It flowed across the lightening face of the waters, circled around the
lone canoe and the woman therein, and seemed to waft her forward with
the God-speed of the wilderness.
She lifted her hand above her without turning her head, and it shone
pale in the mist, an eerie beacon, and thus the boat passed from view
in the greyness, though as the paddles dipped for the start the song
still rung forth, beating along the shore.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Men," said Maren Le Moyne at the first stop, "this is a trail of great
hazard. There is in it neither gift nor gain, only a mighty risk. Yet I
have asked you forth upon it as men of the H. B. C. because the man I
would save is a factor of the Great Company."
"Ma'amselle," said Bitte Alloybeau, a splendid black-browed fellow, "it
is enough."
"Aye,--and more." So was bound their simple allegiance.
CHAPTER XX THE WOLF AND THE CARIBOU
Northward along Nelson River went the concourse of the
Nakonkirhirinons, turning westward into the chain of little lakes above
Winnipeg of which Dupre had spoken, sweeping forward over portage and
dalle, and after them came the lone canoe, leaping the leagues like a
loup-garou, for it never rested.
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