CONCLUSION
On the second morning after, as the walls of Ed Chaney's house were
beginning to rise from the ground, the partners were astonished to see
a little black horse appear loping along the river-bank, bearing a
rider.
It proved to be the elder of the Indian boys who had accompanied
Musq'oosis. His name was St. Paul. His smooth, brown face and bright,
flat eyes gave no hint of the nature of his errand. The horse had been
ridden hard.
"What's the matter?" demanded Sam, frowning.
"Musq'oosis sick," returned the boy, without a flicker of expression.
He spoke good English.
"Where?"
"Jus' 'cross Little Prairie, I guess twenty miles from river."
"What did you come to me for?" said Sam. "There were white men nearer.
I don't know anything about doctoring."
"Musq'oosis say want nobody come but Sam," answered the boy. "Him say
doctor got not'ing for him. Him say time has come. Him say want friend
to close his eyes. Him say mak' Sam mad before. Him sorry. Want Sam
tak' his hand before he go."
"Better go right back," suggested Ed with quick sympathy. "The poor
old guy!"
Sam debated the matter scowling. Musq'oosis had made him angry, and he
distrusted him. Yet he could not but be drawn to the quaint little
philosopher, too. He could not but remember that Musq'oosis had been
kind to him at a time when he most needed it.
"How did it happen?" he asked, partly softened.
The boy illustrated his story with the graphic gesticulation of his
race.
"Yes'day Musq'oosis not wake up at all. I got shake him in his
blanket. Wake moch slow. Say feel moch bad. All tam sleepy. Can't
stan' up. Can't eat not'ing. So we put him in the wagon and go.
"Bam-by say stop! Say can't go no furder. Wagon too moch shake. So we
lay him on the ground in his blankets. We wait a while. T'ink maybe
get better. Afternoon spell no better. He say no goin' get better. Say
to me go get Sam. Ot'er boy Jack stay by him. So I come. Sleep las'
night at the crossing."
The story was detailed and convincing, and Sam's suspicions were
partly lulled.
"You and the boy take my team," said Ed gravely. "Leave the black
horse here to rest up."
A few minutes later they were on the way.
St. Paul had made an appointment with Sollers to come and get them in
his canoe, and the trader was waiting when they got there. They swam
the horses across. On the way over Sam discussed the case with
Sollers. The trader, in addition to everything else, was often obliged
to be a doctor.
"Sounds like general collapse," he suggested. "He's over seventy.
That's the way they go at last. Under a bush beside the trail."
"I wish you'd come with us," said Sam.
"I'll follow as soon as I can catch a horse."
Sam swung himself on his horse and clapped heels to his ribs. St. Paul
lingered to tighten girths. Looking over his shoulder, Sam saw him in
talk with Sollers. He had an impression that both turned their heads
as he looked around.
When the boy overtook him, he demanded to know what they had been
talking about.
"I say to Sollers better bring some pain-killer out of the store," the
boy answered readily. "Sollers say all right."
Reaching the flat country above at the end of the long pull, they
halted for the briefest possible time to eat and let the horses feed.
As they prepared to mount again, Sam said:
"Funny Sollers hasn't overtaken us."
"Guess can't catch his horse," said St. Paul.
They rode forward through the aspen woods, and across the open spaces.
Having crossed the widest of these that goes by the name of Little
Prairie, Sam began to keep watch ahead for evidences of the camp.
Every few minutes he asked St. Paul where it was.
"On'y little way now," was the boy's invariable reply.
"You said twenty miles from the river."
"Maybe I mak' little mistak'."
After an hour of this Sam turned sullen. "If it's a trick it won't do
anybody any good," he said. "I shall ride back without dismounting."
St. Paul merely looked bland.
Finally Sam looked at the sun. "Four o'clock," he said. "If we don't
arrive in half an hour I'll turn back anyway."
"Jus' little way, now," said St. Paul.
"Don't say that again!"
"Ot'er side this muskeg, then piny ridge and little small prairie. It
is there."
This time St. Paul proved to be telling the truth. As they issued out
on the meadow Sam saw the wagon standing under a tree on the other
side. Coming closer he made out a recumbent figure under a
willow-bush. The other boy and the other horse were not visible.
It was Musq'oosis. The bush protected him from the sun. With the first
glimpse Sam had of his face, remorse attacked him for his suspicions.
In truth the old man was far gone. His skin had taken on a waxy,
yellow consistency. He looked as serene and unearthly as if he had
already passed away. His eyes were closed. Sam spoke his name in
alarm.
He opened his eyes and smiled, and feebly moved his hand toward Sam's.
"I glad you come," he murmured. "Wait long."
Sam gripped his hand. He forgot all his anger. It seemed shocking to
him to find the old man untended in his extremity. He had heard tales
of Indian callousness.
"Where's the other boy?" he demanded. "Has he run away?"
Musq'oosis shook his head. "Jack good boy," he said. "I send him look
for ot'er horse. I 'fraid horse run home."
Sam ordered St. Paul to unsaddle the horses, to make a fire, and put
on water.
"How do you feel?" he asked Musq'oosis solicitously.
"Pretty good," the old man answered, smiling. "I not feel bad no more
I guess."
"Sollers will be along directly with medicine. He will know what to do
for you."
"Medicine not mak' old heart go on," said Musq'oosis. "I have finish
my hunt."
"I wish I could get you home!" murmured Sam.
The old man moved his head from side to side to see the trees and the
sky. "This my home," he said. "It is good grass. There is no better
bed."
"You mustn't talk like that," cried Sam, distressed. "You mustn't give
up."
Musq'oosis smiled. "Not givin' up w'en old man die," he returned. "I
lak live ver' well. I lak the summer an' the winter. Mos' of all I lak
my big lak. I lak smooth and rough. I lak the green shore and the
round bays and the little rivers that come down. It is a good worl'.
