The Secret Cache

Sault de Ste. Marie. Very reluctantly his aunt had let him go to be with his father in the western wilderness for a year or two of that rou

been to Montreal to see his son but three times. During each brief stay, his stories of the west had been eagerly listened to by the growing boy. On his father's last visit to civilization, Hugh had begged to be allowed to go back

s before, not to come to the Sault but to go in the opposite direction to his winter trading ground west of the lake. There was no chance for Hugh to follow, even had he known just where his father intended to winter. By another trader going west and by a Northwest Company messenger, the boy sent letters, hoping that in some manner they might reach Jean Beaupré. All winter Hugh had remained at the

n. Hugh remembered seeing him but the three times and receiving but one letter from him. Indeed he was little more than a casual acquaintance whose tales of adventure had kindled a boy's imagination. It was scarcely possible th

t but feel a sense of resentment that there should be such a person. The boy had been brought up to believe that his father had loved his bonny Scotch wife devotedly, and that it was his inconsolable grief at her death that ha

t his whole life in the woods, that was evident. Somewhere he had received an education, had learned to write French readily and in a good hand. Perhaps his father had taught him, thought Hugh, but

ow the rapids. That daring sport had lost its interest for him. At the outskirts of an Indian village, where he was obliged to beat off

curiosity. Hugh was quite willing to answer Baptiste's questions so far as he could without betraying too much. Seated in a sheltered, sunny sp

s me join him at the Kaministikwia. It was my father's last command that I should go there and meet

then?" questioned Bapti

elessness; "some personal belongings, a few pelts perhaps. For some reason he wish

ust not disobey that. To disregard the wishes of the dead

greatly inclined to help me. He wishes me to return to Montreal.

his pipe, then removed it from his mouth.

Bennett take me

o-morrow early I go to Point aux P

imed Hugh. "Whe

on the rocks, but they are finished. Then there is new riggi

t present. He did not know what news might have come in Cadotte's despatches, whether the trader was aware of the elder Beaupré's change of allegiance. At any r

g flood was strenuous work, as Hugh, wielding the bow blade, soon discovered. Signs of spring were everywhere. The snow was gone, and flocks of small, migrating birds were flitting and twittering among the trees and now and then bursting into s

from shore. The repairs had been completed and a fresh coat of white paint was being applied to her hull. Tents and rude cabins on the sandy ground among scrubby jack pines and willows housed the workers, and near by, waiting for the fish cleanings and other refuse to be thrown out, a flock of gulls, gray-winged, w

ing out, one on each side, the moment the canoe touched, lifting it from

small crew, made known Hugh's wish to sail to the Kaministikwia. The shipmaster turned sharply on the lad, demanding to know his pu

of working a ship?"

Lawrence," was the boy's reply. "I

t an Indian. I can put you to work now. If you prove good for anything, I will engage you for the

Mary's to the dock above the rapids where she was to receive her lading. In the meantime, by an Indian boy, Hugh had sent a message to Cadotte informing him that he, Hugh Beaupré, had been accept

Thunder Bay, was expected at the Sault in a few weeks. When the great canoe fleet from Montreal should arrive in June, part of the goods brought would be transferred to the Invincible, while the remainder would be taken on in the canoes. Hugh was heartily gl

with some wheat flour, butter, sugar, tea and other luxuries for the clerks at the Kaministikwia; powder and shot; and articles for the Indian trade, blankets, guns, traps, hatchets, knives,

Cadotte. The latter's kindness and interest in the boy's wel