Lapierre tossed the half-smoked cigarette onto the ground. "Can you
doubt it?" The man's eyes were not gleaming now, and into their depths
had crept a look of ineffable sadness.

"They are my people," he said softly. "Miss Elliston, _I am an
Indian_!"




CHAPTER IV

CHLOE SECURES AN ALLY

A shout from the bank heralded the appearance of the first scow, which
was closely followed by the two others. When they had landed, Lapierre
issued a few terse orders, and the scowmen leaped to his bidding. The
overturned scow was righted and loaded, and the remains of the
demolished whiskey-kegs burned. Lapierre himself assisted the three
women to their places, and as Chloe seated herself near the bow, he
smiled into her eyes.

"Vermilion was a good riverman, but so am I. Do you think you can
trust your new pilot?"

Somehow, the words seemed to imply more than the mere steering of a
scow. Chloe flushed slightly, hesitated a moment, and then returned
the man's smile frankly.

"Yes," she answered gravely, "I know I can."