. M'Kenzie, feeling half -ashamed of himself,
got up and went over to the body.

'Poor wretch!' he said gently. 'The death he would
have infUcted upon others has come to himself. May
Clod have mercy on his soul! We cannot give him a
decent Christian burial here, although he should have it
if it could be done. We can only cacM his body. Here,
my good men ; a couple of you carry it away a little and
cover it with a bufialo skin, and in the morning we will
put it out of siglit.'

There was not much sleep for either Hudson Bays or
Xor'-Westers that night. The fire was kept in full blast,
and all gathered near it to await the coming of day. jMr.
IM'Kenzie exj^ressed his gratitude (0 each member of
tlie rescuing party in turn, and promised tliem tlie best
rewards in his power to bestow. They had, he assured
them, placed him under an obligation he could never
adequately repay, and would certainly never forget.

So soon as day In'oke, preparations were made for the
return. The body of M'Dougal was buried beneath a
pile of stones tliat would defy even a carcajou. His
niei), having first been deprived of all tlieir guns
but one, were ordered to continue on soutliward, and

244

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

iievor to show tlicir faces at Lake Athabasca again if
they valued their lives ; and then, with glad hearts and
joyous songs, the Nor'-Wcsters turned their faces to the
north.

Tlie en noes were found as tliey liad left tlieni, and
taking \^\^ tlic paddles, the ]iarty swept swiftly down-
stream, with notliing to l)reak tlicir course until tlicy
readied Luke Athabasca. So diligently did tliey
press onward that early in the afternoon of the second
day they were upon tlic bosom of the lake, and, ere the
night fell, singing one of tlieir gayest chansons, they
marched through the gate of Fort Cliipewyan, to be
welcomed with sliouts of deliuht and blinding; tears of
joy, from the men and women who had grown haggard
with harrowing anxiety and waiting.

The colour soon came back to Mrs. M'Kenzie's cheeks,
and llose-Marie's merry song trilled through the factor's
liouse all the more brightly because of its silence during
the days of agonising uncertainty.

'And now, father,' said Archie, with a confident smile,
as the four were talking together late into the night, too
happy to thinlc of their beds, ' there's nothing to prevent
us going to Montreal, is there ? IM'Dougal will never
trouble us again, and it's not likely any of his ruffians
will care to come back. The way is as clear as you could
wish, isn't it ? '

' It certainly is, so far as going to Fort William is
concerned, laddie,' answered the factor. 'But as to
^Montreal, that will depend upon how I can arrange at
Fort William. If the head partners aro agreeablp. to

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES

245

giving mc long enough leave, I'll be right glad to go on
to Montreal. But it's for them to say, not for nie. I'm
only a servant, you know.'

' But, Donald,' interposed Mrs. M'Kenzie, ' you expect
them to make you a partner next summer, don't you ? '

' I have very good hopes of it, Virginie,' replied the
factor. * But I would not like to set my heart too strongly
upon it, dear.

"The best-laid scliomcs of mice and men
Gang aft agley,"

as Itoljhie Burns says so truly. However, we'll leave it
all in the hands of Providence. I've always tried to do the
best I could for the Company, as the Montreal partners
know well. I much doubt if any other post has sent in
as many packs of good furs during the last twenty years
as Cliipewyan, so let us hope eveiything will turn out as
we wish.'

A few days after the triumphant return of the rescued
factor, the long-looked-for i\Ir. Wentzel made his appear-
ance, just in time to escape the frost, which the very day
of his arrival set in with such severity, that within
twenty - f<jur hours travelling by canoe was rendered
impossible. A succession of provoking mishaps had
delayed him beyond all his calculations ; but happily,
by dint of dogged persistence and untiring ingenuity, lie
had come through with a very slight loss of stores, and
had brought in a supply of Hour, tea, tobacco, anmiunitioii,
goods, and some few luxuries, including i tine package
of books, that made glad the factor's heart; and, as the
storehouses were already full to overtlowing with fish,

246

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

penimicun, and dried meat, ensured a winter of plenty
and comfort.

