A countess from canada

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Title:ACountessfromCanadaAStoryofLifeintheBackwoods
Author:BessieMarchant
ReleaseDate:February16,2004[EBook#11110][LastUpdated:September10,
2013]
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKACOUNTESS
FROMCANADA***

ProducedbyPreparedbyAlHaines


ACOUNTESSFROMCANADA
AStoryofLifeintheBackwoods
BY
BESSIEMARCHANT

Authorof"ThreeGirlsinMexico""DaughtersoftheDominion"
"SistersofSilverCreek""ACourageousGirl"&c.

ILLUSTRATEDBYCYRUSCUNEO

Contents
CHAP.
I.BEYONDTHESECONDPORTAGEII.ACURIOUSACCIDENTIII.OUTWITTINGTHE
ENEMYIV.ANIGHTOFROUGHWORKV.ASACREDCONFIDENCEVI.BUSINESS

BOTHERSVII.ANOTHERCLUEVIII.THEFIRSTRAINIX.THEFLOODX.THESTRANGER
PROVESAFRIENDINNEEDXI.AWOMANOFBUSINESSXII.THEFIRSTOFTHEFISHING
XIII.MARYXIV.WOULDTHEYBEFRIENDS?XV.MR.SELINCOURTISINDISCREETXVI.
"WEMUSTBEFRIENDS!"XVII.'DUKERADFORD'SNEWFRIENDXVIII.STANDINGASIDE
XIX.ANAWKWARDFIXXX.KATHERINEMAKESADISCOVERYXXI.MATTERFOR
HEARTACHEXXII.ABUSINESSXXIII.THEMAJORITYDECIDESXXIV.MR.SELINCOURT
ISCONFIDENTIALXXV.THERIFTINTHECLOUDSXXVI.FIGHTINGTHESTORMXXVII.
ABEAREROFEVILTIDINGSXXVIII.THEGLADNESSXXIX.WINTERAGAINXXX.
PREPARATIONSXXXI.THEWEDDING

Illustrations


TheRescueofJarvisFerrars
'DukeRadfordMeetswithanAccident
KatherineandMilesSpearingforFish
"WithallherstrengthKatherinehauledattherope"
BarteringwiththeIndians
DriftingDowntheRiver


CHAPTERI
BeyondtheSecondPortage
"Ohdear,howIshouldlovetogoout!"
KatherineRadfordstretchedherarmswearilyaboveherheadasshespoke.
Therehadbeenfivedaysofpersistentsnowfall;butthismorningthecloudshad
broken,showingstripsandpatchesofbluesky,andtherewasbrightsunshine
floodingtheworldagain,withhardandsparklingfrost.
"Whydon'tyougo?"demandedPhil,whowastheyoungest."Milesandme
don'tmindhavingaholidayatall."

"Speakforyourselfifyoulike,"growledMiles,whowasthirteen;"butIwantto
getthisschoolingbusinessoveranddonewith,sothatIcanstartdoing
somethinguseful."
"Andspeakgrammatically,please,orelsekeepsilent.Youshouldhavesaid,
'MilesandI',"remarkedKatherinewithquitecrushingdignity,assheturned
fromthewindowtotakeherplaceatthetableoncemore.Philthrusthistongue
inhischeek,afterthemannerbelovedofsmallboys,andsubsidedintosilence
andanabstractedstudyofhisspellingbook.
Theschoolroomwasasmallchamber,partitionedofffromthestorebyawallof
boardssothinthatallconversationaboutbuyingandselling,withthegossipof
thecountrysidethrownin,wasplainlyaudibletothepupils,whosestudies
sufferedinconsequence.Thestovepipefromthestorewentthroughthisroom,
keepingitcomfortablywarm,andinwinter'DukeRadfordandtheboysslept
there,becauseitwassoterriblycoldintheloft.
KatherinehadcomehomefromcollegeinJuly,determinedtoteachschoolall
winter,andtomakeasuccessofit,too,inamostunpromisingpartoftheworld.


Buteventhemostenthusiasticteachermustfailtogetoniftherearenoscholars
toteach,andatpresentshehadonlyMilesandPhil,hertwobrothers,aspupils.
ThiswasmosttryingtoKatherine'spatience,for,ofcourse,iftherehadonly
beenpupilsenough,shecouldhavehadaproperlyconstitutedschool,anda
salaryalso.Shemightevenhavehadaregularschoolhousetoteachin,instead
ofbeingcompelledtouseamakeshiftsuchasthis.Buteverythingmusthavea
beginning,andsoshehadworkedonbravelythroughtheautumn,hoping
againsthopeformorepupils.Intheintervalsbetweenteachingtheboysshekept
thebooksforherfather,andevenattendedtothewantsofanoccasional
customerwhen'DukeRadfordwasbusyorabsent.
ThestoreatRoaringWaterPortagewasawkwardlyplacedforbusiness.Itstood
onahighbankoverlookingtherapids,andwhenitwasbuilt,fiveyearsbefore,

hadbeenthecentreofaminingvillage.Buttheminingvillagehadbeen
abandonedforthreeyearsnow,becausetheveinofcopperhadendedinathick
seamofcoal,which,underpresentcircumstances,wasnotworthworking.Now
thenearestapproachtoavillagewasatSealCove,atthemouthoftheriver,
nearlythreemilesaway,wheretherewereabouthalfadozenwoodenhuts,and
theliquorsaloonkeptbyOilyDavewhenhewasathome,andshutupwhenhe
wasabsentonfishingexpeditions.
Althoughhousesweresoscarce,therewasnolackoftradeforthelonelystorein
thewoods.Allthroughthesummertherewasaprocessionofbirchbarkcanoes,
filledwithredmenandwhite,comingdowntherivertothebay,ladenwithskins
ofwolf,fox,beaver,wolverine,squirrel,andskunk,theharvestofthewinter's
trapping.Theninwinterthecoveandtheriverwereoftencrowdedwithboats,
driventoanchoragetherebytheice,andtoescapethefearfulstormssweeping
overthebay.Theriverwasmorefavouredasananchoragethanthecove,
becauseitwasmoresheltered,andalsobecausetherewasopenwateratthefoot
oftherapidsevenintheseverestwinter,andhadbeensolongasanyonecould
remember.
Asthemorningworeon,Katherine'smoodbecameevenmorerestless,andshe
simplyyearnedforthefreshairandthesunshine.Shewasusuallyfreetogooutof-doorsintheafternoons,becausetheboysonlyworkeduntilnoon,andthen
againintheevening,whenitwasnightschool,andKatherinedidherbestwith
suchofthefisherfolkaspreferredlearningtoloafingandgamblinginOily
Dave'ssaloon.


