第7章

Induetimeheranswercame。Hecarriedherletterouttoafavouritehauntofhisinasunnycooliewhereanoldcreek—bedwasmarkedbystragglingwillows，andthere，throwinghimselfdownupontheslopinggrass，hereadhermessage。

"Iknow，dear，howmuchthatlastsentenceofyourscostyou，andmyansweristhatwereyourdutylesstoyou，youwouldbelesstome。

HowcouldIhonourandloveamanwho，forthesakeofagirlorforanysake，wouldturnbackfromhiswork？Besides，youhavetaughtmetoowelltoloveyourgloriousWest，andyoucannotdauntmenowbyanysuchsombrepictureasyoudrewformeinyourlastletter。Nosir。TheWestforme！Andyoushouldbeashamed——andthisIshallmakeyouproperlyrepent——ashamedtoforcemetotheunmaidenlycourseofinsistingupongoingouttoyou，’roundingyouupintoacorral’——thatisthecorrectphrase，isitnot？——andnoosing，no，ropingyouthere。"

Whenhelookedupfromtheletterthelandscapewasblurredforatime。Butsoonhewonderedatthenewsplendouroftheday，thesweetnessoftheair，themellowmusicofthemeadow—lark。Anewglorywasuponskyandearthandanewraptureinhisheart。

"Wonderful！"heexclaimed。"Dearlittlesoul！Shedoesn’tknow，andyet，evenifshedid，Ibelieveitwouldmakenodifference。"

Experienceprovedthathehadrightlyestimatedher。Forayearandahalfshehadstoodbyherhusband’sside，makingsunshineforhimthatnocloudscoulddimnorblizzardsblowout。Itwasthisthatthrewintoherhusband’stoneashesaid，"Mywife，Mr。Macgregor，"

thetendernessandpride。ItmadeShock’sheartquiver，fortherecametohimthepictureofatallgirlwithwonderfuldarkgreyeyesthatlookedstraightintohiswhileshesaid，"YouknowIwillnotforget。"Itwasthisthatmadehimholdthelittlewoman’shandtillshewonderedathim，butwithawoman’sdiviningshereadhisstoryinthedeepblueeyes，alightnowwiththememoryoflove。

"Thatlightisnotforme，"shesaidtoherself，andwelcomedhimwithawelcomeofonewhohadbeensorecentlyand，indeed，wasstillalover。

Theintervalbetweensupperandbed—timewasspentineagertalkoverShock’sfield。Aroughmap，showingtrails，streams，sloughs，coolies，andsomeofthelargerrancheslaybeforethemonthetable。

"ThisisTheFort，"saidMcIntyre，puttinghisfingeruponadotontheleftsideofthemap。"Twenty—fivemileswestandsouthisLoonLake，thecentreofyourfield，whereitisbestthatyoushouldlive，ifyoucan;andthenfurtherawayuptowardthePasstheytellmethereisaqueerkindofungodlysettlement——ranchers，freighters，whisky—runners，cattlethieves，miners，almostanythingyoucanname。You’llhavetodosomeexplorationworkthere。"

"Prospecting，eh？"saidShock。

"Exactly。Prospectingistheword，"saidMcIntyre。"TheFortendofyourfieldwon’tbebadinoneway。You’llfindthepeoplequitecivilised。Indeed，TheFortisquitethesocialcentreforthewholedistrict。Afternoonteas，hunts，tennis，card—parties，anddancingpartiesmakelifeonegaywhirlforthem。Mindyou，I’mnotsayingawordagainstthem。Inthiscountryanythingcleaninthewayofsportoughttobeencouraged，butunfortunatelythereisabroad，badstreakrunningthroughthatcrowd，andwhatwithpoker，gambling，badwhisky，andthatsortofthing，theplaceisattimesaperfecthell。"

"Whisky？WhataboutthePolice？Ihaveheardthemwellspokenof，"

saidShock。

"Andrightlyso。Theyareafinebodyofmenwithexceptions。Butthisinfernalpermitsystemmakesitalmostimpossibletoenforcethelaw，andwheretheInspectorisasoak，youcaneasilyunderstandthatthewholebusinessoflawenforcementisafarce。

