hed his face somewhat anxiously.

"I find, Running Stream, that your young men are breaking faith with
their friends, the Police."

Again the Chief searched Cameron's face with that keen swift glance, but
he said not a word, only waited.

"They are breaking the law as well, and I want to tell you they will be
punished. Where did they get the meat for these kettles?"

A look of relief gleamed for one brief instant across the Indian's face,
not unnoticed, however, by Cameron.

"Why do your young men steal my cattle?"

The Indian evinced indifference.

"Dunno--deer--mebbe--sheep."

"My brother speaks like a child," said Cameron quietly. "Do deer and
sheep have steers' heads and hides with brands on? Four heads I find
in the bluff. The Commissioner will ask you to explain these hides and
heads, and let me tell you, Running Stream, that the thieves will spend
some months in jail. They will then have plenty of time to think of
their folly and their wickedness."

An ugly glance shot from the Chief's eyes.

"Dunno," he grunted again, then began speaking volubly in the Indian
tongue.

"Speak English, Running Stream!" commanded Cameron. "I know you can
speak English well enough."

But Running Stream shook his head and continued his speech in Indian,
pointing to a bluff near by.

Cameron looked toward Jerry, who interpreted:

"He say young men tak' deer and sheep and bear. He show you skins in
bluff."

"Come," said Running Stream, supplementing Jerry's interpretation and
making toward the bluff. Cameron followed him and came upon the skins of
three jumping deer, of two mountain sheep and of two bear. They turned
back again to the fire.

"My young men no take cattle," said the Chief with haughty pride.

"Maybe so," said Cameron, "but some of your party have, Running Stream,
and the Commissioner will look to you. You are in command here. He will
give you a chance to clear yourself."

The Indian shrugged his shoulders and stood silent.

"My brother is not doing well," continued Cameron. "The Government feed
you if you are hungry. The Government protect you if you are wronged."

It was an unfortunate word of Cameron's. A sudden cloud of anger
darkened the Indian's face.

"No!" he cried aloud. "My children--my squaw and my people go hungry--go
cold in winter--no skin--no meat."

"My brother knows--" replied Cameron with patient firmness--"You
translate this, Jerry"--and Jerry proceeded to translate with elo