"Ungava Bob's father's name be Richard Gray," began Ed, while he cut tobacco from a black plug and stuffed it into his pipe, when they were presently seated in the men's kitchen. "Dick's name, here, be Richard, too, but we calls he 'Dick,' and Richard Gray, Richard,' so's not t' get un mixed up. You see, if we calls un both 'Dick' or both 'Richard,' we'd never be knowin' who 'twas were meant."
"I see," said Shad.
"Well, Richard were havin' a wonderful streak1 o' bad luck," continued Ed, striking a match and holding it aloft for the sulphur to burn off, "wonderful hard luck. His furrin' fails he two years runnin', an' then th' fishin' fails he, an' his debt wi' th' Company gets so big he's two year behind, whatever, th' best he does." Ed paused to apply the match to his pipe.
"Were you ever noticin', Mr. Toobridge--"
"Tumbridge," corrected Dick.
"Be it 'Toobridge' or 'Tumbridge,' sir?" asked Ed, unwilling2 to accept Dick's correction.
"Trowbridge."
"Leastways Toobridge were nigher right than Tumbridge," declared Ed, looking disdainfully at Dick. "Were you ever noticin' how bad luck, when she strikes a man's trail, follows him like a pack o' hungry wolves? Well, just at th' time I'm speakin' about, Richard's little maid Emily falls off a ledge3 an' hurts she so she can't walk. They tries all th' cures they knows, but 't weren't no good, an' then they brings Emily here t' Pelican4, t' see th' mail-boat doctor when th' ship comes.
"Th' mail-boat doctor tells un th' only cure is t' take she t' th' hospital in St. Johns, an' so they fetches Emily back t' Wolf Bight, for a trip t' St. Johns takes a wonderful lot o' money, an' Richard ain't got un.
"Bob thinks a wonderful lot o' Emily. He be only sixteen then, but a rare big an' stalwart lad for his years, an' unbeknown t' Richard an' his ma he goes t' Douglas Campbell, an' says t' Douglas, an' he lets he work th' Big Hill trail on shares th' winter, he's thinkin' he may ha' th' luck t' trap a silver fox, an' leastways fur t' pay t' send Emily t' th' hospital."
"Who is Douglas Campbell?" asked Shad.
"Oh, every one knows he, an' a rare old man he be. He comes t' th' Bay from th' Orkneys nigh forty year ago, workin' as servant for th' Company, an' then leavin' th' Company t' go trappin'. He done wonderful well, buyin' traps an' openin' new trails, which he lets out on shares. Th' Big Hill trail up th' Grand River were a new one.
"Well, Bob goes in wi' me an' Dick an' Bill Campbell, Douglas's lad, we workin' connectin' trails, an' he done fine. He starts right in catchin' martens an' silver foxes--a wonderful lot for a lad--"
"He only catches one silver, barrin' th' one after he were lost!" broke in Dick. "Now don't go yarnin', Ed."
"Leastways, he gets one silver an' a rare lot o' martens an' otters5 up t' Christmas, an' a plenty t' send Emily t' th' hospital.
"Then Micmac John--he were a thievin' half-breed as asks Douglas for th' Big Hill trail, an' feels a grudge6 ag'in' Bob because Douglas give un t' Bob--Micmac goes in an' steals Bob's tent when Bob were up country after deer. A snow comin' on--'twere wonderful cold--Bob gives out tryin' t' find his tilt7, an' falls down, an' loses his senses. When he wakes up he's in a Nascaupee Injun tent, th' Injuns comin' on he where he falls an' takin' he with un.
"Bob not knowin' th' lingo8 they speaks, an' they not knowin' his lingo, an' he not knowin' how far they took he before he wakes up, or rightly how t' find his tilt, he sticks t' the' Injuns, an' they keeps workin' north till they comes t' Ungava."
"A wonderful trip that were! A wonderful trip! No man in th' Bay were ever t' Ungava before, so we calls he 'Ungava Bob,'" interrupted Dick.
"Then Bob works 'cross th' nu'th'ard country with huskies," continued Ed, "an' up th' coast with huskies, until he goes adrift on th' ice--him an' his two huskies he has with he--an' when they thinks they's lost, or like t' be lost, they comes on a tradin' vessel9 froze in th' ice an' loaded wi' tradin' goods an' furs, an' not e'er a man aboard she. Bob an' th' huskies sails th' vessel in here, when th' ice breaks up, an' th' ship goes free.
