The Patrol of the Sun Dance Trail [32]
"The trail was heavy owing to the rain day before yesterday."
"When did you leave the ranch?" inquired Sergeant Crisp.
"Yesterday morning," said Cameron. "The colts were green and I couldn't send them along."
"Yesterday morning!" exclaimed Sergeant Crisp. "You needn't apologize for the colts, Cameron."
"I wasn't apologizing for anybody or anything. I was making a statement of fact," replied Cameron curtly.
"Ah, yes, very good going, Cameron. Very good going, indeed, I should say," said the Superintendent, conscious of his own brusqueness and anxious to appease. "Did Mrs. Cameron come with you?"
"She did."
"Indeed. That is a long drive for a lady to make, Cameron. Too long a drive, I should say. I hope she is quite well, not--eh-- over-fatigued?"
"She is quite well, thank you."
"Well, she is an old campaigner," said the Superintendent with a smile, "and not easily knocked up if I remember her aright. But I ought to say, Cameron, how very deeply I appreciate your very fine-- indeed very handsome conduct in volunteering to come to our assistance in this matter. Very handsome indeed I call it. It will have a good effect upon the community. I appreciate the sacrifice. The Commissioner and the whole Force will appreciate it. But," he added, as if to himself, "before we are through with this business I fear there will be more sacrifice demanded from all of us. I trust none of us will be found wanting." The Superintendent's voice was unduly solemn, his manner almost somber. Cameron was impressed with this manifestation of feeling so unusual with the Superintendent.
"Any more news, sir?" he inquired.
"Yes, every post brings news of seditious meetings up north along the Saskatchewan and of indifference on the part of the Government. And further, I have the most conclusive evidence that our Indians are being tampered with, and successfully too. There is no reason to doubt that the head chiefs have been approached and that many of the minor chiefs are listening to the proposals of Riel and his half-breeds. But you have some news to give, I understand? Dickson said you would give me particulars."
Thereupon Cameron briefly related the incidents in connection with the attempted arrest of the Sioux Chief, and closed with a brief account of the burning of his home.
"That is most daring, most serious," exclaimed the Superintendent. "But you are quite certain that it was the Sioux that was responsible for the outrage?"
"Well," said Cameron, "he met my wife on a trail five miles away, threatened her, and--"
"Good God, Cameron! Threatened your wife?"
"Yes, nearly flung her off her horse," replied Cameron, his voice quiet and even, but his eyes glowing like fires in his white face.
"Flung her off her horse? But--he didn't injure her?" replied the Superintendent.
"Only that he terrified her with his threats and then went on toward the house, which he left in flames."
"My God, Cameron!" said the Superintendent, rising in his excitement. "This is really terrible. You must have suffered awful anxiety. I apologize for my abrupt manner a moment ago," he added, offering his hand. "I'm awfully sorry."
"It's all right, Superintendent," replied Cameron. "I'm afraid I am a little upset myself."
"But what a God's mercy she escaped! How came that, I wonder?"
Then Cameron told the story of the rescue of the Indian boy.
"That undoubtedly explains it," exclaimed the Superintendent. "That was a most fortunate affair. Do an Indian a good turn and he will never forget it. I shudder to think of what might have happened, for I assure you that this Copperhead will stick at nothing. We have an unusually able man to deal with, and we shall put our whole Force on this business of arresting this man. Have you any suggestions yourself?"
"No," said Cameron, "except that it would appear to be a mistake to give any sign that we were very specially anxious to get him just now. So far we have not shown our hand. Any concentrating of the Force upon his capture would only
"When did you leave the ranch?" inquired Sergeant Crisp.
"Yesterday morning," said Cameron. "The colts were green and I couldn't send them along."
"Yesterday morning!" exclaimed Sergeant Crisp. "You needn't apologize for the colts, Cameron."
"I wasn't apologizing for anybody or anything. I was making a statement of fact," replied Cameron curtly.
"Ah, yes, very good going, Cameron. Very good going, indeed, I should say," said the Superintendent, conscious of his own brusqueness and anxious to appease. "Did Mrs. Cameron come with you?"
"She did."
"Indeed. That is a long drive for a lady to make, Cameron. Too long a drive, I should say. I hope she is quite well, not--eh-- over-fatigued?"
"She is quite well, thank you."
"Well, she is an old campaigner," said the Superintendent with a smile, "and not easily knocked up if I remember her aright. But I ought to say, Cameron, how very deeply I appreciate your very fine-- indeed very handsome conduct in volunteering to come to our assistance in this matter. Very handsome indeed I call it. It will have a good effect upon the community. I appreciate the sacrifice. The Commissioner and the whole Force will appreciate it. But," he added, as if to himself, "before we are through with this business I fear there will be more sacrifice demanded from all of us. I trust none of us will be found wanting." The Superintendent's voice was unduly solemn, his manner almost somber. Cameron was impressed with this manifestation of feeling so unusual with the Superintendent.
"Any more news, sir?" he inquired.
"Yes, every post brings news of seditious meetings up north along the Saskatchewan and of indifference on the part of the Government. And further, I have the most conclusive evidence that our Indians are being tampered with, and successfully too. There is no reason to doubt that the head chiefs have been approached and that many of the minor chiefs are listening to the proposals of Riel and his half-breeds. But you have some news to give, I understand? Dickson said you would give me particulars."
Thereupon Cameron briefly related the incidents in connection with the attempted arrest of the Sioux Chief, and closed with a brief account of the burning of his home.
"That is most daring, most serious," exclaimed the Superintendent. "But you are quite certain that it was the Sioux that was responsible for the outrage?"
"Well," said Cameron, "he met my wife on a trail five miles away, threatened her, and--"
"Good God, Cameron! Threatened your wife?"
"Yes, nearly flung her off her horse," replied Cameron, his voice quiet and even, but his eyes glowing like fires in his white face.
"Flung her off her horse? But--he didn't injure her?" replied the Superintendent.
"Only that he terrified her with his threats and then went on toward the house, which he left in flames."
"My God, Cameron!" said the Superintendent, rising in his excitement. "This is really terrible. You must have suffered awful anxiety. I apologize for my abrupt manner a moment ago," he added, offering his hand. "I'm awfully sorry."
"It's all right, Superintendent," replied Cameron. "I'm afraid I am a little upset myself."
"But what a God's mercy she escaped! How came that, I wonder?"
Then Cameron told the story of the rescue of the Indian boy.
"That undoubtedly explains it," exclaimed the Superintendent. "That was a most fortunate affair. Do an Indian a good turn and he will never forget it. I shudder to think of what might have happened, for I assure you that this Copperhead will stick at nothing. We have an unusually able man to deal with, and we shall put our whole Force on this business of arresting this man. Have you any suggestions yourself?"
"No," said Cameron, "except that it would appear to be a mistake to give any sign that we were very specially anxious to get him just now. So far we have not shown our hand. Any concentrating of the Force upon his capture would only