"You're right, that's certain," Hector agreed. "But it won't last long. They're sure to send troops from the East. Why not before—eh?"
"Oui! But don' as' me. Mais, restez tranquil! We see plenty fon, all de same. But I'm sorry, ver' sorry—for you, mon ami!"
"Why for me?"
"Eh? Mon Dieu, I 'ave forgot to tell you de mos' important t'ing ov all! I leave you today an' tak' mes enfants along, too. You are to stay 'ere an' watch Bear Tooth. Me? Maybe I get into de beeg war. But you, pauvre petit, you mos' stay 'ere an' eider Bear Tooth rise an' eat up your leetle 'andful—goolp!—in one modful or 'e stay quiet an' you 'ave no fon at all. No alternative, mon ami. Nevaire mind. You will 'old a position alone even more important den before!"
Hector looked at his companion blankly.
"Hold on!" he urged. "You're going away with all your men and I am to remain, watching Bear Tooth, with ten? Is that right?"
"Absolument! Regardez—'ere is de order."
Hector looked at the document.
It was quite true. He was to be left alone to watch Bear Tooth; and the tribes were up through all the North-West!
The hell the agitators had brewed was boiling over everywhere. Bear Tooth was quiet but his braves might rise at any moment. The Commissioner looked to him to sit on the lid of that particular cauldron with his little detachment and see that they did not do so.