Just such a winter did it turn out to be. Not an
unpleasant event occurred to mar its peaceful monotony.
Mr. ]\I'Kenzie was too magnanimous to take any notice
of M'Gillivmy's refusal to go to his relief. In his joy at
the happy issue of events, he could not only forgive, but
forget, and the faint-hearted clerk found no difference in
his manner towards him.

When the snow lay thick upon the ground, Archie and
Sautloulai resumed their trapping operations with great
vigour. They needed no protector now, but went out on
their own responsibility, and, after catching many a mink
and marten, were lifted into the seventh heaven of proud
delight, by securing a splendid black bear, which, getting
both its forepaws into a large trap set for a wolverine,
proved an ensy victim to their bullets. By the coming
of spring they had a really fine stock of furs, which the
factor took over at tlie best rates he could grant.

Mrs. M'Kenzie and liose-Marie were no less busy
during the long winter months, but in a different way.
ximong the packages brought up by ^Ir. Wentzel was a
bale containing cloths of linen and wool, which their
deft fingers were to fashion into garments tliat would
make the wife and daughter of the factor of Fort
Chipewyan not ashamed to face the gathering at Fort
AVilliam. Virginie had little knowledge of the fashions,
but she had no slight skill with the needle and scissors,
and knew how to give full sway to her inherited fancy
for the picturesque and striking in costume. Both Mr.

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES

247

' of plenty

Not an
monotony,
any notice
1 his joy at
'orgive, but
ifference in

ArcLie and
with great
i^ent out on
my a mink
i\\ of proud
icli, getting
wolverine,
Lhe coming
which the
;rant.

less busy
ferent way.
itzel was a
diich their
that would
T of Fort
ncf at Fort
:ie fashions,
nd scissors,
rited fancy

Both Mr.

■Oi

jM'Kenzie and Archie took :i deep interest iu these pre-
parations, and lieartily applauded her clever handiwork.

And so the winter went by, and spring came to wavni
and waken Nature into life after her long sleep beneath
lier snowy counterpane. The factor had i)ronii.sed that
as soQn as travelling could be done in comfort lie would
set ont. With almost feverish impatience Archie watched
the time approach. Happily for him, the season was an
nnusually early one, and by the end of j\lay the spring
Hoods had sulliciently subsided to render travelling prac-
ticable. Accordingly, preparations for the long journey
southward were hurried forward, and on the first day of
June everything was ready for the start. The party
consisted of twenty men, including all hands, and the
two ladies. They took five of the best canoes, and
abundant supplies of everything necessary. Akaitchko
and Sautloulai were to accompany them as far as the
lied liiver. Mr. Wentzel would remain in charge of the
fort, with Stewart and M'Gillivray as his lieutenants.

There is not time to detail the incidents of the many
weeks' journey, by sluggish river, roaring rapid, and
placid lake, to far Fort William, on the eastern shore of
peerless Lake Superior. To the factor and his family it
was a time of rare enjoyment. Never before had they
gone travelling with him in this fashion, and they
appreciated the novelty of the situation wdth the keenest
relish, while he, on his part, laughed at himself as he
recofmised how much his feelings were like those of a
schoolboy just beginning the long vacation. He felt
hardly less youthful and buoyant of spirit than Archie,

248

ARCHIE MKENZIE

nnJ M'hile the little licet of canoes paddled and portaged
its way southward, he took good care that his companions
should miss none of the beauties and marvels of the
route.

Their course lay through the Athal)asca and Clearwater
liivers to Methyc Lake ; thence across Lake des lUi'ufs
and Lake La Crosse and by sundry small strciims to tlie
noble Saskatchewan, which led tlieni into Ijig Lake
Winnipeg, along whose western shores tliey coasted to
the southern end, and thus reached the lied liiver. Here
Akaitcldco and Sautloulai parted company with them,
manifestly much against their inclination, and Archie
did his l)est to comfort his fond, faithful companion by
promising to send him handsome gifts from Fort William,
while the factor assured Akaitchko that he would make
special mention of him to the chief partners, and ensure
him due reward for his great services.

After a few days' halt at lied liiver, where tlic NortJi-
West Company had an important post called Fort
(iibraltar, the party proceeded on through the Lake of
the Woods, and their connecling streams, until they came
out upon the winding Kaministit|uia, whose current helped
them on to Fort William.

