When the factor gave word
for a meal to these two he knew well that all dignity would be
observed. As for himself, his living of every day was scant and plain
as regarded the manner of its serving.
"What is it, M'sieu, that so assails the nostrils with delicious aroma,
if I may so far forget politeness? 'Tis not beef, assuredly,--there is
too much of the scent of the wild about it."
"Moose," replied McElroy, and by this time the vague vexation had blown
out of his heart as all ill-feelings were wont to do, "moose, killed in
the snows and hung in the smoke of a little fire until the very heart
of the wood is in the meat. And now, M'sieu, fall to. I would I had
something better than Rette's strong coffee in which to pledge you,
but, as you see, Fort de Seviere has no cantine salope. It is not the
policy of the Great Company, as you doubtless know, to abet its trade
with the Indians by the use of liquor."
De Courtenay looked quickly up.
"Why, I thought,--but then I have much to learn, in fact, all to learn,
since I am but raw in the wilderness."
Like men hungry and athirst from the hardships of the trail and the
stream, the camp and the portage, the guests did justice to the savoury
viands, and at last leaned back in repletion, while Rette took off the
plates and cups; the spoons and forks, and set in their stead a huge
pot of crumbled tobacco with a tin box containing pipes.
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