rch for

prison, but, even had there been any one near, they could hardly ha

the collies growing fainter and fainter, until presently he heard it no more.

, the half-breed had noticed the splendid creatures, and, at once coveting them, set about getting them into his possession. Extraordinary as his con

at the door, and this enabled the rascally half-breed, with the aid of another whom he called upo

last, exhausted and despairing, he threw himself

bed. 'Oh, I wish I'd never gone near the

ndown. As it fell out, it was from a most unlooked-for source that the clue came. Having made the best arrangements they could for shelter, and these were very scant at best, the settlers gathered togethe

keen glance in every direction. 'He went aff with the twa d

rs. Macrae. ''Tis a strange place this, and the

nd, cheerfully. 'He'll be wanting his ba

and went through the party of settlers, asking if any of them had seen the boy since mid-day. Several of them had n

ushed up to Mr. Macrae, barking joyfully. The remains of a raw-hide thong, which he had bitten through close to his body, hung ab

ver creature fondly. 'There's been ill wark, nae doot. Com

any Mr. Macrae in the search for his son. They were stalwart, stern-looking men, with shaggy faces, and piercing, fearless eyes-not the men

Andrew; 'ye dootless ken the w

rapid jog-trot, in order not to be left behind. When they arrived at the fort they found the gate closed, but, as Dour was

were all so engrossed in drinking, smoking, talking, or gambling that they did not hear him

ort,' replied Mr. Macrae, in a tone

was the growling reply, as t

inside, for he came back to the gate, and, in a slow, sulky fashion, proceeded to unfasten the stout bars that held it. Opening it a couple of inches, he peered suspiciously at the importunate callers, bu

d with light, and thither the group of stern, stalwart men directed their steps, Dour

mmons brought out a young lad, evidently from Scotland, who showed a very different spirit from the surly half-breed at the gat

he Governor appearing, or the young Scotsman returning, and, in rising wrath, Andrew Macrae was just about to knock on the inside door, when suddenly it opened, and there stood before him a thick-set, shagg

can't attend to that to-night. Come back to-morrow,' and he was about to close the door, when Mr. Macrae, with a

ve here until I find him.' As he spoke, his compan

men to be trifled with. Obscured by strong drink as his brain was, enough sense remained to understa

led the room, Mr. Macrae saw several men si

fine scorn in his deep voice. 'But with

, but Andrew, having gained his point, t