The Wilderness Castaways Part 27

"'Tis wonderful kind of you," said Dan.

"Don't waste your words thanking me," cautioned Amesbury. "Wait till I get you out in the bush. I'll get my money's worth out of you chaps."

"'See-saw, Margery Daw, Johnnie shall have a new master; He shall have but a penny a day, Because he can't work any faster.'"

He stretched his long arms, yawned, untangled his ungainly legs from the knot into which he had twisted them, and rose to his feet, remarking:

"Do you see where the sun is, fellows? It's time to be going. You can lash these traps of yours on the top of my flat sled. Ahmik and I left our flat sleds just below here."

"My criky!" exclaimed Paul. "The sun's setting. I didn't realize it was so late."

In accordance with Amesbury's suggestion all of their things, save their guns, were lashed on one of the long, narrow toboggans upon which he and Ahmik hauled their provisions and camp outfit, and the four turned toward the post, in single file, Paul and Dan highly elated with the prospect of presently turning homeward.

CHAPTER XVI

RELEASED FROM BONDAGE

Tammas, Samuel, and Amos, who had spent the day caribou hunting, but had killed nothing, were gathered around the stove engaged in a heated argument as to whether a caribou would or would not charge a man when at close quarters, when Paul and Dan entered with the visitors.

"Weel! Weel!" exclaimed Tammas, rising. "If 'tis no Charley Amesbury and John Buck wi' the laddies!"

Amesbury and Ahmik were old visitors at the post. Every one knew them and gave them a most hearty welcome. Even Chuck, who was mixing biscuit for supper, wiped his dough-debaubed right hand upon his trousers, that he might offer it to the visitors, and Jerry, who lived with his family in a little nearby cabin, and had seen them pa.s.s, came over to greet them.

Amesbury warned the lads to say nothing of their plan to the post folk. "I'll break the news gently to Davy MacTavish when the time is ripe for it," said he. "You fellows keep right at your work as though you were to stay here forever." And therefore no mention was made of the arrangement to Tammas and the others.

During the days that followed Amesbury and Ahmik made some purchases at the post shop, including the provisions necessary for the return journey to their trapping grounds. They had no debt here, and therefore bartered pelts to pay for their purchases. Their trading completed, Amesbury produced two particularly fine marten skins, and laid them upon the counter. "I've got everything I need," said he, "but I don't want to carry these back with me. How much'll you give?"

"Trade or cash?" asked MacTavish, examining them critically.

"Trade. Give me credit for 'em. I may want something more before I go."

"Ten dollars each."

"Not this time. They're prime, and they're worth forty dollars apiece in Winnipeg."

"This isn't Winnipeg."

"Give them back. They're light to pack, and I guess I'll take them to Winnipeg."

But MacTavish was gloating over them. They were glossy black, remarkably well furred, the flesh side clean and white.

"They are pretty fair martens," he said finally, as though weighing the matter. "I may do a little better; say fifteen dollars."

"I'll take them to Winnipeg."

"You can't get Winnipeg prices here."

"No, but I don't have to sell them here. I thought if you'd give me half what they're worth I'd let you have them. You can keep them for twenty dollars each. Not a cent less."

"Can't do it, but I'll say as a special favor to you eighteen dollars."

"Hand them back. I'm not an Indian."

"You know I'd not give an Indian over five dollars."

"I know that, but I don't ask for a debt. You see I'm pretty free to do as I please. Hand 'em back."

But the pelts were too good for MacTavish to let pa.s.s him, and after a show of hesitancy he placed them upon the shelf behind him and said reluctantly:

"They're not worth it, but I'll allow you twenty dollars each for them. But it's a very special favor."

"Needn't if you don't want them. I wouldn't bankrupt the company for the world."

"I'll take them."

The bargain concluded, Amesbury strolled away, humming:

"'A diller, a dollar, A ten o'clock scholar, What makes you come so soon?

You used to come at ten o'clock, But now you come at noon,'"

and MacTavish glared after him.

It was a busy week at the post. Day after day picturesque Indians came in, hauling long, narrow toboggans, pitching their tepees near by, and crowding the shop during daylight hours bartering away their early catch of pelts for necessary and unnecessary things.

Paul and Dan kept steadily at their tasks. Amesbury made no further reference to the arrangement he had made with them until New Year's eve, when he strolled over to the woodpile toward sundown, where they were hard at work, humming, as he watched them make the last cut in a stick of wood:

"'If I'd as much money as I could spend, I never would cry 'old chairs to mend, Old chairs to mend, old chairs to mend;'

I never would cry 'old chairs to mend.'"

When they laid down the saw to place another stick on the buck, he said:

"Never mind that. You chaps come along with me, and we'll pay our respects to Mr. MacTavish."

"Oh, have you told him we were going? I was almost afraid you'd forgotten it!" exclaimed Paul exultantly.

"Never a word. Reserved the entertainment for an audience, and you fellows are to be the audience. Come along; he's in his office now,"

and Amesbury strode toward the office, Paul and Dan expectantly following.

MacTavish glanced up from his desk as they entered, and nodding to Amesbury, who had advanced to the center of the room, noticed Paul and Dan near the door.

"What are you fellows knocking off work at this time of day for? Get back to work, and if you want anything, come around after hours."

"They've knocked off for good," Amesbury answered for them, his eyes reflecting amus.e.m.e.nt. "They're going trapping with me up Indian Lake way. I'm sorry to deprive you of them, but I guess I'll have to."

"What!" roared MacTavish, jumping to his feet. "Are you inducing those boys to desert? What does this nonsense mean?"