AN UNEXPECTED RETURN--HUGH IS ABSENT--NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WHEREABOUTS--
UNCLE DONALD'S APPREHENSIONS--A HURRIED SUPPER, AND PREPARATIONS FOR A
SEARCH.
"Hugh, my lad! Hugh, run and tell Madge we have come back," cried Uncle
Donald, as he and I entered the house on our return, one summer's
evening, from a hunting excursion in search of deer or any other game we
could come across, accompanied by three of our dogs, Whiskey, Pilot, and
Muskymote.
As he spoke, he unstrapped from his shoulders a heavy load of caribou
meat. I, having a similar load, did the same--mine was lighter than
his--and, Hugh not appearing, I went to the door and again called. No
answer came.
"Rose, my bonnie Rose! Madge, I say! Madge! Where are you all?"
shouted Uncle Donald, while he hung his rifle, with his powder-horn and
shot-pouch, in their accustomed places on the wall.
On glancing round the room he seemed somewhat vexed to perceive that no
preparations had been made for supper, which we expected to have found
ready for us. It was seldom, however, that he allowed himself to be put
out. I think I can see him now--his countenance, though weather-beaten
and furrowed by age, wearing its usual placid and benignant expression;
while his long silvery beard and the white locks which escaped from
beneath his Highland bonnet gave him an especially venerable appearance.
His dress was a plaid shooting-coat, and high leggings of well-tanned
leather, ornamented with fringe after the fashion of the Indians.
Upright as an arrow, with broad shoulders and wiry frame, he stood
upwards of six feet in his mocassins, nor did he appear to have lost
anything of the strength and energy of youth.
As no one appeared, I ran round to the back of the house, thinking that
Rose and Madge, accompanied by Hugh, had gone to bring in the milk,
which it was the duty of Sandy McTavish to draw from our cows, and that
he, for some cause or other, being later than usual, they had been
delayed. I was not mistaken. I presently met them, Madge carrying the
pails, and Rose, a fair-haired, blue-eyed little maiden, tripping
lightly beside her. She certainly presented a great contrast in
appearance to the gaunt, dark-skinned Indian woman, whose features,
through sorrow and hardship, had become prematurely old. I inquired for
Hugh.
"Is he not with you?" asked Rose, in a tone of some little alarm. "He
went off two hours ago, saying that he should be sure to fall in with
you, and would assist in bringing home the game you might have killed."
"Yes, Hugh would go. What he will he do," said the Indian woman, in the
peculiar way of speaking used by most of her people.
"He felt so much better in the afternoon that he was eager to go out and
help you," said Rose. "He thought that Uncle Donald would not be angry
with him, though he had told him to remain at home."
We soon got back to the house. When Uncle Donald heard where Hugh had
gone, though he expressed no anger, he looked somewhat troubled. He
waited until Rose had gone out of the room, then he said to me--
"I noticed, about four miles from home, as we went out in the morning,
the marks of a `grizzly,' which had been busy grubbing up a rotten log,
but as his trail appeared to lead away up the mountains to the eastward
I did not think it worth my while to chase him; and you having just
before separated from me, I forgot to mention the fact when you came
back. But vexed would I be if Hugh should have fallen in with the
brute. He's too venturesome at times; and if he fired and only wounded
it, I doubt it would be a bad job for him. Don't you let Rose hear a
word about the `grizzly,' Archie," he hastily added, as she re-entered
the room.
Both Madge and Rose were, however, very anxious when they found that
Hugh had not returned with us. There was still an hour or so of
daylight, and we did not therefore abandon the hope that he would return
before dark. Uncle Donald and I were both very hungry, for we had been
in active exercise the whole of the day, and had eaten nothing.
Madge knowing this set about preparing supper with all haste. She could
not, however, help running to the door every now and then to ascertain
if Hugh were coming. At length Sandy McTavish came in. He was
something like Uncle Donald in figure, but though not so old, even more
wiry and gaunt, looking as if he were made of bone and sinews covered
with parchment.
He at once volunteered to set out and look for Hugh.
"Wait till we get our supper, and Archie and I will go too. What's the
use of man or boy with an empty stomach?" said Uncle Donald.
"'Deed an' that's true," observed Sandy, helping himself from the
trencher which stood in the centre of the table. "It's a peety young
Red Squirrel isna' here; he would ha' been a grand help if Maister
Hugh's missin'. But I'm thinkin' he's no far off, sir. He'll have shot
some beast likely, and be trying to trail it hame; it wud be a shame to
him to hae lost his way! I canna believe that o' Maister Hugh."
Sandy said this while we were finishing our supper, when, taking down
our rifles, with fresh ammunition, and bidding Rose and Madge "cheer
up," we three set out in search of Hugh.
Fortunately the days were long, and we might still hope to discover his
track before darkness closed upon the world.