o the ground, that keen ears
were listening to every word, and that flashing eyes were watching
their slightest movements.

When, however, Lupin at length stepped into the canoe lying on the
shore, and began to paddle rapidly up the river, the prostrate Indian
rose to his feet, and glided swiftly among the trees, straight for the
lodge where Jean was crouching. As the canoe touched the shore a short
distance below the encampment, the native was silently standing near a
large spruce tree. No sooner had Lupin landed, than like a catapult
the Indian was upon him. With a wild gurgling cry of fear the
surprised man reeled back, and tried to ward off the attack. But his
efforts were all in vain, for the Indian's fingers were upon his throat
with a vise-like grip. Notwithstanding his frantic struggles, he was
borne steadily to the ground, and there he lay with his assailant
perched upon his body, and his fingers still clutching hard.

Seth Lupin had run his course. He knew no mercy, so no mercy was
vouchsafed to him. In his diabolical mind he had planned the ruin of
an innocent girl. But in his blind passion he had forgotten that the
Great Avenger of the just uses many strange instruments in defending
His own. He, like others, had left out of consideration the Unknown
Quantity. The mighty forest had witnessed numerous tragedies, but none
more swift and sure than the one this night on the bank of that narrow
inland stream.

Within the lodge Jean heard that wild cry of fear, and it caused her to
spring to her feet in terror. Her eyes stared out into the night, and
unconsciously she lifted her right hand and struck at the blackness as
if to drive it away. Listening intently, she could hear fearful sounds
as of a desperate struggle, and then all was still. What did it mean?
What unknown horrors were surrounding her? With cold clenched hands,
and body rigid with terror, she strained her eyes into the darkness.
She imagined that she could see forms creeping stealthily toward her,
and the faintest outlines of great tree trunks were to her hideous
monsters.

And as she looked and waited, something did appear suddenly before her.
With a cry she started back, and raised both hands to defend herself.
But a voice at once reassured her, causing her heart to leap with hope.

"White woman safe now," it said. "Injun tak' care white woman. Come."

"Who are you?" Jean asked in a trembling voice.

"Me Injun Sam. White wo