The riddle of Three-Way Creek

by Ridgwell Cullum

"The Riddle of Three-Way Creek" by Ridgwell Cullum is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around themes of loyalty and justice as it follows the lives of Jim Pryse, a man sentenced to prison for defending his brother, and Corporal Andrew McFardell, the Mountie escorting him. Set against the backdrop of the harsh Canadian wilderness, the novel explores the consequences of compassion and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to a frozen trail leading into a valley where two horsemen traverse the cold landscape: Corporal McFardell and his prisoner, Jim Pryse. Their dialogue reveals Pryse’s sense of loyalty towards his brother, who is accused of murder, and the policeman’s frustration at the situation that has led them there. As snow begins to fall, the story quickly escalates when McFardell falls from his horse, giving Pryse an unexpected opportunity to escape. The narrative captures the tension of their predicament and sets the stage for the unfolding drama as Pryse makes a daring decision that will shape his fate and those around him.