At last they were upon the rim-rocks, huddled together like cattle.  Chloe could see them outlined distinctly against the sky.  They fired one last scattering volley, and then the ranks thinned suddenly; many were leaping over the edge, while others, throwing down their rifles, advanced with arms raised high above their heads.  Some Indians fired, and two of these pitched forward.  Then MacNair bellowed a hoarse order, and the firing ceased, and the Indians bound the prisoners with thongs of babiche.

The girl found herself close to the edge of the high plateau.  She leaned far over and peered downward.  Upon the white snow of the rocks, close to the foot of the cliff, lay several dark forms.  She drew back and turned to MacNair, but he had gone.  A puff of smoke arose into the air above the tops of the scrub-trees, and Chloe knew that the storehouse was burning.  The smoke increased in volume and rolled heavily skyward upon the light breeze.  She could hear the crackle of flames, and the smell of burning spruce was in the air.

She pushed forward into the cordon of Indians which surrounded the burning building, glancing hurriedly from face to face, searching for MacNair.  Upon the edge of the little clearing which surrounded the storehouse she saw the Louchoux girl bending over a form that lay stretched in the snow.  Swiftly she made her way to the girl’s side.  She was bending over the inert form of Big Lena.  The big woman opened her eyes, and with a cry Chloe dropped to her knees by her side.

“Ay ain’t hurt much,” Lena muttered weakly.  “Vun faller shoot me on de head, but de bullet yump off sidevays.  Ju bet MacNair, he gif dem haal!”

At the mention of MacNair’s name Chloe sprang to her feet and continued along the cordon.

One end of the storehouse and half the roof was ablaze, while thick, heavy smoke curled from beneath the full length of the eaves and through the chinkings of the logs.  Chloe had almost completed the circle when suddenly she came to a halt, for there, pressed tight against the logs close beside the jamb of the closed door, stood MacNair.  All about her the Indians stood in tense expectancy.  Their eyes gleamed bright, and the breath hissed between parted lips—­short, quick breaths of excitement.  The flames had not yet reached the front of the storehouse, but tiny puffs of smoke found their way out above the door.  As she looked the form of MacNair stiffened, and Chloe gasped as she saw that the man was unarmed.

Suddenly the door flew open, and Lapierre, clutching an automatic in either hand, leaped swiftly into the open.  The next instant his arms were pinioned to his sides.  A loud cry went up from the watching Indians, and from all quarters came the sound of rushing feet as those who had guarded the windows crowded about.