"What did he say?" he asked of Mackenzie.
"Nothing," replied the trader, with the dull colour bronzing his face; "they ain't our folks, you know."
"I insist upon knowing," said Franklin, peremptorily.
Mackenzie came nearer and lowered his voice to a whisper. "He said something about the women over there,"—indicating Mrs. Franklin and Mrs. Howard. "He said 'the white chief's wives are amusing themselves very much. It will not be long before they are hoeing in our corn-fields.'"
"Humph!" snorted the Captain.
"Oh!" laughed Ronald, "I must tell 'em!"
"Shut up," said the Captain; "you will do no such thing!"
"All right," returned the younger officer, good humouredly, "they're not my wives!"