"Oh, I expected to ski over," Ethel said. "Can I send word to grandfather I'm here, or is the wire down?"
"All right to Rest Cabin," the Indian said, not shifting his glance from the stranger. "All down this side last night."
"This is Asa Redbird," Ethel said to the soldier, "who lives near my grandfather and who is good enough to help us out sometimes."
"My name is Barney Loutrelle." The young man completed the introduction, speaking to the Indian as he offered his hand.
"B'jou," Redbird said.
"B'jou."
"Where you want to go?" the Indian asked with more interest.
"With us, Asa," Ethel supplied quickly. "Can you get him skis or shoes?"
"Yes," the Indian said. "You have these ones," he offered his skis. "Sled goes over to break road all way this afternoon. I come then, or get shoes over there." He motioned with his head, almost imperceptibly, toward a couple of houses far back from the track where smoke was showing. "No hurry about me."
Loutrelle put his hand on the skis doubtfully. "You want me to take them?" he asked half to the Indian, half to Ethel. The readiness of Asa's offer had surprised her a little; but Barney Loutrelle had spoken to Redbird in just the right manner. And he had mentioned his Christian name; Indians like to know Christian names—and to use them. It was plain that Barney Loutrelle, though he was not familiar with this particular locality, knew the Indians of the north.
