red fer 'im, an' when he died buried 'im, ye made out that he
killed 'im. Ye went sneakin' around an' found a book he left thar, an'
tried to stir up the men here at Klassan agin 'im. That's what ye did."

A cry of rage burst from the miners as they listened with amazement to
this revelation.

"Is it true?" they shouted, as they surged near. "Tell us, is it true?"

"It's not true! By heavens, it's a lie!" and Pritchen, with face pale
as death, struggled to his feet and faced the angry men.

"Stand back, b'ys, stand back!" cried Pete. "Lave 'im to me! He's
injured 'im that's as dear to me as the apple of me eye. Lave 'im to
me!"

Just what would have happened is hard to tell, if at that moment three
Indians had not entered the room. One was Amos, the catechist, who was
accompanied by three stalwart hunters.

In the exciting affray between Pete and Pritchen the Indians for a time
had been forgotten. But the presence of these natives recalled their
uncertain position, and with one accord they turned their attention to
the visitors.

For a few minutes silence reigned in the room, and then Amos stepping
forward delivered his message in broken English.

"Pale-face brothers," he began. "The Tukudhs come back from hunt. Dey
find store burn, teacher gone. Beeg chief call Council. He want pale
face come. Amos has spoke."

With this the catechist stepped back by the side of his companions, who
had remained perfectly erect during it all.

Among the miners there was a hurried whispered conversation, and at
length Caribou Sol arose to speak.

"Whar," he asked, "will the Council be held?"

"On de flat, at foot of hill. Half way," replied Amos.

"When?"

"Bime by, to-day. Two, mebbe tree hour. Beeg chief wait word."

"All right, then. Go an' tell the chief that the white men will come
to the Council. Is that the will of all?" and Sol glanced around the
room.

"Ay, ay," came the response as one voice. "It is well."

"It is well," repeated Amos, as he and his companions turned and left
the building.

Pritchen, too, hastened away. In the excitement of the moment no one
thought of him. Terrified, filled with rage, he reached his own cabin,
stumbled through the door, and flung himself upon his cot.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE COUNCIL

The miners' cabins at Klassan were erected on a level strip of land
along the Kaslo River. Upon the hill above nestled the Indian camps,
secure from the wild nor