"What are yeh thinkin'?" whispered one of the detail in the dark of the stables as the horses were being fed.
"Not much of anything," Danvers whispered back.
"Yes, yeh are. Yeh know they's cached whiskey somewhere around."
Coming from the stables, Danvers passed the conspicuously empty wagons belonging to the Americans. He noticed that the pile of refuse near by was not covered with snow, although the stables had not been cleaned. Walking nearer, he detected a strong odor of whiskey rising from the wagon boxes. He remembered the sweat on the men's foreheads. Getting a stable fork he struck sharply into the compost. Something clinked. A quick throwing of the litter uncovered a case, such as was commonly used to convey liquor.
As it was his duty, Danvers walked to the captain and saluted.
"I've found a cache of whiskey, sir," he answered, respectfully.
The captain investigated. Then he opened the door of the shack and surprised the Americans eating breakfast.
When placed under arrest, they seemed stunned, submitting without demur.
"I bet Danvers found that cache!" muttered Bill. "He's too foxy fer me!"
On the return trip to Fort Macleod, Me-Casto began to fear that the men would attempt to prove that the whiskey was not Burroughs'. He knew what he had heard in the lodges; but what would his word be, as against these defiant men? He pondered for many miles, then thought of another way to bring disgrace on Burroughs. He would yet have Pine Coulee, himself! Riding close to the wagon where the morose Charlie sat, Me-Casto craftily engaged in conversation.