ld go," said Duncan junior, with quiet
decision of tone and manner, as he lighted his pipe.

"Ay, it iss that same you would do if you wass to be hanged to-morrow
for doin' it, Tuncan," returned the old man testily, as he fired
cloudlets in rapid succession from his compressed lips.

Duncan junior was equally firm in replying to his sister's remonstrances
later in the day.

"You know, dear Duncan," she said, "that, although I believe you to be
quite innocent, most of the half-breeds are of the opposite opinion, and
some of them are very revengeful, especially when they think they have
been deceived or unjustly treated."

"I do not fear the half-breeds," replied the youth gruffly.

"Of course you don't, Duncan, but you know that, though most of them are
good, trusty men, some are mean fellows, who would not hesitate to shoot
you in the smoke and confusion of the hunt. Do give up the idea, for my
sake, dear."

"I would do much for your sake, Elspie, but not this, for it iss showin'
the white feather I am, they will be sayin', and, as father often says,
that iss what must never be true of a McKay."

Accordingly, Duncan junior mounted his horse, and accompanied Dan,
Peter, Fergus, Okematan, Morel, Jenkins, and others to the plains, where
they found that the main body of the hunters, under Antoine Dechamp, had
arrived just before them. Kateegoose was also there, and La Certe, who
once more tried his fortune at the chase under all the advantages of a
new cart and horse, a new gun, and a new outfit--all received on
credit--to be paid for by the proceeds of the chase, as the creditors,
hoping against hope, tried to believe; never to be paid for at all, as
the easy-going La Certe more than half suspected--though he was far too
honest a man to admit that even to himself.

Of course, Slowfoot was with him--amiable, meek, and silent as ever.
And so was Baby La Certe, a five-year-old by that time, and obviously a
girl with a stronger penchant than ever for tobacco!

"The buffalo have been found already," said Dechamp to Dan Davidson, as
the latter rode into camp at the head of his party. "Bourassin has just
come in with the report that they are in great numbers away to the
nor'-west, so we will make a fair start first thing in the morning."

As he spoke, Dechamp glanced with evident surprise at Duncan McKay.

"Why did you let him come?" he said in an under-tone to Dan, as they
were tying up the horses.

"How could I