Ah! can it be that the swan sings, and soothes through the night the
maiden with its song, when the lover is in the toils that jealousy
and hate have set!
The party of braves, with the Metis at its head, turned and marched
swiftly back over the path taken by Stephens, till they reached a
point from which the bank was easily accessible. In a bluff upon the
level the savages had tethered their ponies, which were speedily
mounted. Then the party set out for "le corps de garde," as the Metis
put it, of "le grand chef."
"Had le chef then a guard-house?" Stephens asked.
"Monsieur, the spy, and enemy of the half-breeds, will learn these
things soon enough." He had scarcely ended, however, before he seemed
to regret the tone that he had adopted, and hastened to mend the
matter. "I have instructions to be guarded about making known the
affairs of le grand chef, monsieur, or I should be pleased to answer
your question. I hope that the thongs are not hurting you."
"I wonder what this rattlesnake would be at now?" Stephens asked
himself, and then turning to the bois-brule-"I do not much mind the binding, but you would do me a favour by
relaxing those of my companion. He has been severely wounded, and
inflammation has set in. If you were to remove his bonds altogether
you would run no risk."
"I shall do as you suggest, monsieur," and in a minute Phillips was
unbound.
"Now, if monsieur le capitaine will fall a little in rear with me, I
should like some private conversation." Stephens was fast bound, but
play enough was left to one hand to guide his horse.
"Of course," began the half-breed, you know something of those two
Cree boys who go riding about the prairies and fighting with the
Indians."
"Yes; to one of these I twice owe my deliverance."
"Ah, yes; to mademoiselle Annette. Now, monsieur, we know--I know--
who the two are. The other is the demoiselle Julie, maid to
demoiselle Annette."
"Well, what if you do happen to know these facts?"
"I will tell monsieur. I love Julie very much, and if le capitaine
will procure me an interview with the maiden, at some place where I
shall name, I may be useful to him in the hour of peril."
"I think," replied Stephens, "that I am now talking with the
confidential friend, secretary and adviser of M. Riel. You are the
Jean of whom I have heard mention?"
"Oui, monsieur. I am Jean."
"I fear, Jean, that I will be unable to procure this interview."
"Oh, do not say so. A note written by you to the maiden is all that
I should need, setting forth the time and the place. A neutral brave
could be procured to fetch it to the house of mademoiselle's aunt."