nd true and upright people. They
never attack friends until, by their conduct, these friends have become
enemies. But the Crees are human. They are not perfect--neither are
the Palefaces. There are bad men among them--a few; not many--as well
as young men and foolish. Sometimes, when on the war-path, a clever bad
man can reason with them till he blinds them, and they are ready to do
wrong. It may be so now. Okematan is clever. Kateegoose does not know
what to advise."

"Kateegoose was not asked to advise," returned Dechamp sternly. "He may
return to his tent."

Thus summarily dismissed, this hanger-on or camp-follower returned to
his pork and pipe with a feeling that somehow he had failed to make the
exact impression on the leader that he desired. La Certe, however,
consoled him, and helped him to continue the duties of the day.

"Come with me, McKay," said Dechamp, after giving all needful directions
regarding the safety of the camp. "I don't believe that rascal
Kateegoose. He's a greedy idler, something like La Certe, but by no
means so harmless or good-natured. Moreover, I find it hard to believe
that Okematan has turned traitor."

"I agree with you," said Fergus. "It iss ferry hard to believe that a
man who has been so long among us, and got such a good character, should
suddenly turn against us--an' that, too, without provocation. But what
will you be sayin' to what Taniel and myself has seen with our two
eyes?"

"It looks bad, I confess," answered Dechamp, as they paced to and fro in
a retired part of the camp; "but you must remember that your two eyes
are not your two ears, and that you heard nothing that you could
understand."

"Fery true, Dechamp. But the language of the eye is sometimes as clear
and understandable as the language of the ear. No wan could mistake the
meanin' o' some o' the warriors when they scowled an' pointed in the
direction of our camp here, an' gripped the handles o' their scalpin'
knives and tomahawks. Moreover, Okematan also pointed in the same
direction, though I am bound to say he did not grip his knife. Whether
he scowled or not I do not know, for he was standin' wi' his back to
us."

"Well, I cannot tell. I'm not willin' to believe Okematan a traitor;
but what you have seen is enough to make me put the camp in defence
instead of startin' out to hunt--"

At that moment the sharp click of a gun was heard as a neighbouring
sentry put his piece on full cock