rior scarcely offered fitting surroundings for the lord of
a domain as big as England. Unsoftened, squared logs formed the
walls, and the roof consisted of slabs and branches which, with
the sifted and frozen snow, formed an impenetrable covering. In
the corner away from the wind, a bunk, made soft with blankets and
spruce-boughs, supported the factor.

Donald was struck by the autocrat's appearance. The old buffalo-head,
with its shaggy white hair and beard, did not seem to have the
poise of former times; the cheeks were hollow, and the whole body
thinner. But the eyes, burning as of old, looked fiercely out from
under their beetling white brows. Evidently, the grief over Jean's
disappearance had eaten away the body, although the spirit burned
like a flame, proud, strong, invincible.

Tee-ka-mee, who had just turned away from his master, greeted
McTavish with his pleasant smile, and then went outside, closing
the rough door. The two men were face to face.

For a little while, there was silence, as the older one pierced
the younger with his glance.

"I have so much to say to you, Captain McTavish, that I hardly know
where to begin," he said finally, speaking in a calm, but strong,
voice. "I see you here under most peculiar circumstances."

"Yes, sir, you do, and, because of their nature, I am both glad
and sorry."

"I am only sorry," came back the stern reply. "However, I have
been busy thanking heaven all night that you were deserted in the
right spot to drag my little girl from the water, and save her
life. It was a brave act, McTavish, and I appreciate it."

"Thank you, sir. I thought I was saving Charley Seguis until
afterward."

"You would have been a fool not to throw him back in the water, if
it had been he." The factor's tones dripped venom like a snake's
mouth at the mention of the half-breed. "But will you kindly explain
to me why you broke out of Fort Severn?

"Because I considered my imprisonment there an injustice. But that
is only my feeling in the matter. There was, also, a duty side to
the question. I could not remain there longer, and feel that I was
a man."

"And what was this duty, pray?" The voice was sarcastic.

"The finding of J--your daughter."

"What right have you to consider yourself so duty-bound in that
direction that you overturn discipline, disregard my commands, and
make a laughing-stock of me?"

"Only the right of a lover, Mr. Fitzpatrick. To that right, I set
no limits