So muttering some sort of an excuse to Eli he had wandered forth into the night.
He, too, had heard of the arrival of the batteau from above, and catching some casual words that were dropped knew there was trouble ahead for the immediate future, since a company of rival fur gatherers had swooped down upon ground that came within the jurisdiction of the Fort Harmony post, though often in dispute, and refused to leave when threatened by the agents of Gregory.
That might mean bloody war, for it so happened once in a while; and in times past scenes of violence had marked many a meeting of these rival companies.
Even this fact did not interest Owen to any extent just now.
At another time he might have felt his pulses thrill with eagerness, for having spent his whole existence in this region, he was naturally impregnated with the spirit that dominated the lives of those who depended upon the gathering of furs for their living, and Owen besides had inherited some of the Gregory combativeness.
He was thinking of that cousin and feeling an eagerness he could not overcome to set eyes on her for himself.
What was she like?
If she looked at all a Gregory he felt sure he could never care for her, since his feeling of intense dislike toward Alexander the factor was too deep-rooted to be easily cast out.
What was to hinder his wandering around near the big house used as an office and storeroom as well as the residence of the factor?
If Cuthbert had done so without attracting attention surely he could, and perhaps he might also be favored with just a little glimpse of the girl.