Part 8 (2/2)

”Bob Smart,” said Redding earnestly.

”Yes,” said Bob.

”D'you know it strikes me that I ought to go down to the wreck to see how the McLeods are getting on.”

”O ah! well, to change the subject, d'you know Mr Redding, that same idea struck me some days ago, for Jonas Bellew has left them to look after his own affairs, and the Indians were to go north on the 13th, so the McLeods must have been living for some time on salt provisions, unless they have used their guns with better success than has been reported of them. If you remember, I have mentioned it to you more than once, but you seemed to avoid the subject.”

”Well, perhaps I did, and perhaps I had my reasons for it. However, I am going down now, immediately after dressing the poor fellows' sores.

Will you therefore be good enough to get the small boat ready, with some fresh meat, and tell Le Rue and Michel to be prepared to start in an hour or so.”

The day after the above conversation McLeod senior walked down to the wreck accompanied by Flora. Kenneth had been left in charge of the invalid, whose system had received such a shock that his recovery was extremely slow, and it had been deemed advisable not only to avoid, but to forbid all reference to the wreck. Indeed Roderick himself seemed to have no desire to speak about it, and although he had roused himself on the arrival of his relations, he had hitherto lain in such a weak semi-lethargic state that it was feared his head must have received severer injury than was at first supposed. On the morning of the day in question an Indian had arrived with a letter from Mr Gambart of Partridge Bay, which had not tended to soothe the luckless father.

”It seems very unfortunate,” said Flora, in a sympathetic tone.

”_Seems_ unfortunate?” exclaimed McLeod, with some asperity, ”it _is_ unfortunate. Why, what could be more so? Just think of it, Flo! Here am I without a penny of ready cash in the world, and although Gambart knows this as well as I do myself, he writes me, first, that he has sold Loch Dhu to that fellow Redding, and now that he has bought Barker's Mill for me without my sanction!”

”But you gave him leave to sell Loch Dhu,” suggested Flora.

”Oh, yes, yes, of course, and I told him to let it go at a low sum, for I needed cash very much at the beginning of this venture at Jenkins Creek. But I find that our expenses are so small that I could afford to hold on for some time on the funds I have. To be sure Gambart could not know that, but--but--why did the fellow go and buy that mill for me?

It's being a great bargain and a splendid property, just now are no excuse, for he knew my poverty, and also knew that I shall feel bound in honour to take it off his hands when I manage to sc.r.a.pe the sum together, because of course it was done in a friendly way to oblige me.

No doubt he will say that there's no hurry about repayment, and that he won't take interest, and so forth, but he had no business to buy it at all!”

Flora made no reply to this, for she saw that her father was waxing wroth under his misfortunes.

Her silence tended rather to increase his wrath, for he was dissatisfied with himself more than with others, and would have been glad even of contradiction, in order that he might relieve his feelings by disputation.

While this state of mind was strong upon him they reached a turn in the path that brought the wreck into view, and revealed the fact that a boat lay on the beach, from which three men had just landed. Two of these remained by the boat, while the third advanced towards the woods.

Flora's hand tightened on her father's arm.

”Surely that is Mr Redding,” she said.

The frown which had clouded McLeod's brow instantly deepened. ”Go,” he said, ”walk slowly back towards the hut. I will overtake you in a few minutes.”

Flora hesitated. ”Won't you let me stay, father?”

”No, my dear, I wish to talk privately with Redding--go.”

He patted her kindly on the head, and she left him with evident reluctance.

”Good-morning, Mr McLeod,” said Redding, as he approached.

”Good-morning,” replied the other stiffly, without extending his hand.

Redding flushed, but restrained himself, and continued in a calm matter-of-course tone:

”Thinking it probable that you might be in want of fresh provisions, I have run down with a small supply, which is at your service.”

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