is sluggish brain has grasped the
truth. To him the alliance was an honor, an opening to possible wealth
in the fur trade through Cassion's influence with La Barre. He could
perceive nothing else except his good luck in thus ridding himself of
the care of a poor niece who had been a sorry burden."

"But you explained to him?"

"I tried to, but only to regret the effort. Giant as he is physically,
his intellect is that of a big boy. All he can conceive of is
revenge--a desire to crush with his hands. He hates Cassion, because
the man has robbed him of the use of my father's money; but for my
position he cares nothing. To his mind the wrong has all been done to
him, and I fear he will brood over it until he seeks revenge. If he
does he will ruin everything."

De Artigny stood silent, evidently in thought, endeavoring to grasp
the threads of my tale.

"How did you attain the summit of this bluff?" he questioned at last.

"Yonder; there is a deer trail leading down."

"And you fear Cassion may follow?"

"He will likely become suspicious if I am long absent, and either seek
me himself, or send one of his men. This is the first moment of
freedom I have experienced since we left Quebec. I hardly know how to
behave myself."

"And we must guard it from being the last," he exclaimed, a note of
determination, and leadership in his voice. "There are questions I
must ask, so that we may work together in harmony, but Cassion can
never be allowed to suspect that we have communication. Let us go
forward to the end of the trail where you came up; from there we can
keep watch below."

He still grasped my hand, and I had no thought of withdrawing it. To
me he was a friend, loyal, trustworthy, the one alone to whom I could
confide. Together we clambered over the rough rocks to where the
narrow cleft led downward.

CHAPTER XII

ON THE SUMMIT OF THE BLUFF

Securely screened from observation by the low growing bushes clinging
to the edge of the bluff, and yet with a clear view of the cleft in
the rocks half way to the river, De Artigny found me a seat on a
hummock of grass, but remained standing himself. The sun was sinking
low, warning us that our time was short, for with the first coming of
twilight I would certainly be sought, if I failed to return to the
lower camp.

For a moment he did not break the silence, and I glanced up, wondering
why he should hesitate. His face was grave, no longer appearing, as
was its