"Is their ignorance so abysmal?"

"They have scant time to learn from books--my Indians. They work."

"But, a year from now, when they have begun to learn, what will they
call you then--_your_ Indians?"

"A year from now--two years---ten years--my Indians will call
me--friend."

Chloe was about to speak, but MacNair interrupted her. "I have scant
time for parley. I was starting for Mackay Lake, but when Old Elk
reported two of yon scum's satellites hanging about, I dropped down the
river. By your words it's a school you will be building. If it were a
post I would have to take you more seriously----"

"There will be a--" Chloe felt the warning touch of Lapierre's finger
at her back and ceased abruptly. MacNair continued, as if unmindful of
the interruption.

"Build your school, by all means. 'Tis a spot well chosen by yon
devil's spawn, and for his own ends. By your eyes you are honest in
purpose--a fool's purpose--and a hare-brained carrying out of it. You
are being used as a tool by Lapierre. You will not believe this--not
yet. Later--perhaps, when it is too late--but, that is your
affair--not mine. At the proper time I will crush Lapierre, and if you
go down in the crash you will have yourself to thank. I have warned
you. Yon snake has poisoned your mind against me. In your eyes I am
foredamned--and well damned--which causes me no concern, and you, no
doubt, much satisfaction.