n us if we go far from the fort. As
I was watching his countenance yesterday, it struck me that I had seen
him before, and I am nearly certain that he's a friend of Peshauba's
from whom I made my escape. As I saw him again to-day I felt more
certain than ever, and I suspect that one of his objects was to get me
back, though, as I do not think he recognised me yesterday, perhaps he
fancied that I was not at the fort."

Robin was so positive on the matter that we thought it advisable not to
follow the Indian. We accordingly retreated towards the fort, though
very unwilling to return without some ducks for dinner.

When we told Alick what had occurred, he approved of our conduct.

"There was something not altogether canny about Mr Pipe," observed
Sandy, "and I am very glad no harm happened to you boys."

"I didn't like the man's countenance, and suspected his intentions from
the first," said Alick; "however, I could not refuse to trade with him,
though it's more than probable that he stole the peltries he brought us.
We'll send out and try to find out more about him."

Besides the old Scotchman there were fortunately six hunters at the
fort, who were immediately dispatched, well armed, under Sandy's
command, to follow the trail of Opoihgun, and to ascertain where he had
gone and what he was about.

Alick would not let any of us accompany the party, considering that it
would be useless to expose us to the danger we might have to encounter.

While they were away we caught sight of a small band of men in the
distance coming towards the fort from the south-west. As they got
nearer we saw that there were six persons.

"They are Indians, and seem in a great hurry from the way they come
along," observed Martin, who was with Robin and me on the top of the
tower.

"They do not appear to me to be Indians from the way they run," said
Robin. "I should say that most of them are half-breeds, though there is
one of them who looks like an Indian."

I thought that they were all Indians, though they had no war-plumes, and
I saw no ornaments glittering in the sun.

"Whatever they are, they seem very anxious to reach the fort," said
Martin. "We'll soon know the truth of the matter, for they must be here
before long."

As the strangers approached, we caught sight in the far distance of
another party far more numerous, who appeared to be coming on as fast as
the others were; still the latter were certain to reach the fort so