The Trail of the Golden Horn/Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
His Message of Farewell
THE missionary was greatly interested over the arrival of the natives. He insisted upon sitting at the little window facing the village where through a small clear space he could watch all that was going on outside. Zell stood near and at times she would draw his attention to Indians who passed on their way to their lodges.
“Look, Gikhi, there are Slim Jim and his wife. They seem to be glad to get back. And, oh, there is Tommy Titsu with his mother! How big he is. He has grown so much since he left the school.”
And truly it was an inspiring scene upon which their eyes rested. The entire place had suddenly become animated as if by magic. Men, women, and children were hurrying to and fro, and dogs innumerable were scurrying about. But so far not one of the Indians had come to the mission house, although all had glanced in that direction in passing. At length Kate entered and approached the missionary. Upon her face was an expression of deep concern.
“What is the matter, Kate?” the missionary asked.
“Tom no come,” she replied. “Tom die, mebbe.”
“Why, what makes you think so, Kate?”
“Injun say Tom lost. Injun drink hootch, drive Tom from lodge. Injun no find Tom.”
“Where was that?”
“In hills. Bad white man bring hootch. Injun drink. Tom say ‘stop.’ Injun hit Tom on head. Tom go ’way, die, mebbe.”
“Where are the white men now, Kate?”
“P’lice ketch ’um. Injun bring white man to Gap.”
“Are they here?” Marion eagerly asked. “Have the Police come in?”
“No P’lice come,” the woman replied. “Injun bring white man.”
“Do they know where the Police are?”
“Injun no savvey. Chase Bill, mebbe.”
Although Marion was interested in the coming of the Indians, she was greatly disappointed because the sergeant had not returned. Hugo noticed this, and whispered a few words to the doctor, and together they left the building. They were gone for about an hour, and when they returned they explained where they had been.
“We’ve been interviewing those white men,” the doctor announced, “and a queer story they relate. They told us that they were trading with the natives when two policemen came upon them, seized them and sent them to The Gap under a strong Indian guard. That was their yarn. But we learned from several natives that they were hootch pedlars, and had stirred up a large camp of natives to wild frenzy, and were making things lively. They also cast out Tom, the Indian, when he tried to show them the error of their ways.”
“Did they harm the sergeant and the constable?” Marion anxiously asked.
“Indeed they didn’t,” Hugo replied. “From what we gather those two men struck terror into the hearts of the entire band by their stern and prompt action. How I wish I had been there. Trust Sergeant North to handle a serious situation. He has never failed yet.”
“Perhaps it will be different, though, when he meets Bill, the Slugger,” Marion suggested. “He is a desperate man, so I have heard.”
“He may be all that, but what can he do against those two sleuth-hounds of the trails? He won’t have even a look-in.”
“But perhaps he will see them coming, hide, and shoot them down before they can do anything.”
Both Hugo and the doctor laughed at her fears, and told her not to worry. But worry she did, and she imagined the sergeant lying in the snow with no one to help him. She told herself that she was very foolish, but she could not banish the thought. Anyway, she felt that she must hide her fears, so she said nothing more, and went quietly about her work.
During the afternoon a number of Indians came to the house, and to these the missionary talked in the native tongue. Marion could not understand anything of the conversation, but Zell knew, and she interpreted in a whisper what was being said.
“The Gikhi is saying how pleased he is to see the Indians back,” she explained to the nurse. “He is asking how they made out with their trapping, and if they brought in many pelts. They are telling him that they have done very well, but that they haven’t had as good success as they used to when they held services every night in their lodges. They are asking the Gikhi to forgive them, and he says he will, but that they must ask God to forgive them. They say they will, and are now asking for a service to-night in the church. The Gikhi tells them how pleased he is, and that he will be there to speak to all the Indians.”
When the natives had gone, the missionary showed signs of great weariness, so the doctor advised him to lie down and rest.
“You must be strong for the service to-night,” he informed him. “You are weak yet, remember, and you must be in a fit condition to speak to your flock.”
“You are quite right,” the old man agreed, as he allowed himself to be led to his little room. “I must speak to them, for there are many things I have to say. This has been a wonderful day, and the Lord is bringing marvellous things to pass. I have lived to see my flock return. Oh, if my dear wife were only here to be a sharer of my joy!”
During the remainder of the afternoon the house was kept very quiet so as not to disturb the missionary. Hugo and the doctor both had a sleep, which they needed. Marion and Zell sat by the window watching what was taking place outside until darkness shrouded the land. They then lighted several candles, and Zell poured out to the nurse the thoughts which were uppermost in her mind, and so near her heart.
“The Gikhi will need someone to look after him, Miss, and I am going to stay with him. Tim, I know, will come, too, and the Gikhi will marry us and we can live right here. I want to make up for the wrong I did, and show the Gikhi that I am a good girl.”
