CHAPTERI

ONLYAMISSIONARY

Highuponarock，poisedlikeabirdforflight，starknaked，hissatinskinshininglikegoldandsilverintherisingsun，stoodayouth，tall，slimofbody，notfullydevelopedbutwithmusclespromising，intheirfaultless，gentlyswellingoutline，strengthandsupplenesstoanunusualdegree。Gazingdownintothepoolformedbyaneddyoftherivertwentyfeetbelowhim，hestoodasifcalculatingthedistance，hisprofileturnedtowardthemanwhohadjustemergedfromthebushesandwasstandingonthesandystrandoftheriver，paddleinhand，lookingupathimwithanexpressionofwonderanddelightinhiseyes。

"Yegods，whatapicture！"saidthemantohimself。

Noiselessly，asiffearingtosendtheyouthoffinflight，helaidhispaddleonthesand，hurriedlyfeltinhispockets，andsworetohimselfvigorouslywhenhecouldfindnosketchbookthere。

"Whatapose！WhatanApollo！"hemuttered。

Thesunlightglisteningonthebeautifulwhiteskinlaylikepoolsofgoldinthecurvinghollowsoftheperfectlymodelledbody，andranlikesilverovertheroundedswellingsofthelimbs。Instinctwithlifeheseemed，somethinginhisposesuggestingthathehadeitheralightedfromthegolden，ambientair，orwasabouttocommithimselftoit。Themanonthesandcontinuedtogazeasifhewerebeholdingacreatureofanotherworld。

"Oh，Lord！Whatlines！"hebreathed。

Slowlytheyouthbegantomovehisarmsuptothehorizontal，thentotheperpendicular，reachingtotheutmostofhisheightuponhistoetips，breathingdeepthewhile。Smoothly，slowly，themusclesinlegsandthighs，inback，inabdomen，inchest，respondingtotheexercisemovedunderthelustrousskinasifthemselveswerelivingthings。Overandoveragaintheactionwasrepeated，themusclesandbodymovinginrhythmicharmonylikesomeperfectmechanismrunninginabathofoil。

"YegodsofGreece！"breathedtheman。"WhatisthisthingIsee？

Fleshorspirit？Manorgod？"Againhesworeathimselfforneglectingtobringhissketchbookandpencil。

"Hello，father！Whereareyou？"Agirl’svoicerangout，high，clear，andnearathand。

"GoodLord！"saidthemantohimself，glancingupatthepoisedfigure。"Imuststopher。"

Onestartledglancetheyouthflungdownuponhim，anotherinthedirectionofthevoice，then，likeawhite，gleamingarrowheshotdown，anddisappearedinthedarkpoolbelow。

Withhiseyesuponthewaterthemanawaitedhisreappearing。A

halfminute，afullminutehewaited，butinvain。Swiftlyherantowardtheedgeofthepool。Therewasnosignanywhereoftheyouth。

Ghastlypaleandpanting，themanran，asfarroundthebaseoftherockasthewaterwouldallowhim，seekingeverywheresignsoftheswimmer。

"Hello，father！Oh，thereyouare！"Breakingthroughthebushes，agirlrantohim。

"Whatisit，pater？Youareill。Whatisthematter？"

"Goodheavens！hewasthere！"gaspedtheman，pointingtothehighrock。"Heplungedinthere。"Hepointedtothepool。"Hehasn’tcomeup。Heisdrowned。"

"Who？Whatareyousaying？Wakeup，father。Whowasthere？"

"Aboy！Ayoungman！Hedisappeareddownthere。"

"Ayoungman？Washe——washe——dressed？"inquiredthegirl。

"Dressed？No。No。"

"Didhe——didhe——hearme——calling？"

"Ofcoursehedid。That’swhatstartledhim，Iimagine。Poorboy！

Ifearheisgone。"

"Didhefallin，ordidhedive？"

"Heseemedtodive，buthehasnotcomeup。Ifearheisgone。"

"Oh，nonsense，father，"saidthegirl。"Ibetyouhehasswumroundthebend。Justgoovertherockandsee。"

