he ruthless exploitation of a people who should be as free and
unfettered as the air they breathe?"

Lapierre bent his gaze upon her face slowly, like one emerging from a
trance.

"Yes," he answered deliberately; "it is of that I wish to speak. Let
us consider the obstacles in our path--the matter of official
interference. The government will soon learn of your activities, and
the government is prone to look askance at any tampering with the
Indians by an institution not connected with the Church or the State."

"I have my permit," Chloe answered, "and many commendatory letters from
Ottawa. The men who rule were inclined to think I would accomplish
nothing; but they were willing to let me try."

"That, then, disposes of our most serious difficulty. Will you tell me
now where you intended to locate?"

"There is too much traffic upon the river," answered the girl. "The
scow brigades pass and repass; and, at least until my little colony is
fairly established, it must be located in some place uncontaminated by
the presence of so rough, lawless, and drunken an element. As I told
you before, I do not know where my ideal site is to be found. I had
intended to talk the matter over with the factor at Fort Rae."

"What! That devil of a Haldane? The man who is hand-in-glove with
Brute MacNair!"

"You forget," smiled the girl, "that until this day I never even heard
of Brute MacNair."

The man smiled. "Very true. I had forgotten. But it is fortunate
indeed that chance threw us together. I tremble to think what would
have been your fate should you have acted upon the advice of Colin
Haldane."

"But surely you know the country. You will advise me."

"Yes, I will advise you. I am with you in this venture; with you to
the last gasp; with you heart and soul, until that devil MacNair is
dead or driven out of the North, and his Indians scattered to the four
winds."

"Scattered! Why scattered? Why not held together for their education
and betterment? And you say you will be with me until MacNair is
either dead or driven out of the North. What then--will you desert me
then? This MacNair is only an obstacle in our path--an obstacle to be
brushed aside that the real work may begin. Yet you spoke as though he
were the main issue."

Lapierre interrupted her, speaking rapidly: "Yes, of course. Bear with
me, I pray you. I spoke hastily, and without thinking. My feelings
for the moment carried me away. As y