The Wilderness Castaways Part 34

"That's a good plan," a.s.sented Amesbury. "Then I won't have to tag you, and you won't get lost."

"But I'm thinkin'," said Dan, "I'll be stoppin' off t' St. Johns, an'

not be goin' on t' New York. I'm wantin' wonderful bad t' get home."

"You're going home with me first," Paul insisted. "My father and mother have just got to see you. I want to tell them how you saved my life."

"Yes," Amesbury laughed, "I'm inclined to agree with Paul, and New York won't take you so much out of your way. St. Johns is farther off than New York, and you can go on from New York by steamer, and perhaps get there just as soon."

"I'm losin' my bearin's altogether," declared Dan, looking much puzzled.

Ahmik was to accompany them. A nineteen-foot broad-beamed Peterboro canoe, with good carrying capacity, was selected for the journey. It was of ample size to accommodate the four voyageurs, together with their traveling equipment, provisions for the journey, and the furs which they were taking to market to barter.

The canoe was loaded at daybreak, and, Ahmik in the bow, Amesbury in the stern, with Paul and Dan between, they turned down the lake. A light mist lay over the waters, quickly to be dissolved by the rising sun. The weather was perfect, the air heavy with the pungent odor of damp fir trees, the lake placid, beautiful, glorious.

Through picturesque lakes, rushing rapids and gently flowing streams the expert canoe-men dexterously guided the frail craft. Now and again portages were made, but the outfit was light and these occasioned small delay.

At length Lake Winnipeg was entered. Here they were forced to lose a day or two because of wind and rough water, but for the most part they were favored with pleasant weather. Twice they stopped at trading posts to renew their supplies, but with no other delays at length turned into Red River, and on a beautiful June morning beheld the spires of the city of Winnipeg rising before them.

CHAPTER XX

WINNIPEG AT LAST

"Hurrah! Hurrah!" shouted Paul.

"We're most home now. A hot bath in a real bath tub, and a real bed tonight, Dan! Think of it! A few days and we'll be home!"

"'Tis grand!" exclaimed Dan, "and oh! 't will be grand t' get home!"

"I'll wager," broke in Amesbury, laughing, "that both you fellows will be pulling blankets off your beds and rolling upon the floor before morning, and I'll wager, too, that you'll be wishing you could get out to the back yard of the hotel to sleep on the ground."

Ahmik waved his hand toward the town.

"Good sell fur; no good to stay. No good place to live. Bush good place to live. We like have you come back to trap."

"You've been mighty good to us, Ahmik, and we thank you," said Paul.

They stored their things in a shop whose proprietor Amesbury knew, each carrying a back-load up from the river.

"Now," suggested Amesbury, "we'll go to the hotel and wash up. What do you say?"

"I'd like to telegraph home first," answered Paul.

"All right. Glad you spoke of that. We'll wire from the hotel."

Ahmik had no interest in the proposed bath or in hotel accommodations, and with promises to see him later, the three turned toward the center of town.

"You chaps got any cash?" asked Amesbury.

"Dead broke, both of us," confessed Paul. "Haven't seen a cent of money since we left the ship."

"I suspected it," laughed Amesbury.

"Well, I happen to have a little. You'll be rich tonight when you get your share of the fur money."

At the telegraph office in the hotel the three put their heads together, and formulated the following telegram to Paul's father:

"Dan Rudd and I reached Winnipeg safely today. Leave tomorrow for home. Wire Captain Zachariah Bluntt, St. Johns. Love to you and Mother. Crazy to see you. Hope both are well.

"PAUL DENSMORE."

[Ill.u.s.tration: The three put their heads together]

"Your father'll say that's the best piece of literature he's read this year," remarked Amesbury. "Here, operator, rush this off. Make it a 'rush' now."

"What time'll he get it?" asked Paul, as they turned from the telegraph desk.

"Let's see. It's eleven-thirty now. Oh, he ought to get it before he leaves his office this afternoon."

"I'm so excited I can hardly keep from yelling!" Paul exclaimed.

"Well, you'd better hold in. They think you're an Indian now, from your looks, and they'll be sure of it if you yell, and fire us all.

See how every one is eyeing us?"

"When'll Skipper Bluntt be hearin', now?" asked Dan.

"Tonight. Paul's father will wire him right away, I'm sure."

"'Tis wonderful fine t' be lettin' un know so quick. Now I'm thinkin'

th' skipper'll get word t' mother soon's he can. Dad's off t' th'

Labrador by this, though, fishin', an' he won't be hearin' for a month."

The clerk at the desk greeted Amesbury as an old acquaintance, shook his hand, and handed him a pen to register.

Following a luxurious wash came a thick, rare, juicy steak smothered in onions, an array of vegetables, a delicious salad, double portions of pudding and coffee, to which the party brought trapper appet.i.tes.

"Now for business," said Amesbury, lighting a fragrant cigar. "We'll get a carriage and bring up our furs and see what they'll bring us.

Then you chaps had better get some civilized toggery."

The afternoon was a busy one. Furs were commanding a good figure, and when the sales were made Paul found himself in possession of $470, and Dan received $560, as their share of the fur money.

Amesbury then guided them to a clothing store where complete outfits, from hats to shoes, were purchased for both. Paul insisted upon paying Dan's bill for everything as well as his own.

"We'll fix that later," he said. "I'll pay the bills now, and when we get to New York, and find out how much the trip costs, we can have our settlement."

"An' you keeps th' account," a.s.sented Dan. Then they purchased their railway and sleeping car tickets for the following day, and returned to the hotel to bathe and don their new clothing.