"Godgrantit！"saidherfather。

Hedroppedhispaddle，ranupovertherockanddownintothelittledellontheothersidethatrandowntothewater’sedge。

Therehesawatent，withalltheaccompanimentsofawellorderedcamp，andamancookingbreakfastonasmallfire。

"Well，I’llbecombusticated！"hesaidtohimself，weaklyholdingtoalittlepoplartree。

"Isay！"hecried，"whereishe？Hashecomein？Isheallright？"

"Who？"saidthemanatthefire。

"Theboyontherock。"

Themangazedathimastonished，thenasifsuddenlygraspinghismeaning，replied，"Yes，hecamein。He’sdressinginthetent。"

"Well，I’llbecondumbusticated！"saidtheman。"Say！whatthedevildoeshemeanbyscaringpeopleoutoftheirsensesinthatway！"

Themanatthefirestoodgazingathiminanutterlybewilderedway。

"Ifyouwilltellmeexactlywhatyouareafter，Imaybeabletohelpyou。"

Theotherdrewslowlynearthefire。Hewasstillpale，andbreathingquickly。

"Hello，dad，isbreakfastready？"cameacheeryvoicefromthetent。

"ThankGod，heisaliveapparently，"saidtheman，sinkingdownonalogbesidethefire。"Youmustpardonme，sir，"hesaid。"Yousee，Isawhimtakeaheaderintothepoolfromthathighrockoveryonder，andhenevercameupagain。Ithoughthewasdrowned。"

Themanatthefiresmiled。

"Theyoungvillaingaveyouafright，didhe？Oneofhisusualtricks。Well，ashisfather，andmoreorlessresponsibleforhim，Iofferthemosthumbleapology。Haveyouhadbreakfast？"

"Yes。Butwhydidhedosuchathing？"

"Askhim。Herehecomes。"

Outfromthetentcametheyouthinshorts，thewarmglowofhisbodyshowingthroughthefilmymaterial。

"Hello！"hecried，backingtowardthetentdoor。"Youarethemanwiththepaddle。Istherebyanychancealadywithyou，ordidI

hearalady’svoiceoverthere？IassureyouIgotadeuceofafright。"

"Yougavemethesupremefrightofmylife，youngman，Icantellyouthat。"

"ButIsurelyheardalady’svoice，"saidtheyouth。

"Youdid。Itwasmydaughter’svoice，anditwasshewhosuggestedthatyouhadswumaroundthebend。Andshesentmeoverheretoinvestigate。"

"Oh，yourdaughter。Excuseme，"saidtheyouth。"Ishallbeoutinafewminutes。"Heslidintothetent，anddidnotreappear。

Themanremainedchattingwiththeyouth’sfatherforafewminutes，thenrisingsaid，"Well，Ifeelbetter。Iconfessthisthinggavemesomethingofashock。Butcomeroundandseeusbeforewego。Weshallbeleavinginanhour。"

Themanatthefirepromisedtomakethevisit，andtheothertookhisdeparture。

Afewminuteslatertheyouthreappeared。

"Isbreakfastready？"hecried。"My，butI’mhungry！Butwhoishe，dad？"

"Sitdown，"saidhisfather，"andgetyourbreakfastwhileitishot。"

"Butwhoishe，dad？"persistedtheyouth。

"Whoishe？"saidhisfather，dishingupthebacon。"Anoilexplorer，anartist，acapitalist，anAmericanfromPittsburgh，thefatherofonechild，agirl。Hermotherisdead。Nineteenyearsold，athletic，moderntype，collegebred，’bossoftheshow’

（quotation）。Theseareafewofthefactsvolunteeredwithinthelimitedspaceofhisvisit。"

"What’shelike，dad？"

"Like？LikeanAmerican。"

"Now，dad，don’tallowyouroldBritishprejudicestorunawaywithyourjudgment。"

"Onthecontrary，Iamperfectlycharmed。HeisoneofthoseAmericanswhocaptureyouatonce，educated，frank，open，withthatpeculiarcharmthatBritisherswillnotbeabletodevelopformanygenerations。AnAmerican，butnotoftheunspeakabletype。Notatall。Youwilllikehim。"

