“Oh!” said Crawford. The other showed yellow fangs in a laugh.
“Don’t understand it, eh? Thought you could come up-country for the French and nobody know about it, eh? Well, you’ll learn different.”
“I’m not for the French,” said Crawford.
“Don’t believe a word of it,” retorted Maclish cheerfully. “After Iberville swept the north end o’ the bay last year, I was at Albany with Kelsey. Lucky Iberville couldn’t make a clean sweep o’ things! Well, we heard that a fur-pirate named Crawford was heading inland in French employ, so Kelsey sent me along to stop the game. And I’m here. You know about Kelsey, maybe?”
Crawford shook his head.
“Kelsey broke out o’ bounds years ago and came up among the Stone Men. He married a red princess and brought down all the trade, so the company made him a blooming lord in high command. And with a bit o’ luck, I’ll be the same one o’ these days.”
Maclish paused to stuff a pipe. Crawford stood immobile, his brain racing. So this man had overreached him—had got ahead of him in the dead of winter! Amazing as the fact was, bitter as it was, Crawford instantly gathered himself to face the situation.
“So I’m not the first white man in this country?” he asked, to gain time.
“Devil a bit of it. Kelsey’s first, I’m second, and next year the company starts inland. The old orders are dead. No more keeping the company servants cooped up! Iberville’s cut us off from the north o’ the bay, so we’ll work the East Main and the up-country. When your messages came to the Assiniboines, asking for guides, I got ’em.” Maclish puffed and chuckled complacently, obviously pleased with himself.
“Pawky devils, those chiefs!” he went on. “They’re afraid o’ the Star Woman, but they’re more afraid o’ losing their trade—and not a cursed bit afraid o’ you and your Crees! Besides, I’ve got the young warriors all with me. I’ve heard tales about that Star Woman myself, and I’ve an exploring commission from Kelsey; so here I am—and back you go!”