“Yes,” said the Inspector, “if it could be managed.”
“I don't know,” said the Commissioner. “That reminds me.” He took a letter from the file. “Read that,” he said, “second page there. It is a private letter from Superintendent Strong at Calgary.”
The Inspector took the letter and read at the place indicated—
“Another thing. The handling of these railroad construction gangs is no easy matter. We are pestered with whiskey-smugglers, gamblers, and prostitutes till we don't know which way to turn. As the work extends into the mountains and as the camps grow in numbers the difficulty of control is very greatly increased. I ought to have my force strengthened. Could you not immediately spare me at least eight or ten good men? I would like that chap Cameron, the man, you know, who caught the half-breed Louis in the Sarcee camp and carried him out on his horse's neck—a very fine bit of work. Inspector Dickson will tell you about him. I had it from him. Could you spare Cameron? I would recommend him at once as a sergeant.”
The Inspector handed back the letter without comment.
“Well?” said the Commissioner.
“Cameron would do very well for the work,” said the Inspector, “and he deserves promotion.”
“What was that Sarcee business, Inspector?” enquired the Commissioner. “That must have been when I was down east.”
“Oh,” said the Inspector, “it was a very fine thing indeed of Cameron. Louis 'the Breed' had been working the Bloods. We got on his track and headed him up in the Sarcee camp. He is rather a dangerous character and is related to the Sarcees. We expected trouble in his arrest. We rode in and found the Indians, to the number of a hundred and fifty or more, very considerably excited. They objected strenuously to the arrest of the half-breed. Constable Cameron and I were alone. We had left a party of men further back over the hill. The half-breed brought it upon himself. He was rash enough to make a sudden attack upon Cameron. That is where he made his mistake. Before he knew where he was Cameron slipped from his horse, caught him under the chin with a very nice left-hander that laid him neatly out, swung him on to his horse, and was out of the camp before the Indians knew what had happened.”
“The Inspector does not tell you,” said Superintendent Crawford, “how he stood off that bunch of Sarcees and held them where they were till Cameron was safe with his man over the hill. But it was a very clever bit of work, and, if I may say it, deserves recognition.”