Except for the creaking of the snow-shoes, not a sound did they make as
they sped onward, and in about half an hour the trees seemed suddenly
to part and present an open space to their view. It was the A-jem-sek,
a narrow stream connecting Lake K'tchi-kwis-pam with the Wu-las-tukw,
so Sam explained to Jean. As they stepped out upon this river they saw
two men but a short distance away, drawing a small sled loaded with
wood, who stared with startled amazement at the sudden appearance of
the three travellers.




CHAPTER XXII

IN DESPERATE STRAITS

As they advanced toward where the two men were standing, Jean was
somewhat afraid lest they might be slashers. This fear, however, was
at once removed when she beheld their pitiable condition. Their
clothes were in tatters, and their bearded faces were drawn and
haggard. They stared at her with eyes from which all hope had fled,
and so weak did they seem that they could hardly stand. Their backs
were bent as if through age, and they rested their hands upon the
loaded sled for support. As Jean paused, smitten by a sudden feeling
of awe, one of the men wearily lifted his hand and beckoned to her.

"Who are you?" she asked, when she had drawn near.

"We are as dead men," was the hollow reply. "But in God's name, who
are you?"