Annette - The Metis Spy

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."