Wrecked but not Ruined | Page 7

went off
immediately in quest of the surveyor.
Mr Gambart was a cheerful, healthy, plump little man, with a plump
little wife, and three plump little daughters. Plumpness was not only a
characteristic of the Gambarts, but also of their surroundings, for the
cottage in which they dwelt had a certain air of plumpness about it, and
the spot on which it stood was a round little knob of a hill.
Here Reginald Redding was hospitably received--we might almost say
joyfully, because visitors to the settlement were so rare that whoever
made his appearance was sure to be received as a "welcome guest" if he
only carried the credentials of honesty and ordinary good nature on his
countenance.
Redding's impatience, however, to get at the truth of the matter that had

brought him there, induced him very soon to forsake the society of the
three plump little daughters and retire to the plump little father's
work-room.
"It is my opinion," said Mr Gambart, as he carefully unfolded the plan,
"that you may find the McLeods have trespassed somewhat on your
reserves, for, if my memory serves me rightly, there is a small islet-- as
you see here--just in the centre of the creek, half of which belongs to
you."
"I see it," said the fur-trader, earnestly gazing on the dot which
represented the said island.
"Well," continued the surveyor, "that islet is a mere rock just above the
waterfall, and I am of opinion that it would be almost impossible for
any one to erect a mill there without encroaching to some extent on
your half of it."
"Good," replied the fur-trader, "can you let me have a copy of the plan
to-morrow?"
"To-night if you please. I have one by me."
"Then I'll be off by daybreak the day after to-morrow," said Redding,
with much decision.
"Why such haste?" asked the surveyor, "the McLeods are not likely to
run away from you. I know them well, for they dwelt long in this
settlement, and were ever regarded as men of firm purpose--quite
immovable indeed when once they had made up their minds on any
point, so you'll be sure to find them at Jenkins Creek carrying out their
plans, even though you should delay your return for a month. Come,
make up your mind to stay with us at least a few days. It will do you as
well as me good, and will send you back to banishment in a better
frame of mind."
Redding, although strongly tempted by the comforts of civilised life
and the hospitality of his host--not to mention the attractions of the

plump little daughters--sternly resolved not to swerve an inch, from the
path of what he believed to be his duty. He entertained a strong
suspicion that these McLeods had penetrated into the wilderness to the
neighbourhood of the Cliff Fort, not so much for the purpose of cutting
timber, as for secret opposition in the fur-trade, of which the company
he represented had for many years enjoyed almost a monopoly. His
pride was touched, his spirit was fired. Perhaps the peaceful and
secluded life he had led rendered this little opportunity of warfare more
a pleasure than a pain to him. At all events the thing was not to be
tolerated. The saw-mill, which the McLeods had an undoubted right to
erect on the unoccupied lands, was being planted on the very border of
the Company's reserve lands, which they had purchased, and which
were clearly laid down in plans. He would see to it that these
interlopers did not trespass by an inch--no, not by an eighth of an
inch--if he had power to prevent it! The fact that the McLeods were
said to be resolute men made him more determined to assert his rights.
He therefore declined Mr Gambart's invitation firmly.
"I will stay," said he, "only one day, to look out for a house, and then
return."
"Look out for a house!" exclaimed the surveyor, in surprise, "what
mean you? Do you think of settling down here?"
"Indeed I do," replied Redding, with a smile. "I have long been
brooding over that subject. The fact is, Mr Gambart, that I am tired of
solitude. I am a sociable being, and find it hard to endure the society of
only five or six men in a place where there are no women, no children,
and no end of bears! I intend to leave the Fur Company's
service,--indeed my resignation is already sent in,--purchase a small
farm here, and get--"
"Get a wife, a horse, a dog, and a gun, and settle down to enjoy
yourself, eh?" interrupted the surveyor.
"Well, I had not gone quite so much into details," answered Redding,
with a laugh, "but you are right in so far as