“I suspected you from the very start, my good friend,” said Dave, “and this is not the first time I have earthed a fox of your breed. It is useless for you to attempt to deceive us, for we know you now. You are a Hudson Bay man, and I know it.”
“You lie.”
“Be careful, my boy. You are a prisoner, and I don’t like to injure a man who is so completely in my power, but don’t use bad language. Your fellows have done us such good service in breaking up the party of Whirlwind that I am inclined to be rather lenient with you, but at the same time we won’t stand every thing.”
“Do you mean to keep me a prisoner?”
“I have not decided what to do with you yet. No doubt our old friend here will give you house room for to-night, and after that we will see what can be done.”
“You shall repent this if I can escape from your hands, as you may be sure I will do some day. I will never rest until I have your life.”
“Enough of that. Have you got a piece of good buck-skin handy, old man? I think we had better tie this feller’s feet.”
“Do not dare to degrade me with bonds,” cried Rafe, savagely. “If you do my revenge will be terrible.”
“All right; we’ll tie you up all the same. You might take it into your head to go after your Indian friends and bring them back on us.”
“I will speak no more,” replied Norris. “Do with me as you will.”