hile Okematan, having entered the camp, was met by Dechamp, and led
by him to a retired part.

"You have an enemy here, Okematan," he said, inquiringly.

"It would seem so," returned the Indian gravely. "Friends do not shoot
each other's horses; and if the poor horse had not tossed his head when
the shot was fired, his rider would have bit the dust."

"I fear it looks something like that," said Dechamp; "but I hope
Okematan believes that _I_ know nothing of the matter--nor can I tell
who the cowardly villain is that did it."

"Okematan knows that," answered the Indian, sternly. "No half-breed
fired the shot."

"There is no Indian in the camp but Kateegoose," rejoined the other,
quickly; "surely you don't think that a man of your own tribe would try
to kill you?"

"I know not. Kateegoose hates me. No other man in the camp hates me."

"It is strange--unaccountable," returned Dechamp. "If the Indian did
it, he shall forfeit his horse and leave the camp. But tell me,"--here
the half-breed commandant turned a searching gaze on his companion, "why
did Okematan leave us, and spend all night alone on the prairie? Did he
spend the night in conversation with the buffalo--or in the company of
his departed forefathers?"

No sign of surprise, or of any other emotion, was visible on the
countenance of the Red-man as he replied: "Okematan went out to meet a
party of his tribe on the war-path."

Dechamp was not so successful in concealing his own surprise at this
answer.

"Does the Cree chief," he asked, with something of doubt in his tone and
look, "choose the hours of night to consult with warriors about secret
assaults and surprises on friends?"

"He does not!" answered the Indian, decidedly but calmly--though he was
unquestionably astonished at being questioned so pointedly and correctly
as to his recent proceedings, and felt that he must have been followed.
He was not the man, however, to betray his feelings, or to commit
himself in any way; therefore he took refuge in silence.

"Come now, Okematan," said his companion in a confidential tone. "Don't
let a misunderstanding arise between you and me. What is this that I
have heard? You spent last night, as you admit, with a party of Crees
on the war-path. You were seen and heard, and the men of the camp think
you have turned traitor, and they are even now expecting an attack from
this war-party. Is it true that we are to be attacked?"

"You say I was _hear