EvenMilesseemedstupidthismorning,forhewasusuallysuchagoodworker;
whilePhilwasquitehopeless.Bothboyswerebittenwiththesnowmania,and
longingtobeout-of-doors,inalltheexhilaratingbrilliancyofsunshine,frost,
andsnow.Nooncameatlast,bookswerepackedaway;theboysrushedofflike
madthings,whileKatherinewentmoresoberlyacrossthestoreandenteredthe
living-room,whichwassitting-roomandkitchencombined.

Anoldergirlwasthere,lookingtooyoungtobecalledawoman,butwho
neverthelesswasawidow,andthemotherofthetwingirlswhowererollingon
thefloorandplayingwithabig,shaggywolfhound.ShewasNellie,Mrs.
Burton,whosehusbandhadbeendrownedwhilesealingwhenthetwinswere
twelvemonthsold.Mrs.Burtonhadcomehometolivethen,andkeephousefor
herfather,sothatKatherinemightgotoMontrealtofinishhereducation.
"DidyouseeFatherasyoucamethroughthestore?"Mrs.Burtonasked,asshe
rapidlyspreadthedinneronthetableinthecentreoftheroom,whileKatherine
joinedinthefrolicthatwasgoingonwiththetwinsandthedog.
"No,hewasnotthere,"Katherineanswered.
"Hewantsyoutogouptothesecondportagewithhimthisafternoon.Another
boatgotinthismorningwithsomemailsonboard,andtherearestorestobe
takenforAstorM'Kree,"saidMrs.Burton.
"Thatwillbelovely!"criedKatherine,givingLottaatossupintheair,after
whichBethhadtobetreatedinasimilarfashiontopreventjealousy."Iam
simplyyearningtobeoutsideinthesunshineandthecold.Ihavebeenwishing
allthemorningthatIwereaman;thenIcouldgooffhunting,trapping,oreven
lumbering,andsobreathefreshairalldaylong."
Mrs.Burtonsmiled."Iexpectifyouwereamanyouwouldjustdoasothermen
do;thatis,smokeadirtylittlepipealldaylong,andsoneverbreathefreshairat
all."
"ThatisnotthesortofmanIwouldbe,"retortedKatherine,withatossofher
head.
Thensheputthetwinsintotheirhighchairs:herfatherandtheboyscamein,
anddinnerbegan.Itwasahastymeal,asearlydinnerhastobewhenhalfofthe
day'sworkliesbeyondit,andinlessthanhalfanhourKatherinewasgetting


intoathickpilotcoat,furcap,mittens,andabigmuffler;for,althoughthesun
wassobright,thecoldwasnottobetrifledwith.

'DukeRadford,shortforMarmaduke,wasasombre-lookingmanoffifty.
Twenty-fiveyearsofpioneerlifeintheKeewatincountryhadwornhim
considerably,andhelookedolderthanhisyears.Buthewasastrongmanstill,
andto-dayhehadloadedasledgewithstorestodrawhimself,whileKatherine
lookedafterthefourgreatdogswhichdrewtheothersledge.
Thetrackforthefirstthreemileswasasbadasatrackcouldbe.'DukeRadford
wentfirst,tobeatorpackthesnowalittlefirmerforKatherineandthedogs;but
eventheneverymovementofhersnowshoessentthewhitepowderydustflying
inclouds.Thedogsfollowedclosebehind,soclosethatshehadoftentoshowa
whiptokeepthemback,fromfearthattheywouldtreadonhersnowshoesand
flingherdown.
ItwasfivegoodlongmilestotheabodeofAstorM'Kree,beyondthesecond
portage,butthelasttwomileswereeasytravelling,overafirmleveltrack.
"AstorM'Kreehasbeenhaulingtimberorsomethingoverhereto-day.Iwonder
howhemanagedit?"calledoutKatherine,asherfather'spaceonthewellpackedsnowquickened,whilesheflewafterhimandthedogscameracingon
behind.Heshoutedbacksomeanswerthatwasinaudible,thenracedonata
greatpace.Thoselasttwomileswerepureenjoymentallround,andwhenthey
drewupbeforethelittlebrownhouseoftheboatbuilder,Katherinewas
sparkling,glowing,androsy,withalifeandanimationwhichshenevershowed
indoors.
Mrs.M'Kreewasaworn-lookinglittlewoman,withthreebabiestoddlingabout
herfeet,andshewelcomedhervisitorswithgreateffusiveness.
"Well,now,Imustsayitisrightdowngoodofyoutogetthroughallthiswayon
theveryfirstfineday.Myword,whatweatherwe'vebeenhaving!"she
exclaimed."IwastellingAstoronlylastnightthatifwehadmuchmoreofthat
sortI'dhavetokeephimonsawdustpuddingsandpine-conesoup.Thatfetched
alongfaceontohim,Icantellyou;foritisdownrightfondofhisfoodheis,
andararetrenchermantoo."
"Itisbadtorunshortofstoresinkeenweatherlikethis,"said'DukeRadford,
whowiththehelpofhisdaughterwasbringingbags,barrels,andbundlesof