"That were just one year ago. Me an' Dick gets out from th' trails th' day Bob gets home, an' Douglas goin' with us, we sails th' vessel, which were 'The Maid o' the North,' t' St. Johns, an' Bob gets fifteen thousand dollars salvage10 money. A rare lot o' money, sir, that were for any man t' have, let alone a lad."
"What happened to the little girl--his sister?" asked Shad.
"She goes t' th' hospital, an' comes back t' Wolf Bight in September, cured an' fine. She be a fine little maid, too--a fine little maid," Ed asserted.
"What was done to the half-breed Indian--Micmac John, I think you called him?"
"Micmac? Oh, he were killed by wolves handy t' th' place th' Injuns finds Bob. Me, wi' Bill an' Dick, here, goes lookin' for Bob an' finds Micmac's bones where th' wolves scatters11 un, an' handy to un is Bob's flatsled an' thinkin' they's Bob's remains12 I hauls un out in th' winter, an' his folks buries un proper for his remains before he gets out in th' spring."
"What an experience for a kid!" exclaimed Shad. "He must have had some rattling13 adventures?"
"Aye, that he did," said Ed. "'Twould be a long story t' tell un all, but there were one, now--"
"Now don't go yarnin', Ed," interrupted Dick, who had stepped out of doors and returned at this moment. "Ed never tells un straight, Mr. Trunbridge."
"Troobridge," broke in Ed.
"Trowbridge," volunteered Shad.
"Mr. Trowbridge," continued Dick. "He makes un a lot worse'n Bob tells un. Fog's clearin', Ed, an' we better be goin' after we eats dinner."
"That we had, an' the fog's clearin'," agreed Ed.
"But how about Ungava Bob? I'd like to meet him. Do you really think I may be able to engage him to guide me on a two or three weeks' trip?" asked Shad.
"Aye," said Ed. "I'm thinkin', now, you might. Bob's not startin' for th' trails for three weeks, whatever, an' he's bidin' home till he goes, an' not wonderful busy. I'm thinkin' Bob could go."
"That settles it," Shad decided14. "I'll look him up."
"You'll be welcome t' a place in our boat," suggested Dick. "'Tis a two-days' sail, wi' fair wind. They's plenty o' room, an' we can tow th' canoe. Me an' Ed lives at Porcupine15 Cove16, an' you can paddle th' canoe over from there t' Wolf Bight in half a day, whatever."
"Done!" exclaimed Shad.
With the assurance of Mr. James Forbes, the factor, that the rivers flowing into the head of the Bay, a hundred miles inland from Fort Pelican, offered good canoe routes, Shad felt that a kind fate had indeed directed him to Fort Pelican, and that he had been particularly fortunate in meeting the two trappers.
"Bob Gray will be a good man for you if you can engage him, and I think you can," said Mr. Forbes. "Bob has had some truly remarkable17 adventures, and he's an interesting chap. Ed Matheson will probably relate these adventures to you, properly embellished18, if you go up the Bay with him and Dick Blake. Take Ed's stories, though, with a grain of salt. He is a good trapper, but he has a vivid imagination."
Shad accepted Mr. Forbes's invitation to dine in the "big house," as the factor's residence was called, and when, after dinner, Mr. Forbes accompanied him to the wharf19, the trappers had already stowed his outfit20 into their boat, and the two mean were awaiting his arrival. No time was lost in getting away. Sail was hoisted21 at once, and with Shad's canoe in tow the boat turned westward22 into the narrows that connect Eskimo Bay with the ocean.
"Th' wind's shifted t' nu'th'ard, and when we gets through th' narrows there'll be no fog," Dick prophesied23, and his prophecy proved true. Presently the sky cleared, the sun broke through the mist, the freshening north wind swept away the last lingering fog bank, and as a curtain rises upon a scene, so the lifting fog revealed to Shad Trowbridge the weird24, primitive25 beauty of the rugged26 northland that he was entering.
The atmosphere, so lately clogged27 with mist, had suddenly become transparent28. To the southward, beyond a broad stretch of gently heaving waters, rose a range of snow-capped mountains, extending far to the westward. Reaching up from the nearby northern shore of the bay, and stretching away over gently rolling hills lay the boundless29 evergreen30 forest.
Somewhere in the distance a wild goose honked31. White-winged gulls32 soared gracefully33 overhead. Now and again a seal rose to gaze for an inquisitive34 moment at the passing boat, and once a flock of ducks settled upon the waters. The air was redolent with the pungent35 odour of spruce and balsam fir--the perfume of the forest--and Shad, lounging contentedly36 at the bow of the boat, drank in great wholesome37 lungfuls of it.