"IamsureIshall，"repliedtheyouth。"Ilikedhisvoiceandhisface。IliketheAmericans。Imetsuchnicechapsatcollege。Soclever，andwithsuchavocabulary。"

"Vocabulary？Well，I’mnottoosureastothevocabularypartofit。"

"Yes，suchbright，pat，expressiveslang，sofreshandinsuchvariety。SodifferentfromyourheavyBritishslang，inwhicheverythingapproachingthesuperlativemustbeoneofthreethings，’ripping，’withverydistinctarticulationonthedoublep，or’tophole，’or’awfullyjolly。’Morerecently，Ibelieve，afourthvariationisallowedin’priceless。’

"Ah，myboy，youhaveunconsciouslyutteredamostsearchingcriticismonyourAmericanfriends。Don’tyouknowthatavocabularyrichinslangispovertystrickeninforcefulandwellchosenEnglish？Thewealthoftheoneisthepovertyoftheother。"

"Whereishegoing？"enquiredtheboy。

"OutbywayofEdmonton，Calgary，MooseJaw，Minneapolis，soontoPittsburgh。Partnerwithhim，younglawyer，expertinmines，unmarried。Heiscomingbackinacoupleofmonthsorsoforabighunt。Wantsustojoinhim。Reallyextraordinary，whenyoucometothinkofit，howmuchinformationhewasabletoconveyinsuchashortspaceoftime。Marvellousgiftofexpression！"

"Whatdidyousay，dad？"

"Say？Oh，astohisinvitation！Why，IbelieveIaccepted，myboy。ItseemedasifIcoulddonothingelse。It’sawayhehas。"

"Is——isthedaughtertobealong？"

"Letmesee。Whatdidhesay？Really，Idon’tknow。ButIshouldjudgethatitwouldbeentirelyasshewished。Sheis——"

"Bossoftheshow，eh？"

"Exactly。Mostvividphrase，eh？"

"Very。Andnodoubtaptlydescriptiveofthefact。"

Inhalfanhourthebreakfastwasfinished，andtheeldermangothispipea—going。

"Now，dad，youhadbettergoalongandmakeyourcall，whileIgetthingstogetherhere。"

"What！Younotgoing！No，no，thatwon’tdo，myboy。Itwasaboutyoutheywereconcerned。Youweretheoccasionoftheacquaintanceship。Besides，meetinginthewildernessthiswaywecan’tdothatsortofthing，youknow。"

"Well，dad，frankly，Iamquiteterrifiedoftheyounglady。

Supposesheshouldstartbossingus。Weshouldbothbequitehelpless。"

"Oh，nonsense，boy！Comealong。Getyourhat。"

"Allright，I’llcome。Onyourheadbetheconsequences，dad。No。

Idon’tneedahat。FortunatelyIputonacleanshirt。WillI

do，dad？YouknowI’m’scairtstiff，’asHarryHobbswouldsay。"

Hisfatherlookedhimover，buttherewasnothingcriticalinhisglance。Prideandlovefilledhiseyesastheyranoverhisson’sfaceandfigure。Andsmallwonder！Theyouthwasgoodtolookupon。Ashadeundersixfeethestood，straightandslim，strengthandsupplegraceineverymoveofhisbody。Hisfacewasbeautifulwiththebeautyoffeatures，cleancutandstrong，butmorewiththebeautyofaclear，candidsoul。Heseemedtoradiateanatmosphereofcheerygoodnatureandunspoiledsimplicity。Hewastwoyearspasthismajority，yethecarriedtheairofayouthofeighteen，inwhichshynessandfearlessnesslookedoutfromhisdeepblueeyes。Itwaswellthatheworenohattohidethemassofrichbrownhairthatwavedbackfromhisforehead。

"You’lldo，boy，"saidhisfather，inavoicewhoserigidevennessoftonerevealedtheemotionitsoughttoconceal。"You’lltakealltheshinefromme，youyoungbeggar，"headdedinatoneofgruffbanter，"buttherewasatime——"

"WASatime，dad？IS，anddon’ttellmeyoudon’tknowit。I

alwaysfeellikeaschoolkidinanycompanywhenyou’reabout。

’WhenthesuncomesoutAllthelittlestarsrunin，’"

hesangfromalatemusichalleffusion。"Why，justcomehereandlookatyourself，"andtheboy’seyesdweltwithaffectionateprideuponhisfather。