AlmostallthePolice，however，inthiscountryarestraightfellows。There’sSergeantCrisp，now——thereisnotmoneyenoughintheTerritoriestobuyhim。Why，hewasofferedsixhundreddollarsnotlongagotobebusyattheotherendofthetownwhenthefreighterscameinonenight。Butnothe。Hewasonduty，withtheresultthatsomehalfdozenkegsofwhiskyfailedtoreachtheirintendeddestination。Butthere’sabadstreakinthecrowd，andthemischiefofitisthattheInspectorandhiswifesetthepaceforalltheyoungfellowsoftheranchesabout。Andwhenwhiskygetsa—

flowingtherearethingsdonethatitisashametospeakof。Buttheywon’tbotheryoumuch。TheybelongmostlytoFatherMike。"

"FatherMike，aRomanCatholic？"

"No，Anglican。Averydecentfellow。Havenotseenmuchofhim。Hispeopledoubtlessregardmeasabloomingdissenter，dontcherknow。

Butheisnosuchsnob。Hegoesinforalltheirfun——hunts，teas，dances，card—parties，andalltherestofit。"

"What，gambling？"askedShock，aghast。

"No，no。Iunderstandherakesthemforeandaftfortheirgamblingandthatsortofthing。Buttheydon’tminditmuch。Theyswearbyhim，forheisreallyafinefellow。InsicknessorintroubleFatherMikeisonthespot。Butastoinfluencingtheirlives，I

fearFatherMikeisnogreatforce。"

"Whydoyouhaveamissionthereatall？"enquiredShock。

"SimplybecausetheSuperintendentconsidersTheFortastrongstrategicpoint，andtherearealotofyoungfellowsandafewfamiliestherewhoarenotofFatherMike’sflockandwhocouldneverbepersuadedtoattendhischurch。Itdoesn’ttakemuchyouknow，tokeepamanfromgoingtochurchinthiscountry，sotheSuperintendent’spolicyistoremoveallpossibleexcusesandbarriersandtomakeiteasyformentogivethemselvesachance。

OurprincipalmanatTheFortisMacfarren，akindoflawyer，land—

agent，registrar，orsomethingofthatsort。Hascattletoo，onaranch。Averycleverfellow，buttheoldstory——whisky。Toobad。

He’sabrotherofRev。Dr。Macfarren。"

"What？Dr。MacfarrenofToronto？"

"Yes。Andhemightbealmostanythinginthiscountry。I’llgiveyoualettertohim。Hewillshowyouaboutandgiveyouallinformation。"

"AndisheintheChurch？"Shock’sfacewasastudy。McIntyrelaughedlongandloud。

"Why，mydearfellow，we’regladtogetholdofanykindofhalf—

decentchapthatiswillingtohelpinanyway。Weusehimasusher，manager，choir—master，sexton。Inshort，weputhimanyplacewherehewillstick。"

Shockdrewalongbreath。Thesituationwasbecomingcomplicatedtohim。

"AboutLoonLake，"continuedMcIntyre，"Ican’ttellyoumuch。ByalloddsthemostinterestingfigurethereistheoldProspector，asheiscalled。Youhaveheardabouthim？"

Shockbowed。

"Nooneknowshim，thoughhehasbeenthereformanyyears。Hisdaughter，Iunderstand，hasjustcomeoutfromEnglandtohim。Then，there’sAndyHepburn，whorunsastore，ashrewd，cannylittleScot。

Ihavenodoubthewillhelpyou。Butyou’llknowmoreabouttheplaceinaweekthanIcouldtellyouifItalkedallnight，andthatImustnotdo，foryoumustbetired。"

