The Story of the Foss River Ranch

A Tale of the Northwest

By RIDGWELL CULLUM

AUTHOR OF

"The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," "The Watchers of the Plains." Etc.

A.L. BURT COMPANY Publishers New York

Published August, 1903

TO MY WIFE

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I - THE POLO CLUB BALL
CHAPTER II - THE BLIZZARD: ITS CONSEQUENCES
CHAPTER III - A BIG GAME OF POKER
CHAPTER IV - AT THE FOSS RIVER RANCH
CHAPTER V - THE "STRAY" BEYOND THE MUSKEG
CHAPTER VI - WAYS THAT ARE DARK
CHAPTER VII - ACROSS THE GREAT MUSKEG
CHAPTER VIII - TOLD IN BAD MAN'S HOLLOW
CHAPTER IX - LABLANCHE'S "COUP"
CHAPTER X - "AUNT" MARGARET REFLECTS
CHAPTER XI - THE CAMPAIGN OPENS
CHAPTER XII - LABLACHE FORCES THE FIGHT
CHAPTER XIII - THE FIRST CHECK
CHAPTER XIV - THE HUE AND CRY
CHAPTER XV - AMONG THE HALF-BREEDS
CHAPTER XVI - GAUTIER CAUSES DISSENSION
CHAPTER XVII - THE NIGHT OF THE PUSKY
CHAPTER XVIII - THE PUSKY
CHAPTER XIX - LABLANCHE'S MIDNIGHT VISITOR
CHAPTER XX - A NIGHT OF TERROR
CHAPTER XXI - HORROCKS LEARNS THE SECRET OF THE MUSKEG
CHAPTER XXII - THE DAY AFTER
CHAPTER XXIII - THE PAW OF THE CAT
CHAPTER XXIV - "POKER" JOHN ACCEPTS
CHAPTER XXV - UNCLE AND NIECE
CHAPTER XXVI - IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX
CHAPTER XXVII - THE LAST GAMBLE
CHAPTER XXVIII - SETTLING THE RECKONING
CHAPTER XXIX - THE MAW OF THE MUSKEG

CHAPTER I - THE POLO CLUB BALL

It was a brilliant gathering—brilliant in every sense of the word. The hall was a great effort of the decorator's art; the people were faultlessly dressed; the faces were strong, handsome—fair or dark complexioned as the case might be; those present represented the wealth and fashion of the Western Canadian ranching world. Intellectually, too, there was no more fault to find here than is usual in a ballroom in the West End of London.

It was the annual ball of the Polo Club, and that was a social function of the first water—in the eyes of the Calford world.

"My dear Mrs. Abbot, it is a matter which is quite out of my province," said John Allandale, in answer to a remark from his companion. He was leaning over the cushioned back of the Chesterfield upon which an old lady was seated, and gazing smilingly over at a group of young people standing at the opposite end of the room. "Jacky is one of those young ladies whose strength of character carries her beyond the control of mere man. Yes, I know what you would say," as Mrs. Abbot glanced up into his face with a look of mildly-expressed wonder; "it is true I am her uncle and guardian, but, nevertheless, I should no more dream of interfering with her—what shall we say?—love affairs, than suggest her incapacity to 'boss' a 'round up' worked by a crowd of Mexican greasers."

"Then all I can say is that your niece is a very unfortunate girl," replied the old lady, acidly. "How old is she?"

"Twenty-two."

John Allandale, or "Poker" John as he was more familiarly called by all who knew him, was still looking over at the group, but an expression had suddenly crept into his eyes which might, in a less robust-looking man, have been taken for disquiet—even fear. His companion's words had brought home to him a partial realization of a