The Frontier Fort | Page 7

to know--yes or no--whether you will direct your course
towards Fort Duncan, instead of going on to Edmonton."
"I wish that I could do as you suggest," answered Burnett. "If Captain
Mackintosh wants help, I should like to give it him; but I must carry
out my instructions, at all costs. It would not do to run the risk of
getting our train plundered, as both stores and ammunition are much
wanted at Edmonton."
"But will you allow one of your factors to be exposed to the danger our
friend here has spoken of?" exclaimed Loraine. "I should be unwilling
under any other circumstances to part company; but I feel bound,

whether or not I can get anybody to go with me, to set off with my
friend, young Mackintosh, to warn his family, and give them such
assistance as we can."
"You, of course, are at liberty to go, Mr Loraine; and, as young
Mackintosh was committed to your care, to take him with you,"
answered Burnett, somewhat stiffly. "But duty is duty. I must obey my
orders, and those are, to conduct this train to Edmonton with as little
delay as possible. I have no discretionary power to go out of the way,
under any excuse whatever."
"But, surely, you would not object to one of the clerks, and some few
of the men who could be spared, accompanying me!" exclaimed
Loraine. "Even a small addition to the number would be of
consequence in the defence of the fort, should it be attacked; and that it
will be so, our friend here seems to think there is every probability."
"I have explained how I am situated in the matter, Mr Loraine," said Mr
Burnett, in the same tone as before; "and I think it right to say, that,
without a guide and a body of men well-armed, you and young
Mackintosh will be unable to accomplish the journey. You will either
lose yourselves and be starved, or be attacked and cut off by the
Blackfeet. The Crees are not to be trusted either; for though they are
civil enough to us, knowing that we have the power to punish them, yet
they would steal our horses if they could; and, looking upon you as
strangers, they would not only take your horses, but your scalps into the
bargain."
"I shall not be afraid of meeting either them or the Blackfeet,"
answered Loraine. "What do you say, friend?" he added, turning to
Isaac Sass. "Can I, or can I not, get to Fort Duncan, and warn the
garrison of the danger which threatens them?"
The old hunter looked up at the countenance of the young Englishman,
without speaking for a few seconds. He then said, "If pluck and courage
would enable a man to do it, you would; but I cannot say how much
you know about the country and the ways of the Redskins. It would not
be an easy matter for any man, as there are several war parties out--of

that I have certain knowledge; and I had no small difficulty in keeping
clear of them. I wish that I could go with you, but I cannot get along as
fast as I used to do, and my beasts are pretty well knocked up. But this
is what I'll do: I'll send my lad Greensnake with you; whatever I tell
him to do, he'll do, and prove as true as steel. People call him an idiot;
but he's no more an idiot than I am, if a person knows how to get the
sense out of him, and that's what I do."
Greensnake, on hearing his name mentioned, glanced up with a pleased
look, and nodded at his master, as a dog often does when spoken about.
"I gladly accept your offer, and will give him any reward you think
right for his services," said Loraine. "I should like to set off to-night."
"That would be impossible, as the lad and your horses want rest,"
answered the old trapper. "To-morrow morning he shall be at your
service, and perhaps by that time Mr Burnett will have thought the
matter over, and will send two or three of his men to accompany you. I
will take the duties of those who go, and he knows I am worth
something."
"Well, well, I'll think it over, and to-morrow morning let you know my
decision," said Burnett. "Now, Mr Loraine, I'd advise you to lie down
and get some rest, or you won't be fit for the work you propose to
undertake."
Loraine, hoping that Burnett would consent to spare him a few men,
followed his advice, and turned into his camp bed, while the old hunter,
wrapping himself in his buffalo robe, lay down with his feet to the fire,
as