ced up with a pleased
look, and nodded at his master, as a dog often does when spoken about.

"I gladly accept your offer, and will give him any reward you think
right for his services," said Loraine. "I should like to set off
to-night."

"That would be impossible, as the lad and your horses want rest,"
answered the old trapper. "To-morrow morning he shall be at your
service, and perhaps by that time Mr Burnett will have thought the
matter over, and will send two or three of his men to accompany you. I
will take the duties of those who go, and he knows I am worth
something."

"Well, well, I'll think it over, and to-morrow morning let you know my
decision," said Burnett. "Now, Mr Loraine, I'd advise you to lie down
and get some rest, or you won't be fit for the work you propose to
undertake."

Loraine, hoping that Burnett would consent to spare him a few men,
followed his advice, and turned into his camp bed, while the old hunter,
wrapping himself in his buffalo robe, lay down with his feet to the
fire, as did Greensnake in a horse-cloth, which he took from the baggage
he had deposited inside the camp.

CHAPTER TWO.

Burnett was duly impressed with a sense of his responsibilities. He
really wished to send assistance to Fort Duncan, but felt the importance
of conveying his charge safely to Fort Edmonton, and he was too prudent
to run any risk, by weakening his escort. He, therefore, determined to
commence the journey at an earlier hour than usual, and to push forward
as fast as possible. He recollected the half-breeds from whom they had
parted only three days before, and whom they had left encamped. If they
could be overtaken, some of them might be induced to go to Fort Duncan
by the prospect of a brush with their sworn enemies, the Blackfeet.
"Perhaps this young Englishman will agree to go back and obtain their
assistance, and he will render far greater service to the captain than
if he were to go alone," thought Burnett. "I will propose the plan to
him to-morrow morning, and allow Allan Keith to accompany him. The two
seem to pull well together; and as soon as we get to Edmonton we will
send off as many men as can be spared."

Satisfied with his plan, Burnett pulled his blanket round him, and was
just dropping off to sleep, when he heard the distant neigh of a horse.

"That was not one of our animals!" he exclaimed, starting to his feet.
As he did so, he saw the old man and his Indian boy sitting