Part 14 (2/2)

”If I did, I was a fool”

”No,” said Carrie, thoughtfully, ”you are not a fool, but sometimes you're rather dull Now you're half asleep and had better go to bed”

Jim knocked out his pipe and went

A few days afterwards he started for the settleood worko, but they had been with Jim in the North and he needed helpers who to make a bold experiment He needed food, powder, and tools, and it was hard to keep the camp supplied

Pack-horses could not carry es were high Jioods cheaper by canoe, although the plan had drawbacks

He reached the settle on the hotel veranda Burned ar-ends lay about the dirty boards; the s of the uarded by fine wire net The door had been re, slammed noisily when one went in or out

For all that, the hotel was full of dust and flies, and ht The snow hadtrail of smoke floated across the soh the trees and a s caed overalls lounged about the veranda, and the landlord leaned against a post He wore a white shi+rt with gold studs, and his clothes were good

”Now you have got your truck, I reckon you'll pull out,” he remarked

”We start up river at daybreak”

”Then you're surely foolish If you can'tto you next tihters had enjoyed acaation was difficult except when the water reached a certain level, but if Jim's experiment proved that supplies could be taken by canoes transport charges would coes, but I think I can get through,” he said

”I wasn't figuring on the portages,” the landlord rejoined, h proposition to run up against” He indicated athe road ”Somas has his tillicuoes”

In the Chinook jargon, _tillicuht he sahat the other iet articles he needed and had hter with so and powerful and walked with the pack-horse driver's loose stride He had a dark face, cunning black eyes, and very black hair It looked as if Indian blood ran in his veins He calance

”Got your canoes loaded up?” he asked

”Not yet; the truck is ready,” said Jioods in a store

”It's a sure thing you're not going to take your canoes through Say, I don't want to see you lose the grub and tools Drop the fool plan and I'll take off a cent a pound”

”If you had offered that before, we ht you were bluffing; I guess you're crazy now You can't hter shrugged ”Trying's going to cost you so; you'll feel pretty mean when you meet the bill Fools like you make me tired” He beckoned the landlord ”Get on a move; I want a drink”

He went into the hotel and when the door slahtful