was helpless to aid her. His only
comfort lay in the hope that he could influence the men by making them
think that she was his daughter. This, he knew, would be but a poor
excuse, and it was hardly likely that they would believe him. They
were well aware that he had no daughter, and would look upon the girl's
presence in the house in one light only. A groan escaped his lips as
he thought of this.

"Are you suffering much?" Jean asked, going to his side. "Is there
anything I can do for you?"

"Not for me, I'm afraid," was the reply. "There is something, though,
that you can do. I may have visitors to-night, and no doubt they will
be hungry. Do you think you could carry those provisions into this
room? I don't want the men to disturb you. I hope those sacks will
not be too heavy."

"I think I can do it," Jean replied. "Where shall I put them?"

"As near the door there as possible. And the rum; don't forget that, I
was going to ask you to pour it out in the snow for fear that the men
might drink too much. But that might not be wise. They know I have
it, and if they do not get it they might become ugly."

It took Jean some time to carry and drag in the supplies and stack them
in a corner near the door. She understood fairly well the meaning of
this, and it filled her heart with a nameless fear. This was increased
when she had with difficulty brought in the rum, and stood panting
after the exertion.

"There is a strong bolt on the door of your room," Norman explained.
"It might be well to keep it fastened when the men are here, for one
can never tell what might happen."

"You think there will be danger, then?" Jean asked, as she sat down in
the big chair.

"There is always danger more or less with those men around. When I was
well I could keep them within bounds. But now I am helpless. And,
besides, you are here, and that makes a difference."

"I must keep out of sight, then."

"It might be just as well. I am afraid that Dave has told the men
about you, so they will be anxious to see my--my daughter."

Jean asked no further questions, but her face was very pale and her
heart beat fast. She felt more helpless than she had been when with
her Indian captors upon the river. What could she do to defend
herself? She thought of the guns in the other room, and wondered if
they were loaded. She might use them, but what could one woman do
against a band of lawless men? Anyway, she was determined