ad come in with the band. It was soon evident that to
the restraining influence of his presence was due our respite. He
waved his braves back. They withdrew and became quiet.

"'Will you give the murderer of my child to our tribe?' the chief said
to McLeod.

"'He is no longer mine to give,' said the factor.

"'Will you give him to us in peace and forget that he has gone with
us?'

"McLeod was still in the grasp of Red Feather and his brother. Buffalo
Horn was facing him. Behind the chief, awaiting his signal, was the
band, with knives and hatchets in hand.

"'No,' said McLeod.

"The tumult was renewed. The Indians advanced, threatening the factor
with their weapons and crying out for his death. But McLeod was not to
be terrified.

[Illustration: _Courtesy of "The Youth's Companion"_
BUFFALO HORN LOOKED STEADILY INTO McLEOD'S EYES.]

"'Let us take the white man,' said Buffalo Horn, lifting his hand for
silence. 'We have no quarrel with you. Let all be as it was.'

"'No,' said McLeod. 'I will never consent to his murder.'

"'Let us take him.'

"'I said I wouldn't,' said McLeod, 'and I won't.'

"It seemed to me that the end had come. Buffalo Horn looked steadily
into McLeod's eyes. McLeod gave him glance for glance. He was ready to
die for the word he had passed. The Indian hesitated. It may be that
he did not want to precipitate the slaughter. Then he turned, as if to
give the signal. Before his hand was raised, however, the daughter of
the Indian interpreter of the post pushed her way through the band of
braves and stood before their chief.

"'Listen,' said she. 'Have you come to rob the great company of its
goods?'

"'No,' said Buffalo Horn. 'We have no quarrel with the great
company.'

"She was a slip of a girl, to whom, in sickness and in health, McLeod
had been unfailingly kind. She knew no fear, and in intelligence she
was superior to all the other women of her race I have known.

"'Have you come to take the life of this man?' she went on, moving
closer to Buffalo Horn, and looking deep into his eyes.

"'No,' said the chief, 'we have no quarrel with this man. He is a good
man, but he will not deliver the murderer of my child.'

"'Will you take his life because of that?'

"'No; we will take his life because he will betray our part in the
death of the white man whom he has tried to shelter.'

"'There are others who might betray you.'

"'And their lives, also,' said Buffalo Horn, composedly.