But I lak leave it now. I lak go to bed after big hunt."
"You shouldn't talk so much," said Sam. "It tires you."
"Let me talk," returned Musq'oosis, smiling still. "I soon done
talkin'. I lak tell yo'ng man all an old man know. But not moch good,
I guess. Yo'ng man got learn same lak his fat'er."
The old man murmured on out of his store of wisdom. Sometimes he
appeared to doze, but always he kept hold of Sam's hand. It was a
tremendous and arresting experience for young Sam. He was profoundly
affected.
From time to time he endeavoured to get the old man to take a little
stimulant. Tea was all he had to offer him. Musq'oosis refused it.
"I don't see why Sollers doesn't come!" said Sam.
"He not comin'," replied Musq'oosis. "I tell St. Paul tell him not
come. I only want my friend."
"Why do you like me?" asked Sam.
"I don't know," answered Musq'oosis, smiling. "Got good heart, I
guess."
At last Sam did hear horses' hoofs in the distance. "Here he is now,"
he said, only to realize presently that the sound was from the other
direction. "It's Jack," he added.
Soon he could make out that there were two horses coming from the
east. He frowned uneasily, and would have risen, but Musq'oosis had
his hand. The old man appeared to be sleeping.
Sam had to kneel there while the horses came closer and closer,
galloping at top speed. His beating heart warned him of what was in
store. Was it possible the old man had lied to him at death's door?
There was no shadow on that peaceful face.
The two horses dashed into sight around the bushes, and were sharply
pulled up on their haunches. They were ridden by Bela and Jack. At the
sight of her the old wild commotion was resumed in Sam's breast.
Forgetting all else, he jumped up, snatching his hand out of
Musq'oosis's.
"You tricked me!" he cried furiously to him.
The motionless figure gave no sign.
Bela turned on the native boy. "You lie to me!" she cried, raising the
switch she carried.
He put heels to his horse and evaded her.
Bela turned on Sam. "You t'ink I come here see you," she cried
furiously. "It's not true. I hate you!"
"God knows I didn't come to see you!" retorted Sam bitterly.
"I'll go back," she said, instantly turning her horse.
"Wait!" cried Sam. "Look after Musq'oosis. He's really sick. I'll go."
Bela looked at the little figure lying so still, and her anger failed
her. Her face broke up. Slipping out of her saddle, she went to him,
keeping her back turned toward Sam. Sam picked up his bridle and went
to catch his horse.
He had to lead it back close to where she was in order to get his
saddle. He could not help looking at her once. She was kneeling on the
other side of Musq'oosis, bending over him, and clasping both his
hands to her breast as if to warm them. She had forgotten Sam. Her
lovely face was soft and haggard with grief. Tears coursed down her
cheeks.
"My friend! My friend!" Sam heard her whisper. "Speak to me. Say you
forgive me. Ah, don't leave me! I have no friend but you!"
Sam looked on in a kind of horror. He began to tremble. He dropped the
bridle rein, and the horse strayed away again. If he could believe his
eyes, if Bela was a gentle, loving woman, what had he done? Seeing her
like this, his heart went to her like a bird to its nest.
Musq'oosis opened his eyes and murmured. She lowered her head close to
listen. They talked together. Sam looked on like one stricken. Finally
Bela turned her face toward him, though it was not Sam she seemed to
see.
"Come," she said. "He want you."
Sam knelt at the other side of Musq'oosis. He held one hand, Bela the
other. The old man's face wore a look that humbled him. At the same
time the nearness of Bela was making him dizzy. She did not appear to
be aware of him.
"I'm sorry I spoke like I did," Sam said involuntarily.
The old man smiled. "You right," he whispered. "I trick you. Trick
both. I want you mak' up before I go."
Bela and Sam both turned their heads in keen discomfort.
"Never mind that now," said Bela.
"Yes," he said. "So foolish! Both! You are crazy 'bout each ot'er. I
know it. W'at for you got quarrel and speak bad words? W'at for you
run away? W'at for you say goin' wit' 'not'er man, you? All
foolishness! Yo'ng people lak babies. Throw down their food. Bam-by
got cry for it."
Musq'oosis drew his hands together and tried to place the woman's hand
that he held in the man's. Both resisted, and he had not strength
enough.
"Well--good-bye," he sighed.
Instantly Sam took Bela's hand, and hers crept into his as if at home
there. The old man smiled faintly.
"Look at each ot'er," he whispered.
But it was at him they looked. Still smiling, a dread change came over
his face. His body quivered slightly, there was a strange sound in his
throat. His jaw dropped.
"Oh, he's gone!" whispered Bela.
Then they looked at each other, looked straight into each other's
souls. She swayed toward him, and his arms went around her swiftly.
The still figure was between them on the ground.
"My love! My love!" he murmured. "I have been a fool! I didn't know
you. I was full of false pride. I ask your pardon."
"I love you!" she breathed. "I think I die when you leave me!"
Their lips met.
Bela struggled to free herself. "This no tam be happy," she whispered.
They looked down at Musq'oosis again. His eyes were wide open, and he
was smiling at them in a different way.
"I feel better," he said slyly.
Bela and Sam sprang up in terror and retreated a little way, staring
at him, staring at each other with wild eyes. Gradually they realized
how they had been tricked, and the old scowls returned to each face.
Both were silent.
Musq'oosis sat up in his blankets.
"For goodness, don' begin any more foolishness," he said calmly. "I am
ongry. To-day I shoot four partridge while I waitin'. Let's have
supper. I will wash the clay off my face."
Sam suddenly straightened his back. "I don't care!" he cried. "Do you,
Bela?"
"No!" she answered, flying to his open arms.
THE END
* * * * *