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"You hear the reports that have just been brought in?" said Dechamp. "Kateegoose hears," was the laconic answer. "Kateegoose is a Cree," continued Dechamp; "he knows the spirit that dwells in the hearts of his tribe. What does he think?" "The thoughts of the Indian are many and deep.
It chanced that Antoine Dechamp, the very man about whom he had been talking to Duncan McKay, had dropped in to see him and his spouse, and was sitting beside the fire smoking when he entered.
Explanations were speedily exchanged, and our fugitives learned that news had been carried to the Settlement of the approach of the very band of Saulteaux whom they had encountered, and a band of fiery young men, led by Dechamp, had come out to meet them for the purpose of asking them whether they meant their visit to be friendly, or whether they wished to measure their strength with the men of Red River; as, if so, a sample had come out for the express purpose of accommodating them!
"Well it's not unlikely that there may be something of the sort going if we meet." "Did you ever hear of a McKay objectin' to a fecht, Antoine?" Dechamp laughed. "Well," he said, "I know Okematan won't object to turn back, and show us the way to the place where he met the reptiles." "Okematan was on his way to seek for help," said the Indian quietly.
He can do us no harm." As the approaching figure drew near, it was seen to be that of an Indian on horseback. He rode carelessly at a jog-trot. "It looks like Okematan!" said Dechamp, glancing at his companion in surprise. "It iss Okematan," returned Fergus. Before another word could be spoken, a shot was heard in the camp, and horse and man were seen to roll upon the ground.
"I fear it looks something like that," said Dechamp; "but I hope Okematan believes that I know nothing of the matter nor can I tell who the cowardly villain is that did it." "Okematan knows that," answered the Indian, sternly. "No half-breed fired the shot."
I expected that," he said, with a sigh that was strongly suggestive of relief, as he returned to the fire to relight the lantern. On going the second time to the door he observed the form of his friend leading the horse past both of them looking dim and spectral through the driving snow. "Dechamp have good eyes!" he remarked, halting on the threshold.
He saluted them with a familiar and hasty "bonjour," as he stamped and beat the snow vigorously from his garments. "What? Antoine Dechamp!" exclaimed La Certe, rising slowly to welcome his friend; "you seem in hurry?" "Ay in great hurry! They are starving on the plains! Many are dead! Davidson has come in! He is more than half-dead! Can hardly tell the news! Drops asleep when he is speaking!
"Moreover," said Dechamp, "whoever goes need not go further than the Pine Portage. The party on foot will have found out, before the canoes reach that, whether Dan has got clear off, and they can rejoin the canoes at the Portage. So, Fergus, I'll join your party too. Who else will go?"
It therefore did not surprise Dan Davidson, when the supper was nearly ended, that Dechamp should rise and leave the fire after giving him a look which was a silent but obvious invitation to follow. Dan obeyed at once, and his leader, conducting him between the various camp-fires, led him outside the circle of carts.
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