IH_■ THE STORY SO FAR: Bound for the Chibcugamau gold country, six men lost their lives on the Nottaway river. Red Malone, Garrett Finlay, brother of one of the six, and Blaise, half-breed guide, arrive at Nottaway posing as surveyors. AJ A1 A INSTALLMENT SIX Finlay receives an anonymous letter suggesting that the six men were not drowned as reported. Suspicion prevails that Isadora, rich fur man, has made a gold strike and alms to keep prospectors out of the country at any cost. The three at at « at at Ji men start out on the Nottaway, despite warnings. They escape an ambush pre pared tor them and continue toward the Hudson's Bay post. Finlay and Malone visit Isadore. They later learn that Isa dore’s men will soon attempt to kill them. Jt. Ji Ji iv n «v When Blaise had finished Finlay looked hard at Malone across the fire. “How does that strike you?” he asked. “So ter as I’m concerned.” said’ Red, driving a fist like stone into his cupped hand, “I’d like to get this white-haired beauty, now. Set a trap for him and finish him right here. It’s got to be sometime, why not tonight?” Finlay shook his head. "Not yet. Red! You forget it’s Isadore we’re after. I want to talk to Waswanipi Indians first who must have met Bob and, later, seen his smashed ca noe. We’re leaving now for the head of the lake.” “I guess you’re right, boss. We want that evidence first.” “What’s your idea, Blaise?” asked Garry. • Brassard drew deeply on his pipe before he answered: “At fishin’ camp at head of de lake is dat Mon tagnais treaty chief dey call Pierre Wabistan, de Injun on Matagami tell us about. Dose fallar here to night say he have moch trouble at de spring trade wid Tete-Blanche. We have talk wid him.” “That’s our man. Red!” cried Garry. “Did you ask these Indians about the men lost on the Waswanipi River, Blaise?” “Ah-hah! Dey say Pierre Wabi Btan have story to tell about dat.” “They knew nothing, them Belves?” “No, dey say talk wid Pierre.” “You bet we will! All right, let’s go! We’ll leave a nice fire for Tete Blanche to warm his hands on.” Through the night the rhythmical “churn-swish, churn-swish,” of three maple blades drove the Peter boro up the lake. At last, when the eastern hills were rimmed with fire the canoe headed inshore and the tired crew cooked a meal and slept. Far in the distance, like battleships at anchor, the islands off the mouth of the Waswanipi hung above the windless mirror, reflecting the green ridges of the shores. CHAPTER VI Camped on the islands the Mon tagnais who, in winter, hunted the hinterlands, lived through the short summer on their gill-nets and stur geon spears. “Where did they say Pierre Wa bistan is camped, Blaise?” asked Garry, on the following afternoon, as the Peterboro approached the maze of islands. “On islan’ wid big boulder.” As the canoe passed the fishing camps where lines of ripples thrust ing from points of shore marked the wood floats of gill-nets set for pike,