of valuable furs in the stores.

My progress at last became like a nightmare, in which I was following
the attacking party, and unable to do anything to help my friends; so
that when we were within, as a German would say, half an hour of our
destination, I was in no wise startled or surprised to faintly make out
in the darkness the figures of two men who suddenly rose up on either
side of me; a hand was clapped over my mouth, and I was dragged down,
and a knee placed on my chest.

I divined it all in an instant, and tried to resign myself to my fate,
as I saw that, being well on their guard against surprise, two of the
gang had fallen back and seen me, with the result I have described, so
that I was absolutely stunned after a feeble struggle, when a voice at
my ear said in a harsh whisper--

"What is the meaning of this treachery, Gordon? Who are those men?"

My hand caught the speaker's, and I uttered a low sob of relief.

"Mr Raydon--the men--going to attack the Fort."

"Ah!" he panted. "You hear, Grey?"

"Yes."

"But why did you not warn us?"

"They were before me. I could not get by," I whispered. "I was going
to fire to alarm you all."

I heard Mr Raydon draw a low hissing breath.

"How did you know this?" he said.

"Lost my way in the forest, and saw the light of their fire."

"And the men at the claim?"

"All right, sir.--I heard these wretches say they were coming on."

"Lost, eh?" said Mr Raydon.

"Yes, sir. I've been wandering for hours."

"We were in search of you, and drew back to let these men go by. You
hear his story, Grey?"

"Yes, sir. Quite right. He would lose his way in the dark. What
orders?"

"His plan will be the best," said Mr Raydon. "Gordon, finding you in
such company made me suspicious."

"You always do suspect me, sir," I said, bitterly.

"Silence, and come along. Grey, I shall wait till they are close up,
and about to make their attempt; then at the word, fire and load again.
They will be taken by surprise, and think they are between two parties.
The surprise may be sufficient. If not it will alarm those within."

"And then?"

"Be ready to fire again, or make for the far side. We must get in
there. Forward! I'll lead."

Mr Raydon went on first and I followed, Grey bringing up the rear. I
was hurt, for it was evident that Mr Raydon's ideas of my character
were poor indeed, and that at the slightest thing he was ready to
suspect me of any enormit