Part 7 (2/2)
What'sour own trail back to the cah,” Alf assented ”But suppose we coested? I've heard that they're not the best of friends to white people in out-of-the-way places”
Arnold nodded in agreement
”I dare say that's true But, at the sae bits of ornamental stuff stuck round the facts
We'll have to take our chance of falling in with friends or foes”
”Right-away If you're ready, I' if 'Rule Britannia' leads Britons into athus deteran to creep cautiously through the bush towards the locality fro repeated with all the diligence of sohly
The night was now quite dark, but presently the chu of a ca every care not to betray their presence by any careless footstep, they twined a path with all the success that a professional tracker would have ad aexplorers found thee of the encampment, and the picture that they then discovered was one that was surely calculated to drive away all ue, for the ti, in front of a antic size whose black hair stood up frohosts, and whose equally black beard streamed down his breast like a cataract of ink He was dressed in a blue shi+rt, corduroy trousers protected with cowboy ”shaps,” and heavy top-boots In his hands was an accordion, at his side sat a collie dog, while in front of hi with his hands behind his back in the attitude of a schoolboy repeating a lesson--was a tousle-headed half-breed, who tones--
”Noo then, ain
It's no' bad as an eeht; but it's no' just what I call 'ceevilised'; no' just quite that--yet”
Then the accordion sounded a disestive of an attack of asthma, the half-breed reattacked the ”ne-vaire, ne-vaire, ne-vaire” in a y what it lacked in -draail to the concert
”That's a wee bit better,” was the player's verdict at the finish ”I' we'll is”
Then the speaker turned to the dog ”As for you, Bannock, you're a bit oot o' tune at tiood to be aye trying to do our best----”
”Hear! hear!” shouted Bob, whose interested amusement had quite banished his caution
The effect of the boy's applause was electric The two un that was leaning against a tree near by; one hand of the bearded round as his right picked up a handy rifle; while Bannock, the dog, crouched doith bristling hair and deep growling
”Come oot and show yourself, whoever ye be!” coht, with rifle in readiness and eyes staring towards that part of the bush where the chums stood ”Come forward this instant, or I'll bore as s in a pound!”
In obedience to the gentle invitation, and not in the least nervous, now that they kneho the musicians were, the boys immediately made their appearance
”There's no need to be afraid----” began Holden reassuringly, when he was interrupted by a huge guffaw of derision
”Afraid! And what for shall Skipper Mackintosh be afraid? Unless it's mosquitoes, there's no man or beast in Canada that'll turn a hair on his hide” Then, seeing the lads as they approached into the firelight, the ed his tone of address as he also altered the threatening pose of his rifle ”What! A pair o' laddies?” he exclaimed in astonishment, and Bob replied--
”Neither of whom is particularly anxious to be riddled with a pound's worth of farthing bullets!”
But the words had barely passed the boy's lips before the rifle had been dropped to the ground and the rab a hand of each boy in his great fists
”Faix! but this is a fine sight for sore eyes!” he exclaiorously pumped the ar a trader's, and that er dirty to call it 'white') this twelveuess we're jolly glad to see you,” returned Alf ”It's a treat, but--speaking for ain It'll be jelly in a few hed Bob, who could not help wincing at the vigorous form of the welcome