goodsintothehousefromthetwosledges,whilethedogsrestedwithanairof
enjoymentdelightfultobehold.
Whenthestoreswereallsafelyhoused,Mrs.M'Kreeinsistedontheirdrinkinga
cupofhotcoffeebeforetheyreturned;andjustasshewasliftingthecoffeepot
fromthestoveherhusbandcamein.Hewastall,thin,andsombreofface,as
menwholiveinthewoodsareapttobe,buthehadagenialmanner,andthathe
wasnotyrantcouldbeseenfromthewayhischildrenclungabouthislegs.
"Dearme,theseyoungsters!"heexclaimed,sittingdownonthenearestbench
withachildoneachknee."Iwishtheywereoldenoughtogotoyourschool,
MissRadford,thenI'dgetsomepeaceforpartofthedayatleast."
"Iwishtheywereoldenough,too,"sighedKatherine."Itisreallyquitedreadful
tothinkwhatalongtimeIhavegottowaitbeforeallthesmallchildreninthe
neighbourhoodareofanagetoneedschool."
"BywhichtimeIexpectyouwon'tbewantingtokeepschoolatall,"saidMrs.
M'Kreewithalaugh.Thentoherhusbandshesaid:"Mr.Radfordbroughtsome
letters,Astor;perhapsyou'llwanttoreadthembeforehegoesback."
"Ah!yes,I'dbetterperhaps,thoughtherewillbenohurryabouttheanswers,I
guess,forthiswillbethelastmailthatwillgetthroughtheStraitbeforethe
spring."Hestoodupashespoke,slidingthebabiesontothegroundathisfeet,
forhecouldnotreadhisletterswiththesmallpeopleclutchingandclawingat
hishands.Theotherswentontalking,tobeinterruptedafewminuteslaterbya
surprisedexclamationfromthemasterofthehouse.
"Now,wouldyoubelieveit!TheCompanyhasbeenboughtout!"
"Whatcompany?"asked'DukeRadford.
"Why,thefishing-fleetowners,BartonandSkinnerandthatlot,"rejoinedAstor
M'Kreeabstractedly,beingagainburiedinhisletter.Hewasaboat-builderby
trade,andthischangeinthingsmightmakeaconsiderabledifferencetohim.
"Whoisitthathasboughtthecompanyout?"demandedMrs.M'Kreeanxiously.

Lifewasquitehardenoughforheralready;shedidnotwantittobecomemore
difficultstill.


"AnEnglishmannamedOswaldSelincourt,"repliedAstor."Heisrich,too,and
meanstoputmoneyintothebusiness.Hewantsmetohavefourmoreboats
readybythetimethewatersareopen,andsaysheiscominghimselfnext
summertoseeintomattersabit.Nowthatlookshopeful."
Katherinechancedatthatmomenttoglanceacrossatherfather,andwasstartled
bythelookonhisface;itwasjustasifsomethinghadmadehimdesperately
afraid.Butitwasonlyforamoment,andthenhehadgothisfeaturesinto
control,soshehastilyavertedherheadlestheshouldseeherlooking,andthink
thatshewastryingtopryintowhatdidnotconcernher.Heswalloweddownthe
restofhiscoffeeatagulpandrosetogo.Buthismannernowwassochanged
anduneasythatKatherinemusthavewonderedatit,evenifshehadnotcaughta
glimpseofthatdreadfullookonhisfacewhenAstorM'Kreeannouncedthe
changeintheownershipofthefishingfleet.
Thejourneyhomewastakeninadifferentstylefromthejourneyout:thetwo
sledgesweretiedtogether,andbothpairsofsnowshoespiledonthehindmost;
then,Katherineandherfathertakingtheirplacesonthefirst,thedogsstartedoff
atatearinggallop,whichmadeshortworkofthetwomilesofleveltrack,and
gaveKatherineandherfatherplentyofoccupationinholdingon.Butwhenthey
reachedthebrokengroundthepacegrewsteadier,andconversationbecame
possibleoncemore.
'DukeRadfordbegantotalkthenwithalmostfeverishhaste,buthecarefully
avoidedanymentionofthenewscontainedintheboatbuilder'sletter,anda
sickeningfearofsomething,sheknewnotwhat,creptintotheheartofKatherine
andspoiledforherthegloryofthatwinterafternoon.Thesunwentdownin
flamingsplendoursofcrimsonandgold,ayoungmoonhunglikeasickleof
silverabovethedarkpineforest,andeverywherebelowwasthewhitepurityof

thefresh-fallensnow.
SupperwasnearlyreadywhentheygotbacktoRoaringWaterPortage,butthere
weretwoorthreecustomersinthestore,andKatherinewenttohelpherfather
withthem,whileMilesunharnessedandfedthefourdogs.OilyDavewasoneof
thepeoplegatheredroundthestovewaitingtobeservedwithflourandbacon,
anditwashisvoiceraisedineagertalkwhichKatherineheardwhenshecame
backfromthesitting-roomintothestore.
"Ifit'struewhattheyaresaying,thatBarton,Skinner,&Co.areinliquidation,


thenthingsisgoingtolookqueerforsomeofuswhenthespringcomes,andthe
questionwillbeastowhocanclaimtheboats,thoughsomeofthemain'tmuch
good."
"Isupposethatyou'llsticktoyour'n,seeingthatitisbyfarthebestinthefleet,"
saidanotherman,whohadadeep,rumblinglaugh.
Katherinelookedatherfatherindumbsurprise.Shehadbeenexpectinghimto
announcethenewsofthefishingboatshavingbeenboughtbytheEnglishman
withtheremarkablename,insteadofwhichhewasjustgoingonwithhiswork,
andlookingasifhehadnomoreinformationthantheothers.
Liftinghisheadatthatmomenthecaughthisdaughter'sperplexedglance,and,
afteramoment,saidhastily:"Iwouldn'tbeintoomuchhurryabout
appropriatingtheboatsifIwereyou."
"Whynot?"chorusedthelisteners.
"Barton&Skinnerhavebeenboughtout,andthenewownermightnotapprove
ofhispropertybeingmadeoffwithinthatfashion,"'DukeRadfordreplied.
"Who'sboughtit?Whotoldyou?Lookhere,wewanttoknow,"onemanburst
outimpatiently.
"ThenyouhadbettergouptothesecondportageandaskAstorM'Kree,"
rejoined'DukeRadfordslowly."Itwashewhotoldmeaboutit,andhehasgot
theordertobuildfourmoreboats."

"Nowthatlookslikebusiness,anyhow.Whoistheman?"demandedRick
Portus,whowasyoungerthantheothers,andmeant"tomakethingshum"when
hegotachance.
'DukeRadfordfumbledwiththeheadofaflourbarrel,andforamomentdidnot
answer.ItwasanagonizingmomentforKatherine,whowasenteringitemsin
theledger,andhadtobeblindanddeaftowhatwaspassingroundher,yetall
thetimewasacutelyconsciousthatsomethingwaswrongsomewhere.
Theheadofthebarrelcameoffwithajerk,andthen'Dukeansweredwithanair
ofstudiedindifference:"AnEnglishman,AstorM'Kreesaidhewas;Selincourt
orsomesuchname,Ithink."


