The Company refused him further credit, and he had no means of purchasing the supplies necessary for his support during the trapping season in the interior.
It was at this time that Thomas Angus broke his leg, and it became necessary for David and Andy to take his place on the trails.

They were too young to endure the long months of isolation without an older and more experienced companion.

There was none but Indian Jake to go with them, and he was engaged to hunt on shares a trail adjacent to theirs.
With his share of the furs captured by the end of the trapping season, Indian Jake discharged his old debt with the Company.

This was not sufficient, however, to re-establish confidence in him.

There was a lurking suspicion among them, fostered by Uncle Ben Rudder of Tuggle Bight, the wiseacre and oracle of the Bay, that Indian Jake's payment of the debt was not prompted by honesty but by some ulterior motive.
Indian Jake emptied his plate.