Stephens looked about him, and at one glance mastered the situation. Phillips was too ill of his wounds to be able to use his right arm, even though a dash down the trail by which they had come were practicable. For himself, he had a pair of Colt's revolvers; but before he could fire twice the savages would be enabled to brain him with their tomahawks.
"I surrender," he said, nodding to the hateful boisbrule; and the detestable eyes of the man gleamed as he said—
"Bind the prisoners."
CHAPTER VIII.
THE STARS ARE KINDLY TO LE CHEF.
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—