the border--though the American Police know nothing of it--or
they are making pemmican."

"Pemmican? Aha! that looks serious," said the Superintendent gravely.

"Yes, indeed," said Cameron. "It makes me think that some one bigger
than Eagle Feather is at the bottom of all this cattle-running.
Sometimes I have thought that perhaps that chap Raven has a hand in it."

"Raven?" exclaimed the Superintendent. "He has brain enough and nerve in
plenty for any dare-devil exploit."

"But," continued Cameron in a hesitating voice, "I cannot bring myself
to lay this upon him."

"Why not?" inquired the Superintendent sharply. "He is a cool hand and
desperate. I know his work fairly well. He is a first-class villain."

"Yes, I know he is all that, and yet--well--in this rebellion, sir,
I believe he is with us and against them." In proof of this Cameron
proceeded to relate the story of Raven's visit to the Big Horn Ranch.
"So you see," he concluded, "he would not care to work in connection
with the Piegans just now."

"I don't know about that--I don't know about that," replied the
Superintendent. "Of course he would not work against us directly, but he
might work for himself in this crisis. It would furnish him with a good
opportunity, you see. It would give him plenty of cover."

"Yes, that is true, but still--I somehow cannot help liking the chap."

"Liking the chap?" echoed the Superintendent. "He is a cold-blooded
villain and cattle-thief, a murderer, as you know. If ever I get my hand
on him in this rumpus--Why, he's an outlaw pure and simple! I have
no use for that kind of man at all. I should like to hang him!" The
Superintendent was indignant at the suggestion that any but the severest
measures should be meted out to a man of Raven's type. It was the
instinct and training of the Police officer responsible for the
enforcement of law and order in the land moving within him. "But,"
continued the Superintendent, "let us get back to our plans. There must
be a strong force raised in this district immediately. We have the kind
of men best suited for the work all about us in this ranching country,
and I know that if you ride south throughout the ranges you can bring me
back fifty men, and there would be no finer anywhere."

"I shall do what I can, sir," replied Cameron, "but I am not sure about
the fifty men."

Long they talked over the plans, till it was far past midnight, when
Cameron took his leave and returned to his