p in here
to-night. You will find plenty of blankets in the next room. Good
night."

Quietly and almost reverently Jean extinguished six of the candles, and
then left the room. She felt that there was a deep mystery surrounding
this man's life of which the seven-branch candle-stick was but the
outward symbol.

CHAPTER XXIV

TIMON OF THE WILDERNESS

Jean awoke the next morning much refreshed after the good night's rest.
She slept upon a liberal supply of blankets which Kitty had prepared
for her upon the floor. This was a treat after camp-life, and when she
opened her eyes the Indian woman was cooking breakfast. It was not yet
daylight, but the room was quite bright from the dancing flames of the
fire-place. It felt nice to lie there with a roof above her and no
weary journey ahead for that day, at least. She recalled the events of
the previous day, and wondered how the injured man had passed the
night. She had fallen asleep thinking about him, and the mystery of
his life. Whoever he was, she was thankful that he had known her
parents, and that for their sake he was willing to send food to the
Loyalists. The Indians were to start that morning, so she must be
ready to assist them in selecting the supplies.

About a quarter of an hour later Sam entered the room. He did not
knock, for such etiquette was not in his simple code of Indian manners.
He merely looked to see what his wife was cooking, and then turned
toward Jean.

"Beeg chief want see babby," he announced.

"How is he this morning, Sam?"

"No good. Bad."

Fearing that the man was much worse, Jean hurried into the other room,
and went at once to the couch.

"Good morning," she brightly accosted. "How are you feeling now?"

"None too good," was the reply. "I didn't sleep a wink last night."

"Your side hurt you, I suppose."

"Perhaps so. But never mind about that now. I want you to help Sam
pack up the outfit. Don't let him take too much, and see that he
doesn't get any of that rum. It's in a keg near the molasses.

"You will have some breakfast, will you not?" Jean asked.

"I suppose so. There's a box yonder," and he pointed to the opposite
side of the room. "You'll find some bread and cold meat. You might
bring me a cup of strong tea; perhaps it will steady my nerves. Hand
me my pipe and tobacco; they're on that flat stone projecting from the
fire-place."

About the middle of the forenoon the relief party drew away