t a small table at the other end of the room three
officers of the fort were playing cards with the silence and attention
of old-world gamesters.

"Nearly done with your report?" asked the factor.

"I think another day will finish it," said I.

"It's a trying task, no doubt."

"I would rather be fighting Indians," I replied. "The work is better
fitted for Mr. Burley."

"Quite so," assented Macdonald. "By the bye, where is your legal friend
to-night?"

"I'll warrant he's in the men's quarters, as usual," I answered, "on the
hunt for information."

"He's a queer chap, but sound-headed," said the factor. "He spoke to me
of the matter that brought him to the Canadas, but I couldn't give him
any assistance; I never heard the name of Osmund Maiden."

I'm afraid it's a useless search--so many years have passed since the
man disappeared.

"I agree with you," I replied. "But he is a plucky fellow, and sticks on
in spite of failure. He deserves to win. I don't suppose he told you
what he wants with the man?"

"No; he was close-mouthed about that, Carew. Fill up your glass again.
That rare old Scotch I get straight from Edinburgh, and the tobacco is
the best crop of the Virginias. You see, we try to live up to the mark
here in the wilderness."

"Royally," said I. "I have tasted no such tobacco or whisky since I was
in Quebec last."

We smoked for awhile in silence, and then Macdonald suddenly blurted
out:

"If the Northwest people make trouble, my supplies will be cut off."

"Any news to-day?" I asked.

"A little," he replied. "It may mean nothing--or much. Certainly our
enemies are growing bolder. Last night a lot of half-breeds marched
through our colony, making murderous threats and singing war songs."

"And a week ago two swivel guns and a howitzer were stolen," said I;
"and a week before that there was a brawl up at Isle-a-la-Crosse, in
which a man was killed on either side. Mr. Macdonald, the situation is
becoming intolerable. How will it end?"

The factor brought his fist heavily down on the table. "In a general
fight--perhaps in a war spread over the whole territory," he declared.
"By Heaven! sir, if I had authority from Governor Semple, I would take
stern measures at once--I would make the Northwest people show their
hand, and then attack and crush them. We have borne insults and affronts
too long."

"I hoped that I was done with fighting," I replied.

"Ay, you have had more than your share of it