were of
the carpet pattern, were left behind on the prairie to perplex the
wolves, and her voluminous hair--once a rich auburn, but now a pearly
grey--having escaped its cap and fastenings, was streaming out gaily in
the breeze, as if to tempt the fingers and knife of the pursuer.

A stern-chase is a long one, whether ashore or afloat. Pursuer and
pursued went rapidly down the Settlement until they came in sight of the
band which had come to rescue Peg. They received her with a wild cheer
of surprise and joy, which turned the Red-skin to the right-about, and
sent him back to his friends much faster than he had come.

On receiving his report, the half-breeds at once dashed off in pursuit
of the settlers, and did not draw rein until they reached the place
where the Scotchmen had made a stand. The latter were greatly
outnumbered, at least in fighting men, but they showed such a resolute
front, that Cuthbert Grant, the half-breed leader, again interfered to
prevent bloodshed if possible. After calming his men, and advising
forbearance, he turned to Duncan McKay senior, who was the settlers'
spokesman, and said--

"If you will go peaceably away out of the colony, we will spare you, but
if you show fight your blood be on your own heads, for I cannot restrain
my men much longer."

"Iss it sparin' us you will be talkin' of, Cuthbert Grant?" answered the
Highlander, with scorn. "Wow! but if it wass not for the weemen an'
children that's with us, you would hev a goot chance o' bein' in need o'
sparin' yoursels; an' it iss not much o' the blood o' the Grants,
either, that's in _your_ veins, or ye would scorn to consort wi' such
fire-raisin' cut-throats. It iss the fortune of war--whatever, and we
can't affoord to leave our weemen an' bairns defenceless. So we accept
your terms, if we are not hindered from carryin' away our arms."

"Carry away whatever you like," replied Grant, quietly, "only be off at
once, or I'll not answer for the consequences."

Thus the angry Highlander was dismissed, and in the end the unfortunate
settlers, being a second time driven into exile, took refuge, as before,
at Jack River.

CHAPTER TEN.

ARCHIE AND LITTLE BILL DO WONDERS.

We change the scene now to the margin of a small lake embosomed like a
gem in the great wilderness of the Far North.

It is autumn. The sun is bright, the air is calm and clear. There is a
species of warm haze which, paradoxically, does not seem to inte