“Talk, talk, talk! That’s the kind of feller Andy Mace is,” said the Maliseet, winking his only eye at Young Dan very deliberately.
Young Dan was greatly impressed by the story of Pete’s just temper and amazing physical stamina. He said so. Then, at Andy’s request, he read a story of the wizard of Harley Street. Andy interrupted the narrative frequently, but the Maliseet listened in keen silence.
“It couldn’t be done, nohow,” said Andy, at the conclusion of the tale. “The devil himself couldn’t of worked it out like that.”
Young Dan left the camp bright and early next morning with his uncle’s rifle, axe and blankets, a pack of fine furs and grub enough to last him to Bean’s Mill. He pushed along steadily all day and slept in a hole in the snow that night. He crossed the river well above his father’s farm and gave it and the village at the Bend a wide offing. He reached the outskirts of the settlement of Bean’s Mill about noon and dined well beside his own fire in a thicket of young spruces before appearing to the settlers. Then he went straight to Luke Watt’s store.
Mr. Watt did a big business in a small store. That’s the kind of business man he was, but in character he was a very different sort of person. He was small in character and large in body and manner. As a storekeeper his activities were larger than his premises, but as a man, his chest and legs and arms and skull—yes, and his “lower chest”—were much too large for him. He had a stiff right wrist, calculating and watchful eyes of no particular color, large hands queerly shaped and a large manner of good-fellowship and an unattractive mustache.
Young Dan found Luke Watt behind his counter, in a corner close to one of the dirty windows, barricaded into his position by boxes and barrels and crates and bags. Young Dan worked his way inward to the counter. He saw, as he advanced, that the other did not know him.
“Good morning, Mr. Watt,” he said. “I’m Dan Evans from up past the Bend—Young Dan Evans. I got a few skins here I want to sell.”
“Of course ye’re Dan Evans!” exclaimed Luke Watt. “Didn’t I know it the minute I see you! Lay it there! How’s tricks up river?”
“Pretty good, I guess,” replied the youth. “It’s been a great winter for trapping so far, anyhow.”