the
three parties separated. Allan, accompanied by Pierre, rode off to the
eastward; Mr Burnett and the train continued their journey to the west;
while Loraine and his two companions took a southerly course.

"Good-bye, good-bye, my young friends," cried Dr McCrab, after riding a
short distance with Loraine and Hector. "Whatever you do; don't let the
Redskins take your scalps, my boys. Keep your powder dry, and your
larder well stored, and you'll get through. I heartily wish that I
could go with you; but I ride too heavy a weight, and should certainly
delay you if we had to run for it with a pack of howling savages at our
tails: the chances are, I should come off second best," said the
good-natured medico, when, shaking hands, he turned his horse's head and
galloped off to overtake the train brought up by Isaac Sass and his pack
animals. The country being level, the train could be seen for a long
distance, creeping on like a huge snake through the grass.

As Loraine looked round, a uniform and well-defined horizon met his eye.
So destitute was the country in general of all landmarks, that he was
thankful to have a good compass to guide his course, in addition to the
assistance of the young hump-backed Indian, who depended on his instinct
alone. Loraine and Hector had each a spare horse, which carried their
changes of clothes, a store of powder and shot, and such provisions and
cooking utensils as they were likely to require.

The young Indian frequently raised himself in his stirrups, and
sometimes even stood upon the back of his horse, to take a look round,
but dropped quickly down again into his saddle, satisfied that no foes
were in the neighbourhood.

"It was fortunate that the Blackfeet came about the camp last night, and
then took themselves off to the westward, as we are the less likely to
have them on our trail," observed Hector, who was highly delighted to be
able to go home at once, instead of having to make a long circuit, as he
had expected, through Edmonton. Though he had heard the report of old
Sass, he had not realised the danger in which his family might be
placed.

He rattled on as was his wont, never failing to find subjects of
conversation. "I did not suppose that there would be much risk, or I
should not have proposed your coming with me," observed Loraine. "I
was, besides, unwilling to make my appearance at the fort without you,
lest Captain Mackintosh should look upon me as an impos