personally agreeable to Thorpe. Latterly, since the erection of
the mill, he had developed unexpected acumen in the disposal of the
season's cut to wholesale dealers in Chicago. Nothing could have
been better for the firm. Thereafter he was often in the woods,
both for pleasure and to get his partner's ideas on what the firm
would have to offer. The entire responsibility at the city end of
the business was in his hands.

Injin Charley continued to hunt and trap in the country round about.
Between him and Thorpe had grown a friendship the more solid in that
its increase had been mysteriously without outward cause. Once or
twice a month the lumberman would snowshoe down to the little cabin
at the forks. Entering, he would nod briefly and seat himself on a
cracker-box.

"How do, Charley," said he.

"How do," replied Charley.

They filled pipes and smoked. At rare intervals one of them made a
remark, tersely,

"Catch um three beaver las' week," remarked Charley.

"Good haul," commented Thorpe.

Or:

"I saw a mink track by the big boulder," offered Thorpe.