It was with mingled feelings of diOidencc and pride
that ]\Ir. iM'Kenzie presented himself at this famous
mustering -place. As the factor of one of the most
important and profitable posts belonging to tlie Company,
he was entitled to special recognition. Xevertheless, his
long seclusion from any other society than that of Fort
Chipewyan had naturally enough tended to develop a

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES 249

d portaged
nmpanioiis
L'ls of tlic

Clearwater
les Ikeufs
ms to tlic
big Lake
coasted to
'er. Here
itli them,
id Archie
[)aiiion by
b William,
3uld make
-ud ensure

he Xortli-
lled Fort
'}, Lake of
they came
iiit helped

[\iid pride
is famous
the most
Company,
iieless, his
it of Fort
levelop a

certiiin sense of sliy constraint, which was ratlier increased
tlian diminished by the presence of his wife and children,
ibr whom he was exceedingly anxious that tlicy should
not only receive, but create the most favourable impression
possible.

In these feelings Mrs. M'Kenzie to some extent shared,
but Archie and liose-Marie were blessedly unconscious of
anything of the kind, and they looked about them with
wide-open eyes of wonder and delight.

Fort William was then at the zenith of its greatness,
and formed quite a considerable village. Its centre of
interest was an immense wooden structure, containing the
grand banqueting hall, the council chamber, and other
rooms, fitted up with a certain sort of rude splendour,
and adorned with Indian weapons and trophies of the fur
trade. Here were assemljled for purposes of consultation
the chief partners from Montreal, men of imposing presence
and luxurious ways,— in the eyes of the voyarjcurs and
half-breeds the most important personages in the world, —
and the subordinate partners from their posts in the
interior, with forms and faces showing the effects of toil
and privation during summer heat and winter cold.

Intensely curious and interested, the two young people
went about together, missing nothing that was worth
seeing, and forming their own opinions concerning the
M'Tavishes, the Frobishers, and the other grandees from
wonderful Montreal. These gentlemen had come to the
annual meeting in great state, voyaging in huge canoes
lined with furs, propelled by a score of stalwart paddlers,
and freighted with abundant stores of costly wines and

250

ARCHIE M-KENZIE

civilised delicacies for the sumptuous banquets tliat were
no less essential a feature of the gathering than the
councils.

Archie was deeply impressed by the stately dignity of
tlie Montreal partners, yet there was not one of them —
and in tliis o})inion Hose-Marie heartily concurred — who
seemed to liim one whit more noble of presence or worthy
of respect than his own father, and his young heart
swelled with filial pride as he noticed the consideration
the factor received at their hands.

As a matter of fact, Mr. M'Kenzie occupied a position
of peculiar interest and importance. Miles M'Dougal's
designs had not been hidden from the Nor'-Westers, and
every effort had been made to nip them in the bud ; but
the cunning rascal having overreached his opponents, they
were fain to await with lively anxiety the result of his
expedition. So far, but little more than that he had
miserably failed, and lost his own life into the bargain,
was generally known, and at the very first of the council
meetings his intended victim was called upon to relate
the whole story.

When the factor told, in simple but grapliic language,
how he had been entrapped, and how bravely he had been
rescued, the staid and solemn assemblage broke out into
a hearty round of applause.

' M'Kenzie,' burst out Mr. M'Tavish, from the head of
the table, ' that boy of yours must be a lad of rare spirit.
You must bring him in and let us see him. He certainly
deserves the thanks of the Company, and he shall have
them, and more too.'

tliat were
tliaii the

;li,H'nity of
f them —
red — wlio
)r worthy
nvj, licart
sideratiou

, position
''Dougal's
sters, and
bud ; but
mts, they
dt of his
. he liad
bargain,
3 council
to relate

language,
had been
out into

head of
re spirit,
certainly
all have

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES 251

' Hear ! hear ! ' shouted the others. ' Bring in your boy,
M'Kenzie, and introduce him to us.*

