River; as, if so, a sample
had come out for the express purpose of accommodating them!

On hearing the news that Okematan and Fergus had to give, the men--most
of whom were half-breeds connected with Cree families--gave a cheer and
voted for an immediate advance against the Saulteaux. This, after very
brief palaver, was unanimously agreed to.

"You'll not object to return with us, I suppose?" asked Dechamp of
Fergus.

"Iss it objectin' to a fecht you will mean?"

"Well--it's not unlikely that there may be something of the sort going
if we meet."

"Did you ever hear of a McKay objectin' to a fecht, Antoine?"

Dechamp laughed.

"Well," he said, "I know Okematan won't object to turn back, and show us
the way to the place where he met the reptiles."

"Okematan was on his way to seek for help," said the Indian quietly.

Every one being agreed on this point, the whole band re-embarked, and
proceeded on their way up the river. They advanced rapidly, for
although the stream was against them it was so sluggish as to be
scarcely appreciable, and by keeping near to the banks they were not
delayed by it at all.

Towards the afternoon the place where the struggle had taken place was
reached, but no Saulteaux were to be seen. They had taken their
departure, and, from the fact that several small things belonging to
them had been left behind, it seemed not unlikely that they had obtained
information of the expedition sent out against them, and had departed in
haste.

"It iss of no use," said Fergus, when this became evident, "for us to
keep up a stern-chase after them. They have got too much of a start, so
it seems to me, boys, we could not do better than follow up the tracks
of Daniel Davidson an' make sure that he has got clear away from them."

To this proposal there was much objection at first, for it involved some
of the party quitting the canoes and journeying no one could tell how
far through the woods on foot.

"Besides," said one, "Dan is quite able to take care of himself, and if
he got off in the dark, as you tell us he did, there's not a man in the
Saulteaux nation could come up with him either in dark or light."

"That may be all fery true, my frund," returned Fergus, "nevertheless
I'm goin' to follow up his track, for it is sure that he took no
proveesions wi' him, an' it was too dark for me to see if he escaped wi'
his gun. Dan is a strong man, but the strongest man will be findin'
himself in diff