Itwaseasytoseewheretheboygothisperfectform。Notsotallashisson，hewasmorefirmlyknit，andwithakindofdaintyneatnessinhisappearancewhichsuggestedthebeauinearlierdays。Buttherewasnothingofweaknessabouttheerect，trimfigure。Asecondglancediscoveredadepthofchest，athicknessofshoulderandofthigh，andageneraldevelopmentofmusclesuchasaringchampionmightshow；and，indeed，itwashisachievementsintheringratherthanintheclassliststhatwonforDickDunbarinhiscollegedayshishighestfame。Andthoughhisfiftyyearshadslowedsomewhatthespeedoffootandhand，theeyewasassureasever，andbutlittleofthenaturalforcewasabatedwhichoncehadmadehimthegloryoftheCambridgesportingyouth，andwhichevenyetcouldtesthisson’smettleinafastbout。

Onthesandyshoreoftheriverbelowtheeddy，theyfoundtheAmericanandhispartygathered，withtheirstuffrangedaboutthemreadyforthecanoes。

"Ah，hereyouare，sir，"saidtheAmerican，advancinghatinhand。

"Andthisisyourson，theyoungrascalwhocamemightyneargivingmeheartfailurethismorning。Bytheway，Ihaven’tthepleasureofknowingyourname。"

"MynameisRichardDunbar，andthisismysonBarry。"

"MynameisOsborneHowland，ofPittsburgh，andthisismydaughterPaula。Inbloomers，asyousee，butneverthelessmydaughter。

Meetalsomyfriendandpartner，Mr。CornwallBrand。"

Thepartyexchangedgreetings，andspentsomemomentsgivingutterancetothoseplatitudeswhicharesousefulinsuchcircumstances，asortofmentalmarkingtimepreparatorytofurthermutualacquaintance。

Thegirlpossessedthatstriking，dashingkindofbrunettebeautythatgoeswithgoodhealth，goodliving，andabundanceofoutdoorexercise。Shecarriedherselfwiththatairofassuredself—

confidencethatcomesastheresultofasomewhatwideexperienceofmen，womenandthings。Shequiteevidentlyscornedtheconventions，ashergarb，beingquitemasculine，herspeechbeingoutspokenanddecoratedwiththenewestandmostingeniousslang，herwholemannerbeingfranklyimpulsive，loudlyproclaimed。

ButBarrylikedheratonce，andmadenopretenceofconcealinghisliking。Toherfather，also，hewasimmediatelydrawn。AstoCornwallBrand，betweenwhomandthegirlthereseemedtoexistasortofunderstanding，hewasnotsosure。

Forhalfanhourorsotheystoodbytheriverexchangingtheirexperiencesinthesenorthernwilds，andtheirviewsuponlifeinthewildernessanduponthingsingeneral。Byalittleskilfulmanagingthegirlgottheyoungmanawayfromtheothers，andthenproceededtodissectandclassifyhim。

Throughtheopenwoodsalongtheriverbanktheywandered，pausinghereandtheretoadmiretheview，untiltheycametoanoverhangingbankattheentrancetoasomewhatdeepgorge，throughwhichtheriverfoamedtotheboilingrapidsbelow。Itwasindeedabeautifulscene。Thebanksoftheriverwerecoveredwitheveryvarietyofshrubandtree，exceptwheretheblackrocksbrokethrough；betweenthebanksthedarkriverragedandfretteditselfintoafoamagainstitsrockybarriers；overthemarchedthesky，aperfectblue。

"Whatalovelyview！"exclaimedthegirl，seatingherselfupontheedgeofthebank。"Now，"shesaid，"tellmeaboutyourself。Yougavemypaterafearfulfrightthismorning。HewasquiteparalysedwhenIcameonhim。"

"Iamverysorry，"saidtheyouth，"butIhadnointention——"

"Iknow。Itoldhimnottoworry，"repliedthegirl。"Iknewyouwouldbeallright。"