Aburstofeagertalkfollowedthisannouncement,but,herentriesmadeinthe
ledger,Katherineslippedawayfromitallandhurriedintothesitting-room,
wheresupperwasalreadybeginning.Butthefoodhadlostitsflavourforher,
andshemighthavebeenfeedingonthesawdustandpineconesofwhichMrs.
M'Kreehadspokenforallthetastehersupperpossessed.Shehadtotalk,
however,andtoseemcheerful,yetallthetimeshewasshrinkingandshivering
becauseofthismysteriousmooddisplayedbyherfatheratthementionofa
strangeman'sname.
'DukeRadforddidnotcomeinfromthestoreuntilitwasnearlytimefornight
school,soKatherinesawverylittlemoreofhim,exceptatadistance,forthat
evening;buthewassoquietandabsorbedthatMrs.Burtonaskedmorethan
onceifhewerefeelingunwell.Sheeveninsistedonhistakingabasinofonion
gruelbeforehewenttobed,becauseshethoughthehadcaughtachill.He
swallowedthegruelobedientlyenough,yetknewallthetimethatthechillwas
athisheart,wherenocomfortingfoodnordrinkcouldrelievehim.


CHAPTERII

ACuriousAccident
ThenearestHudson'sBaystoretoRoaringWaterPortagewasfifteenmilesaway
byland,butonlyfivebyboat,asitstoodonanangleoflandjuttingintothe
water,threemilesfromthemouthoftheriver.'DukeRadford'sbusinesstook
himovertothisplace,whichwascalledFortGarry,alwaysonceaweek,and
sometimesoftener.UsuallyeitherMilesorPhilwentwithhim,althoughonrare
occasionsKatherinetooktheplaceoftheboysandhelpedtorowtheboatacross
theinlettothegrimoldblockhousecrowningtheheight.
ItwasaweekafterthetriptothehouseofAstorM'Kreethatthestorekeeper
announcedhisintentionofgoingtoFortGarry,andsaidthatheshouldneed
Milestohelphim.
"Imustgobylandto-day,whichisanuisance,forittakessomuchlonger,"he
declared,ashesatdowntobreakfast,whichatthistimeoftheyearhadalways
tobetakenbylamplight.
"ShallIcomeinstead?"askedKatherine,whowasfryingpotatoesatthestove."I
amquickeronsnowshoesthanMiles,andhehasgotsuchabadcold."
"Youcanifyoulike,thoughitisn'tworkforagirl,"heansweredinadispirited
tone.
"Itisworkforagirlifagirlhasgotittodo,"sherejoined,withamerrylaugh;
"andIshalljustlovetocomewithyou,Father.Whenwillyoustart?"
"Atdawn,"herepliedbrusquely;and,finishinghismealinsilence,hewentinto
thestore.
"Katherine,whatisthematterwithFather?Doyouthinkheisill?"Mrs.Burton


askedinatroubledtone."Hehasbeensoquietandgloomyforthelastfewdays;
hedoesnoteatwell,andhedoesnotseemtocaretotalktoanyofus."
Katherineshiveredandhesitated.Sheknewthemomentfromwhichthechange
inherfather'smannerdated,butshecouldnotspeakofiteventohersister.
"Perhapsthecoldweathertrieshimagreatdealjustatfirst;ithascomeso

suddenly,andwearenotseasonedtoityet,youknow,"sheansweredevasively.
"Ihopeitisonlythat,"answeredMrs.Burton,brighteningupatthesuggestion.
"Andreallythecoldhasbeenterriblytryingforthelastweek,thoughitwon't
seemsobadwhenwegetusedtoit.IamgladyouaregoingwithFather,though,
forMileshassuchadreadfulcold,poorboy."
"Hisownfault,"laughedKatherine."Ifhewillgoandsitinatubhalftheday,in
thehopeofshootingswans,hemustexpecttogetacold."
"Boyswilldounwisethings,Ifancy.Theycan'thelpit,soitisofnouseto
blamethem,"Mrs.Burtonsaidwithasigh.
Katherinelaughedagain.Mrs.Burtonhadawayofneverblaminganyone,and
slippedthroughlifealwaysthinkingtheverybestofthepeoplewithwhomshe
cameincontact,creditingthemwithgoodintentionshoweverfarshortthey
mightproveofgoodinreality.Thesisterswerealikeinfeaturesandintheir
dainty,womanlyways,butincharactertheywereawidecontrast.Katherine,
underhergirlishsoftnessandprettywinningmanner,hadhiddenafirmwilland
purpose,asoundjudgment,andaresourcefulnesswhichwouldstandheringood
steadintheemergenciesoflife.Shelikedtodecidethingsforherself,and
choosewhatshewoulddo;butMrs.Burtonalwaysneededsomeonetolean
uponandtosettlemomentousquestionsforher.
'DukeRadfordwasreadytostartbythetimedawnarrived,andKatherinewas
readytoo.Itwassoverycoldthatshehadtwistedacloudofbrilliantscarlet
woolalloverherheadandears,inadditiontoherotherwrappings.Therewere
somestorestotaketoFortGarry,andtherewouldbeotherstobringback,as
considerabletradingwasdonebetweenthefortandthesettlement.Veryoften
when'DukeRadfordranoutofsomeeasy-to-sellcommodityhewasableto
replenishhisstockfromthefort,whileheinhisturnacceptedfursinbarterfrom
hiscustomers,whichhedisposedoftotheagentwhennexthevisitedthefort.
Asonthejourneytothesecondportage,'DukeRadfordwentfirst,drawinga

