The Secret Cache

erly his eyes followed the movements of the canoes daringly poised in the stream just below the tossing, foaming, white water. It was the first day of the spring fishing, and more exc

n feet long in his hands, balancing with extraordinary sk

and screamed in anger at the invasion of their fishing ground. Suddenly the fisherman pointed, with a swift movement of his left hand, to the spot where his keen eyes had caught the gleam of a fin. Instantly his companion responded to the signal. With a quick dig a

e water boiling over and around the black rocks. A gleam of bright red among the bushes along the shore caught his eye. The tip o

close enough to be heard above the tumult

adotte sent you for me?" he asked in surpr

come, but a few moments ago," Bap

ood that language well, though he

kwia? He has brough

but yes, I think it may be s

he boy was running along the river path. The French Canadian strode after, the tas

ing, like the others of rough, unbarked logs. Here he knew he should find Monsieur Cadotte, fur tra

he half-breed messenger had brought from the Company's headquarters on the River Kami

gh." He lifted a pack

r?" came the e

but no doubt it will

the cord and removed the wrapper. His first glance at the thin squares of white, papery bark showed him that the writing was not his father's. The letter was in French, in the same muddy brown ink as

him on the rocks. He escaped drowning and came at last to the Grand Portage and Wauswaugoning. But he was sore hurt in the head and the side, and before the setting of the sun his spirit had left his body. While he could yet speak he told me of you, my half-brother, and bade me write to you. He bade me tell you of the furs and of a packet of value hid in a safe place near the wre

alf-b

or Attekonse, L

first bark sheet to read again. He had reached the last page a

news?" the

sing his eyes from the le

ot, I hope, la petite vérole?" His despatches had informed him that the d

On his spring trip down his boat went on the rocks, and

te broke off, then added, "You will wish to return to your relatives. We must arrange to send you

mons and go to recover the furs and the packet that made up the lads' joint inheritance. Kind though Cadotte had been, Hugh dared not te

to his sons, he bade them take the furs to the New Northwest Company, a secession from and rival to the old organization. He must have had some disagreement, an actual quarrel perhaps, with the Old Company. The rivalry between the fur companies was hot and bitter. Hugh was very sure that if Monsieur Cadotte learned of the hidden pelts, he would inform his superior

Cadotte," Hugh said at last. "This letter is f

fe, and supposed that Hugh had known it also. Part Indian himself, Cadotte could never have unders

Kaministikwia and meet Blaise there. He wished me to-to make my brother's acquain

ect that Hugh was not telling the truth. Cadotte shrugged his shoulders. "It may be difficu

bey his last command. Can't I go in the Otter? I still have some of the money my

rnestness and distress had convinced him that Hugh had some more urgent reason than a mere