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Updated: June 3, 2025
Their men are hired and broke in outside. So what'll you do now?" "I'll make out somehow," said Sam. "There ain't no make out to it!" cried Mahooley, exasperated. "You ain't even got an axe to swing. There ain't nothin' for you but starve." "Well, then, I'll bid you good day," said Sam stiffly. "Hold on!" shouted the trader. "I ain't done with you yet.
She laughed mockingly and, turning, carried her box in front of the fire. From this point Mahooley, in the midst of the general chaffing, unexpectedly received a narrow-eyed look over her shoulder that went to his head a little. He promptly arose and carried his box to her side. Mahooley was the greatest man present, and none presumed to challenge him. Bela bridled and smiled.
His first maxim was: "A man must never let anything on with these girls." "Pooh! W'at you care about 'an'some?" jeered Bela. "Girls all the same to you." This flecked Mahooley on the raw. A deep flush crept into his face. "Ah, a man leads a man's life," he growled. "That ain't to say he don't appreciate something good if it comes his way." "They say you treat girls pretty bad," said Bela.
He tipped a wink in his partner's direction. "What's your fancy, Stiffy." "Oh, I leave the mean-you to you, Mahooley." "Well, I guess you can give us some patty de foy grass, and squab on toast, and angel cake." "Sure," said Sam. "How about a biscuit Tortoni for dessert?" "Don't you give me no lip!" cried Mahooley.
If he had been a tame spirit it would not have hurt him, and before this the game would have lost its zest for them. It was his helpless rage which nearly killed him, and which provided their fun. Mahooley, keeping what had happened to himself, led his tormentors. Sam was prevented from escaping the place.
As a rule, the slightest disturbance of their routine was heralded in advance by "moccasin telegraph," and this was like a bolt from the blue. Mahooley's chair came to the floor with a thump. "Well, I'm damned!" he said, staring. Stiffy came quickly out of his little box to see what was up. "How are you?" began the stranger youth diffidently. "Who the hell are you?" asked Mahooley.
"What for you come over here?" she demanded. "I not tell you to." "Oh, I took a chance," said the trader coolly. At the same time his wicked, dancing little eyes informed her that he knew very well she had asked him over. The sanguine Mahooley was no celibate, and he cared not who knew it. "You think 'cause you the trader you do w'at you like," said Bela mockingly.
One afternoon he was delayed across the bay, and as he approached the "resteraw" the fellows were already gathering for supper. Sam listened to the jovial talk and laughter coming through the door with a sore and desirous heart. "Why can't I have a good time, too?" he asked himself rebelliously. But he did not pull up. A few yards beyond the shack he met Stiffy and Mahooley riding to supper.
"Blest if I can see what the girl sees in him," said Mahooley. "There are better men for her to pick from." "He's spoiled our fun, damn him!" said another. "The place won't be the same again." "Who is this fellow Sam?" asked one of the newcomers. "A damn ornery little cook who's got his head swole," muttered Joe. "He kept his place till he got a team to drive," said Mattison.
The entire outfit had a well-to-do air that earned the traders' respect even from across the river. Of the four men, one carried his arm in a sling. Stiffy and Mahooley ferried them across team by team in the scow they kept for the purpose. The four hardy and muscular travellers were men according to the traders' understanding. They used the same scornful, jocular, profane tongue.
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