"Andhow，pray？"saidtheyoungman，blushingatthememoryofhisstartlingappearanceuponthatrock。

"Iknewthatanyfellowwhocouldtakethatdivewouldn’tlikelylethimselfdrown。Iguessed，too，thatifyouheardmehoot——"

"Idid，"saidtheyouth。

"Yousurewouldgetslippyrightaway。"

"Idid。"

"Iguessyouwereprettywellstartledyourself，weren’tyou？"saidthegirl，pursuingthesubjectwithcoolpersistence。

"Rather，"saidtheyoungman，blushingmoreviolently，andwishingshewouldchangethesubject。"Youaregoingout？"heenquired。

"Yes。"

"To—day？"

"Now——rightaway。"

"Toobad，"hesaid，hisdisappointmentevidentinhistone。

"Whenareyougoingout？Butwhoareyou，anyway？"askedthegirl。

"Youhavetotellmethat。"

"Mylifestory，sotospeak？"

Shenodded。

"It’sveryshortandsimple，liketheannalsofthepoor，"hereplied。"FromEnglandininfancy，onaranchinnorthernAlbertafortenyears，apunylittlewretchIwas，terriblybotheredwithasthma，then"——theboyhesitatedamoment——"mymotherdied，fathermovedtoEdmonton，livedthereforfiveyears，thencetoWapiti，awaynorthwestofEdmonton，ourpresenthome，preparedforcollegebymyfather，universitycourseinWinnipeg，graduatedintheologyayearago，nowthemissionaryinchargeofWapitiandthesurroundingdistrict。"

"Apreacher！"saidthegirl，herfaceandhertoneshowingherdisappointmentonlytooplainly。

"Notmuchofapreacher，Ifear，"saidtheyoungmanwithasmile。

"Amissionary，rather。That’smystory。"

Shenoticedwithsomechagrinthathedidnotaskforhers。

"Whatareyoudoinghere？"sheenquired。

Hehesitatedamomentortwo。

"DadandIalwaystakeatripintothewildseverysummer。"Thenheaddedafterafewmoments’pause，"Butofcoursewehaveotherbusinessonhanduphere。"

"Business？Uphere？"

"Yes。Dadhassome。"Hemadeasiftocontinue，butchangedhismindandfellintosilence，leavingherpiquedbyhisreserveandbyhisapparentindifferencetothethingsconcerningherself。Shedidnotknowthathewaseagerlyhopingthatshewouldsupplythisinformation。

Atlengthheventured，"Mustyougoawayto—day？"

"Idon’tsupposethere’sany’must’aboutit。"

"Whynotstay？"

"WhyshouldI？"

"Oh，itwouldbejolly，"hecried。"Yousee，wecould——exploreabouthere——and，"——heendedratherlamely，——"it’salovelycountry。"

"We’veseenalotofit。ItISlovely，"shesaid，hereyesuponhisfaceasifappraisinghim。"Ishouldliketoknowyoubetter，"

sheadded，withsuddenandcharacteristicfrankness，"soIthinkwewillstay。Butyouwillhavetobeawfullygoodtome。"

"Why，ofcourse，"hecried。"That’ssplendid！Perfectlyjolly！"

"Thenwehadbetterfindfatherandtellhim。Comealong，"sheordered，andledthewaybacktothecamp。

Theyoungmanfollowedher，wonderingather，andgivingslightheedtothechattersheflungoverhershoulderathimasshestrodealongthroughthebushes。

"What’sthematterwithyou？"shecried，facingrounduponhim。

"Youwerethinkingaboutme，Iknow。Confess，now。"

"Iwas，"heacknowledged，smilingather。

"Whatwereyouthinking？Tellme，"sheinsisted。

"Iwasthinking——"Hepaused。

"Goon！"shecried。

"Iwasthinkingofwhatyourfathersaidaboutyou。"

"Myfather？Aboutme？Whatdidhesay？Toyou？"

"No。Todad。"

"Whatwasit？Tellme。Imustknow。"Shewasveryimperiousinhermanner。Theyouthonlysmiledather。

"Goon！"shesaidimpatiently。

"Ithinkpossiblyyourfatherwasright，"hereplied，"whenhesaidyou’bosstheshow。’"

