o
their cost. Now, mark me, men; we shall turn back as if we had really
given in; but the moment we get down into the hollow, out of sight,
we'll go as hard as we can bolt up that valley there, and round by the
place we call the Wild-Cat Pass. It's a difficult pass, but who cares
for that? Once through it we can get by a short cut to the other side
of that wood, and meet the redskins right in the teeth. They're
Blackfoot Indians, I know by their dress; and, as they don't belong to
this part o' the country, they can't be aware of the pass. But some of
us must go back a good way towards the fort, so as to deceive the
blackguards, who'll be sure to get on the first hill they can to see
where we've gone to. Now--away! Stay," he added in a less commanding
tone, "I don't know that my guests are willing to go with us through
thick an' thin in this fashion. I've no desire to have unwilling
warriors."

"Had we not been _willing_" replied Redhand dryly, "we wouldn't have
come even thus far."

"Very good," rejoined Macgregor with a grim smile; "then, perhaps, since
you are so good as to go along with us, you'll make for the head of that
valley, and when you come to the Wild-Cat Pass I've spoken of, you'll
wait there till the rest of us, who are to sham going back to the fort,
come up with ye; then we'll go through the pass together, and polish off
the redskins."

To this plan Redhand assented; so he and his comrades prepared to take
the way to the pass, while the men of the fort turned homewards. A
triumphant shout from the Indians showed that they imagined the pursuit
was given up; but Macgregor knew their cunning too well to fall into the
mistake of at once concluding that they were thoroughly deceived. He
knew that they would send out scouts to dog them, and felt, that if his
plan was to succeed, he must put it into execution promptly.

"I've scarce had time to ask your names or where you've come from," he
said on parting from the trappers; "but there'll be plenty of time for
that when we meet again. Keep close in the bottom, and ride fast, till
the shadow of yonder crag conceals you from view. If the Indians get
sight of you, they'll smell the dodge at once and escape us. Perhaps,
young man, you'd like to come with my party?"

The latter part of this speech was made rather abruptly to March
Marston, who received it with some surprise, and with a distinct
refusal.

"I'll stick by my comrades," said he, "til