The Fur Bringers A Story of the Canadian Northwest

m Job. The sun was just up, and it was therefore no more

t out of his blankets and, swallowing his yawns

his thin, graceful waist and thighs approvingly. He rejoiced in an animal built for speed and endur

, me," he said,

it. "I'm Ambrose

ys say Ambrose Doane, the free-trader, is camp' down the river. So I

" said Ambrose

ck before they get up at the fort. If old man Gaviller know I come t

an established ritual of politeness

ed gravely. Ambrose se

ell," h

tner, he

Minot i

d trade at

ten is pl

oo. Not much mart

well?" asked A

said Tole. "My four

ad," sai

le Ambrose waited for his guest to declare

ad at us. We don't get along. I say I fink I go east to Lake Miwasa. There is free trade there. Maybe I g

said A

anxiety under a careless air. "Is t

liked and trusted hi

room for

le calmly. "I g

tuation at Fort Enterprise. "What do you mean by

ed his pipe and got it going wel

ys, he spik French, he spik the Cree. We are Cree half-breed. My fat'er's fat'er, my mot'er's fat'e

ad man. When there is trouble all come to our house to ta

oor. Every year they are more poor as last year. The people say: 'Bam-by old man

our side. We got get white man who knows all outside ways. He bring an outfi

fur if you dead. He will keep you goin' poor. Be patient,' my fat'er say. 'This is rich

man Gaviller hear about the meetings at our house. He hear everyt'

relations, my friends. My door is open to all.' Then old man Gavill

" interrup

he said slowly. "Too moch prices. Gaviller say for good men and good hunters he tak' part of price away.

to Ambrose. "Hm!" he commented grimly. "T

le not listen to him no more. They are mad. This year there will be trouble about the

t his own price, and sells you back the

ago when I was little boy, Gaviller come to my fat'er. He say: 'You ha

bring them in for you.' Gaviller say: 'I pay you two-fifty bushel for wh

, some day there is no more fur. But always there is mouths for bread.

s are made and signed. The ot'er men with good l

ines is brought in.

Bam-by Gaviller pu

he only pay two dollar

eventy-five. Now he sa

ey say they not cut the grain this year. Gaviller say it is his g

d of slavery!"

viller build a fine big steamboat. He say: 'Now, boys, you can go outside when you w

man to go to the Crossing. And fifty cents fo

a big book from outside. In that book there is all things to buy and pictures to s

talogue," sugg

e first time, some of his imperturbable air. "Wa! Wa! All is so cheap inside that bo

. All the people want to send money for t'ings. Gaviller say no. Gaviller say steamboat only car

ed to be a free cou

eese Gagnon. He is the mos' mad. He say he don' care. He send the

teen dollars. Jean Bateese say: 'Tak' it back again. I won't pay.' G

se listened with ever mounting indignation. There could

red that a competitor should profit by such unfair means. With a list of grievances

ongly drawn to the young fellow. He was reminded that he had no friend of his own age

e to Tole. Job was pleased because Tole ignored him. Uni

business after a while. They discussed sport. Tole lost

real object of his visit transpire. "My father say

ill," sai

t the elasticity of his paddle on the stones.

ore across the river and trade with

knew the idea was already in Peter's mind. What if he, Amb

"There is much to be considere

ed and pu