Caribou Joe and his good friend, Bjorn Anderson, arrived at the Shelter Creek cabin under the cover of dark without drawing attention to themselves. The two men were greeted by Trapper Sandy and a plate of home-made stew. Joe was pleased to find that his two horses and gear, except his Winchester and one pack-box, had been safely stored in the trapper's smoke-house near the cabin. Bjorn had also moved his own belongings and riding horse to that same hillside retreat.
Early the next morning, Sandy served up a breakfast of blueberry flapjacks and real maple syrup, washed down with Shuswap Tea. Joe was informed of work opportunities on the Canadian Northern Railway and decided to return, once again, to Thompson Crossing, down past Cranberry Lake (Valemount). Bjorn traded a good set of pack-boxes of his own for Joe's fancy leather saddle-bag and Sandy revealed where Joe's Winchester was hidden.
"You'll find your rifle, half way up a mountain, in a cave that I discovered a few years back," explained the old trapper. "It's close to 'Hie-Has-Sun' Lake. We were concerned with the safety of your rifle, Joe, after the flood. Didn't want no one to borrow that beauty, so, Bjorn and I stashed it there. It's near the lake. That's where you'll find your Winchester; we left the gun all wrapped up in oiled skins. Bjorn can show you the way."
Joe and Bjorn set out for Mile 52 right after breakfast. Bjorn rode his saddle horse while Joe had his mare and pack-horse. Joe had loaded the pack-boxes with his belongings.
As the men approached the railway crossing, near the Tte Jaune Cache train station, Joe asked, "Now, in which one of these little railway shacks will I find that freight clerk?"
"Don't you think we should try to get out of town before you are spotted by the police?" replied Bjorn.
"Oh, I'm leaving town all right. But, first I have some unfinished business to discuss with Mr. Allen," explained Joe. "Now, you say that freight clerk had been up working at the station for two days and one night straight? And, he seemed tired?"
"That's right," said Bjorn, "But, he would have slept last night because there weren't any more passengers to attend to. Are you planning on surprising him, first thing this morning? If you are, that's his shack right over there." Bjorn pointed out the building where he knew Joe would find Mr. Allen.
"Here, Bjorn," said Joe as he climbed out of his saddle, handing over the reins of both his horses."
Bjorn watched as Joe walked up to the front door, knocked, waited and then opened the door and walked in. Bjorn also noticed that Joe was pulling a small object out of his coat pocket as he entered the building.
In the next episode - FAIR TRADE WITH MR. ALLEN - Joe finally confronts the killer of his two moonshine buddies. Will he pass judgment? Will justice prevail in that small railway shack at mile 52? We will find out . . . in the next episode.
