“That a’ right,” returned the Maliseet. “Mick Otter got the brain for the both of us, you got the arm an’ the leg for the hard work. Take plenty fur, you bet.”
They set out for Pappoose Lake, six miles to the northward, two days later. They carried blankets, axes, Mick Otter’s rifle, a small bag of flour, tea, bacon, a kettle, a frying-pan and half a dozen traps. It took them three hours to get to the lake, for the way was rough and not straight and their loads were heavy. There Tom rested for half an hour; and Mick cruised around for a likely site for their camp. Then Tom returned to the clearings, dined with Gaspard and Catherine, loaded up with more provisions, four more traps and a tarpaulin, and headed northward again for Pappoose Lake.
Catherine followed him from the house, and called to him just as he was climbing the brush-fence at the northern edge of the new clearing. He turned very willingly and lowered his pack to the ground.
“I have just thought of something,” she said. “Ned Tone is still dangerous, and we should be ready for him if he comes back. The danger of his seeing something, or hearing something, to cause him to suspect your identity, isn’t passed, you know.”
“I know it,” said Tom. “I realize that I am still in danger of discovery. That is the only thing that worries me now.”
“And if you are found, it will be through Ned Tone,” she said. “You must be careful. Whenever you come back, take a look at the house before you show yourself. If there is danger I’ll show something white in my window.”
“And at night?”
“A candle on my window-sill. But that is not all. If the danger seems acute, if there is a chance of people searching the woods for you, I’ll come and warn you.”
“But do you know the way?”
“Yes, I have been to Pappoose Lake.”