"Oh，that’swhathesaid，eh？Well，Iguesshe’saboutright。"

"Butyoudon’treally？"

"Don’twhat？’Bosstheshow’？Well，Ibossmyownshow，atanyrate。Don’tyou？"

"Don’tIwhat，exactly？Bosstheshow？Well，Idon’tthinkwehaveany’show，’andIdon’tbelievewehaveany’boss。’DadandI

justtalkthingsover，yousee。"

"But，"sheinsisted，"someoneinthelastanalysismustdecide。

Yourmenage，nomatterhowsimple，musthaveahead。Itisalawoftheuniverseitself，anditisthelawofmankind。Yousee，I

havedonesomepoliticaleconomy。"

"Andyet，"saidtheyoungman，"yousayyourunyourownshow？"

"Exactly。Everysocialorganismmusthaveahead，buteveryindividualintheorganismmustliveitsownfreelife。Thatistruedemocracy。Butofcourseyoudon’tunderstanddemocracy，youCanadians。"

"Aha！Thereyouare！YouAmericansarethemostinsularofallthegreatpeoplesoftheworld。Youknownothingofotherpeople。

Youknowonlyyourownhistoryandnoteventhatcorrectly，yourowngeography，andyourownpoliticalscience。YouknownothingofCanada。Youdon’tknow，forinstance，thatthepurestformofdemocracyonthisAmericancontinentliesoutsidetheboundsoftheU。S。A。"

"InCanada？"sheaskedscornfully。"Bytheway，howmanyCanadiansarethere？"

"Yes，Iknow。Weareasmallpeople，"hesaidquietly，"butnomorerealdemocracyexistsanywhereintheworldthaninthiscountryofmine。Weareasmallpeople，but，"hesaid，withasweepofhishandtowardthewestandthenorth，"thefutureiswithus。Thedayiscomingwhenalongthiswaterwaygreatcitiesshallbe，withfactoriesandhummingindustries。Theseplains，theseflowinghillswillbethehomeofmillionsofmen，andinmylifetime，too。"

Hiseyesbegantoglow，hisfacetoshinewitharareandfascinatingbeauty。

"Doyouknowthestatisticsofyourcountry？DoyouknowthatduringthelasttwentyyearstherateofCanada’sgrowthwasthreetimesgreaterthaneverinthehistoryoftheUnitedStates？Youareagreatcommercialnation，butdoyouknowthatthepercapitarateofCanada’stradeto—dayismanytimesthatoftheUnitedStates？Youareagreatagriculturalpeople，butdoyouknowthatthree—quartersofthewheatlandonthiscontinentisCanadian，andthatbeforemanyyearsyouwillbecomingtoCanadaforyourwheat，yes，andforyourflour？Doyouseethatriver？DoyouknowthatCanadaistherichestcountryintheworldinwaterpower？Andmorethanthat，inthethingsessentialtonationalgreatness，——notthesethingsthatyoucansee，thesematerialthings，"hesaid，sweepinghishandcontemptuouslytowardthehorizon，"butinsuchthingsaseducationalstandards，inadministrationofjustice，inthecustomsofalibertylovingpeople，inreligiousprivileges，ineverythingthatgoestomakecharacterandmorale，Canadahasalreadylaidthefoundationsofagreatnation。"

Hestoppedshort，abashed，theglowfadingfromhisface，thelightfromhiseyes。

"Forgiveme，"hesaid，withalittlelaugh。"Iamafirstclassass。IfearIwasblowinglikeafoghorn。ButwhenyoutouchCanadayoureleasesomethinginme。"

Whilehewasspeakinghereyesneverlefthisface。"Goon！"shesaid，inavoiceofsuppressedemotion，"goon。Ilovetohearyou。"

Herwontedpoisewasgone；shewasobviouslystirredwithdeepemotion。

"Goon！"shecommanded，layingherhanduponhisarm。"Don’tstop。

Tellmemoreabout——aboutCanada，aboutanything，"sheaddedimpatiently。

Awarm，eagerlightfilledhereyes。Shewasbitingherlipstostilltheirtremor。

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