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Updated: May 10, 2025
Further he penetrated into the woods, but always only to return to his brother's side, distraught, weary from loss of blood. Gone! Aim-sa was gone! At last he stood, an awesome figure, bloodstained, dishevelled. He was at his brother's side as he had been a dozen times during his mad search. It was as though he returned to the dead for company. But now, at last, he moved away no more.
Nick thrust his rifle out towards her. "Here take it. It shoots good. When 'The Hood' comes, shoot savvee?" Aim-sa took the gun and turned back to the hut. And the men passed out into the forest. Aim-sa left the hut soon after the brothers had departed. For long she stood just beyond the door as though not sure of what she contemplated doing.
Danger threatened the woman he loved, for aught he knew had already overtaken her. To his credit be it said, that, as he raced over the sodden carpet of the forest, not one selfish thought possessed him. Aim-sa was in danger, and so he went headlong to the rescue. His quiet eyes were lit with a fiery determination such as one might have expected in the eyes of Nick, but not in those of Ralph.
True there were many miles of wild country between him and the Indians, but the knowledge of the direction he was taking quickly turned his thoughts into other channels, and his quarry no longer solely occupied his mind. His eyes followed the trail, his thoughts went on miles ahead. It was three days since Nick had first told Ralph of his meeting with Aim-sa.
With the curious freakishness of a disordered mind, he was beset by a vision of the dark, ferret face of Victor Gagnon. The trader seemed to be hovering threateningly over his rude couch, and, behind him, less distinct, but always recognizable, was the fair Aim-sa.
Nick rose from his gory task. He drew the fur away and spread it out on the roof of the dugout to freeze. Then he cut some fresh meat from the carcass, and afterwards dragged the remainder down the hill and left it for the dogs. The squabble began as soon as he returned to Aim-sa. A babel of fierce snarling and yapping proceeded as the ruthless beasts tore at the still warm flesh.
Ralph paid no heed to the taunting inquiry. He looked over at Aim-sa, who had shrunk away. Now she answered his look with one that was half-pleading, half-amused. She realized the feud which was between the men, but she did not understand the rugged, forceful natures which she had so stirred. "Say, gal," Ralph said abruptly. "Ther's jest us two.
Her horror was a natural revulsion at the prospect of seeing death dealt out in the ruthless manner that these men contemplated. Just for one instant the desire to stay the combatants rose uppermost in her mind. She stepped forward again and raised a protesting hand. "Are you brothers or wolves of the forest that you'd kill each other? If you fight for Aim-sa, she'll have neither of you."
Now the meaning of his brother's dead body returned to him once more. He remembered all that had happened. His love for Aim-sa arose paramount out of the shadowed recesses of his deranged mind, and merged into that other passion which had gripped him the night long. Nor was there pity nor penitence in his mood. Remorse had passed from him. Now there was no one to stand between him and his love.
Hitherto Ralph and Nick were accustomed to carry out their work singly, each scouring the woodlands and valleys in a direction which was his alone, each making his own bag of furs, which, in the end, would be turned over to the partnership; but Aim-sa joined them in their hunting, and, somehow, it came about that the men found it necessary to work together.
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