Part 20 (1/2)

One of the bucks was an old nity about hireater than ever He ular about this party of Crees who seeuns, or anyfood, and, if possible, he meant to discover what the secret could be

The old Indian approached, looking suspiciously at him Frank put out his hand at once in a cordialmanner

The other at once fell under the charm of Frank's s at the dirt and blood on Frank's left hand, where he had cut hihtly

”No I had a bad fall, and feel weak Little Mink foundthere, and letparty under the charge of Mr Mabie, the stockman”

He saw the old fellow move uneasily at mention of the na

”Yes, so rifle

He saw the black eyes glitter enviously at sight of it, which er

”Bad! bad!” h he did not explain what heof the theft of the elk souns here?” he asked, and the old Indian shook his head sadly, though a look of sudden anger also flitted across his strong face

”Nothing, only hatchet and one knife Take all else ahen send us out froer Bad!

bad! But soe Wait!

wait! No sleep on trail!”

Already was Frank beginning to see behind the mystery For some cause this old brave and his ie, many miles to the northwest Deprived of weapons, they had been started on the river in the bullboats, to meet what fate had in store for the unexpectedly on the dead elk Bluff had shot, they had stolen it, for hunger stalked in their miserable camp, and the pappooses cried for the food the braves could not supply

The only thing that still puzzled Frank hy they had not appealed to soued, for this Perhaps it was only the natural pride an Indian feels, and which prevents hi to the palefaces that he is helpless to supply the wants of his people

”Na his breast ”What call you?”

”Running Elk, chief a he lead theElk Now they think the half-breed Pierre La Motte best man to follow Him talk, talk, all time, and warriors dream Some day they wake up and know hiain Wait, see!”

That was the Indian idea of patience Frank could understand it all now

Plainly, a sed to hypnotize the braves in the Cree village, and influence theainst their own chief When he and his fanominiously exiled, and sent forth to face the world withoutfood for the squaws and pappooses

So sense of sympathy for the old exiled chief

”You see the rancher, Mr Mabie I think he can do so for you,”

he said

”I know hi Elk and the Crees Once they take soet or forgive that wrong Better not see rancher Go on down river soon, sell few pelts, and buy gun Mebbe all right”