d had broken into morning
before the scout came into camp with a single word of report:

"Notting."

"No Piegans?" exclaimed Cameron.

"No--not dis side Blood Reserve."

"Eat something, Jerry, then we will talk," said Cameron.

Jerry had already broken his fast, but was ready for more. After the
meal was finished he made his report. His report was clear and concise.
On leaving Cameron in the morning he had taken the most likely direction
to discover traces of the Piegan band, namely that suggested by Cameron,
and, fetching a wide circle, had ridden toward the mountains, but he
had come upon no sign. Then he had penetrated into the canyon and ridden
down toward the entrance, but still had found no trace. He had then
ridden backward toward the Piegan Reserve and, picking up a trail of one
or two ponies, had followed it till he found it broaden into that of a
considerable band making eastward. Then he knew he had found the trail
he wanted.

"How many, Jerry?" asked Cameron.

The half-breed held up both hands three times.

"Mebbe more."

"Thirty or forty?" exclaimed Cameron. "Any Squaws?

"No."

"Hunting-expedition?"

"No."

"Where were they going?"

"Blood Reserve t'ink--dunno."

Cameron sat smoking in silence. He was completely at a loss.

"Why go to the Bloods?" he asked of Jerry.

"Dunno."

Jerry was not strong in his constructive faculty. His powers were those
of observation.

"There is no sense in them going to the Blood Reserve, Jerry," said
Cameron impatiently. "The Bloods are a pack of thieves, we know, but our
people are keeping a close watch on them."

Jerry grunted acquiescence.

"There is no big Indian camping ground on the Blood Reserve. You
wouldn't get the Blackfeet to go to any pow-wow there."

Again Jerry grunted.

"How far did you follow their trail, Jerry?"

"Two--t'ree mile."

Cameron sat long and smoked. The thing was extremely puzzling. It seemed
unlikely that if the Piegan band were going to a rendezvous of Indians
they should select a district so closely under the inspection of the
Police. Furthermore there was no great prestige attaching to the Bloods
to make their reserve a place of meeting.

"Jerry," said Cameron at length, "I believe they are up this Sun Dance
Canyon somewhere."

"No," said Jerry decisively. "No sign--come down mesef." His tone was
that of finality.

"I believe, Jerry, they doubled back and came in from the north end
after you had left. I