Зов предков
The Toil of Trace and Trail
Halwasayoungsterofnineteenortwenty,withabigColt’srevolverandahunting-knifestrappedabouthimonabeltthatfairlybristledwithcartridges. Thisbeltwasthemostsalientthingabouthim. Itadvertisedhiscallowness—acallownesssheerandunutterable. Bothmenweremanifestlyoutofplace,andwhysuchastheyshouldadventuretheNorthispartofthemysteryofthingsthatpassesunderstanding.
Buckheardthechaffering,sawthemoneypassbetweenthemanandtheGovernmentagent,andknewthattheScotchhalf-breedandthemail-traindriverswerepassingoutofhislifeontheheelsofPerraultandFrancoisandtheotherswhohadgonebefore. Whendrivenwithhismatestothenewowners’camp,Bucksawaslipshodandslovenlyaffair,tenthalfstretched,dishesunwashed,everythingindisorder; also,hesawawoman. "Mercedes"themencalledher. ShewasCharles’swifeandHal’ssister—anicefamilyparty.
Buckwatchedthemapprehensivelyastheyproceededtotakedownthetentandloadthesled. Therewasagreatdealofeffortabouttheirmanner,butnobusinesslikemethod. Thetentwasrolledintoanawkwardbundlethreetimesaslargeasitshouldhavebeen. Thetindisheswerepackedawayunwashed. Mercedescontinuallyflutteredinthewayofhermenandkeptupanunbrokenchatteringofremonstranceandadvice.
