other," he managed at one time to mention to his chum, just before they
got word from Red Lowden that everything was ready for the start; "but
shucks! that same could hardly be possible, since he on'y bobbed up
hereabouts sixteen moons back, Red tells me; and I'd been out o' this
country a few moons 'fore that. Kinder guess I must be pokin' in the
wrong prairie-dog hole, an' it's jest a case o' mistaken identity, as
some calls it when you're follerin' the false trail. Let it go at that,
partner; an' here comes Red to tell us we gotter to jump-off."
Jack had made all arrangements for his ship to be taken care of during
his absence; whether it was for three days, a week, or even much longer
the commandant assured him nothing should happen to endanger the
amphibian; which would lie there tied up alongside the river bank, with
some one keeping a jealous eye on the same day and night.
So they shook hands with Colonel Ascot, who wished them all success in
the undertaking they had planned out.
"Please God you may live to come back here later on, my friends," he
said, with a warmth Perk had never seen him exhibit before; "and that
success will attend you in this undertaking. Depend upon it the posse
will follow after you as soon as it is practicable; and Red there will
show you how we leave a clue along the road as we go, for those coming
in the rear to follow--that will be after you quit Frazer's, and start
in on the real tough part of the trip."
Which assurance afforded Jack more or less satisfaction, for he somehow
had an idea they might find the bunch of desperadoes a bit too tough to
be successfully handled by such a small force; and be compelled to fall
back until joined by the re-inforcements.
They mounted, and were off at a gallop, sometimes times in single file,
and again doubling up when the trail widened in places.
Red took the advance, since he was so thoroughly acquainted with every
rod of the trail that led to the fur-trading post. Then followed Jack,
with Perk at his heels, and the doctor bringing up the rear.
Whenever they struck a section where the trail broadened out Perk never
lost an opportunity to ride alongside his chum; and of course always had
a few of his interminable questions to ask; just as though to him Jack
represented an encyclopedia that could supply all his numerous wants, if
only properly "tapped"--Perk being from Maine, must have many times made
maple sugar in the bush; and tapping trees for the sap evidently had
brought him to ply the same methods when in need of information.
Perk had of course taken his faithful hand machine gun, being under the
impression that it would come in handy when the time for action arrived.
So, too, had Jack fastened his fine repeating sporting rifle to his
saddle--it was just such a handsome weapon as he had always longed to
own for hunting purposes, and hence he took advantage of his assumed
personality to make the purchase--especially since generous Uncle Sam
would stand back of the extravagance, since one could hardly expect to
pose successfully in the guise of an ambitious big game hunter unless he
possessed such a necessary Winchester.
After all the packages containing "grub" had been affixed to the saddles
of the party, Perk had come climbing out of the cabin of the ship
carrying what appeared to be a mysterious black leather hand-grip--just
what it contained he did not attempt to explain even to his old-time pal
Red. As Jack however glimpsed the strange object he seemed to smile
comprehendingly, as if he might commend his comrade for going prepared
for great emergencies--of this matter more may be said later on, when
events begin to thicken, and the air becomes saturated with exciting
happenings.
Although making good time Red was too old a campaigner to force things,
especially at such an early stage of the journey. To be sure they stood
to reach Frazer's some hours after daylight at the earliest, and the
raiders would have a long start of them; but as Red had confided to
Jack, he was in possession of more recent knowledge covering the
suspected secret lair of the looters; and besides, was he not the
acknowledged peer of any Indian or halfbreed in all the Northwest
country when it came to following a trail?
Jack was well satisfied with his chances for running the wily Hawk to
his hidden den; what came to pass after that had been accomplished must
depend on how cleverly they could carry on, so as to catch the enemy
napping, and pounce upon him unawares. While believing fully in his
maxim of being prepared, Jack was not the one to give himself useless
worry, leaving all that for the time when he must bring his reserve
powers into play.
The afternoon fell away, with the sun dropping lower down the western
sky. In less than another hour they would find twilight encompassing
them, and must therefore pick out some likely camping spot, where fresh
water would be handy, and plenty of desirable fuel nearby to keep their
fire during the coming night.
