Hulbert Footner

“ I fall down. When I get up no box, no pan, no fire! There is big hole in the ground!”
The Indians, seeing Chris smile, were quick to understand the trick that had been played, and the cabin rang with their laughter. The prestige of the mighty Company received another blow, but Dave minimized its effect by the way he received it.
He shrugged, and forced a smile. “I lose!” he said cheerfully. From under the counter he produced the precious box of cigars that was opened only on occasions of moment. “Have one on me,” he said to Chris, to Jimmy Providence, to Lookoovar, and to Mahtsonza. ”

“ Dave cautiously picked up the concertina, and started to play “Home, Sweet Home,” with true feeling, if somewhat halting execution.
“Not a man in sight!” said Chris, coming back.
“Most of them went back to the fur camps before daylight,” said Dave quietly.
“I know,” said Chris. “Doesn't it beat the Dutch! Here for two months they fight like politicians over the singing box, and then, just before the time comes to decide it, every man jack loses interest, and they haven't even got the curiosity to come and see who wins it. Who could understand the beggars?” ”

“ And even Dave's face was a thought dusky; moreover, Dave had a copper-colored wife, which made a difference. Dave was at home at Kakisa River, and Chris had nothing but a concertina.
His first customer of the season was Tommy Ascota, a slender fourteen-year-old. He came in with a brave assumption of his father's man-to-man air, that speedily wilted into sheepishness under the white man's grin. Tommy desired a can of condensed milk. Every year for a few days after the arrival of the traders, the Kakisa Indians must have milk in their tea. The rest of the year they do very well without it. ”

“ I come back much quick. I spell by the little lake two sleeps from the fort, and Aleck Capot-blanc and his brother come on the trail. Aleck Capot-blanc say to me: 'Wah! What you got?' I say: 'White pieces, and red pieces, and blue pieces for the Company to give away.' Aleck Capot-blanc say: 'Let me see me.' I say: 'Non! It is tie by string.'
“Aleck Capot-blanc say: 'You not let him get cold.' 'Why?' I say, me. 'If him freeze no more good,' Aleck Capot-blanc say. Aleck, him take box, and shake him by the ear, and listen. 'So!' Aleck say, 'him froze I guess. You'll get it. ”

“ The Kakisa Indian has a sweet tooth, and the white trader Is wise who includes in his outfit a box or two of “assorted chips.” Chris McKeand had so provided, but the blow was great when the chips turned out to be of the celluloid variety. There was little hope of disposing of poker chips in the lone outpost on the Kakisa River, but Chris found a way.
YOUNG Chris McKeand was half-heartedly opening boxes and arranging his stock on the shelves of the French outfit's store at Kakisa River. ”

“ Poker chips at Kakisa River!”
“We might get up a game,” suggested Dave.
“Ah-h! It's no fun for two,” said Chris. “And if we tried to teach Lookoovar or Jimmy Providence, the priest 'ud give us what-for in the spring for corruptin' the morals of his precious lambs.”
“Well, so long, and buck up, old top,” said Dave.
“Wait a second,” said Chris abstractedly. “Look a-here, Dave.” He was frowning now. “You know my only chance of getting out of this hole is in doing you. I want to give you fair warning. I'm going to get a share of your fur this winter or bust!” ”

“ Everybody has the trading-stamp craze here. It's very childish, but you can't resist it. You know how they do it, don't you? With every purchase of ten cents' worth you get a stamp that you paste in a book, and when the book is full you may exchange it for all kinds of fine things. ”