o toss the bags to their shoulders. They made a
long procession back to the teepees, the women crowding around,
laughing, gesticulating, and caressing the fat, dusty bags.

By Ambrose's orders the bags were piled up in an imposing array in the
middle of the square. He knew the value of a dramatic display.

The half-breeds who had been on duty for thirty-six hours, scattered to
their homes up and down the river. Simon Grampierre and Tole remained
with Ambrose.

The york boat was left drawn up on the beach below the camp. To this
fact Ambrose traced all the subsequent disasters. But he could not
have foreseen what would happen. The Indians at the sight of so much
food were as candid and happy as children.

When the last bag of flour topped the pile, Ambrose sought out Watusk.
He found the head man as before, evidently awaiting an official
communication, with his dummy councilors on either hand. Watusk's
smooth, flabby face was as blank as a plaster wall.

"I have brought your flour," said Ambrose with a note of exultation
justifiable under the circumstances.

Watusk was not impressed. "It is well," he said with a stolid nod.

Ambrose was somewhat taken aback. An instant told him that Watusk
alone of all the tribe was not glad to see the flour. Ambrose scented
a mystery.

"Where you get the flour?" asked Watusk politely.

"I borrowed Gaviller's mill to grind it," Ambrose answered in kind.

Watusk's eyes narrowed. He puffed out his cheeks a little, and Ambrose
saw that an oration was impending.

"I hope there will be no trouble," the Indian began self-importantly.
"Always when there is trouble the red man get blame. When the fur is
scarce, when summer frost turn the wheat black it is the same. They
say the red man make bad medicine.

"Two white men have a fight, red man come along, know nothing. Those
two white men say it is his fault, and kick him hard. You break open
Gaviller's mill. Gaviller is mad, send for police. When the police
come I think they say it is Watusk's fault. Send him to jail!"

It was evident from this that Watusk was pretty well informed of what
had happened. "How do you know they have sent for the police?" Ambrose
demanded.

Watusk shrugged expressively. "I see the launch go up the river in a
hurry," he said.

In the light of his insolent demand two days before, the Indian's
present attitude was more than exasperating. "This is foolishness,"
said Ambrose sharply.