Later on Red began to keep his eye "peeled" for a site that possessed,
in addition to rising ground, all these other requirements. He did not
mean to let such a spot pass him by, even though the hour was still
early, lest another could not be reached, and they must find themselves
deprived of certain comforts--Red, you see, was a bit like Perk in that
respect--he had great respect for his stomach, and would make
considerable other sacrifices in order that a proper cooking fire could
be utilized, and a sufficiency of food prepared to fill the expected
vacuum.
Just a short time before the glowing ball of fire in the west sank
behind the upward thrust of the mountain peaks, Red gave a cry, and held
up his hand as a signal that the afternoon gallop was at an end.
A tempting little brooklet ran gurgling along its way alongside the
trail, and a finer campsite it would have been hard to find. The timber
was fairly thick, with a small open glade close by. The trees gave
considerable protection for travelers without a tent, or other shelter;
but then Red and Perk knew how to throw up a rude shack from material
that was conveniently handy, in case rain threatened, which was not
likely just then, these pioneers of the wide spaces agreed on this
special occasion.
Dr. Hamilton for one was glad the ride had come to an end; he did not
pretend to be much of a horseman, and the constant contact with a hard
saddle proved anything but pleasant or agreeable to him, though never a
single word of complaint had escaped his lips.
Perk set about helping Red gather a pile of wood, after quenching his
thirst at the brook, the water being as cool as they could wish. They
had been wise enough to fetch blankets for the crowd, and with a fire
going all night long, no one could reasonably complain.
Jack and the doctor sat there chatting on subjects that seemed to engage
them both, while watching with interest as the two others started
getting supper. Taken altogether it was quite a cheery picture, as Jack
could not help remarking; to find that his companion quite agreed with
him; from which Jack decided that after all the physician could not be
naturally diffident to the charm of camping out, although admitting that
he was hardly more than a novice along those lines.
Perk certainly acted as if vastly pleased with the opportunity to get up
another open air meal--how he did detest those periods of partaking of
what he sneeringly called "flying fare" such as became necessary so
often while he and Jack were on the wing, and putting the miles behind
them when on business bent--if he had his way about things they would
have landed at each and every day's end, and had their meals like
civilized human beings instead of "sky hoboes."
It was really a tempting supper that the pair of outdoor men managed to
serve. They ranged along a convenient log, rolled into position by the
culinary artists, always with an eye out for comfort; and here Jack and
Dr. Hamilton were given heaping pannikins of solid food, that tasted
"pretty fine"; nor was the accompanying coffee anything to be scorned,
for Perk certainly knew just how to brew it to bring out all its hidden
aroma, and tempt every one to come back for a second cup.
They sat there before a blazing fire and talked of many things; yet
studiously avoiding any and all reference to the one subject uppermost
in the minds of at least three of the number--the chances of success
they might meet in endeavoring to track the reckless lawbreaker, known
as the Hawk, to his lair, and either taking him prisoner, or, if forced
to extreme measures, effectually winding up his audacious exploits by
putting him under the sod.
Jack soon realized that his first estimation of Dr. Hamilton was
absolutely correct; for the other entered into the conversation as
though pleased to meet up with one who was so well up in matters of the
day as Jack proved to be.
They were all more or less fatigued by the hard three hours' gallop
along the twisting trail, over mountain slopes, and through valleys that
lay between; so it was not long before first the doctor made up his
blanket bed and crawled within; then Jack a little later followed suit;
and finally, after fixing the campfire so it would continue to burn for
some hours, Perk and Red also "kicked off," as the former expressed it.
After that silence deep and profound fell upon the scene, where nearby
the horses securely hobbled cropped spears of grass such as they could
reach; and in the end also settled down for a complete rest.
XXVI
THE WOLF PACK
Jack, chancing to awaken several hours afterwards sat up to rearrange
his blanket. The fire was burning fairly well, so that he could easily
see objects within a certain range.
A slight movement drew his attention toward the spot where Dr. Hamilton
had rolled himself up in the blanket assigned to his use; and Jack could
see him sitting there, with his head bowed down as though, unable to
sleep, he was indulging in sombre thoughts.
Somehow Jack had been drawn toward the strange man, whom he felt
confident must have some deep reason for coming to this outpost of
civilization, and burying both himself and his rare talents under an
assumed identity.
