Page:Hendryx--Connie Morgan with the Mounted.djvu/205

Rh of ships, and the wonders of far Cathay. Connie listened, wide-eyed to the stories, the while he noted that the man asked many guarded questions pertaining to the country—questions that any stranger might ask regarding settlements, trails, telegraph lines, and the customs inspection on boats. And at all times was he loud in his praise of the Mounted, and of their ability to preserve order throughout the vast territory under their jurisdiction. He even asked to be allowed to inspect the headquarters of B Division and to meet the commanding Superintendent. Connie marvelled at the man's audacity and promised to see what he could do toward the granting of his request.

The Stewart River was run without mishap and shortly after the canoe passed into the Yukon, the police launch Aurora, containing a Corporal and a Constable on river patrol, chugged close alongside. For a moment Connie was tempted to enlist the aid of the two officers in conveying his prisoner to Dawson. But at the thought of McKeever's words the boy's hand gripped tight upon his paddle.

"No, siree," he thought. "I've come this far alone, and I'm going to see it through." So when the boat drew alongside the boy merely saluted and