Oidy too glad to comply, tlie factor hurried out to seek
his son. ]iut, as it happened, Archie had tliat morning
gone some distance away in a canoe, and being unable to
find him, the father promised to have him at the next
meeting. So when he returned, he informed him of the
honour awaiting him, and told him lie must be on hand
the following morning to be presented to the councih

It was a bit of the good fortune which had attended
Archie through life that lie should make the acquaintance
of the great Mr. M'Tavish in quite an unexpected way,
without a formal introduction. Tlie annual rendezvous
had one feature which was not at all creditable, even if
characteristic of those hard-drinking days. Wine and
brandy flowed without stint, and as a conse(pience it was
frequently a matter of some difficulty to find a sober man.
The I'oyagcurs and hois-hrulc'cs made up for their long
months of enforced abstinence by gross indulgence, and
quarrels and combats were of constant occurrence.

Early on the morning in question, Archie, in company
with Eose-Marie, had gone down to the river-side, some
distance from the buildings, when his attention was
attracted by the sound of two voices, one cursing, the
other entreating, in half-breed patois. Hastening to the
spot, he found a drunken royajjcur belabouring a boy aliout
Sautloulai's size, who was evidently in mortal terror.
Archie's anger was at once aroused, and he shouted out in

commanding tones —

' Stop that, you cowardly brute ; leave the boy alone ! '

■5^

ARCniE .^rk'EN/JE

Tlie voi/(((j('uy paid no liecd, but contiiuicd liis l)lo\vs.
Arcliie's indi,L,Miati()ii got to wliito heat.

'Tlicn I'll mala; you stop,' la; rricd, and rusliin}:f upon
the mail, lie caught liiiii by the collar, and swung him
away IVoin his victim, who seixcd the opportunity to sprinj^f
to his feet and make Ids escape.

Furious at this interference, the roijafjcur now turned
upon Archie, and luiiiLj a powerful, active man, and
frenzied with drink, it certainly would have gone hard
with the boy had not a gentleman suddenly appeared
upon the scene, and with one well-aimed blow of a
stout walking-stick, felled the half-breed to the ground,
where he lay stunned and motionless.

' That was a crack in good time, wasn't it, my lad V said
the new-comer, pulling a little from his sudden exertion.
'What was the rascal about? You were no match for
him.'

Archie at once recognised in his friend in need no other
than Mr. IM'Tavish, who had been enjoying an early
constitutional when he so opportunely chanced upon the
unccpial encounter.

' Why, he was pounding a poor little fellow, and I made
him stop,' he answered respectfully.

'That's right, my son ; that's right,' said Mr. M'T- •'■ '
smiling. ' Never refuse help to those who are in ti le.
You may need it badly enough yourself some day.'

' I did need it pretty badly just now, sir/ said Archie,
with a grateful look. ' If you hadn't come along when
you did, I should have got a good licking, for certain.'

' I'm afraid you would, my son,' responded Mr. M'Tavish,

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES

!53

lis bluws.

i 11,14 upon
■ling liini
to spring

w turned
nan, and
one hard
ippeared
ow of a
e ground,

ad? 'said

exertion.

natcli for

no otlicr
an early
upon tiio

d I made

. ti .le.

\ Arcliie,
ng when
ain.'
I'Tavish,

evidently well pleased at his own part in the matter, and
appreciating Archie's indirect praise. ' But may I ask
your name ? I do not rememlu'r having seen you before.'

' My name is Archie M'Ken/ie, sir,' replied Archie,
feeling entirely at his ease with this genial old gentleman.

' What ? ' (pu-ried Mr. M'Tavish. ' Is your fulher factor
at ( 'hipewyan ? '

' \'es, sir,' answered Archie. 'Ills name is I)()nald
M'lven/ie, and this is my sister liose,' sli^tping his
hand tlirough the arm of Hose-Marie, who had come
shyly up, still trembling from the IVight the fracas had
given her.

