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It was the base Byron, tipping the wink to Mac out of the back of the bunk, that betrayed Kaviak. It became evident that "Farva" began to take a dour pride in the Kid's perseverance. One morning he even pointed out to the camp the strong likeness between Kaviak and Robert Bruce. "No, sah; the Scottish chief had to have an object-lesson, but Kaviak Lawd!
The Colonel took it up, and read aloud the Father's thanks for all the white camp's kindness to Kaviak, and now that the sickness was about gone from Holy Cross, how the Fathers felt that they must relieve their neighbours of further trouble with the little native. "I've said I'd take him back with me when I come up river about Christmas."
"What's that got to do with it?" said the Boy guiltily. "Kaviak knew it ought to be catchin' fish. When I came down he was cryin' and pullin' the trap backwards towards the hole. Then he slipped." "Come, Mac," said the Colonel quietly, "let's carry the little man to the cabin." "No, no, not yet; stuffy heat isn't what he wants;" and he worked on. They got Potts up on his feet.
He dashed the tree down in front of Kaviak, and a sudden storm agitated its sturdy branches; it snowed about the floor, and the strange fruit whirled and spun in the blast. Kaviak clutched it, far too dazed to do more than stare. The Boy stamped the snow off his mucklucks on the threshold, and dashed his cap against the lintel, calling out: "Come in! come in! let the dogs fight it out."
He thereupon averted his face, and sat as before with folded arms. He hadn't deliberately meant to make Kaviak be the first to "show his hand" after all that had happened, but something had taken hold of him and made him behave as he hadn't dreamed of behaving. It was, perhaps, a fear of playing the fool as much as a determination to see how much ground he'd lost with the youngster.
Just before dinner the next day the Boy called out: "See here! who's spilt the syrup?" "Spilt it?" "Syrup?" "No; it don't seem to be spilt, either." He patted the ground with his hand. "You don't mean that new can " "Not a drop in it." He turned it upside down. Every eye went to Kaviak. He was sitting on his cricket by the fire waiting for dinner.
Suppose I was to carry just for a bit . This is the roughest place on the trail. Hi! Stop!" he called to Andrew. The priest had said nothing; but divining what Mac would be at, he helped him to undo the raw-hide lashing, and when Kaviak was withdrawn he wrapped one of the lighter fur things round him.
The Jesuit had fastened his eyes on Mac's woollen muffler, which had been loosened during the ministering to Kaviak and had dropped on the ground. "Do you need that scarf?" he asked, as though he suspected Mac of wearing it for show. "Because if you didn't you could wrap it round Kaviak while I help the men strike camp."
Potts meanwhile was shaking the Big Chimney boss by the hand and saying, "Awfully sorry we can't take you on with us;" adding lower: "We had a mighty mean time after you lit out." Then Mac thrust his hand in between the two, and gave the Colonel a monkey-wrench grip that made the Kentuckian's eyes water. "Kaviak? Well, I'll tell you."
"Well," said the Colonel, severely, "you've had a Blow-Out if nobody else has!" "Feel better?" inquired Potts, tenderly. "Now, Mac, you shall have a fair field," said the Colonel, "and if the Boy opens his trap again " "I'll punch 'im," promised O'Flynn, replenishing the disturber's cup. But Mac wouldn't be drawn. Besides, he was feeding Kaviak.
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