ng
greatly was most apparent, and Jean felt sorry for him. She wondered
who he was, and the reason for the look of defiance in his eyes. That
he had called Sam by name puzzled her, for the Indian had never spoken
of him to her.

She was more mystified than ever when ere long they came in sight of a
log cabin nestling on the hillside at the entrance of the valley. In
front of the house was a small clearing surrounded by a rough pole
fence, causing Jean to believe that the owner had lived there for some
time, and did a little gardening.

When, however, she entered the building her surprise was greater than
ever. The main room was as comfortable and cosy as hands could make
it. The floor was covered with fur rugs of various shapes and sizes.
The walls, too, were adorned with skins of the bear, fox, otter,
wolverine, and other animals. At the farther end of the room was a
large fire-place, above which was a fine moose head with great
branching antlers. Several hardwood sticks were burning upon the
hearth, showing that the owner had not been long away from home. There
were also other articles on the walls, such as Indian curios, bows and
arrows, as well as a few pictures. In the middle of the room was a
table, covered with a cloth of rich design. In the centre of this
stood a candle-stick, made of wood, evidently hand-wrought. It had
seven branches, and in each was a dip-candle. A well-polished silver
tray, containing a pair of snuffers, was lying near. There were
several books upon the table, one of which was lying open, as if the
reader had hurriedly laid it down as he rose from the deep, comfortable
chair nearby. There were other chairs in the room, as well as stools
and benches, but this big chair excelled them all in size and quaint
workmanship. It was evidently the owner's special favourite, for it
showed signs of much use.

To the left of the fire-place was the one couch the room contained, and
to this the injured man at once made his way. He sat upon the edge and
rested for a few minutes. He was breathing hard, and most of the time
he kept his right hand to his suffering side. He seemed to pay no heed
to what was taking place around him, but stared straight before him as
if in a dream. He aroused at length, and glanced at the three standing
before him.

"Make yourselves at home," he said. "There is plenty of food in the
next room. It is quite warm there, for I always keep a fire going.
The