"He's certainly got something gnawing at his heart, by the way he acts,"
Jack told himself, as he snuggled down again within the folds of his
covers. "And somehow I just can't seem to believe he's a bad man--his
face, so sad, and yet sympathetic, belies that. Still, the secret is his
own, and none of my business."
So he put it out of his mind, and was soon fast asleep once more. When
next he awoke it must have been several hours later, as he could tell by
glancing up at the star-studded heavens; for Jack had studied the
planetary system, and could tell how the night was passing fairly well
by the time of the setting of the various celestial orbs.
The fire was burning brightly, showing that either Perk or Red must have
been keeping tabs on its care, having recently replenished the fuel
supply.
"Pretty soft, I'd call it," chuckled Jack, again dropping back to catch
a "few more winks" of sleep before the coming of dawn; "but say, what's
the use of having a chum who calls himself an old woods guide along, to
look after you, if he doesn't give you all the service he's supposed to
supply for his wages? We'll have many a good laugh over this delightful
arrangement in other days and nights."
Three of the horses were lying down, the fourth trying to find a few
more stray wisps of green stuff by reaching out to the extent of his
tethering rope. All seemed well with the world, and Jack judged it the
part of wisdom to fight off dull cares until the time really arrived for
action.
Then for the third time he opened his eyes and began to stretch his
limbs, by that time feeling a bit cramped from his lying in a certain
position so long.
"Must be getting daylight," he told himself, noting how he could see
objects at some little distance beyond the smouldering campfire; but as
it was not the proper caper for a supposed young millionaire sportsman
to be the first on stirring in camp, Jack concluded to just lie there
and do a little calculating, having in mind the stirring drama they were
likely to run into ere another day had come to an end.
"Huh! now, what in thunder does all that distant racket mean?"
Of course that was Perk muttering to himself, and turning his head Jack
could see the other rising to a sitting position, with his head set on
one side, as though he were straining his hearing.
This caused Jack to suddenly realize for the first time that it was not
only the gurgling of the nearby running brook he had been
hearing--somewhere within half a mile other sounds were rising, and even
gradually drawing closer right along--yapping, for all the world like
dogs chasing a rabbit, or a sly fox caught out with dawn coloring the
sky.
Jack hastened to sit up.
"Yes, what can it be, do you think, Perk?" he asked, quietly.
"Awake are you, ol' hoss?" the other went on to say though without
turning his head. "Sounds like wolves, or I'd say kiotes only I happen
to know they ain't any sech animals 'way up here--leastways I never did
run across sech all the time I rode 'round this section o' country."
"A pack of timber wolves, you mean, buddy--the big, gray chaps that can
pull down a deer as easy as a mountain lion would do the job?"
"Them's the kind like enough, Jack," affirmed the other.
"The chase is on then, it seems, Perk; what d'ye reckon they're after?"
"Some sorter game they're meanin' to make a breakfast off'n--mebbe a cow
moose, or else it might be a caribou, partner," Perk went on to say, as
if mildly interested. "Huh! wouldn't mind havin' a juicy caribou steak
myself for breakfast, on'y it'd be breakin' the game laws to shoot sech
a critter out o' season. Say, they must be headin' this way, Jack, ol'
pard!"
"Either that, or else there's a change of wind," agreed the other; "for
the racket grows louder right along."
Perk reached out and laid his hand on the ever faithful machine-gun,
which it seemed he had carefully placed alongside on settling down for
the night.
"I guess now I'll get up, an' toddle out by that openin' in the timber,"
Jack heard him saying; "mebbe we might have the good luck to look-in on
the gay scrap, if the beggars bring their quarry to bay close by here.
Anyhow it's plumb mornin', an' plenty to do."
Jack could not have told had he been asked why he should copy Perk's
example, possessing himself of the Winchester repeater, and even
following his comrade in the direction of the open glade, toward which
the suggestive sounds appeared to be heading.
There, too, was Red Lowden starting to "climb out" of his swathing
blanket, apparently recognizing the fact that there might be something
interesting on the carpet worth witnessing. All this movement must have
aroused the doctor, for Jack noticed a movement in his quarter, as
though the exodus from the camp were about to be made unanimous.
