"Ah, you cum jus' een time. You save hees life."
The Husky placed a hand on the thick hair of the senseless man, as he said, "He ketch boy, Salmon Rive'. He frien' of me!"
Jean Marcel's bread upon the waters had returned to him.
With the unconscious Marcel in his arms, Jules Duroc climbed the cliff, the grateful Kovik at his heels, to meet the inhabitants of Whale River on the clearing. The news of the fight on the beach had spread swiftly through the post and many and fierce were the threats made against the Lelacs as they were shut in a small shack and placed under guard.
In front of the trade-house, Gillies, followed by McCain and Wallace, met Jules with his burden.
"How did this happen, Jules? Is he badly hurt?" demanded the factor. Jules explained briefly.
"Stabbed in the back? Too bad! Too bad! Take him to the Mission Hospital."
"Well, Gillies, this settles it! The Lelacs go south for trial, now, and they won't need you as a witness either," announced Wallace.
"Yes, we'll have to get rid of them," admitted the factor. "They were crazy to do this after what has happened. I should have shut them up. Too bad Jean didn't use his knife instead of his hands on them!"
"Or his feet!" added McCain. "The Husky says he put one Lelac out of business with a kick and choked the old man unconscious, when the one who was knocked into the river stabbed him. He fought them with his bare hands. I take off my hat to Jean Marcel."