used permission to
go, when Burnett explained his plan of sending him in search of the
half-breed hunters, to collect among them as many recruits as he could
obtain to increase the garrison at Fort Duncan.

"I, at all events, will go with you!" exclaimed Hector, turning to
Loraine. "We have a compass, and as I know the direction in which the
fort lies, I shall not be afraid of missing my way."

"You forget the Redskins, and that you must be on your guard at night,
or you'll have your horses stolen," observed old Sass. "You will also
have to look out for game to support yourselves. However, if you take
Greensnake with you, he'll help you to kill game, and will give due
notice if enemies are near you."

"Yes, although I should have been glad to have had more companions, I am
ready to set out at once," said Loraine.

"I am sorry I cannot spare any of my men," observed Burnett. "Two or
three, indeed, would make but little difference, and the smaller your
party the better for safety's sake. However, you must let your horses
breakfast, for they got but little feeding last night, thanks to the
Blackfeet."

While these and other arrangements were being made, the scouts came in.
It was evident, they reported, from the tracks round the camp, that they
had been surrounded by a large band, who would probably have stolen all
their horses had they not been on their guard. The scouts, they added,
had followed to a considerable distance the tracks which led away to the
westward, and it was their opinion that the Indians would keep ahead,
and not make another attempt to steal the horses till they fancied that
the party were off their guard. It was so far satisfactory to have
discovered the direction the Indians had taken, as Loraine might thus
proceed southward and Allan Keith make his way eastward on the trail of
the buffalo hunters, without the risk of encountering them.

"I will spare no exertion to get as soon as possible to the fort with as
many men as I can induce to accompany me," said Allan, as he warmly
shook hands with Loraine. "I heartily wish that I could have gone with
you; but I must obey the orders of my chief. I am well acquainted with
the family of Captain Mackintosh; pray give them my respects, and say
how deeply I regret not being able to proceed at once to the fort."

Allan looked somewhat conscious as he said this. Loraine promised to
deliver his messages; and the horses having now had time to feed,