"But—the Hudson's Bay Company! How about them?"
"De H.B.C. all right—but dey ain' go out after de Injun. Dey got de reg'lar post. De Injun got to mush mebbe-so mor' as hondre mile—two hondre. Spose de free traders ketch um firs'. De Injun never git to de post. You got nuff for de stake?"
Connie laughed: "Yes, I've got enough for the stake, all right. But I'm not so keen for the trading outfit. We can take along some traps, though, and if there isn't any gold—we'll take out some fur. And, you'll sure go with me? When can you start?"
The Indian glanced out of the low door. "It daylight—le's go."
"But, how about the Kuskokwim?"
'Merican Joe shrugged. "Kuskokwim kin wait. She ain' no good. Me—I'm stay 'long wit' you. You pay me wages w'at you want. I good man—me. You wait—I show you. You good man, too. I seen plent' good man—plent' bad man—I know—me."
The Indian reached out his hand, and Connie shook it—and thus was the bargain struck.
"Will you sell Leloo?" asked the boy.
The Indian shook his head: "No!"
"Five hundred dollars?"