'Dear me!' exclaimed Mr. M'Tavish. 'How odd!
Why, we were all talking aljout you yesterday at the
council, and your father promised to bring you in and
show you to us this very morning. No womler he's so
proud of you; any man might lie proud of such a boy.'
And as he spoke these last words, his voice fell away into
a si'di, for he had no son to inherit his honoured name and
abundant wealth, and it was the one cloud u})on his career
of otherwise unshadowed prosperity. Then, brightening
u]), he added —

' JJut come along. It's nearly time for the council. I
am going to have the pleasure of introducing you to my
partners myself

Thus it came about that Archie appeared before the
awe-'nspiring council under the wing of its most important
member, and was given a reception that bewildered him,
so that he completely lost the use of his tongue, and could
onlv blush his acknowledsnieuts.

254

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

Henceforth Mr. M'Tavisli took a deep interest in Archie.
He had him much in his company, and drew out from him
all tlie dearly clieiished thoughts and plans that he had
conceived concerning his own future. Drought up as Archie
had heen, fur a^ay from the cramping, conventionalising
influences of city life, and yet not lacking in any of the
attributes of sturdy, self-reliant manhood, the keen,
kindly old magnate ^ound him peculiarly attractive, and
resolved to bring about the fulfilment of his fondest
desires.

It was as much due to his son as to his ovn deserts
that Mr. M'Kenzie found the way open for hin^ to obtain
a year's leave of absence and proceed to Montreal. And
Mr. M'Tavish had Archie in his mind no less than the
worthy factor when he secured for the latter the goal of
his highest ambition, by having him admitted into tlie
Company as a partner.

To Montreal the M'Kenzies went, in company with
the returning partners, and Archie wondered, as, wide-eyed
and open-mouthed, \\^ gazed about him., if there could be a
grander city in the world. But there were greater marvels
than Montreal in store for him. Early in the autanni ]\Ir.
IM'Tavish invited him to accompany him on a visit to
New York, and when he beheld this great city, and pushed
his way through her crowded streets, he was quite con-
vinced that the world had nothing more astonishing to
show him. He had a wonderful fortnight there, and
returned loaded with presents for his parents and Eose,
and overllowing with what his eyes had seen and ears
had heard in the American capital.

ARCHIE REALISES HIS DESIRES 255

in Archie.

from him
it he had

us Archie
LionalisinfT
ny of the
:he keen,
ctive, and
s fondest

n deserts
to obtain
'al. And
than the
e goal of
into the

any witli
i'ide-eyed
onld be a
I? marvels
,anin Mr.
visit to
d 1311 shed
Liite con-
shing to
lere, and
nd Piose,
and ears

Not long after this Mr. M'Tavish made a proposal
which gave the factor grave concern, for it was nothing
less than that he should be permitted to adopt Archie as
his own son. The olfer was so brilliant and enticing that
Mr. M'Kenzie would not take upon himself the whole
responsibility of refusing it, a)id accordingly laid it
before Arehie. But Archie did not hesitate for a
moment.

' No, father,' he answered decidedly. ' I will never be
any other man's son than yours. I love Mr. M'Tavish,
and thank him very much f(jr the honour he has paid me ;
but Archie M'Kenzie I am, and Archie M'Kenzie I'll st;>y
as long as I am alive.'

' God bless you, my darling boy ! ' exclaimed the factor,
the tears running down his cheeks. 'You've spoken just
as I prayed you would. No, no, not even Mr. M'Tavish,
with all his wealth and power, can have you. We'll stand
by one another until the end.'

Althougli deeply disappointed at this decision, ^Ir.
M'Tavish was too sound of heart to take undjrage. On
the contrary, he thought all the more of his young lyruky,
and intimated clearly that by declining to become his heir
he had not forfeited his regard, or brought to an end his
>ood intentions concerning him.

On his return to the North-West, Archie entered the
service of the Company as an apprentice, and by dint of
faithful performance of duty, combined with the continued
interest and inlluence of Mr. M'Tavish, rose rapidly in
rank, until, in early manhood, he was in connnand of an
important post, and ere he retired, to spend an easy and

256

ARCHIE M'KENZIE

honourable old age at Montreal, had reached the highest
position of all — to wit, that of the Chief Factor at Ked
liiver. But it would take another volume to relate how
all this came about, and it cannot therefore be set down
here.

MOnniSON AND OIIiB, rniKTERS, kdinhuboii

the highest
!tor at l{ed
relate how
e set down