The Curse of the Viking Grave Read Free Page B

suffered the ravages of the disease and survived it. By the end of a week more than a score of men and women had passed the crisis and had rallied back to life—but an almost equal number had lost the struggle.
    The boys got very little rest. All through the long winternights two boys made continual rounds of the tents to keep the fires going, while the third stretched out in exhausted sleep. They thought of only one thing: when would help come? Each day they strained their eyes across the lake to glimpse the approach of Alphonse’s men, hoping that Angus Macnair and a doctor might be with them.
    On a day in the last week of February, Alphonse brought a load of food to the meeting place and was met only by Jamie. The boy stood thirty yards away, as had been agreed, and he was so weary that he seemed to sag into the snow.
    Alphonse’s face betrayed his fear, but he spoke calmly enough.
    â€œWhere are the others?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s Peetyuk,” Jamie answered. “He’s sick, and Awasin’s staying in the camp with him. Awasin’s all right and so am I. When is help coming, Alphonse? Is there no word from my uncle yet?”
    Alphonse’s dark and handsome face grew darker still. He stretched out his hands as if he would close the gap between himself and the boy.
    â€œYou have much strength in you, Jamie,” he said. “Be strong now, for the news is bad.”
    â€œAngus!” Jamie shouted. “Is he all right? Did he get through?”
    â€œHe did what he said he would, my son. Last night a messenger came from The Pas, a Cree sent by the police. He brought a letter to you from the police—but also he brought private news.
    â€œWhen Angus reached Reindeer he found Penyatzi and Madees lying in a travel tent some distance from the trading post. They were very sick and none would go near them. So your uncle nursed Penyatzi and Madees. Madees still lives, although Penyatzi is no more.
    â€œThere was no help available at the trading post, so Angus traveled on. But he took the evil with him in his lungs. He got to The Pas sick. He was taken to the hospital and for a time they thought he would die. But he lives, my son, he lives. And he has sent this message to you through the lips of his friends the Crees. He says this: ‘Tell the boy he is to do as he sees fit, for he has shown himself to be a man, and a man may decide his own life for himself.’ ”
    Alphonse finished talking and laid a manila envelope on the snow. As he walked away from it, Jamie ran forward, picked it up and tore it open.
    The Pas, Manitoba
February 18th
    Jamie Macnair
Macnair Lake
Manitoba
    Dear Sir:
    Re: Angus Macnair
    1. I have to inform you that your uncle, Angus Macnair, is hospitalized at The Pas with double pneumonia and serious complications. It is the opinion of the doctors that he will not be able to leave his bed for manyweeks and he will be unable to return north for some months, if ever.
    2. Since he has no funds he is being cared for as a welfare patient.
    3. It is understood that Mr. Macnair is your legal guardian. Since he is not in a position to care for you the law compels me to instruct you to report yourself to the Child Welfare authorities in Winnipeg as soon as possible.
    4. You will therefore return to The Pas with the bearer of this letter, Special Constable Peter Moiestie. Transportation by rail to Winnipeg will be provided for you from there.
    5. Would you please inform Chief Denikazi and Chief Meewasin that the Department of Indian Affairs has the epidemic under advisement and will try to arrange a visit by a doctor when conditions warrant.
    R OBERT O WEN , Sgt.,
  i/c The Pas Detachment

 
    CHAPTER 3
    Angeline
    S HOCK AND RAGE CHOKED JAMIE AS he finished the letter. He looked up, white-faced and hard-eyed.
    â€œListen to this, Alphonse!” he cried bitterly, and read the letter aloud.
    There was a responsive anger on the Cree chief’s