, and seek an opportunity at night
to open the gates and admit us. You and those who will thus assist us
will gain our friendship, and all you ask shall be given you.'

"`The great Sioux chief speaks wise words,' I answered. `Let me go
free, and I'll do your bidding. I have long served the white-skins, and
it is time that I should seek new friends.' On hearing my reply the
chief seemed satisfied.

"`You shall go, then,' he said; `but remember, should you fail to carry
out our wishes, you will learn that the Sioux know how to punish those
who play them false.' On this the chief, bidding me hasten to the fort,
ordered some of his braves to conduct me through the camp and let me go
free.

"The Sioux are very numerous," continued the hunter, "and there are not
only warriors, but women and children among them. They have lately
received a severe defeat from the Americans, and have been driven from
their hunting-grounds, and have vowed vengeance against all white-skins
and their friends. They are expecting the arrival of another large
band, and I fear that they will fall in with the trails of the other
hunters and cut them off. Even should our friends escape them, they
will find it difficult to return to the fort."

Laurence, who was present, listened eagerly to what Jaques said, and
made several inquiries about the appearance of the Sioux chief and
others of his followers. He said nothing, however, but for some time
afterwards appeared lost in thought.

Night came on. The garrison was kept constantly on the alert. In the
far distance the camp-fires of the Indians could be seen blazing up near
a wood, under shelter of which they had pitched their skin tents, and
where, the snow being of less depth than on the open plain, their horses
could more easily get at the grass below it. They on that account had
probably chosen the spot, instead of camping nearer the fort.

No one during the night was seen to approach, although any object might
easily have been distinguished moving across the surrounding white field
of snow. It was remarked, however, that the fires had increased in
number since they had at first been lighted in the evening, and it was
consequently surmised that a fresh body of Sioux had arrived.

Frequently during the day Mr Ramsay anxiously looked out from the
watch-tower towards the east, in the hopes of seeing the expected train
with provisions. He feared, however, that it might be perceived by t