ime
in getting the prisoners to Fort Smith, and that he could get a good
start before night. To-morrow or the next day I am going to follow with
the other team. I'd go with you if he hadn't commanded me to remain here
and nurse my head for another twenty-four hours."

Philip shrugged his shoulders, and the two had little to say as they ate
their dinners. After an hour's rest he prepared a light pack and took
up the doctor's trail. Inwardly he rankled at the unusual hand which
the little professor was playing in leaving Pierre's cabin with the
prisoners, and yet he was confident that McGill would wait for him. Mile
after mile he traveled down the creek. At dusk there was no sign of his
new friend. Just before dark he climbed a dead stub at the summit of a
high ridge and half a dozen miles of the unbroken barren stretched out
before his eyes.

At six o'clock he stopped to cook some tea and warm his meat and
bannock. After that he traveled until ten, then built a big fire and
gave up the pursuit until morning. At dawn he started again, and not
until the forenoon was half gone did he find where the doctor had
stopped to camp.

The ashes of his fire were still warm beneath and the snow was trampled
hard around them. In the north the clouds were piling up, betokening a
storm such as it was not well for a man in Philip's condition of fatigue
to face. Already some flavor of the approaching blizzard was carried to
him on the wind.

So he hurried on. Fortunately the storm died away after an hour or two
of fierce wind. Still he did not come up with McGill, and he camped
again for the night, cursing the little professor who was racing on
ahead of him. It was noon of the following day when he came in sight
of the few log cabins at Fort Smith, situated in a treeless and
snow-smothered sweep of the plain on the other side of the Slave. He
crossed the river and hurried past the row of buildings that led to
post headquarters. In front of the company office were gathered a little
crowd of men, women and children. He pushed his way through and stopped
at the bottom of the three log steps which led up to the door.

At the top was Professor McGill, coming out. His face was a puzzle.
His eyes had in them a stony stare as he gazed down at Philip. Then he
descended slowly, like one moving in a dream. "Good Heavens," he said
huskily, and only for Philip's ears, "do you know what I've done, Phil?"

"What?" demanded Philip.

The doctor c