trimmed and lighted the candles in
the shadowy outer room there seemed to be shapes in the corners which
I had never seen there in quieter times. McLeod, however, was
unperturbed. He had forgotten all about the numerous band which he
stood ready to defy.

"'Do you think there is danger?' said I.

"'Danger?' said he. 'From what?'

"'Buffalo Horn's band,' said I.

"'Nonsense!' said he. 'What is that last total? There seems to be a
shilling and sixpence missing here.'

"At that moment one of the helpers came in. He was visibly excited--like
a man who bears tidings.

"'Red Feather is at the gate,' he said.

"'Is he alone?' said McLeod.

"'Yes, sir. We made sure of that.'

"'Fetch him here,' said the factor, calmly. 'Take Tom and Tobias to
the gate, and don't let Red Feather hold it open.'

"Red Feather was soon brought in. He was the chief of the band, an
old, crafty Indian, chief in name, but inferior in authority to
Buffalo Horn, who was chief in fact. McLeod continued his work.

"'Let us talk,' said Red Feather, at last.

"He spoke in his own tongue, which I shall interpret freely for you.
McLeod put his pen aside and faced about.

"'What have we to talk about?' he asked. 'The trading is done. You
have your supplies. There is no business between us.'

"'We have the white man to talk about,' said Red Feather. 'He has
killed a child of our tribe, and you have given him refuge here. He
has killed the son of Buffalo Horn with the evil eye. He must be put
to death.'

"'I know this man,' said McLeod. 'He has not the evil eye. He has
killed no man, and he shall not be given up.'

"'His life is forfeit to the tribe.'

"'His life is in my keeping. I have said that he shall not lose it. Am
I the man to break my word?'

"'You have kept your word between us,' said Red Feather. 'You are not
the man to break your word.'

"'What business, then, lies between us? Our talk is done.'

"The guard at the gate interrupted. 'There is a man knocking at the
gate,' he said.

"'It is my brother,' said Red Feather. 'He comes to join the talk. Let
him in.'

"'Open the gate,' said McLeod.

"It was growing dark. I went with the guard to admit the brother of
Red Feather. Dusk had fallen over the clearing. The sky was overcast;
in half an hour it would be deep night, the clearing one with the
forest. But we opened the gate. A tall Indian stalked in. He was
alone, and I knew him for the brother of Red Feather. I followed h