n
that he would be at Fort Rae? Why had he come down the Yellow Knife?
And why had the two Indian scouts failed to report the man's coming?
Only one of the Indians had returned at all, and his report that the
other had been killed by one of MacNair's retainers had seemed
unconvincing. However, Lapierre had accepted the story, but all
through the days of the building he had secretly watched him. The man
was one of his trusted Indians--so was the one he reported killed.

Upon the outskirts of the camp Lapierre halted--thinking. LeFroy had
also watched--he must see LeFroy. Picking his way among the teepees,
he advanced to his own tent. Groups of Indians and half-breeds,
hunched about their fires, were eating supper. They eyed him
respectfully as he passed, and in response to a signal, LeFroy arose
and followed him to the tent.

Once inside, Lapierre fixed his eyes upon the boss canoeman.

"Well--you have watched Apaw--what have you found out?"

"Apaw--I'm t'ink she spik de trut'."

"Speak the truth--_hell_! Why didn't he get down here ahead of
MacNair, then? What have I got spies for--to drag in after MacNair's
gone and tell me he's been here?"

LeFroy shrugged. "MacNair Injuns--dey com' pret' near catch Apaw--dey
keel Stamix. Apaw, she got 'way by com' roun' by de Black Fox."

Lapierre nodded, scowling. He trusted LeFroy; and having recognized in
him one as unscrupulous and nearly as resourceful and penetrating as
himself, had placed him in charge of the canoemen, the men who, in the
words of the leader, "kept cases on the North," and to whose lot fell
the final distribution of the whiskey to the Indians. But so, also,
had he trusted the boasting, flaunting Vermilion.

"All right; but keep your eye on him," he said, smiling sardonically,
"and you may learn a lesson. Now you listen to me. You are to stay
here. Miss Elliston wants you for her chief trader. Make out your
list of supplies--fill that storehouse up with stuff. She wants you to
undersell the H.B.C.--and you do it. Get the trade in here--see? Keep
your prices down to just below Company prices, and then skin 'em on the
fur--and--well, I don't need to tell you how. Give 'em plenty of debt
and we'll fix the books. Pick put a half-dozen of your best men and
keep 'em here. Tell 'em to obey Miss Elliston's orders; and whatever
you do, keep cases on MacNair. But don't start anything. Pass the
word out and fill up her school. Give her p