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These parties last all night or near it. It needs darkness to give the wild part-song its full effect, and to inspire the drummers to produce a voice of awe from the muttering tom-toms. They work up slowly. During a pause in the singing, while the drummer held his stick-kettle over the fire to contract the skin, some one asked Jeresis if he had seen Bela's white man.
Bela had an idea that she could obtain a freer account of what was happening at the settlement from Jeresis or Hooliam, but pride would not allow her to apply directly to them. Whenever she saw either of the boys making the centre of a group she managed to invent some business in the neighbourhood. But the talk always became constrained at her approach, and she learned nothing.
Musq'oosis called upon the chief surveyor, and the white man was delighted with his red brother's native courtesy and philosophy. When finally the wind died down Musq'oosis had only to drop a hint that he was thinking of travelling to the settlement to receive a hearty invitation. Musq'oosis, instructing two boys, Jeresis and Hooliam, to come after him with a dugout in two days' time, accepted it.
This was what she was waiting for. She listened breathlessly. "Yes," answered Jeresis. "Is he big, fine man?" "No, middle-size man. Not much. Other men call him white slave, 'cause Bela take him away." "Bela is crazy," said another. The speakers were unaware that she was present. The women around her eyed her curiously. Bela smiled disdainfully for their benefit.
"Other woman got him now," Jeresis went on indifferently. The smile froze on Bela's face. A red-hot needle seemed thrust into her breast. "Who?" someone asked. "The white woman that was here. Make her head go this way, that way." Jeresis imitated. "The chicadee woman," said another. "I see them by the company fence," Jeresis went on idly. "She stand on one side. He stand on other side.
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