set them loose. They were camped some distance from each other. There was
rivalry between them, and it was hinted that if any trouble came from the
meeting of Magor and Dugard the gangs would pay off old scores with each
other. Pierre wished to prevent this. It seemed to him that the two men
should stand alone in the affair. He said as much here and there to
members of both camps, for he was free of both: a tribute to his genius
at poker.

The girl, Nora, was apprehensive--for her father; she hated the other man
now. Pierre was courteous to her, scrupulous in word and look, and fond
of her child. He had always shown a gentleness to children, which seemed
little compatible with his character; but for this young outlaw in the
world he had something more. He even laboured carefully to turn the
girl's father in its favour; but as yet to little purpose. He was thought
ful of the girl too. He only went to the house when he knew her father
was present, or when she was away. Once while he was there, Father Halen
and his sister, Mrs. Lauder, came. They found Pierre with the child,
rocking the cradle, and humming as he did so an old song of the coureurs
de bois:

"Out of the hills comes a little white deer,
Poor little vaurien, o, ci, ci!
Come to my home, to my home down here,
Sister and brother and child o' me
Poor little, poor little vaurien!"

Pierre was alone, save for the old woman who had cared for the home since
Nora's trouble came. The priest was anxious lest any harm should come
from Dugard's presence at Bamber's Boom. He knew Pierre's doubtful
reputation, but still he knew he could speak freely and would be answered