ladensledge,followedbyKatherine,wholookedafterthedogs.Therewouldbe
noridingeitherwayto-day,andthedaylightwouldbeonlyjustlongenoughfor
thework,thesnowonthetrailnotbeinghardenoughasyettomakethegoing
veryeasy.
FortGarrywasreachedwithoutincident,although,toKatherine'ssecretdismay,
herfatherhadnotspokentoheronce,buthadjustgonemoodilyforwardwith
hisheadhangingdown,anddraggingthesledgeafterhim.Herousedupalittle
whenthefortwasreached,andtalkedtoPeterM'Crawney,theagent,aneagerfacedScotwithaninsatiabledesireforinformationonallsortsofsubjects.Mrs.
M'CrawneywasanIrishwomanwhowasalwayssighingforthemild,moist
climateandthepeatreekofherchildhood'shome.ButPeterknewwhenhewas
welloff,andmeanttosticktohispostuntilhehadsavedenoughmoneytolive
withoutwork.
"Teachingschool,areyou?Wellit'smyselfthatwouldliketobeoneofyour
scholars,forit'sbonnyyoulookwiththatscarletthingwrappedroundyour
head!"exclaimedMrs.M'Crawneyinanadmiringtone,whenKatherinesat
downtohaveatalkwithherwhilst'DukeRadforddidhisbusinesswiththe
agent.
"Youcancomeifyoulike;wedon'thaveanyagelimitatRoaringWater
Portage,"Katherineansweredwithalaugh.Shehadtobebrightandvivacious
despitetheheavinessofherheart,foritwouldneverdotodisplayhersecret
uneasinessonherfather'saccount,ortobetrayhischangedconditionto
strangers.
"AndprettyIshouldlookatmyage,sittingamongthebabieslearningtodo
strokesandpothooks,"theIrishwomansaid,echoingthelaugh.Thenshebegan
toquestionKatherineeagerlyconcerningthenewswhichhadfilteredthrough
intothesolitudesfromthegreatworldoutside."TheyaresayingthattheMr.
Selincourtwhohasboughtthefishingfleetwillcomeherewhenthewaters
open;butwhereverwillhestay?"
"Idon'tknow;perhapshewillhaveoneofthehutsdownatSeal
Cove,althoughtheyareverydirty.IthinkifIwereinhisplace

Ishouldhaveanewhutbuilt,orelseliveinatent,"Katherine
answered.


"Hewillhaveahutbuilt,Iexpect;thenperhapsifhelikestheplacehewill
comeeveryyear.Althoughit'sfunnythewhimsrichpeoplehave,tobecoming
toaplacelikethis,whentheymightbelivinginacivilizedcountry,with
everythingthatheartcoulddesirewithinahand'sreach,"saidMrs.M'Crawney
withatossofherhead.
"Isupposebeingabletohavealltheywantspoilsthemsomuchthattheyare
alwayswantingachange.Butifwedon'tstartweshallbelateingettinghome,
andtravellingisverybadoverthebrokengroundattheendofthebay,"
Katherinesaid,assheroseandbegantodrawherscarletcloudcloserroundher
headagain.
HerfatherwasstilltalkingtoPeterM'Crawneywhenshecameinsearchofhim,
buthelookedsomuchrelievedattheinterruptionthatshecouldonlysuppose
theagenthadbeentalkingovermuchabouttherichEnglishmanwhowas
expectedinthatremotequarteroftheworldnextspring,whenthewaterswere
open.
"Areyoureadytogonow?"Katherineasked,asuddenpangofpitystabbingat
herheart,forinthestronglightherfather'sfacelookedwornandfurrowed,
morethanshehadeverseenitbefore;indeed,alookofagehadcreptoverhis
countenanceduringthelastfewdaysthatwasverymarked,whilehisdarkhair
showedstreaksofgreywhichhadcertainlynotbeenthereaweekago.Hehad
momentarilytakenoffhiscap,todosomethingtooneofthelappetswhichwas
notcomfortable;butnowheputitonagain,coveringhishead,ears,andagood
partofhisfaceaswell.
"Yes,Iamready,andratherkeenonstarting,forthereisadampsmellcomingin
theairwhichmaymeanaslightthawormorefall,andeitherwouldbebadfor
usto-day,"heanswered,liftinghisheadandsniffing,likeadogthatscentsa

trail.
"Can'tthedogspullyouapiece,Miss?"askedtheagentinatoneofconcern."It
isashockinglongwayforabitofagirl,eventhoughsheisonsnowshoes."
"ItisnotlongerformethanforFather,andIdon'tevenhavetodragthesledge
ashedoes,"Katherinerepliedbrightly,asshefittedhermoccasinedfeetintothe
strapsofhersnowshoes.
Thedogswereinagreathurrytostart,andone,agreatbrown-and-whitebeast


whichalwaysfollowednexttheleader,keptflingingupitsheadandhowlingin
themostdismalmanneruntiltheywerewellontheirway.Thenoisegoton
Katherine'snervestosuchanextentthatshewastemptedtouseherwhiptothe
dog,andonlyrefrainedbecauseitseemedsocrueltothrashacreatureforjust
beingmiserable.Tocheertheanimalsfortheheavyworkbeforethem,she
talkedtothemasiftheywerehumanbeings,encouragingthemsomuchthat
theytookthefirsttenmilesatatremendousrate,followingsocloseonthetrack
ofthefirstsledgethatpresently'DukeRadfordhelduphishandasasignalfor
stopping,thenturnedroundtoexpostulateinapeevishtone:"Whatdoyoumean
bylettingthedogswearthemselvesoutatsucharate?Weshallhaveoneof
themdroppingexhaustedpresently,andthenweshallbeinanicefix."
"Ihaven'tusedthewhiponce,Father,butIthoughtitwasbettertogetthemon
asfastasIcould,forIhavefeltandseeneversomanysnowflakesinthelast
half-hour,"Katherinesaidpenitently.
'DukeRadfordturnedhisfaceratheranxiouslywindward,andwasconsiderably
worriedtofindthatafewsmallsnowflakescamedancingslowlydown,andthat
theslightdraughtofthemorningwaschangingtoaraw,coldwindfromoffthe
water.
"Itisafallcoming,andbythelookofit,itmaybeheavy.Youhadbetterkeep
thedogscomingasfastasyoucan.ButstopifIthrowupmyhand,oryouwill
berunningmedown."

