them only as fierce
roisterers she was forced to admit that they looked harmless and
peaceful enough, under the chastening effect of a week of starvation.

MacNair wasted no time, but striding up to the girl, who stood upon the
veranda of her cottage, plunged unceremoniously into the business at
hand.

"Do not misunderstand me," he began gruffly. "I did not bring my
Indians here to receive the benefits of your education, nor as a sop to
your anger, nor for any other reason than to procure for them food and
shelter until such time as I myself can provide for them. If they were
trappers this would be unnecessary. But they have long since abandoned
the trap-lines, and in the whole village there could not be found
enough traps to supply one tenth of their number with the actual
necessities of life. I have sent runners to the young men upon the
barren grounds, with orders to continue the caribou kill and bring the
meat to you here. I have given my Indians their instructions. They
will cause you no trouble, and will be subject absolutely to your
commands. And now, I must be on my way. I must pick up the trail of
Lapierre. And when I return, I shall confront you with evidence that
will prove to you beyond a doubt that the words I have spoken are true!"

"And I will confront you," retorted the girl, "with evidence that will
place you behind prison bars for the rest of your life!" Again Chloe
saw in the grey eyes the twinkle that held more than the suspicion of a
smile.

"I think I would make but a poor prisoner," the man answered. "But if
I am to be a prisoner I warn you that I will run the prison. I am
MacNair!" Something in the man's look--he was gazing straight into her
eyes with a peculiar intense gaze--caused the girl to start, while a
sudden indescribable feeling of fear, of helplessness before this man,
flashed over her. The feeling passed in an instant and she sneered
boldly into MacNair's face.

"My, how you hate yourself!" she cried. "And how long is it, Mr. Brute
MacNair--" was it fancy, or did the man wince at the emphasis of the
name? She repeated, with added emphasis, "Mr. Brute MacNair, since you
have deemed it worth your while to furnish me with evidence? You told
me once, I believe, that you cared nothing for my opinion. Is it
possible that you hope at this late day to flatter me with my own
importance?"

MacNair, in no wise perturbed, regarded her gravely. "No," he answered
"It is no