WhenhefinishedShocksatsilentwithhiseyesuponthemap。Hewasoncemoreconsciousofakindofterroroftheseunknownplacesandpeople。Howcouldhegetatthem？Whatplacewasthereforhimandhismissioninthatwild，recklesslifeoftheirs？Whathadhetobringthem。OnlyaTale？Inthefaceofthatvigorous，strenuouslifeitseemedatthatmomenttoShockalmostridiculousinitsinadequacy。AgainsthimandhisStorywerearraignedthegreathumanpassions——greedofgold，lustofpleasureinitsmostsensuousforms，andthatwildspiritofindependenceofallrestraintbylawofGoodorman。HewasstilllookingatthemapwhenMr。McIntyresaid:

"Wewilltakethebooks，astheysayinmycountry。"

"Ay，andinmine，"saidShock，comingoutofhisdreamwithastart。

Mrs。McIntyrelaidtheBibleonthetable。HerhusbandopenedtheBookandreadthatgreatPsalmofthewilderness，"Lord，thouhastbeenourdwellingplace，"andsoontothelastcryoffrailandfadinghumanityaftertheenduringandimperishable，"LetthebeautyoftheLordourGodbeuponus;andestablishthoutheworkofourhandsuponus:yea，theworkofourhandsestablishthouit。"

Ashelistenedtothevividwordsthatcarriedwiththemtheveryscentandsilenceofthehungrywilderness，therefelluponShock’searsthelonghowlandstaccatobarkoftheprairiewolf。ThatlonelyvoiceofthewildWestroundthemstruckShock’sheartwithachilloffear，butfollowingharduponthefearcamethememoryoftheabidingdwellingplaceforalldesertpilgrims，andinplaceofhisterroragreatquietnessfelluponhisspirit。ThegauntspectreofthehungrywildernessvanishedbeforethekindlypresenceofagreatCompanionshipthatmadeeventheunknownWestseemsafeandfamiliarasone’sownhome。ThequickchangeoffeelingfilledShock’shearttooverflowing，sothatwhenMr。McIntyre，closingtheBook，said，"Youwillleadusinprayer，Mr。Macgregor，"Shockcouldonlyshakehisheadinvoicelessrefusal。

"Yougoon，David，"saidhiswife，whohadbeenwatchingShock’sface。

AsShocklaythatnightuponhisbedofbuffaloskinsinthecorner，listeningtotheweirdsoundsofthenightwithout，heknewthatforthepresentatleastthathauntingterroroftheunknownandthatdisturbingsenseofhisowninsufficiencywouldnottroublehim。

Thatdwellingplace，quietandsecure，oftheMcIntyres’homeinthemidstofthewidewasteaboutwastohimformanyadayasymbolofthatothersafedwellingplaceforallpilgrimsthroughearth’swilderness。

"Poorchap，"saidMcIntyretohiswifewhentheyhadretiredforthenight，"I’mafraidhe’llfindithardwork，especiallyatTheFort。

Heisratherintherough，youknow。"

"Hehasbeautifulhonesteyes，"saidhiswife，"andIlikehim。"

"Doyou？"

"Yes，Ido，"sherepliedemphatically。

"Then，"saidherhusband，"inspiteofallappearanceshe’sallright。"

VIII

THEOLDPROSPECTOR

LoonLakelayintheafternoonsunlight，shimmeringinitsgloryofprismaticcolours，ononesidereflectingtherocksandthepinesthatlinedtheshoreandthegreatpeaksthatstoodfurtherback，andtheotherlappingthegrassesandreedsthatedgeditswatersandjoinedittotheprairie。Agentlebreezenowandthenbreathedacrossthelake，breakingintomyriadfragmentstheglassysurfacethatlaylikesheetsofpolishedmulti—colouredmetalofgoldandbronzeandsilver，purpleandgreenandblue。

Ayounggirlofaboutsixteenyears，ridingacayusealongthelakeshore，suddenlyreinedinherponyandsatgazinguponthescene。

"Afterall，"shesaidaloud，"itisalovelyspot，andifonlyfathercouldhavestayed，Iwouldn’tmind。"