"Shallwechangeplacesforatime?"askedKatherine."Iamnotabittired,but
youlookjustwornout."
"No,no,Ican'thaveyoudraggingasledge.Butbecarefulandkeepthedogs
fromrushingdowntheslopesandoverrunningme,"heanswered,thenstarted
forwardagain.
Theflakeswerefallingfasternow,buttheyweresofinethattheywouldhave
scarcelycountedhaditnotbeenforthenumberofthem.Attheendofthenext
half-hourthefallwaslikeafogofwhirlingatoms,andthetravellerslookedlike
movingsnowfigures.Thedogswerestillrunningwell,andKatherinefoundit
hardworktokeepthemback,especiallyontheslopes,wheretheywouldpersist
intryingtomakerushes,sogettingthoroughlyoutofhand.Shewaskeeping
thembackdownonelongbadslopewhichaboundedinpitfalls,whentoher


horrorsheheardherfathercryout,thensawhimandhissledgedisappear,
shootingintoawhirlingsmotherofsnow.
[Illustration:'DukeRadfordmeetswithanaccident]
Withasharpordertothedogstostop,whichtheypromptlyobeyedbydropping
infourpantingheapsonthesnow,shewentforwardalonetoseewhathad
happenedtoherfather.Itwasasimpleenoughaccident,andonethathadtobe
constantlyguardedagainstindrawingasledgewhentravellingonsnowshoes.In
goingdowntheslopethesledgehadtravelledproportionallyfasterthantheman,
and,catchingagainsttheframeworkofoneofthesnowshoes,hadflunghim
withtremendousforcebetweentwotrees.Thetrees,whichwerereallytwo
shootsfromoneroot,grewsoclosetogetherthatwhen'DukeRadfordwas
pitchedinbetweenthemhewaswedgedfastbytheforceoftheimpact,while
thesledge,comingonbehind,boundedontohisprostratebody.Hegroaned
whenKatherinedraggedthesledgeaway,andcriedoutwiththepainwhenshe
triedtohelphimout.
"Didithurtyousobadly?Oh,Iamsorry!ButIwillbemorecarefulnexttime,"

shesaid;and,steppingcarefullybackwardsafterthatfirstvainattempt,she
slippedherfeetclearofthesnowshoesandwentclosertothetree,sothatshe
mighttrytolifthimoutoftheforkbysheerstrengthofarm.Butthesnowwas
sosoftthatshesankinoverherankles,goingdeeperanddeeperwithevery
attemptwhichshemadetowriggleherselffree.
"Thiswon'tdo,"shesaidsharply."Iwon'tbelong,Fatherdear,butImustpack
thesnowabitbeforeIcangetfirmstandingground."
Slippingherfather'ssnowshoes,oneofwhichwasbroken,fromhisfeet,she
tookthebrokenpartandproceededtobeatthesnowfirmallroundthetrees.
Thistookperhapstenminutes,althoughsheworkedsohardthatsheperspired
despitethecold.Thesnowwasfirmnow;shecouldstandwithoutsinking,and
goingroundinfrontofherfathersheexertedallherstrengthandliftedhimupa
little.Hewasbleedingfromawoundonhisface,andseemedtobequitedazed.
"Canyouhelpyourselfatall?"sheaskedurgently,knowingthatitwasquite
impossibleforherunaidedstrengthtogethimclearofthefork.Buthisonly
replywasagroan,andKatherinebegantogrowfrightened.Itwasquite
impossibletoleavehimwhileshewenttosummonaid,andequallyimpossible


togethelpwithoutgoingforit.Meanwhilethecoldwassointensethatevery
momentofwaitingbecamearisk.Eventhedogswerewhiningandrestless,
impatienttogetoffagainforthelaststageoftheirjourney.
"Father,youmusthelpyourself,"thegirlcrieddespairingly."Ican'tpossiblyget
yououtofthetreealone,andyouwilljustfreezetodeathifyouarenotquick."
Theurgencyofhertoneseemedtorousehimalittle,and,seeingthathe
appearedtobecomingtohimselfagain,sherubbedhisfacebrisklywithsnow,
whichquickenedhisfaculties,andincidentallymadethewoundonhischeek
smarthorribly;butthatwasaminormatter,thechiefthingbeingtomakehim
bestirhimself.Thenbyagreateffortsheliftedhimupagain,andthistimeheput
outhishandandclutchedatthetrunkofthetree,andsokepthimselffrom

slippingbackintothefork,whilesheranroundandpulledhimclearofthetrees,
makinghimleanuponherwhilstshedebatedonhernextmove.
"Idon'tknowhowweshallgethome;Ican'twalk,"hesaidfeebly.
"Ofcourseyoucan't;thatisentirelyoutofthequestion,"shesaidbriskly."I
mustunloadthetwosledges,andcachethethingsclosetothistree,underyour
sledge;thenthedogscandrawyouhome.Thereisnotmuchoverthreemilesto
bedone,soweshallnotbelong."
Shemadehimsitonthesnowwhileshesetaboutherpreparations,forhe
seemedtooweaktostandalone.Mostofthegoodsweretakenfromthedog
sledgeandpiledinaheapatthefootoftheforkedtrees.Theothersledgewas
broughtalongsideandunloadedalso,thenKatherinedraggedthehandsledgeon
tothetopofthepackages,withtherunnersstickingupwards,sothatacurious
wolfmightthinkitwasatrapofafreshshape,andavoiditaccordingly.Allthis
tooktime,however,andwhenshehadgotherfatherpackedintothesledgein
readinessforastartitwasalmostdark,whilethesnowwascomingdownthicker
thanever.Thebrown-and-whitedogwashowlingdismallyagain,whilethe
blackonewhichhadacroppedearseemeddisposedtofollowsuit.
Itwasofnousetryingtoguidethedogsnow,and,fallingintotherear,
Katherineshoutedtothemtogoforward,andleftittotheirinstincttofindthe
wayhome.Shehadtokeepshoutingandsingingtothemthewholeoftheway.
Iffromverywearinesshervoicesanktosilence,theydroppedintoaslowwalk;
butwhenitrangoutagaininacheeryshout,theyplungedforwardatagreat


pace,whichwasmaintainedonlysolongasshecontinuedshouting.Butatlast,
afterwhatseemedaninterminabletime,sheheardthenoiseofthewatercoming
overRoaringWaterPortage;thedogsheardittoo,andtheneedforshouting
ceased,fortheyknewtheywerealmostattheendofthejourney.

