"
"A beard is good to keep off the black flies," replied Jan. "It is
approaching summer, and the black flies love to feast upon me. Let us
go down the trail, Jean. I want to speak with you."
Where there had been wood-cutting in the deep spruce they sat down,
facing each other. Jan spoke in French.
"I have traveled far since leaving Lac Bain," he said. "I went first
to Nelson House, and from here to the Wholdaia. I found them at Nelson
House, but not on the Wholdaia."
"What?" asked Jean, though he knew well what the other meant.
"My brothers, Jean de Gravois," answered Jan, drawing his lips until
his teeth gleamed in a sneering smile. "My brothers, les betes de
charogne!"
"Devil take Croisset for telling you where they were!" muttered Jean
under his breath.
"I saw the two at Nelson House," continued Jan. "One of them is a
half-wit, and the other"--he hunched his shoulders--"is worse.
Petraud, one of the two who were at Wholdaia, was killed by a Cree
father last winter for dishonoring his daughter. The other
disappeared."
Jean was silent, his head leaning forward, his face resting in his
hands.
"So you see, Jean de Gravois, what sort of creature is your friend Jan
Thoreau!"
Jean raised his head until his eyes were on a level with those of his
companion.
Pages:
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177