he force sharp and precise
instructions, we sallied out from the woods and across the clearing. As
stealthily as panthers we gained the house, and a dozen of our men
quickly surrounded it. Five posted themselves before the door--the
lieutenant, Nicoll and McKay, Carteret and myself. We held our weapons
ready for use.

"If they don't let us in at once," Boyd whispered, "we'll force an
entrance. It's not a case for parleying."

With that he rapped on the door--by no means lightly. There was a sudden
hush inside, then a cautious approach of booted feet, and then a gruff
voice demanded:

"Who's there?"

"A friend," answered the lieutenant.

"What do you want?"

"I have an important message for Jim Ruthven."

"From the fort?"

"Yes, from the fort. Open, Pierre!"

An instant of hesitation. Creak, creak! Bolts were being withdrawn. Next
the door swung open, and we dimly saw the bearded, rum-bloated face of
Pierre Lagarde. The lieutenant's ruse had thoroughly deceived him, and
at sight of us he was struck dumb. Before he could give an alarm we had
jammed him back between the door and the wall, and dashed past him into
the room.

"Don't stir!" cried Boyd in a ringing voice. "The first one of you that
moves, or reaches for a weapon, I'll shoot like a dog!"

And he leveled a pistol in each hand.

It was the neatest piece of work I had ever seen done. We had surprised
the enemy at a moment when they believed themselves in perfect security,
and they were powerless to offer any resistance. Seven men surrounded a
table littered with cups and bottles, all hunters or voyageurs save
one--a better-dressed, crafty-featured man, whom I took for Ruthven.
They sat staring at us with savage faces and flashing eyes, trembling
with rage, muttering deep curses. Their muskets were stacked on the wall
behind them, and they dared not reach for knives or pistols.

"I've got you trapped," the lieutenant added. "You can't help
yourselves. Three times your number are outside. But I mean you no harm.
My business can be settled without bloodshed--"

"Do you think you are acting in your rights, sir," Ruthven broke in
defiantly, "when you invade the property of the Northwest Company and
threaten its servants?"

"You scoundrel!" cried Boyd, "were you acting in your rights when you
waylaid and captured a courier of the Hudson Bay Company?"

"It's a lie!"

"Come, we know better," said I. "The prisoner is in this house and we
want him at