“Oh, to hell with you!” said Conacher plumping down in his seat laughing. “If any man thinks he can make a better speech let’s hear it!”
Next morning they resumed their work on the river. For two weeks longer they toiled up through or around the innumerable rapids, canyons, whirlpools, and waterfalls of the upper Sinclair, before they finally arrived at the little lake in which it took its source.
Here Langmuir gave Conacher leave to press on ahead while the party cleaned up its work for the season. So Conacher, Loseis and Mary-Lou crossed a famous pass and descending the mountain on the other side, plunged all at once into the civilization which Loseis had never seen. Everything in the busy little coast town was strange to her; the close ranks of shops and houses; locomotives; automobiles; electric light and water from a tap. The Princess was too aristocratic in spirit to betray vulgar amazement; she merely looked and listened quietly. Not until she was alone with her husband did she reveal the wonder and astonishment of her childish heart. For the man it was a wonderful experience to introduce so fresh and ardent a soul to the great world.
There was a short voyage by sea; then the return eastward by railroad over the mountains to the city of Prince George.
In Prince George they had no difficulty in finding John Gruber, who when he was not running Blackburn’s outfit into the country, or bringing out his furs, ran a stable in town, and bought and sold horses. They found him in his little office, a tall, strong man with a heavy, honest red face, and a bald red poll surrounded by a fringe of red hair. Gruber had not visited Blackburn’s Post since Loseis was a child; and he did not immediately recognize her.
“I am Laurentia Blackburn,” she said.
“What!” cried Gruber, staring. “Why . . . of course you are! . . . Well, I’m damned!”
“That’s what everybody says!” said Loseis with a rueful smile.
“Where did you come from?” demanded Gruber.
Loseis started to tell her story, but Gruber instantly silenced her. “Wait! Wait!” he cried. “We must do everything regular and proper!” Snatching up his hat, he hustled them through the streets to a tall office building. Here after ascending in an elevator (a fresh marvel to Loseis) they burst unceremoniously into the private office of a little, round, white-haired old gentleman, startling him almost out of his wits.