e ground. Before either
could make even an attempt at self-defence they were overpowered by the
Canadians, and held forcibly down, while their arms were securely bound
to their sides with strips of deerskin.

"It is useless to struggle, Dan Davidson," said the chief, when this was
being accomplished. "We know you as a bitter opponent of the
Nor'-westers, and we intend to carry you where your power to do mischief
will be ended."

"Who are you? and under whose authority do you act?" demanded Dan,
angrily.

"Who I am is a matter of no interest to you, Dan. I act under my own
authority, and I may just as well tell you, at the beginning, that if
you and your comrade choose to submit peaceably, we will treat you
reasonably well;--if not, we will find means to quiet you, even though
we should be driven to do it wi' that."

The man pointed significantly to a gun which leant against a
neighbouring tree. His meaning could not be misunderstood.

That night, Dan and La Certe were fastened to a tree by cords which
allowed of their moving about freely within a small space, but their
arms were not unbound. Here they were allowed to make themselves as
comfortable as possible in the circumstances. Their bed, being mossy,
was well enough, but the distracted state of their minds--especially
Dan's--may be imagined.

"La Certe," said Dan, when the camp-fire had burned low, and the stars
were shining on them through the leaves, and all was still, save an
occasional snore from the Nor'-westers.

La Certe groaned in reply.

Poor Dan was not in a mood to comfort him or anybody else at that
moment, and did not follow up his remark.

"La Certe," he said again, after a quarter of an hour.

"Well?"

"Do you remember John Bourke?"

"Yes, yes. I remember him, but I care not for him. My own sorrows are
too great."

"Do you recollect," continued Dan, regardless of this despairing remark,
"that a good while ago the Nor'-westers took him prisoner, when he was
wounded after a skirmish with them, and carried him to Canada--treating
him with great barbarity on the way. There he was put in jail, but, as
nothing could be proved against him, he was liberated, and then tried to
return to his family in Red River, but the Nor'-westers caught him
again, imprisoned him, sent him a second time to Canada, and had him
tried at the Court of the King's Bench, although his only crime was that
of resisting the North-West Company. He was acquitt