The smoke increased in volume and rolled
heavily skyward upon the light breeze. She could hear the crackle of
flames, and the smell of burning spruce was in the air.
She pushed forward into the cordon of Indians which surrounded the
burning building, glancing hurriedly from face to face, searching for
MacNair. Upon the edge of the little clearing which surrounded the
storehouse she saw the Louchoux girl bending over a form that lay
stretched in the snow. Swiftly she made her way to the girl's side.
She was bending over the inert form of Big Lena. The big woman opened
her eyes, and with a cry Chloe dropped to her knees by her side.
"Ay ain't hurt much," Lena muttered weakly. "Vun faller shoot me on de
head, but de bullet yump off sidevays. Ju bet MacNair, he gif dem
haal!"
At the mention of MacNair's name Chloe sprang to her feet and continued
along the cordon.
One end of the storehouse and half the roof was ablaze, while thick,
heavy smoke curled from beneath the full length of the eaves and
through the chinkings of the logs. Chloe had almost completed the
circle when suddenly she came to a halt, for there, pressed tight
against the logs close beside the jamb of the closed door, stood
MacNair.
Pages:
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399