Part 29 (1/2)

”Yes” Donald's perplexity at this strange interview increased

”Son of the commissioner, are you?”

”Yes, I ao; but things went differently for us after a while, and I lost track of hih”

”You're a Hudson Bay man, then?” Donald inquired

”Oh,for the Colish River district That's where I caer than you can help, or you'll never get away These fellows are free-traders, you know”

”I gathered as much from that loose-mouthed jay, Baptiste The reason I spoke to you is that I want to find out where I can lay hold of Angus Fitzpatrick, the Fort Severn factor Had a little trouble in ht I'd just shi+ft up here for a while I've lost et busy”

Donald outlined briefly the position of the factor and the reason that took him away from the fort at this time of the year Then an idea, full-clothed, leaped into his mind

”You've seen that pile of furs over there, haven't you?” he asked, indicating the rich haul of the free-traders

”Yes”

”Well, I want you to investigate them on the sly, and learn about how many there are I'e you now asfor this winter I've plenty for you to do

No one knows anything about you here, and I think you can get aithout being stopped

”Drive like the devil to the Hudson Bay camp twenty miles up the lake, and tell old Fitzpatrick the best inventory of furs you can secure before you leave Then, tell hi about these free-traders here Tell hi supplies from a French company within thirty miles of this camp somewhere, and say that, if he wants to put an end to this business to capture that train before it arrives

”These men will starve here in a little while, if they don't lay in a lot of grub, for what they stole the other day can't last very long Now, if the Frenchies get through with their trains first, Fitzpatrick will have a devil of a ti these men They are determined and brainy, at least the leader is, and they have a catch of unusually fine furs--a remarkable catch Tell him, if he wants to break the back of this trouble, to stop that French train Last of all, ask hi Point, and wait there till I come It may be several days but I'll come somehow Tell him, whatever he does, to do this

”Now, Thompson, the factor and I have had a lot of trouble this winter, and the chances are that ill have a lot more, but I want you to tell hies, and that I'”

”Well, Mr McTavish,” said the old uess, and in themay be clear, and, if it is, I doubt if I could explain ht”

”And I'll help you,” said Donald

Byht out Thos, occupied a tent near the ruins of the old warehouse A tiny pack of provisions that had been stolen and saved during the day Thoet a chance to look over those furs? asked McTavish

”Sure; I spent an hour with 'em, and I don't think my estimate will be off more than a hundred skins And, say, they're beauties, too”

”Remember all I told you to tell Fitzpatrick”

”Yes Now, to get down to the lake! This is a northind, and I'll have to fight it every inch of the way What's the landmark by the camp?”

Donald told him, and added:

”Thompson, more depends upon you than you have any idea of Tell the factor to hurry, hurry, _hurry_, if he's going to get that supply train Goodby”

The weather-beaten _voyageur_ gripped the outstretched hand, and led the dogs over the ne to the lake It would be bitter work, for there were drifts and no crust

”Look here, McTavish, why don't you et-away now?” suddenly demanded Thompson