Often when he talked thus, the factor wanted to ask his mother's name and learn where she lived, but always refrained. Late in the autumn the factor was called to Edmonton for a general conference of all the factors in the employ of the Honorable Company of gentlemen adventurers trading into Hudson's Bay. With a heavy heart he said good-bye to the failing priest. When he had come within fifty miles of Chinook, on the return trip, he was wakened at midnight by Dunraven, who had come out to ask him to hurry up as the cure was dying, but wanted to speak to the factor first. Without a word the Englishman got up and started forward, Dunraven leading on the second lap of his "century." It was past midnight again when the _voyageurs_ arrived at the river. There was a dim light in the cure's cabin, to which Dunraven led them, and where the Catholic bishop and an Irish priest were on watch. "So glad to see you," said the bishop. "There is something he wants from your place, but he will not tell Wing. Speak to him, please." "Ah, _Monsieur_, I'm glad that you are come--I'm weary and want to be off." "The long _traverse_, eh?" "_Oui, Monsieur_--_le grand voyage_." "Is there anything I can do for you?" asked the Englishman. The dying priest made a movement as if hunting for something. The bishop, to assist, stepped quickly to his side. The patient gave up the quest of whatever he was after and looked languidly at the factor. "What is it, my son?" asked the bishop, bending low. "What would you have the factor fetch from his house?" "Just a small bit of cheese," said the sick man, sighing wearily. "Now, that's odd," mused the factor, as he went off on his strange errand. When the Englishman returned to the cabin, the bishop and the priest stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. Upon a bench on the narrow veranda Dunraven sat, resting after his hundred-mile tramp, and on the opposite side of the threshold Wing You lay sleeping in his blankets, so as to be in easy call if he were wanted. When the two friends were alone, the sick man signalled, and the factor drew near. "I have a great favor--a very great favor to ask of you," the priest began, "and then I'm off. Ah, _mon Dieu!_" he panted. "It has been hard to hold out. Jesus has been kind." "It's damned tough at your time, old fellow," said the factor, huskily. "It's not my time, but His." "Yes--well I shall be over by and by." "And those faithful dogs--Dunraven and Wing--thank them for--" "Sure! If _I_ can pass," the factor broke in, a little confused. "Thank them for me--for their kindnesses--and care. Tell them to remember the sermon of the wheat. And now, good friend," said the priest, summoning all his strength, "_attendez_!"