Hertonewasoneofdiscontent。Herfacewasnotbeautiful，anditsplainnesswasincreasedbyakindofsullengloomthathadbecomeitshabit。AftergazingacrossthelakeforsomeminutessheturnedherhorseandcanteredtowardalittleclusterofbuildingsofallsizesandshapesthathuddledabouttheendofthelakeandconstitutedLoonLakevillage。Asshedrewnearthelargestofthehouses，whichwasdignifiedbythenameofLoonLakeStoppingPlace，shecameuponagroupofchildrengatheredaboutalittlecrippleofaboutsevenoreightyearsofage，butsopunyandpoorlydevelopedthatheappearedmuchyounger。Thelittleladwassobbingbitterly，shriekingoathsandstrikingsavagelywithhiscrutchatthechildrenthathemmedhimin。Thegirlsprangoffherpony。

"Oh，shameonyou！"sheexclaimed，rushingatthem。"Youbadchildren，toteasepoorPatsyso。Beoffwithyou。Come，Patsy，nevermindthem。Iamgoingtotellyouastory。"

"Hewasthrowin’stonesatus，sohewas，"saidhisbrother，asturdylittlered—headedladofsix。"AndhehitBatcheeserightontheleg，too。"

"Hepu——pu——pulleddownmymountainrighttotheground，"sobbedPatsy，liftingapale，tear—stainedfacedistortedwithpassion。

"Nevermind，Patsy，"shesaidsoothingly，"I’llhelpyoutobuilditupagain。"

"Andtheyalllaughedatme，"continuedPatsy，stillsobbingstormily。"AndI’llknocktheirblank，blankheadsoff，soIwill！"

AndPatsyliftedhiscrutchandshookitattheminimpotentwrath。

"Hush，hush，Patsy！youmustnotsaythoseawfulwords，"saidthegirl，layingherhandoverhismouthandliftinghimontoherknee。

"Yes，Iwill。AndIjustwishGodwouldsendthemtohell—fire！"

"Oh，Patsy，hush！"saidthegirl。"That’sawful。Never，neversaysuchathingagain。"

"Iwill！"criedPatsy，"andI’llaskGodto—night，andmothersaidHewouldiftheydidn’tleavemealone。"

"But，Patsy，youmustnotsaynorthinkthoseawfulthings。ComenowandI’lltellyouastory。"

"Idon’twantastory，"hesobbed。"Sing。"

"Oh，I’lltellyouastory，Patsy。I’llcomeintothehouseto—nightandsingforyou。"

"No，sing，"saidthelittleladimperiously，andsothegirlbegantosingthethrillinglovestoryofTheFrogandTheMouse，tillnotonlywasPatsy’spalefacewreathedinsmiles，buttheotherchildrenweredrawninanenchantedcircleaboutthesinger。SoentrancedwerethechildrenandsointerestedthesingerthattheyfailedtonoticethedooroftheStoppingPlaceopen。Aslovenlywomanshowedahardfaceanddishevelledhairforamomentatthedoor，andthenstolequietlyaway。Inafewmomentsshereturned，bringingherhusband，ahugemanwithashaggy，blackheadandrepulsiveface。

"Jistbeaftherlookin’atthatnow，willye，Carroll！"shesaid。

Asthemanlookedhisfacechangedasthesunbreaksthroughastorm—cloud。

"Didyeiverseetheloikesavthat？"shesaidinalowvoice。

"She’ddrawthebadgersoutavtheirholeswiththimsongsavhers。

Andthimlittledivilshavebeenallthemornin’a—fightin’anda—

scrappin’loikeKilkennycats。"

"An’lookatPatsy，"saidherhusband，withwonderandpityinhiseyes。

"Yis，yemaysaythat，forit’sthecantankerouslittlecurmudgeonheis，poorlittlemanny。"

"Cantankerous！"echoedherhusband。"It’sthatblankpainavhis。"

"Whistnow，Tim。There’sThimthat’llbehearin’ye，an’it’llbetheworsef’rhiman’f’ryou，beloike。"

