g been turned to the service of God through faith in
Christ, and that by the power of the Holy Spirit, who, in this Word of
God, is promised freely to them that simply ask."

"It may be so," returned McLeod; "I have not studied these things much.
I don't profess to be a very religious man, and I cannot pretend to know
much of what the gospel has done elsewhere; but I feel quite sure that
it cannot do much _here_!"

"Then you do not believe the Bible, which says distinctly that this
`gospel is the power of God unto salvation to _every one_ that
believeth.'"

"Ay, but these wretched Indians won't believe," objected the trader.

"True," answered Bertram; "they have not faith by nature, and they
_won't_ because they _can't_ believe; but faith is the gift of God, and
it is to be had for the asking."

"To that I answer that they'll never ask."

"How do you know? Did you ever give them a trial? Did you ever preach
the gospel to them?"

"No, I never did that."

"Then you cannot tell how they would treat it. Your remarks are mere
assertions of opinion--not arguments. You know the wickedness of the
Indians, and can therefore speak authoritatively on that point; but you
know not (according to your own admission) the power of the gospel:
therefore you are not in a position to speak on that point."

McLeod was about to reply when he was interrupted by the approach of Mr
Macgregor, who had now recovered somewhat from the effects of his
violent fit of passion. Having observed during the _melee_ that
strangers had arrived at his fort, he had washed and converted himself
into a more presentable personage, and now came forward to the group of
trappers, all of whom had assembled at the gate. Addressing them in a
tone of affable hospitality he said--

"Good-day, friends; I'm glad to see you at the Mountain Fort. That
blackguard Larocque somewhat ruffled my temper. He's been the cause of
much mischief here, I assure you. Do you intend to trap in these
parts?"

The latter part of this speech was addressed to Redhand, who replied--

"We do mean to try our luck in these parts, but we han't yet made up our
minds exactly where to go. Mayhap you'll give us the benefit of your
advice."

While he was speaking the fur trader glanced with an earnest yet half
stupid stare at the faces of the trappers, as if he wished to impress
their features on his memory.

"Advice," he replied; "you're welcome to all the advice I've got t