“You had as much to do with it as anyone,” Norman suggested aloud. Then he laughed and added: “But you mustn’t work so hard. Look at your hands.”
Paul opened his yet clenched fingers and held them before the snapping blaze. The palm of each hand bore traces of blood.
“That’s where I lifted her over the high places,” he said with a laugh of his own. “But look, it’s dry. I ain’t been doing it for some time.”
This night was the real beginning of the colder weather. When they were able, in late July, Ewen and Miller had sacrificed a few potatoes out of their store to plant a patch of this vegetable. During August the little garden had thriven and was at last in full bloom. But this night, to the keen disappointment of all, the creamy blossoms fell a victim to the first blighting frost. From now on, while the days were even sunnier and often quite warm, the nights rapidly grew colder and each morning there were increasing frosts.
For two weeks preliminary to the removal of the derrick to the better prospect, the arm of the drill pounded ceaselessly up and down all day. There were small accidents that frequently delayed the work, but no result other than dulled drills and the accumulation of promising-looking sand and rock.
The hunting trips also continued and moose now became very plentiful. Philip, the cook and hunter, did not always accompany the boys on shooting trips, as the half-breed had joined Ewen and Miller in the work on the well.
The airship was safely housed, as if for the winter. The third week in September came in with a lessening in the daily sunshine. A haze began to hang over the river valley and a murkiness now and then took the place of the keen and clear atmosphere. The evenings had grown so cool that considerable attention was being given the fire in the living room.
On an evening such as this, while Colonel Howell and his young assistants stood on the riverbank, watching the red sun turn to silver gray, Colonel Howell exclaimed:
“By our calendar, the fall’s coming along a little early. And judging by the trees over there and the nip in the air, we’re going to have some weather before long. Maybe not for several days, but it’s on its way. Before it gets here, why not make another trip to the Landing and see if there’s anything at the post office?”
“All letters ready at five in the morning,” announced Norman impulsively. “Mail for Athabasca Landing, Edmonton, Calgary and points south leaves at that time.”