An uneasiness among the horses at grass warned them of the approach of other travellers. Presently they heard the lurching of a waggon in the road, and the loud voice of a man urging his team. A mud-splashed outfit appeared, consisting of a loaded waggon drawn by four horses. A white man drove it, and a breed boy walked behind. This was d**k Stivers bringing in goods for Maroney of the French outfit. He was an experienced freighter. His waggon was a low-hung springless affair, and his horses were in good condition.
Stivers himself was a little terrier of a man with a merry eye, an old friend of Brinklow’s. Hailing the party jovially, he steered his waggon round the standing waggon, and jumped off. Hands were shaken all around.
The newcomer was a stranger to Wat Parran and his party. When
