continued Tim, who was fond of an
argument. "The Indians are quiet and honest, mind their own affairs,
and enjoy their little service."

"You'll see how honest they are, Tim Murphy. I never saw an honest
Injun yet. Only dead Injuns are honest. Then look at their d--n
superstition. Such psalm singing would be stopped in some camps as
quick as h--l."

To this conversation Jim Perdue, the saloon-keeper, was the most
interested listener. He hated Amos and the loyal members of the band,
who kept aloof from his store and filthy poison. He determined,
therefore, to use Pritchen as an instrument to further his evil designs
upon the natives.

"So you think you can stop that bell from ringing, do you?" he asked.
"Well, then, I'll bet a drink all around that you can't do it."

"I'll do it for one night," answered Pritchen guardedly.

"Oh, ye might fix the bell so it wouldn't ring fer one night, that'd be
no trouble. But ye can't make them leave their service, and come here
fer a drink. If ye kin I'll supply the stuff free."

"Free poison," laughed one of the men. "Say, Jim, ye'd better go easy.
The ground's too mighty tough, and we don't want to spend a month
digging graves."

"Never ye fear, Dick," replied Perdue good naturedly. "You've stood
the stuff all right, so I guess the Injuns are safe."

During this conversation Pritchen was thinking hard. When the laugh
which followed the saloon-keeper's retort had subsided, he turned to
him and said:

"Jim, I'll take your bet."

"What, to stop the bell, and to bring the Injuns here fer a drink?"

"Yes, but only for to-morrow night, remember."

"Oh, that'll do," replied Perdue. "I'll do the rest."

The next day Pritchen was unusually busy. Having obtained the aid of a
native interpreter, he visited the Indians and set before them the plan
he had carefully concocted during the night. The Great White Chief at
Ottawa, so he told them, had heard of the Takudhs, and how they
attended the services of his Church. So pleased was he with their
faithfulness that he had sent him, Pritchen, all the way to Klassan to
carry his message of good will, and to give a present to each one. He
had only lately arrived, and would like as soon as possible to carry
out the Great White Chief's command. If the Indians would come over to
the store in the evening he would be pleased to distribute the presents.

This harangue was received with evident approval by most of the
nati