ent on them.

"Now, Salamander," said Lumley, who, although he had considerably
increased his knowledge of the Indian language by conversing with the
guide during our voyage, preferred to speak through an interpreter when
he had anything important to say, "tell the old chief that this
war-party must not go forth. Tell him that the great white chief who
guides the affairs of the traders, has sent me to trade furs in this
region, and that I will not permit fighting."

This was such a bold--almost presumptuous, way of putting the matter
that the old red chief looked at the young white chief in surprise; but
as there was neither bluster nor presumption in the calm countenance of
Lumley--only firmness coupled with extreme good humour--he felt somewhat
disconcerted.

"How will my white brother prevent war?" asked the old chief, whose name
was Muskrat.

"By packing up my goods, and going elsewhere," replied Lumley directly,
without an instant's hesitation, in the Indian tongue.

At this, there was an elongation of the faces of the men who heard it,
and something like a soft groan from the squaws who listened in the
background.

"That would be a sad calamity," said old Muskrat, "and I have no wish to
fight; but how will the young white chief prevent our foes from
attacking us?"

"Tell him, Salamander, that I will do so by going to see them."

"My young braves will be happy to go out under the guidance of so strong
a warrior," returned Muskrat, quite delighted with the proposal.

"Nay, old chief, you mistake me, I will take no braves with me."

"No matter," returned Muskrat; "doubtless the white men and their guns
will be more than a match for our red foes."

"Still you misunderstand," said Lumley. "I am no warrior, but a man of
peace. I shall go without guns or knives--and alone, except that I will
ask young Mozwa to guide me."

"Alone! unarmed!" murmured the old man, in astonishment almost too great
for expression. "What can one do against a hundred with weapons?"

"You shall see," said Lumley, with a light laugh as he turned to me.

"Now, Max, don't speak or remonstrate, like a good fellow; we have no
time to discuss, only to act. I find that Muskrat's foes speak the same
dialect as himself, so that an interpreter is needless. I carry two
revolvers in the breast of my coat. You have a clasp-knife in your
pocket; make me a present of it, will you? Thanks. Now, have our men
in readiness for instant act