Joe was led away from the train station. The two officers walked, one in front, and one behind him. They continued down the wagon-track that led to the police barracks. Constable Winslow carried Joe's wooden pack box. Suddenly, the far off whistle of the passenger train broke the silence.
"It's about time, eh, Winslow," commented Constable Scott as the three men came in view of a large wooden frame building. "I think this is the latest the passenger train has been."
"The train whistle blew once more before they heard the sound of running footsteps and heavy breathing. Someone was following them. Winslow turned to see Constable Bigumpound running down the path after them.
"Hey Bigum'," said Winslow, "What happened to your vacation?"
"Ya," interupted Constable Scott. "I thought you were on 'leave of absence'. What's with all this extra duty stuff?"
Bigumpound gave both men a scowling look as he caught up with them. "Listen, you guys," he said. "Just get this prisoner to the cells. I've got some important business to discuss with Inspector Walters."
"What happened to your trip to Edmonton?" asked Constable Scott as they continued on.
"My journey out East will have to be postponed," replied Bigumpound, "Just for a few days."
Joe and his B.C. Police escorts soon arrived at the Tte Jaune Cache Police Headquarters. They were greeted by the inspector's scruffy looking labrador. Joe recognized the animal as the mutt that sometimes could be seen in the vicinity of Mile 52. Once, Joe saw two young boys guiding the dog down the main street of Tte Jaune Cache as it pulled a small wagon.
The police barracks, office and jail-house, sat in a cleared area just down from the tracks. The building was completely surrounded by river water except for a wooden plank sidewalk that bridged over to the front porch.
Inspector Walters greeted them from his office window. "At last, a prisoner!" he shouted to his officers and rushed to the front door.
"Scott, Winslow, take that fellow over to the wood pile and put him to work," ordered the inspector. "Bigumpound, are you still leaving on the train? What's going on? I just heard a train whistle. And, who's the guy in the irons?"
"I'm still leaving, Sir, but I have some unfinished business at attend to first," said Bigumpound. "Can we talk in your office, Sir?"
"Yes, of course," replied Walters, "Right this way. Come on in."
"Sir," interrupted Constable Winslow, "How did you want this firewood cut? The wood pile is underwater."
In the next episode - "JOE'S WOOD-PILE" - Yes, indeed . . . cruel and unusual treatment at the hands of the B.C. Police. Will 'Caribou Joe' survive? Only time, and a few blisters, will tell.
