"And Mr. Ainley, what is he doing at Fort Malsun?"
"Ah, M'sieu Ainley! He also is ze great man. He is to be among the governors—one day. He also visits ze posts, and will no doubt travel with ze governor, whose protégé he is."
"Is that so?"
"Dat is so! He is ze favourite, vous comprenez?"
"I did not know it."
"Non? But so it ees! And Louis and me, we go with heem in ze canoe to serve heem. Though by gar, I like to make stop here, an' talk to dat squaw-girl."
Stane made no vocal reply to this. He nodded carelessly and passed into the store. Factor Rodwell looked round as he entered, and surveyed him with a measuring eye, as if taking stock of a new acquaintance, then gave him a curt nod and resumed his barter with the Indian. His assistant being also busy for the moment, Stane turned towards the Indian girl whose liquid eyes were regarding him shyly, and addressed her in her native dialect.
"Little sister, why did you run from me yesterday?"
The girl was covered with confusion at the directness of his question, and to help her over her embarrassment the young man laughed.
"You did not mistake me for Moorseen (the black bear) or the bald-face grizzly, did you?"