rous among both Indians and
mean whites; but in spite of his efforts the gang he suspected managed
to evade the grip of the law. Flett, however, was far from despairing;
he waited his time and watched.

While he did so, spring came, unusually early. A warm west wind swept
the snow away and for a week or two the softened prairie was almost
impassable to vehicles. Then the wind veered to the northwest with
bright sunshine, the soil began to dry, and George set out on a visit
to Brandon where he had some business to transact.

Reaching Sage Butte in the afternoon, he found it suffering from the
effects of the thaw. A swollen creek had converted the ground on one
side of the track into a shallow lake; the front street resembled a
muskeg, furrowed deep by sinking wheels. The vehicles outside the
hotels were covered with sticky mire; the high, plank sidewalks were
slippery with it, and foot passengers when forced to leave them sank
far up their long boots; one or two of the stores were almost cut off
by the pools. It rained between gleams of sunshine, and masses of dark
cloud rolled by above the dripping town and wet prairie, which had
turned a dingy gray.

As he was proceeding along one sidewalk, George met Hardie, and it
struck him that the man was looking dejected and worn.

"Will you come back with me and wait for supper?" he asked. "I'd be
glad of a talk."

"I think not," said George. "You're on the far side of the town and
there are two streets to cross; you see, I'm going to Brandon, and I'll
take enough gumbo into the cars with me, as it is. Then my train
leaves in half an hour. I suppose I mustn't ask you to come into the
Queen's?"

"No," said the clergyman. "Our old guard won't tolerate the smallest
compromise with the enemy, and there's a good deal to be said for their
point of view. After all, half-measures have seldom much result; a man
must be one thing or another. But we might try the new waiting-room at
the station."

The little room proved to be dry and comparatively clean, besides being
furnished with nicely made and comfortable seats. Leaning back in one
near the stove, George turned to his companion.

"How are things going round here?" he asked.

"Very much as I expected; we tried and failed to apply a check in time,
and of late we have had a regular outbreak of lawlessness. At first
sight, it's curious, considering that three-fourths of the inhabitants
of the district are steady