All this was commonplace to the trappers, and quite unmindful of it Ed Matheson launched upon tales of stirring wilderness38 adventures in which his imagination was unrestrained, save by an occasional expostulation from Dick.
The wild region through which they were passing gave proper setting for Ed's stories, and Shad, a receptive listener, wished that he, too, might battle with nature as these men did. How tame and uneventful his own life seemed. Already the subtle lure39 of the wilderness was asserting itself.
Three days after leaving Fort Pelican, Shad and the two trappers sailed their dory into Porcupine Cove. It was mid-afternoon, and Shad, impatient to reach Wolf Bight and begin his explorations in company with Ungava Bob, prepared for immediate40 departure, after a bountiful dinner of boiled grouse41, bread, and tea in Dick Blake's cabin.
"Better 'bide42 wi' me th' evenin'," invited Dick, "an' take an early start in th' mornin'. Th' wind's veered43 t' th' nor'-nor'west, an' she's like t' kick up some chop th' evenin', an' 'tis a full half-day's cruise t' Wolf Bight, whatever."
"I can make it all right," insisted Shad. "Bob may not be able to give me much time, and I want to take advantage of all he can give me."
"Well, if you must be goin', I'd not hinder you; but," continued Dick, "keep clost t' shore, until you reaches that p'int yonder, an' then make th' crossin' for th' south shore, keepin' that blue mountain peak just off your starboard bow, an' you can't be missin' Wolf Bight. If th' wind freshens, camp on th' p'int, an' wait for calm t' make th' crossin' t' th' s'uth'ard shore."
"Thank you, I'll follow your advice," said Shad.
"Wait, now," called Ed, who had disappeared into the cabin, and reappeared with a rope. "I'm thinkin' I'll lash44 your outfit t' th' canoe. They's no knowin' what's like t' happen, an' 'tis best t' be sure, whatever."
Shad felt truly grateful to the two bronzed trappers as he shook their hands and said adieu to them. It was only his impatience45 to plunge46 into the deep forests reaching away to the westward, and a growing curiosity to meet Ungava Bob, that induced him to decline the sincerely extended hospitality of Blake and Matheson.
Afternoon was waning47 into evening when Shad reached the point Dick had indicated, and the rising breeze was beginning to whip the wave crests48 here and there into white foam49.
Dick Blake had advised him to camp here if the wind increased. It had increased considerably50, but Shad had set his heart upon reaching Wolf Bight that night, and he did not wish to stop. The sun was setting, but there was to be a full moon, and he would be able to see nearly as well as by day. The sea, though a little rougher than it had been during the afternoon, was not, after all, he argued, so bad.
"I'll make a try for it, anyhow; I know I can make it," said he, after a little hesitation51, and turning his back upon the point he paddled on.
Presently, however, he began to regret his decision. With the setting sun the wind increased perceptibly. The sea grew uncomfortably rough. Little by little the canoe began to ship water, and with every moment the situation became more perilous52.
Now, genuinely alarmed, Shad made a vain attempt to turn about, in the hope that he might gain the lee of the point and effect a landing. But it was too late. He quickly found that it was quite impossible to stem the wind, and he had no choice but to continue upon his course.
With full realization53 of his desperate position, Shad paddled hard and paddled for his life. He was a good swimmer, but he knew well that were his canoe to capsize he could not hope to survive long in these cold waters.
The canoe was gradually filling with water, but he dared not release his paddle to bail54 the water out. With each big sea that bore down upon him he held his breath in fear that it would overwhelm him.
Nearer and nearer the south shore loomed55 in the moonlight, and with every muscle strained Shad paddled for it with all his might. If he could only keep afloat another twenty minutes!
But he had taken too desperate a chance. His goal was still a full mile away when a great wave broke over the canoe. Then came another and another in quick succession, and Shad suddenly found himself cast into the sea, struggling in the icy waters, hopelessly far from shore.
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1
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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pelican
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| n.鹈鹕，伽蓝鸟 | |
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otters
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| n.（水）獭( otter的名词复数 )；獭皮 | |
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grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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tilt
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| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
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lingo
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| n.语言不知所云，外国话，隐语 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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scatters
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| v.（使）散开， （使）分散，驱散( scatter的第三人称单数 )；撒 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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porcupine
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| n.豪猪， 箭猪 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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evergreen
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| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
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honked
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| v.（使）发出雁叫似的声音，鸣（喇叭），按（喇叭）( honk的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gulls
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| n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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bide
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| v.忍耐；等候；住 | |
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43
veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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44
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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45
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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46
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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47
waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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48
crests
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| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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49
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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50
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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51
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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52
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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53
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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54
bail
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| v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人 | |
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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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