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Updated: May 11, 2025
"'Come back, if ye dare, says Pritchen, an' the men hooted as the poor chap walked from the buildin' as proud as a lord. "I follered 'im to his cabin, fer I was sore hit, an' stood with 'im as he was ready to leave. He had his rifle, snow-shoes, his medical case, an' a small pack of grub on his back. He wouldn't say much, not even whar he was goin'. He seemed like a man in a dream.
The desire to return, however, was tinged with apprehension. He knew that Pritchen and Perdue, with their followers, would use every effort in their power to hound him out of Klassan. There were others, he felt sure, who were more honourable. If the confidence of these could be won, he might be able to overcome the opposition. Before starting, Keith visited his patient.
"Hold right thar, pard," broke in the old man. "I don't want that persition, an' I won't take it. Appint some one else." "Pritchen, then," called out another. "I move for Pritchen." "Pritchen, Pritchen," came the response. "He'll do. He's the tongue for such things. Mount the bench, Bill." Since the night of the debate Pritchen appeared to be a changed man.
"I know he could handle them better than any one else." "Ay, ay, miss, there's no doubt about that. But, poor chap, I'm thinkin' he'll have enough to attend to out on the hills by this time." "Is there much talk about him at the store?" asked Mr. Radhurst. "No, sir. He's seldom mentioned. Once Pritchen made a remark about the trial, but, gittin' no encouragement, he shet up.
He felt a Presence very near, some unseen influence giving him a marvellous calmness and courage. He looked at the men, and listened to their cruel words unmoved. He saw Pritchen standing by, with Satanic delight stamped upon his features, but it affected him not.
There, down among the coals and ashes, away out of sight." He then started to leave the building, and had almost reached the door, when his eye fell upon a picture standing upon the rough deal table. He stopped and went back. The photograph was that of a sweet-faced woman and two lovely children, a boy and a girl. Pritchen looked at them curiously for an instant.
At once, cups brimming with vile hootch were placed upon the rough bar. Seizing one in his hand Pritchen held it before the old chief's eyes. "Drink," he said. "Good." As the Indian looked in silence at the mixture, without offering to touch it, a stern voice rang out near the door. Some one was speaking in sharp, quick words in the Indian tongue, which produced an immediate effect.
To Keith, the days that followed were full of peace and happiness. The Reading Room was well attended and, more important still, the church was filled every Sunday with an orderly number of men. It now appeared that the turn of affairs on the night of the debate had discouraged Pritchen entirely from his opposition.
"And what would you think," continued Pritchen, thoroughly enjoying the sensation he was causing, "if the man responsible for it all came to Klassan and never said a word about it to any one?" "That it looked mighty suspicious," replied Perdue. "But is there any one here who knows about the matter?" "Maybe this'll tell the tale," and Pritchen opened the book he was holding in his hand.
"You're a d fool and a liar," shouted Pritchen, at which his men set up a roar, delighted to know that something was about to happen. Caribou Sol started; the colour fled from his face, and with one bound he leaped forward, scrambled over the seats, and confronted the man who had dared to use such insulting words. "Take 'em back!" he cried.
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