"DivilafearhaveOiavThim，"saidherscepticalhusbandscornfully。

"Aw，now，dobequiet，now，"saidhiswife，crossingherself。"Sure，prayin’isjistasaisyascursin’，andnoharrumdone，atall。"Sheshutthedoor。

"Aw，it’sthebeautifulsingersheis，"asthegirlstruckupanewsong。"Listentothatnow。"

Full，clear，soft，likethewarblingofthethrushatevening，camethevoicethroughthecloseddoor。Themanandhiswifestoodlisteningwitharaptlookontheirfaces。

"PhatinHivin’snameisshesingin’，atall？"saidMrs。Carroll。

"Whisht！"saidherhusband，holdinguphishand。"It’slikeawildburrd，"headded，afterlisteningafewmoments。

"Theporething。An’it’sloikeawildburrdsheis，"saidMrs。

Carrollpityingly。"Leftalonesosoonafthercomin’tothissthrangecounthry。It’sauselessmanaltogether，isthatouldProspector。"

Carroll’sfacedarkened。

"Useless！"heexclaimedwrathfully，"he’sablankouldfool，crazyasajackrabbit！An’Oi’manotherblankfooltoputanymoneyinto’im。"

"Didyeputmuchin，Tim？"venturedMrs。Carroll。

"Toomuchtobethrownaway，anyhow。"

"Thin，whydoesyedoit，Tim？"

"BlankedifOiknow。It’sthesmooth，slippin’tongueav’im。He’dtalkthetaleaffamonkey，sohewould。"

Atthismomentaloudcry，followedbyastreamofoathsinashrillchildishvoice，piercedthroughthesinging。

"Phat’sthatinalltheworrld？"exclaimedMrs。Carroll。"Hivinpreserveus，it’slittlePatsy。Tim，ye’ll’avtobespakin’tothatchildfortheswearin’。Listentotheoathsav’im。TheLordforgive’im！"

Timstrodetothedoor，followedbyhiswife。

"Phattheblank，blankisthisyellin’about？Phatd’yemaneswearin’loikethat，Patsy？Oi’llknockyerblanklittleheadaffifOicatchyeswearin’agin。"

"Idon’tcare，"stormedlittlePatsy，quiteunafraidofhisfatherwhentheotherchildrenfled。"It’sthatblank，blankBatcheesean’

Timthere。Theykeepteasin’mean’Mayanallthetime"

"Letmecatchyez，yelittledivils！"shoutedCarrollafterthechildren，whohadgotofftoasafedistance。"Goon，Marion，an’

singphatyeloike。It’sloikeaburrdyeare，an’Oiloikest’hearye。An’Patsy，too，eh？"

Hetookthelittlecrippleupinhisarmsverygentlyandheldhimforsomeminutes。

"You’reabigman，dad，aintye？"saidPatsy，puttinghispunyarmroundhisfather’shairyneck。"An’yecanlickthehulltown，can’tye？"

"Whowuztellin’yethat，Patsy？"askedhisfather，withasmile。

"Iheardyemeselflastweekwhenthebigrowwason。"

"Yedid，bedad！ThinOi’mthinkin’yedobehearin’toomuch。"

"Butyecan，dad，can’tye？"persistedtheboy。

"Well，Oi’llsticktophatOisaid，anyway，Patsyboy，"repliedhisfather。

"An’I’llbeabigmanlikeyou，dad，someday，an’lickthehulltown，won’tI？"askedPatsyeagerly。

Hisfathershudderedandheldhimclosetohisbreast。

"Iwill，dad，won’tI？"persistedthelad，thelittlefaceturnedanxiouslytowardhisfather。

"Whishtnow，laddie。Surean’ye’llbetheclivirmansomeday，"

saidthebigmanhuskily，whilehiswifeturnedherfacetowardthedoor。

"ButtheysaidI’dniverlickanybody，"persistedPatsy。"An’that’sablanklie，isn’tit，dad？"

