among some of the
younger men; for they were very keen to commence the sport, and had not
much belief in the power of a small band of savages to do them harm.
Some of them even suggested that half of their number should remain
behind to guard the camp while the other half should go after the
buffalo. This proposal, however, was not received with favour, as it
would certainly be a matter of disagreement which half was to go out,
and which to remain behind!

"Where is Kateegoose?" asked Dechamp at this crisis.

"Stuffin' 'imself, of course!" said Fred Jenkins, amid a general laugh.
"I've noticed, since we set sail on this trip, that Kateegoose always
turns out at daybreak, lights the galley fire, an' begins the dooties o'
the day by stuffin' 'imself."

"Ay, and I've noticed," observed one of the young hunters, "that it
takes a deal o' stuffin' to fill him out properly, for he keeps on at it
most part o' the day."

"Except," remarked another, "when he stops to smoke what o' the stuffin'
has been already shoved down."

"Moreover," added the seaman, "I've noticed that Francois La Certe
always keeps 'im company. He's a sympathetic sort o' man is Francois,
fond o' helpin' his mates--specially when they're eatin' an' smokin'."

At this moment Kateegoose, having been called, came forward. He was an
ill-favoured savage, with various expressions on his ugly visage which
were not so much Nature's gifts as the result of his own evil passions.
Jealousy was one of them, and he had often turned a green eye on
Okematan. There were indications about his mouth and fingers, as he
came forward, that justified the commentaries on his habits, and
betrayed recent acquaintance with fat pork.

"You hear the reports that have just been brought in?" said Dechamp.

"Kateegoose hears," was the laconic answer.

"Kateegoose is a Cree," continued Dechamp; "he knows the spirit that
dwells in the hearts of his tribe. What does he think?"

"The thoughts of the Indian are many and deep. He has for many moons
watched the behaviour of Okematan, and he has long suspected that the
heart of the serpent dwells in the breast of that chief. Now he is
sure."

"But what about your people?" demanded the camp-chief. "They are not at
war with us. Are they all villains because one among them turns out to
be bad?"

Kateegoose drew himself up with a look of dignity, and pouted his greasy
lips as he replied--

"The Crees have always been a brave a