CHAPTERIII
OutwittingtheEnemy
AmonghisneighboursatSealCove,'DukeRadfordcountedonevery
pronouncedenemy,andthatwasOilyDave,masterofoneofthesealingboats,
andkeeperoftheonlywhiskysaloonwithintwentyorthirtymilesofRoaring
WaterPortage.Thecauseoftheenmitywasnownearlytwoyearsold,butlikea
goodmanyotherthingsithadgainedstrengthwithage.OilyDavehadbeen
supplyingtheredmanwithliquor,andthisindefianceofthelawwhichforbade
suchsales;'DukeRadfordreportedhim,andOilyDavewasmulctedinafineso
heavythatitconsumedalltheprofitsfromhisIndiantraffic,andagoodmany
otherandmorelegitimateprofitsalso.SincethenOilyDavehadhatedthe
storekeeperwithazestandenergywhichbadefairtobecometherulingpassion
ofhislife;butexceptforafewminordisagreeables,thatcouldhardlybesaidto
count,hisillwillhadthusfarnotgonebeyondsneerandinvective.
Katherinewasalwaysafraidofhim,andofwhathemightdotoherfatherifhe
hadthechance;forhisnaturewassmallandmean,sosmallandsomeanthat,
thoughhemightnotriskareprisalwhichwouldbringhimwithinthereachof
thelaw,hewouldnothesitateatanysmall,meanactofspitewhichmightinjure
hisvictim,yetwouldnotreflectonhimself.Sinceknowingofherfather's
trouble,shehadbeenmoreafraidofOilyDavethanever,fortherewasasinister
lookabouttheman,andshefearedsheknewnotwhat.
Whenthedogs,withtheirmasterinthesledge,andKatherinefollowingclose
behind,dasheduptothedoorofthestorethatevening,OilyDavewasthefirst
persontostepforwardtolendahelpinghandingetting'DukeRadfordhoused
andhishurtsexamined.Thereweresixorsevenmenloafingaboutthestorethat
evening,andtheyallhelped;soKatherine,whenshehadkickedoffher
snowshoes,wasabletodartindoorstowarnMrs.Burtonaboutwhathad
happened.

"Heoughttobeputtobedatonce,Nellie.Nightschoolmustgoforto-night,and
ifhehastokeephisbedto-morrow,why,Imustteachinhere,oreveninthe
store,"shesaidhurriedly,decidingeverythingonthespotaswasherwont,
becauseMrs.Burtonalwaysfounditsodifficulttomakeuphermindonany
subject.
"Doyouthinkthatwouldbebest,orshallwegivehimourbedroom?—though
thatwouldbefrightfullyinconvenient,andIshouldbesoworriedtobeobliged
toputthechildrentobedinthatotherroomatnight,sofarawayfromus,after
thestoreisclosed,"sighedMrs.Burton,whostoodstillinthemiddleofthe
room,claspingandunclaspingherhandsinnervousdistress,whileKatherine
draggedoffherencumberingwraps,tossingtheminaheaponthefloor.
"Comeandhelpmetomakethebed,Nellie,"shesaid,turningawayandleaving
Mrs.Burton'splaintivequestionsunanswered.
Theeldersisteratoncedidastheyoungerrequested,sighingalittleasshewent,
yetrelievedallthesamebecausethematterhadbeensettledforher.Bythistime
someofthemenhadbrought'DukeRadfordintothestore,and,sittinghimon
thebenchbythestove,werepeelingoffhisouterwraps.Someoftheothershad
unharnessedthedogs,whilePhilcarriedouttheirsupper.Miles,meanwhile,was
lookingsharplyafterthestore;for,althoughtheseneighboursweresokindand
helpful,someofthemwerenottobetrustedfartherthantheycouldbeseen,and
wouldhavehelpedthemselvestosugar,beans,tobacco,oranythingelsewhich
tooktheirfancyiftheopportunityhadbeengiventhemfordoingso.
Whilsttwoofthementook'DukeRadford'sclothesoff,andgothimsafelyinto
bed,anothermanapproachedMilesandaskedforaparticularkindoftobacco.
Theboysoughtforitintheplacewhereitwasusuallykept,but,failingtofind
it,turnedtoKatherine,whostoodinimpatientmiserybythestove,waitingtogo
toherfatherwhenthemenhaddonewithhim.
"Katherine,whereistheBlackCrowtobaccokeptnow?Italwaysusedtobeon
theshelfbelowtheteapackets."
"Weareoutofit,"shereplied."Butweshallhaveplentyto-morrow.Ihadto

cachemostofthestoreswewerebringing;buttheyaresafeenough,forIturned
thelittlesledgeupsidedownonthetopofthem,soIguessneitherwolfnor
wolverinewillbeabletogetatthemtotearthepacketstopieces."


"Youwon'tbeabletogetthemeither,forwithallthissnowyouwillneverbe
abletofindthem,"saidthemaninadisappointedtone,forhewasagreat
smokerwhocaredforonlyonesortoftobacco.
"Oh!makeyourmindquiteeasyonthatscore,"repliedKatherine."Ihung
Father'sbrokensnowshoeinabranchofthetree,tomarktheplace,andIshall
gooverquiteearlyto-morrowtobringthegoodshome."
Directlyshehadspokensherepentedherwords;forshesaw,withoutappearing
tosee,alookfullofmeaningwhichpassedbetweenOilyDaveandthecustomer
whohadbeendisappointed.Itwasonlyaglance,andmightstandfornothing,
butshehadseenitandwasangrywithherselffortheindiscretionwhichhad
madeherutterwordswhichhadbetternothavebeenspoken.Themencameout
ofthebedroomthen,sosheandNelliewereabletogoin.
'DukeRadfordwasconsiderablybattered.Hehadabrokencollarbone;one
shoulderwasbruisedsobadlythatitlookedasifithadbeenbeatenwitha
hammer;andonesideofhisfacehadadeepfleshwound.Mrs.Burtonwasa
capitalnurse:sheandKatherinebetweenthemsoonhadthesuffereras
comfortableasitwaspossibletomakehim;thentheyfedhimwithstronghot
broth,afterwhichMrs.BurtonrememberedthatKatherinehadhadnosupper,
andhustledherofftotheotherroominsearchoffood.Katherinenoticedasshe
wentbackthroughthestorethatOilyDavehadgone,alsothemanwhohad
wantedtobuytheBlackCrowtobacco.
"Miles,canyouleavePhiltolookafterthings,andcomewithmeforfive
minutes?"shesaid,withathrillofanxietyinhertone.Shewasfaintandspent
withhungerandfatigue,theprospectbeforeherseemedtoodreadfultobefaced,
yetdeepdowninherheartwasthesterndeterminationnottobeoutwittedifshe

