Page:Hendryx--Connie Morgan with the Mounted.djvu/236

This page needs to be proofread.
218
Connie Morgan with the Mounted

Indian said the man had built his cabin. But instead of leading to the bay the trail turned sharply to the left as if to avoid the place. And abandoning it for the moment the two scrambled down the steep descent to examine the cabin, which was visible in a grove of spruce.

At the water's edge Ick Far came again to an abrupt halt and pointed to marks on the bank. "Canoe, she lan' here," he said glancing sharply about him. "Only two, t'ree days ago. A man com' een dat canoe. Dat man he no lak' to stay bury. He com' back to hees cabin."

Connie pushed open the door and here, too, were evidences of hasty departure. The blankets had been ripped from the spruce bows that covered the bunk, and upon the table the dishes remained unwashed.

"De man com' back for hunt hees 'oman, but she ain't here. He gon' 'way ag'in,"remarked the scout.

Once more they returned to the water's edge. And as Ick Far again examined the signs on the bank, Connie noticed that he became suddenly excited. He dropped to his hands and knees and studied minutely the faint imprints. "Dees