CHAPTER XVII 

THE PASSAGE OF THE MOUNTAINS 

Kermode had been gone a fortnight when Prescott reached the camp and heard from Ferguson and others of his latest exploit. He smiled as he listened to their stories, but that he should find people willing to talk about the man did not surprise him. Kermode was not likely to pass unnoticed: his talents were of a kind that seized attention. Where he went there was laughter and sometimes strife; he had a trick of winning warm attachment, and even where his departure was not regretted he was remembered. 

Ferguson insisted on taking Prescott in, for his comrade's sake, and late one evening he sat talking with him beside the stove. His house was rudely put together, shingle-roofed and walled with shiplap boards that gave out strong resinous odors. The joints were not tight and stinging draughts crept in. Deep snow lay about the camp and the frost was keen. 

"I can't venture to predict Kermode's movements," said the clergyman. "It was his intention to make for a camp half-way to the coast, but he may change his mind long before he gets there." 

"Yes," Prescott replied; "that's the kind of man he is." 

Ferguson smiled. 

"You and Kermode strike me as differing in many ways; yet you seem strongly attached to him." 

"That's true," Prescott assented. "I can't see that I owe him anything, and he once led me into a piece of foolishness that nobody but himself could have thought of. I knew the thing was crazy, but I did it when he urged me, and I've regretted it ever since. Still, when I meet the fellow I expect I shan't have a word of blame for him."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Who pressed the issue of taking in Prescott?
2. Who found it necessary to take care of Prescott?
3. 
Q2:
1. Who had an attachment to Kermode?
2. Who cared for Kermode?
3. 
Q3:
1. For what length of time had Kermode been away?
2. How much time had Kermode not been present for?
3. 
Q4:
1. What was the location of Ferguson and Prescott's discussion?
2. Where did Ferguson and Prescott talk?
3. 
Q5:
1. Whose home was equipped with a stove?
2. Who had a house that contained a heating source for food?
3. 
Q6:
1. Was there a double layer of shingles on Ferguson's roof?
2. Did Ferguson have a double shingled roof?
3. 
Q7:
1. What material was Ferguson's home walled with?
2. What were the walls made of in Ferguson's house?
3. 
Q8:
1. In what location was Kermode going to set up camp?
2. Where was Kermode set to stop for the night?
3. 
Q9:
1. Who stated where Kermode was planning on making camp?
2. Who announced the location in which Kermode was set to camp?
3. 
Q10:
1. Where did Kermode take Prescott once?
2. What had Kermode once allowed Prescott to fall into?
3. 
