"And now, Miss Elliston, if you will retire to your tent for a few
moments, I will have these removed." He indicated the bodies. "You
see, I know your name. The good Chenoine told me. He it was who
warned me of Vermilion's plot in time for me to frustrate it. Of
course, I should have rescued you later. I hold myself responsible for
the safe conduct of all who travel in my scows. But it would have been
at the expense of much time and labour, and, very possibly, of human
life as well--an incident regrettable always, but not always avoidable."

Chloe nodded, and, with her thoughts in a whirl of confusion, turned
and entered her tent, where Harriet Penny lay sobbing hysterically,
with her blankets drawn over her head.




CHAPTER III

PIERRE LAPIERRE

A half-hour later, when Chloe again ventured from the tent, all
evidence of the struggle had disappeared. The bodies of the two dead
men had been removed, and the canoemen were busily engaged in gathering
together and restoring the freight pieces that had been ripped open by
the scowmen.

Lapierre advanced to meet her, his carefully creased Stetson in hand.

"I have sent word for the other scows to come on at once, and in the