The young Indian’s eyes brightened.
“Thank you, Corporal, I like that very much.”
“Two weeks at full police pay. I’m giving you and Sandy this chance because on the last occasion it was Dick who helped me.”
“That’s splendid of you, Corporal,” Sandy’s face was beaming. “I’d like to hear what Inspector Cameron says when we bring them in. Aren’t you jealous, Dick?”
Dick laughed. “No, Sandy, the arrangements suits me perfectly. The experiences of the past few days have been so vigorous that I am ready to take a short vacation. I shall wait here till you return.”
The mounted policeman rose preparatory to entering the trading post.
“Very well, then, that is the understanding. You, Toma, and Sandy are to accompany me. We’ll leave here at six o’clock, journeying up the river in two canoes as far as Painter’s Ferry, where we will disembark and proceed eastward overland to the Mackenzie River Trail. When we reach Moose Lake, I think I can arrange for horses to take us the remainder of the way. I left my own mount at Painter’s Ferry.”
“How long do you think it will take us to make the trip?” Sandy asked eagerly.
“About seven days. I’ve made it in five on a hurried patrol, but with the prisoners, of course, we’ll not be able to travel quite so fast.”
“I can expect Sandy and Toma back here then in about twelve or fourteen days?” Dick asked anxiously.