“That is a splendid plan, Zell,” Marion replied. “But I thought that you were planning to go outside. You always wanted to go, didn’t you?”
“I want to do that more than anything in the world except to marry Tim,” was the candid confession. “But it is my duty to stay here and look after the Gikhi. I long to see the wonderful things which Tim has told me about in the big cities outside. But while the Gikhi is alive, I am going to stay and care for him—that is, if he will let me.”
“You are a good girl, Zell,” Marion whispered, as she placed her arm lovingly around her companion and drew her close to her. “I wish you could go with me when I leave this country. I shall miss you very much.”
“And will you go away, Miss?” Zell asked. “Oh, how can I get along without you? You have been so good to me. I shall never forget you.”
Shortly before the appointed time for service, the missionary was up and eager to reach the building. He partook of a little food, and when well wrapped in his big fur coat, he was assisted by Hugo and the doctor out of the house and across the open. He stepped out bravely at first, but by the time the church was reached he was very weak. He smiled as he entered the building, which was filled with natives, some being forced to stand. He walked slowly up the aisle, and when he reached the little vestry, he sank down upon a small bench against the wall. He was determined to wear his robes, and Marion, who had followed, assisted him with his long white surplice, which came almost to his feet.
“My stole, my stole; don’t forget that,” he reminded. “There it is hanging on that peg. The Indians always like to see me fully robed.”
He was trembling with excitement as he made his way out of the vestry into the chancel. Here he knelt down, and when he had risen to his feet, he announced a hymn, and in a quavering voice started the tune in the native language. The Indians followed, and soon all were singing in the heartiest manner. To Marion this was all very wonderful, and she knew that the Indians were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Then followed the service, after which the missionary began his address. He leaned against the lectern for support, and it was only his excitement which enabled him to stand at all. He spoke very impressively for some time, his voice growing weaker every minute. Marion longed to speak to him, and advise him to desist, but his animated face and the marvellous light in his eyes restrained her. He seemed to her like some unearthly being. His white hair, flowing beard, and tall form made a most impressive scene in that dimly-lighted building. He had his message to deliver, and it would be almost sacrilege to interrupt him.
At length he stopped, placed his hand wearily to his forehead, and then began to speak in English.
“I wish to say a few words to you, my kind white friends,” he said. “This service is the direct answer to my prayers. I have waited long for this occasion, and I knew that the Lord would hear, and bring this to pass. At times I was tempted to leave this place and go elsewhere. But I was determined that the Lord would not be without a man to stand in The Gap. I have stood here for long years, and the Lord has been very good. I can say like that worthy man of old, ‘Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared—’”
He suddenly stopped, his face turned deathly white, his hands groped as if for support, and then he dropped upon the floor right at the foot of the lectern. With a startled cry, Marion darted to his side, while Hugo and the doctor hurried forward. The latter knelt upon the floor and quickly examined the prostrate man. For a few minutes a complete silence prevailed. The Indians stood as statues, awe-struck by the scene before them. At length the doctor rose to his feet, his face very grave. He stood as if dazed. Marion noticed this, and touched him lightly on the arm.
“Can’t you do anything for him?” she asked.
“No, he is beyond earthly aid,” he replied in a low whisper.
“We must tell the Indians and get them out of the church.”
So absorbed was Marion with what had just taken place that she noticed nothing else. She stood bewildered and perplexed, not even heeding the light tread of moccasined feet up the aisle. But when a big tall form stood by her side, she glanced quickly around, and when she saw Sergeant North standing there it was only with difficulty that she suppressed a cry of joy and astonishment. The next instant a strong arm was placed around her, and silently the two stood and looked steadfastly upon the dead man. Although greatly saddened with what had just taken place, Marion’s heart beat fast at the thought that John was safe and once more with her. She knew that the missionary had served his life nobly and well, and that he had died in harness, and in the very place where he would have wished to die, surrounded by his returned flock for whom he had given his life. It surely was not wrong for her to feel happy on such an occasion with her loved one with her again.
And as they stood there, Old Tom, Kate, and Zell came slowly forward, and stood looking upon their beloved Gikhi. Marion was impressed at the quietness of their manner, and the expression of awe and reverence upon their faces. At a word from the doctor, Tom turned and spoke briefly to the Indians. In a few minutes they were out of the church and hurrying to their own lodges.
“Perhaps you had better go back to the mission house, Miss Brisbane,” the doctor suggested. “The sergeant might as well go with you. Hugo, Tom, and I can do all that’s necessary now.”
The sergeant at once took a step forward, faced the missionary lying before him, and gave the military salute.
“To a noble man,” he simply explained. He then turned, took Marion by the arm, and together they moved down the aisle, and out of the church.