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。