us alive, an' puttin' our scalp
in de vigvam for de poo-poose to play wid!"

"Well, niver mind, Henri, we'll be quits wi' them now," said Joe, as
they came in sight of the two bands, who remained in precisely the
same position in which they had been left, except that one or two of
the more reckless of the trappers had lit their pipes and taken to
smoking, without, however, laying down their rifles or taking their
eyes off the savages.

A loud cheer greeted the arrival of the prisoners, and looks of
considerable discomfort began to be evinced by the Indians.

"Glad to see you, friends," said Cameron, as they came up.

"Ve is 'appy ov de same," replied Henri, swaggering up in the
joviality of his heart, and seizing the trader's hand in his own
enormous fist. "Shall ve go to vork an' slay dem all at vonce, or von
at a time?"

"We'll consider that afterwards, my lad. Meantime go you to the rear
and get a weapon of some sort."

"Oui. Ah! c'est charmant," he cried, going with an immense flounder
into the midst of the amused trappers, and slapping those next to
him on the back. "Give me veapon, do, mes amis--gun, pistol,
anyting--cannon, if you have von."

Meanwhile Cameron and Joe spoke together for a few moments.

"You had goods with you, and horses, I believe, when you were
captured," said the former.

"Ay, that we had. Yonder stand the horses, under the pine-tree, along
wi' the rest o' the Redskin troop; an' a hard time they've had o't,
as their bones may tell without speakin'. As for the goods," he
continued, glancing round the camp, "I don't know where--ah! yes,
there they be in the old pack. I see all safe."

Cameron now addressed the Indians.

"The Peigans," he said, "have not done well. Their hearts have not
been true to the Pale-faces. Even now I could take your scalps where
you sit, but white men do not like war, they do not like revenge. The
Peigans may go free."

Considering the fewness of their numbers, this was bold language to
use towards the Indians; but the boldest is generally the best policy
on such occasions. Moreover, Cameron felt that, being armed with
rifles, while the Indians had only bows and arrows, the trappers had a
great advantage over them.

The Indian who had spoken before now rose and said he was sorry there
should be any cause of difference between them, and added he was sorry
for a great many more things besides, but he did not say he was sorry
for having told a lie.

"But