developed in that child. Fair wage for fair work had
clearly got hold of it, for it put the pipe which was still alight, in
its mouth and began to draw!

At this the father smiled benignly, but Slowfoot made a demonstration
which induced a rather prompt completion of the walk without a
reasonable wage. It sucked vigorously all the time, however, being
evidently well aware that Francois was not to be feared.

At that moment the curtain of the tent lifted, and little Bill Sinclair
limped in. He was a favourite with La Certe, who made room for him, and
at once offered him the pipe, but Billie declined.

"No, thank you, La Certe. I have not learned to smoke yet."

"Ha! you did not begin young enough," said the half-breed, glancing
proudly at his own offspring.

We may explain here once for all that, although he had lived long enough
in the colony to understand French, Billie spoke to his friend in
English, and that, although La Certe understood English, he preferred to
speak in French.

"What have you been doing?" he asked, when the boy had seated himself.

"I've been shooting at a mark with my bow and arrow--brother Archie made
it for me."

"Let me see--yes, it is very well made. Where is brother Archie?"

"Gone after the buffalo."

"What!--on a horse?"

"He could not go very well after them on foot--could he?" replied the
boy quietly. "Dan Davidson lent him a horse, but not a gun. He said
that Archie was too young to use a gun on horseback, and that he might
shoot some of the people instead of the buffalo, or burst his gun, or
fall off. But _I_ don't think so. Archie can do anything. I know, for
I've seen him do it."

"And so he has left you in camp all by yourself. What a shame, Billie!"

"No, Francois, it is not a shame. Would you have me keep him from the
fun just because I can't go? _That_ would indeed be a shame, wouldn't
it?"

"Well, perhaps you're right, Billie."

"I know I'm right," returned the boy, with a decision of tone that would
have been offensive if it had not been accompanied with a look of
straightforward gentleness that disarmed resentment. "But, I say,
Francois, why are you not out with the rest?"

"Oh, because--because--Well, you know, my horse is tired, and--and, I'm
not quite sure that the buffalo really have been seen as near as they
say. And I can go to-morrow just as well. You see, Billie, there is no
need to hurry oneself."

"No, I don't see that. I think t