It would be a simple task to go to Peter God! He was tempted
to take her in his arms. A moment more, and he would have caught her to
him, but the weight of his hand on her head roused her, and she raised
her face, and drew back. His arms were reaching out. She saw what was in
his eyes.
"Not now," she said. "Not until you have gone to him. Nothing in the
world will be too great a reward for you if you are fair with me, for you
are taking a chance. In the end you may receive nothing. For if Peter God
says that I cannot be your wife, I cannot. He must be the arbiter. On
those conditions, will you go?"
"Yes, I will go," said Philip.
It was early in August when Philip reached Edmonton. From there he took
the new line of rail to Athabasca Landing; it was September when he
arrived at Fort McMurray and found Pierre Gravois, a half-breed, who was
to accompany him by canoe up to Fort MacPherson. Before leaving this
final outpost, whence the real journey into the North began, Philip sent
a long letter to Josephine.
Two days after he and Pierre had started down the Mackenzie, a letter
came to Fort McMurray for Philip. "Long" La Brie, a special messenger,
brought it from Athabasca Landing. He was too late, and he had no
instructions--and had not been paid--to go farther.
Day after day Philip continued steadily northward. He carried Josephine's
letter to Peter God in his breast pocket, securely tied in a little
waterproof bag.
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