Jack and Perk dropped down on the edge of the opening.
"That's in our favor," the latter was whispering--"the wind, what little
there happens to be ablowin' is comin' right in our face, so the pesky
beasts ain't agoin' to scent us right away. I kinder guess they's so
crazy worked up over gitin' a breakfast they ain't so cunnin' as usual.
Wow! they're sure closin' in on the dick, that's flat--I c'n notice a
change in the yelpin' that tells the story. Steady now, ol' hoss, for
here they come aswoopin'!"
Jack crouched low, with staring eyes--there was something that bordered
on the thrilling about this dramatic panorama of the wilderness which a
freak of good fortune was bringing under their observation--he even felt
his heart beating as fast as a throbbing rivetting machine, such as he
remembered once hearing at work on a skyscraper in the building in New
York City--in fact, Jack rather fancied this was as close an approach to
the real "buck ague" as he had ever experienced, for while "some hunter"
he did not claim to be a veteran in the chase.
Suddenly some large object broke out from the scrub on the other side of
the open glade--it was a bull caribou, all right, and extremely winded,
the chase having evidently been a long and thrilling one. Gone was much
of the spring to its gait, usually as swift as the wind--the pertinacity
of its four-footed pursuers had completely worn the caribou out, and all
that was left was for him to turn on the pack, and battle until they
dragged him down by the weight of numbers, backed by ferocious hunger.
There in the centre the gallant old fellow whirled around and stood at
bay, just as Jack had seen in a celebrated engraving. One sweep of his
half-developed antlers and a daring wolf was flung ruthlessly aside, to
come back limping, but as eager as ever.
It was a spectacle Jack would not have missed for anything; and yet all
his sympathies were for the poor stag, so sorely beset by those ravenous
foes. Again and again did he strike out and scatter his enemies; but his
condition this early in the season was not as hardened as would have
been the case along toward late in the Fall months, so that his blows
failed to cripple those he sent flying right and left.
Perk was on one knee, and with his machine-gun lifted halfway to his
shoulder, as though the inclination to mix in the scrimmage had begun to
grip him too powerfully to be long resisted.
The crisis came with lightning-like rapidity, and it turned out just
about as Jack had anticipated would be the case. One of the half-dozen
wolves made a bold leap just when the caribou, having sent another
flying, was caught off his guard. He landed on the stag's quarter, and
fastened his teeth in his flank. That served to disconcert the doomed
animal, so that a second of his persecutors was enabled to fasten on his
neck, and weight him down. That hastened the inevitable end to the woods
tragedy. There was no longer heard the yelps of the triumphant
wolves--only a terrible snapping sound, and a mad scrambling, as the
gallant caribou stag kept up the unequal fight, evidently determined to
resist "to the last ditch."
Perk had reached the end of his rope; he could no longer resist the
temptation to throw his glove into the arena, and take up the cause of
the weaker one of the contenders.
Jack heard the sudden crash of the machine-gun close to his ear. One of
the maddened wolves fell at the report, to get up no more. A second bit
the dust almost immediately afterwards, for Perk had only to swing his
gun in a small section of a half-circle to spray the carnivora in
succession.
Panic gripped those still remaining--possibly for the first time they
whiffed the scent of human foes; so, too, they may have known what that
crash of firearms, those spitting flashes of flame signified. Waiting
not upon the order of their going they abandoned all hopes of a well
earned meal, and made off like so many streaks.
Perk ceased firing--he also gave a little whoop, as if triumph filled
his veins with exaltation that must find some sort of vent. "Hot
ziggetty dig! jest see the cowardly critter lope out o' here, will you,
partner?" was the burden of his shout, as the remainder of the lupine
pack disappeared among the tree-trunks well beyond; "but what a danged
shame the poor caribou's so bad hurt he jest can't move off--there, by
the great horn spoon if he ain't laid down on the job; I kinder guess I
hit in a little bit too late to help him any."
As they approached the wretched victim of wolfish hunger and ferocity
attempted to get on his legs again; but seemed too weak to do more than
lift himself halfway, when he once more fell back.
