“Answer me fully.”
“From Sah-ko-da-tah prairie, if you know where that is. I came into that country by way of Grande Prairie. I came from Winnipeg.”
Stonor didn’t believe a word of this, but had no means of confuting the man on the spot. “How long have you been here?” he asked.
“A week or so. I didn’t keep track.”
“What is your business here?”
“I’m looking for a job.”
“Among the Beavers? Why didn’t you come to the trading-post?”
“I was coming, but they tell me John Gaviller’s a hard man to work fer. Thought I better keep clear of him.”
“Gaviller’s the only employer of labour hereabouts. If you don’t like him you’ll have to look elsewhere.”
“I can take up land, can’t I?”