第65章

"Hello, Cameron," said the Superintendent, shaking him by the hand with hearty cheerfulness."Glad, awfully glad to see you.Fine bit of work, very fine bit of work.Very complimentary report about you.""I don't know what you refer to, sir," said Cameron, speaking thickly, "but I am glad you are here, for I have an important communication to make.""Oh, that's all right," said the Superintendent."Don't worry about that.And take your own time.First of all, how are you feeling? Snow-blind, I see," he continued, critically examining him, "and generally used up.""Rather knocked up," replied Cameron, his tongue refusing to move with its accustomed ease."But shall be fit in a day or two.

Beastly sleepy, but cannot sleep somehow.Shall feel better when my mind is at rest.I cannot report fully just now.""Oh, let the report rest.We know something already.""How is that?"

"Superintendent Strong has sent us in a report, and a very creditable report, too.""Oh," replied Cameron indifferently."Well, the thing I want to say is that though all looks quiet--there is less horse stealing this month, and less moving about from the reserves--yet I believe a serious outbreak is impending."The Inspector, who had come around and taken a seat beside him, touched his knee at this point with an admonishing pressure.

"Eh?" said Cameron, turning toward him."Oh, my people here know.

You need not have any fear about them." A little smile distorted his face as he laid his hand upon his wife's shoulder."But--where was I? I cannot get the hang of things." He was as a man feeling his way through a maze.

"Oh, let it go," said the Inspector."Wait till you have had some sleep.""No, I must--I must get this out.Well, anyway, the principal thing is that Big Bear, Beardy, Poundmaker--though I am not sure about Poundmaker--have runners on every reserve and they are arranging for a big meeting in the spring, to which every tribe North and West is to send representatives.That Frenchman--what's his name?--I'll forget my own next--""Riel?" suggested the Inspector.

"Yes, Riel.That Frenchman is planning a big coup in the spring.

You know they presented him with a house the other day, ready furnished, at Batoche, to keep him in the country.Oh, the half-breeds are very keen on this.And what is worse, I believe a lot of whites are in with them too.A chap named Jackson, and another named Scott, and Isbister and some others.These names are spoken of on every one of our reserves.I tell you, sir," he said, turning his blind eyes toward the Superintendent, "I consider it very serious indeed.And worst of all, the biggest villain of the lot, Little Pine, Cree Chief you know, our bitterest enemy--except Little Thunder, who fortunately is cleared out of the country--you remember, sir, that chap Raven saw about that."The Superintendent nodded.

"Well--where was I?--Oh, yes, Little Pine, the biggest villain of them all, is somewhere about here.I got word of him when I was at the Blood Reserve on my way home some ten days ago.I heard he was with the Blackfeet, but I found no sign of him there.But he is in the neighborhood, and he is specially bound to see old Crowfoot.Iunderstand he is a particularly successful pleader, and unusually cunning, and I am afraid of Crowfoot.I saw the old Chief.He was very cordial and is apparently loyal enough as yet, but you know, sir, how much that may mean.I think that is all," said Cameron, putting his hand up to his head."I have a great deal more to tell you, but it will not come back to me now.Little Pine must be attended to, and for a day or two I am sorry I am hardly fit--awfully sorry." His voice sank into a kind of undertone.

"Sorry?" cried the Superintendent, deeply stirred at the sight of his obvious collapse."Sorry? Don't you use that word again.You have nothing to be sorry for, but everything to be proud of.You have done a great service to your country, and we will not forget it.In a few days you will be fit and we shall show our gratitude by calling upon you to do something more.Hello, who's that?" Ahorseman had ridden past the window toward the stables.Moira ran to look out.

"Oh!" she cried, "it is that Mr.Raven.I would know his splendid horse anywhere.""Raven!" said Cameron sharply and wide awake.

"Raven, by Jove!" muttered the Inspector.

"Raven! Well, I call that cool!" said the Superintendent, a hard look upon his face.

But the laws of hospitality are nowhere so imperative as on the western plains.Cameron rose from his chair muttering, "Must look after his horse.""You sit down," said Mandy firmly."You are not going out.""Well, hardly," said the Inspector."Here, Jerry, go and show him where to get things, and--" He hesitated.

"Bring him in," cried Mandy heartily.The men stood silent, looking at Cameron.

"Certainly, bring him in," he said firmly, "a day like this," he added, as if in apology.

"Why, of course," cried Mandy, looking from one to the other in surprise."Why not? He is a perfectly splendid man.""Oh, he is really splendid!" replied Moira, her cheeks burning and her eyes flashing."You remember," she cried, addressing the Inspector, "how he saved my life the day I arrived at this ranch.""Oh, yes," replied the Inspector briefly, "I believe I did hear that." But there was little enthusiasm in his voice.

"Well, I think he is splendid," repeated Moira."Do not you think so?"The Inspector had an awkward moment.

"Eh?--well--I can't say I know him very well.""And his horse! What a beauty it is!" continued the girl.

"Ah, yes, a most beautiful animal, quite remarkable horse, splendid horse; in fact one of the finest, if not the very finest, in this whole country.And that is saying a good deal, too, Miss Moira.