George Tracy Marsh

“ The boat was not a freighter, for she rode high. No one but an officer of the company traveled light with six paddles. It was an event at Whale River, and Indians and white men awaited the arrival of the big Peterborough canoe with unconcealed interest.
“It must be Inspector Wallace,” said Jean.
With a face radiant with joy in the unexpected arrival of Wallace, Julie Breton hastened to the high shore. Marcel turned slowly back to the mission stockade where his dog awaited him at the gate. ”

“ It was most unusual for the inspector of the east coast to arrive before the accounts of the spring trade were made up.
“How has the famine affected the fur with you, Gillies?” asked Wallace, as they proceeded up the cliff trail to the post clearing. “The Fort George and East Main people were hit pretty hard—a number of families wiped out.”
“I expected as much,” said Gillies. “A few of our people were starved out or died of disease. It was a tough winter with both the rabbits and the caribou gone. We have done only fairly well with the trade, considering.” ”

“ Wallace suddenly demanded. “We met a canoe at the mouth of the river and heard that you have the man here now?”
“That’s pure Indian talk, Mr. Wallace,” Gillies protested. “I’ll give you the details later. A half-breed killed one of his partners and attempted to kill the other, Jean Marcel, the son of André Marcel; André, who was our old head man. And you saw Jean here last summer. He is one of our best men. In fact, I’m going to take him on here at the post, although he’s only a boy. He’s too valuable to keep in the bush.” ”

“ She held but one allegiance, one love; the love approaching idolatry, which she bore the young master who had taken her in that far country from the strange men who beat her with clubs; who had brought her north again through wintry seas ”