couldhelpit.Butshemustfirstofallgetridofthisstupidtrembling,which
madeherfeelasifherlimbswerenotstrongenoughtobeartheweightofher
body;sosittingdownatthetableshepreparedtogetagoodsquaremealasthe
firststeptowardsthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofwhatwastocomeafter.
Mileswasaminutelaterincoming,becausehehadbeenattendingtoa
customer."Whatisthematter;isFatherverybad?"heasked,withaquaverof
fearinhistone.Accidents,orsicknessofanykind,alwaysseemedsomuch
worseinwinter,andthendeathanddisasterhadalreadyworkedhavocinthe
family.


"PoorFatherisbadenough,butIdaresayhewilldoverywellwithcare,and
Nellieisafamousoneforlookingaftersickfolks,"Katherineanswered,as
cheerfullyasshecould,quicktounderstandwhatwasinthemindofMiles,and
feelinggenuinelysorryforhim.Thenshesaidbriskly:"ButIhavegoneand
doneafearfullystupidthingto-night,andIwanttoknowifyoufeelbrave
enoughtohelpmeoutofaverybigmuddle?"
Milesbristledupinanoffendedfashion."IsupposeI'vegotasmuchpluckas
mostpeople;anyhowI'mnotquiteacoward."
"Ofcourseyouarenot,orIshouldnothavedreamedofaskingyoutohelpme
to-night,"Katherinesaid,withanervouslaugh;theninajerkytoneshewenton:
"Iwantyoutogetthestoreshutupassoonaspossible,then,directlythepeople
haveclearedoff,wehavegottogoandbringthosestoreshomethatIhadto
cache."
"Butwecan'tgoatnight,andinasnowstorm!"expostulatedMiles;buthiseyes
glowedandhisnostrilsdilated,asiftheverythoughtofsuchanexpeditionsent
thrillsofdelightallthroughhim.
"Itisnotsnowingsobadlynow,andluckilythemoonwillhelpus.Moreover,if
wedon'tgotonightitwillnotbeofmuchusetogoatall;forifwewaituntilthe
morningIfancyweshallfindthatmostofthestoreshavedisappeared,

especiallytheBlackCrowtobacco,"Katherinereplied,thentoldhimofthelook
shehadseenpassbetweenthemanwhowantedthetobaccoandOilyDave,after
shehadbeensofoolishlyfrankinexplainingwherethestoresweretobefound.
"I'llgoandshutupsharp,thenwe'llstartassoonaspossible,"Milessaid,witha
jumpofirrepressiblejoyfulness,fornothingappealedtohimlikeadventure.
"Don'tletanyoneevenguesswhatwearegoingtodo!"criedKatherine,whofelt
thatenoughindiscretionhadbeencommittedthatnighttolastthemforalong
timetocome.
"Trustmeforthat!"repliedMiles."Ishallpullafaceaslongasafiddle,and
yawnmyheadhalfoffwhileI'mclearingup.Oh,itwillberichtoout-witthat
preciouspair!IhadbeenwonderingwhySteeJenkinshouldgooffsoquietand
earlywithOilyDave,butIshouldneverhaveguessedatthereason.Ishallbe
throughwiththeshutting-upinabouttwentyminutes,andI'vehadmysupper,so
therewon'tbeanythingtowaitfor."


Katherinefeltbetterwhenshehadeatenhersupper;thethoughtofwhatwas
beforeherwaslessofanordeal,andshewasmorethaneverdeterminedthat
OilyDaveandtheothermanmustbeoutwitted,costwhatitmight.Therewasto
benonightschoolthatnight,so,directlythedoorofthestorewasshutand
barred,MilesandKatherinewereabletosetout.Thetwinswereinbed,andfast
asleep.Mrs.Burtonwasstillbusyinherfather'sroom,sotherewasonlyPhilto
lookafterthings.
"TellNelliewhenshecomesoutofFather'sroomthatMilesandIhavegotsome
worktodooutsidewhichmaytakeusanhourormore,"Katherinesaidtoher
youngestbrother."Meanwhileyoumustjustmakeyourselfasusefulaspossible
—clearawaysupper,washthecupsandplates,takecareofthefire,andlook
afterthingsgenerally.Youwillhaveaschoolholidayto-morrow,sonolessons
needbelearnedto-night.WeshallhavetodothestoreworkwhileFatherisill,
soyouandMileswillhavetobesatisfiedwithnightschoolwiththemeninstead

ofhavinglessonsintheday."
"Hooray!"chirrupedPhil,whohadnoloveoflearning,butalwaysyearnedfor
action.Thenheaskedanxiously:"Couldn'tyoustayinandlookafterthingstonight,whileIgoandhelpMileswiththeoutsidework?"
Katherinelaughedandshookherhead."No,no,theoutsideworkwouldbetoo
heavyforyouto-night;youmightevengetyournosefrozen.Butyoumuststay
upuntilwecomeback,becauseNelliemayneedyoutohelpher."
"I'llstay,"repliedtheboy,buthemanifestedsomuchcuriosityaboutthenature
oftheoutsideworkthathadtobedonethatKatherinehadfinallytocommand
himtostayinsidethehouse.
NeithershenorMileswishedanyonetoknowwhattheyweregoingtodo:there
weresomanyreasonsforkeepingtheirerrandsecret.Mrs.Burtonwouldhave
weptandwailedatthemerethoughtofsuchajourneyatnight,whilePhil
simplycouldnotkeepasecret.
Thedogsweretiredandsleepy,veryunwillingtobeturnedoutandharnessed
again,butdirectlytheywerefairlyoutoftheirshedthecoldseemedtorouse
them,andtheysetoffatagreatpace.KatherineandMileswereridinginthe
emptysledgenow,withtheirsnowshoestuckedinbesidethem.Thesnow-storm
hadspentitself;themoonshoneoutofacloudlesssky,whilemyriadsofstars