Theodore Goodridge Roberts

“ We were clean through, and we'd of been home earlier, blankets an' all, if Ben's paddle hadn't bust.”
“Jim McAllister! You let Ben shoot Big Rapids at low water?—that boy? What were you thinking of, Jim?”
“Let nothing, Flora! He was aft, because he's a bigger man than I am and a better one—though a mite reckless, I must say. I warned him, but not extra strong. And he did it! If there's another man on the river could do it any better, show him to me!” ”

“ McAllister and the little girl relieved the old Maliseet of his gun, paddle and hat and Mrs. O'Dell brought a chair to the table for him and fetched more eggs and bacon from the kitchen.
Noel inquired about Sherwood at the first opportunity.
“He's gone, I guess,” said Jim. “I'm afraid he's done for. One night when Ben and I were away, the last night we were away, a darned nasty thing happened. My brother Ian McAllister set a fox trap in the pantry. Whoever has been taking the food got a hand into it and had to pry himself clear of the jaws with an ax—and nothing's been taken since. ”

“ It was decided that a good Indian or two should be hired to help McAllister with the harvesting of the oats, barley and buck wheat, and that Ben should go to Woodstock next day and discuss Richard Sherwood's unhappy situation with Judge Smith and return to O'Dell's Point for a night at least before going farther. Mrs. O'Dell and Uncle Jim would do everything they could to find Sherwood and reassure him. All three were convinced by now-that Sherwood and the unfortunate thief were one, in spite of the fact that the red dogs had behaved as if the thief were an old and trusted friend. ”

“ You are safe and we are your friends. The trap was a mistake. Please come to the house.
Ben O'Dell.
He told his mother and Uncle Jim what he had done and they approved of it. He and Uncle Jim drove away next morning; and he and the deputy sheriff caught the two-o'clock train for Quebec.
O'Dell's Point experienced busier days than usual after Ben O'Dell's departure on the trail of the marksman from Quebec. The harvest was heavy, and Jim McAllister was the busiest man on the river. ”

“ By the application of a few plugs of tobacco as advances on wages he procured the services of Sol Bear and Gabe Sacobie, two good Indians. They were good Indians, honest and well-intentioned and hardy, but they were not good farm hands. ”

“ CHAPTER VII. A TRAP FOR THE HUNGRY. Ben O'Dell and Jim McAllister reached home soon after dinner time next day, canoeless, baggageless and empty but very well pleased with themselves. They found Mrs. O'Dell and little Marion Sherwood drying the last spoon. ”