Theman’sfacegrewblackwithwrath。Hepouredoutfierceoaths。

"Letmecatchthim。Oi’llbreaktheirbacks，theblank，blanklittlecowards！Niveryeheedthim。Ye’llbeabetthermanthinanyavthim，Patsyavick，an’thatyewill。An’they’llallbestandin’

bare—headedaforeyesomeday。ButPatsy，darlin’，Oiwantyetogiveuptheswearin’andlistentoMarionyonder，who’llbeafthertellin’yegoodthingsan’cliverthings。"

"But，dad，"persistedthelittleboy，"won’tIbe？

"Hushnow，Patsy，"saidhisfatherhurriedly。"Don’tyewanttogoontheponywithMarion？Comeonnow，an’Oi’llputyeup。"

"Oh，goody，goody！"shoutedlittlePatsy，hispale，beautifulfaceaglowwithdelight。

"Poorlittlemanny！"groanedCarrolltohiswife，lookingafterthepairastheyrodeoffupthetrail。"It’snotmanyye’llbeafterlickin’，exceptwithyertongue。"

"But，begorra，"saidhiswife，"that’sthelickin’thathurts，aftherall。An’it’sharrdtellin’what’llbecomin’tillthelad。"

Herhusbandturnedwithoutmorewordsandwentintothehouse。

MeantimeMarionandPatsywereenjoyingtheircanter。

"TakemeuptotheJumpingRock，"saidtheboy，andtheytookthetrailthatwoundupthewestsideofthelake。

"Therenow，Patsy，"saidMarion，whentheyhadarrivedatasmoothshelfofrockthatrosesheeroutofthebluewaterofthelake，"I’llputyoubythebigsprucethere，andyoucanseealloverthelakeandeverywhere。"

Sheslippedoffthepony，carefullyliftedtheboydownandsethimleaningagainstabigsprucepinethatgrewseeminglyupoutofthebarerockandleanedfaroutoverthewater。Thiswastheswimmingplacefortheboysandmenofthevillage;andanidealplaceitwas，forofftherockoroutoftheoverhanginglimbstheswimmerscoulddivewithoutfearintotheclear，deepwaterbelow。

"Therenow，Patsy，"saidthegirlaftershehadpicketedherpony，"shallItellyouastory？"

"No。Sing，Mayan，Ilikeyoutosing。"

Butjustasthegirlwasabouttobeginhecried，"Who’sthatcomin’，Mayan？"pointingdownthetrail。

Thekeeneyesoftheladhaddescriedahorsemanfarawaywherethelongsloperosetothehorizen。

"Idon’tknow，"answeredthegirl。"Whoisit，Patsy？Acowboy？"

"No，"saidPatsy，afterwaitingforafewminutes，"Ithinkit’sPerault。"

"No，Patsy，thatcan’tbe。YouknowPeraultwentoutwithfatherlastweek。"

"Yes，itis，"insistedPatsy。"That’sfather’spony。That’sRat—

tail，Iknow。"

Thegirlstoodupandgazedanxiouslyattheapproachingrider。

"Surelyitcan’tbePerault，"shesaidtoherself。"Whatcanhavehappened？"

Sheunhitchedherhorse，rolledupherpicketrope，andstoodwaitingwithdisturbedface。Astheriderdrewnearshecalled，"Perault！Ho，Perault！"

"Hola！"exclaimedPerault，awizened，tough—lookinglittleFrenchman，pullinguphisponywithajerk"Bojou，Mam’selle，"headded，takingoffhishat。

Perault’smannerisreassuring，indeedquitegay。

"Whatisit，Perault？Whyareyoucomeback？Whereisfather？"Thegirl’slipswerewhite。

"Coming，"saidPeraultnonchalantly，pointingupthetrail。"Westrakdebadluck，Mam’selle，sowestartheemagain。"

"Tellme，Perault，"saidthegirl，turningherpiercingblackeyesonhisface，"tellmetruly，isfatherhurt？"

