Page:Hugh Pendexter--Kings of the Missouri.djvu/229

 turn for taking the robes. They'd been an' repeat to pack to St. Louis. Call it a holiday and go with him.

"Long Simons says there is no signs of hostiles within fifty miles of us. Baker isn't so sure, but his Snake friends have been reading their medicine and filling him up. Too many friendly Injuns and trappers here for the Blackfeet to be sneaking round.

"It's Bill Tracy who's got the furs. There's eight or ten packs, and the R. M. F. isn't passing 'em by ordinarily. He's sore because I wouldn't let him have a keg of liquor on credit. I offered an outfit but he wanted the rum.

"He offered the cache to the New England outfit, but Wyeth was suspicious an' wouldn't dicker unless the packs was fetched in here. Take a mule an' go ahead."

"Can Papa Clair go with us?"

"No, siree! Think I come up here to work for the A. F. C.? You can go as you're not any help just now. Papa Clair is always a help. An' be back at the end of the sixth day or you'll find us gone.

"We're 'bout to split up into small parties. The A. F. C. will try to tag us round, and I may make