"Better we put him out of his misery, Perk," Jack, suggested, knowing
full well that the animal was doomed, no matter what they did; for if
left to himself the wolf pack--what was left of it at any rate--was
bound to return, and finish their slaughter.
"You do it, brother," begged Perk, "somehow I don't seem able to jest up
an' knock him on the head. Your rifle's a heap better for that job."
"It will be a mercy, since he's done for, no matter how we look at it,"
the other went on to say; "so, game law or not, I've just got to do it."
With the speedy crack of his thirty-thirty sporting rifle the caribou
gave one expiring kick, and then lay there limp and lifeless.
Jack surveyed his victim, and shook his head as though he took no
pleasure whatever in the act of mercy.
"Since necessity forced us into this game, Perk, there's no reason why
you shouldn't have your caribou steak for breakfast; though I've got an
idea it may give your grinders some job, from toughness. Go to it,
brother; if you pronounce it eatable I may try a small portion myself,
though I'm not building up any high hopes as to enjoying it."
Since it was daylight, and they were all aroused, they concluded there
was no sense of "making two bites of a cherry." Accordingly Perk coaxed
Red to build up a good cooking-fire, while he proceeded to cut some
slices from the intact flank of the fallen stag.
At any rate it had an appetizing flavor while cooking, that caused Red
to look expectant. Jack took a small portion on his pannikin, and
started to masticate it in sections; but just the same he failed to
clear off his plate, which would indicate that he hardly approved of
that kind of venison.
From the fact that Perk did not see fit to select any more of the meat
to carry along when they pulled out, one of three things must have
affected him--either he did not anticipate having another chance to make
use of a cooking fire in the near future; felt a bit worried as to what
would happen if a game-warden, roving far afield, should happen along
while he put in time at his culinary labors; or else even he had found
the venison too tough for mastication--possibly a bit of all three
reasons influenced him in abandoning the remainder of the carcass to
those hungry brutes, undoubtedly still hovering in ambush not far away.
Then Jack called out "boots and saddles," with the whole four mounting
their waiting steeds, and galloping along the trail.
XXVII
ON THE DANGEROUS TRAIL
The horses being fresh after the all-night bivouac, the little party
made good time along the crooked trail. Perk was enjoying himself to the
limit, taking in all the old familiar sights--how well he remembered
different happenings that were connected with this, or that special
spot; indeed, he found it hard to believe some years had passed since he
followed this path between Frazer's trading-post of the great Hudson's
Bay Fur Company, and the Mounties' further north station.
It was going on nine when they again came in sight of the long log
building that housed the factor and his belongings--such as Hawk and his
bold crowd had left untouched during their recent raid.
All seemed peaceful at the post, although the ashes marking the burned
annex told how some unusual event must have recently taken place.
They found Old Jimmy getting along as well as could be expected, but
anxious for the coming of the doctor, in whom he had every confidence in
the world. A superficial examination quickly put Dr. Hamilton in
possession of sufficient knowledge upon which to base a verdict.
"Nothing very serious, McGregor," he told the factor, in a cheery tone
that did much to dissipate any fears the other may have entertained as
to the outcome of his wounds.
Jack and Perk too, were relieved, for both of them had reason to feel a
burden was lifted from their hearts--Perk because of his old friendship
for the factor; and Jack on account of his having given "first aid" to
the victim of the lawless Hawk's latest raid.
Turning to Jack Dr. Hamilton surveyed him with kindling eyes.
"If, as you said, young man," he told the flyer, "you are only an
amateur at handling cases like this, I want to tell you everything has
been carried out in a way that would not have shamed the best of
surgeons. Jimmy will owe a lot to your skillful work. And let me further
say most earnestly, that if at some future date it ever occurs to you to
change your profession, should you choose to follow that of surgery, I
can easily predict a more than ordinary success awaits you--remember
that, Jack."
"Can you tie that?" burst out the grinning Perk, who seemed more tickled
at hearing these words of praise than was the blushing recipient
himself. "I kinder guessed my best pal was topnotch 'long them lines
when I watched him adoin' his stuff. So Jack, in case you ever do get
knocked out o' the cloud-chasin' game, plenty o' time left to climb up
the ladder in the surgical ward."