"Oui，forsure，"saidPeraultwithanexaggerationofcarelessnesswhichdidnotescapethekeeneyesfastenedonhisface，"datoleboss，youknow，heblam—fool。Hees’fraidnoting。HeestryforsweemdeBlackDogondecrossingbelow。DeBlackDogheesfulloverheesbank，an’boil，boil，lakonekettle。Deolebosshesay’Perault，wemakdepassage，eh？’’No，’Isay，’wetrynodercrossing。’’Howfar？’hesay。’Two——treemile’’Guesstryheemhere，’hesay，an’nomatterhowIsayheembeblam—foolfortry，datolebossheeslafsmall，leelelafan’makdestart。Well，datponyheesgoingnicean’slowtroodewateroverdebank，butwenhestrukdatfaswater，poof！wheez！datponyheesupsethessef，bygar！Heestrowheesfeetoutondewater。Bymbeheescomeallrightforameenit。Dendatfoolponyheesmissdecrossing。Heesgodreefdowndestreamwheredehighbankheesimposseeb。MonDieu！Dasmakmescare。Ido’nowhatIdo。Istan’an’yelllakonebeegfoolme。Upcomebeegfelleronbuckboardonnoderside。Beegblam—fooljus’lakboss。Not’fraidnoting。Heestrowropecrosssaddle。Deolebossheeswin’

heemroun’dehorn。Poof！dasupsetdatponyoncemore。Heestrowheesfeetuponwater，catcholebossonheadan’arm，knockheemrightofftoblazes。’Goodbye，’Isay，’Inotseeheemmore。’Beegfellerheesloosedatrope，rondownondebankhitchingropeonwillowtreean’roun’heesownshoulderan’jumponreeverwaydownonbendan’waitforoleboss。Forme？Imakdisponycrossver’

queek。Notknowhow，an’passondenoderside。Iseebeegfeller，heeshol’deolebossonheescoatcollarwitbeesteef，bygar！an’

sweemlakottar。Sap—r—r—e！NotlongbeforeIpullondatropean’

getbotonshore。Beegfellerheesallright。Deolebossheesliewhite，whiteandstill。Icryonmyeyebad。’Gogetsometingfordreenk，’saybeegfeller，’queek。’Sac—r—re！beegfoolmessef！Bah！

Goodfornoting！Ifin’brandy，an’leeletam，tree—fourminute，deolebossbeessitupallright。LeBonDieuheesdogoodturndattime，forsure。Sendbeegfelleralongallright。"

ThegirlstoodlisteningtoPerault’sdramatictale，herfacegrowingwhite。

"Isfathernothurtatall，then？"sheasked。

"Non。Heestougholeman，datboss，"saidPerault。Thenheaddedlightly，"Oh！heesbrokesomesmallbone——whatyoucall？——ondecollar，dere。Datnoting’tall。"

"Oh，Perault！"exclaimedthegirl。"You’renottellingmethetruth。

You’rekeepingbacksomething。Myfatherishurt。"

"Non，forsure，"saidPerault，puttinghishandoverhisheart。

"Heesbrokedatboneondecollar。Datnoting’tall。Henotridever’well，soheescomeonbeegfeller’sbuckboard。Dat’sfinebeegfeller！MonDieu！heesnot’fraidnoting！Beegblam—fooljus’lakboss。"NohighercommendationwaspossiblefromPerault。

"Butwhyisfathercomingbackthen？"askedthegirlanxiously。

"Maisoui！Bah！DatleelefoolponygothisselfdronondeBlackDog，an’allheesstuff，sodeolebosshemus’comebackformoreponyan’morestuff。"

"Whenwilltheybehere，Perault？"askedthegirlquietly。

"Ver’soon。One——twohour。But，"saidPeraultwithsomehesitation，"deolebossbettergoonbedleelespell，mebbe。"

ThenthegirlknewthatPeraulthadnottoldhertheworst，turningimpatientlyfromhim，sheliftedlittlePatsyontothesaddleand，disdainingPerault’sofferedhelp，sprangonherselfandsetofftowardthevillageaboutamileawayatfullgallop。