She put her hand to his face again, in the sweet touch that told more of her love than a thousand words.

“You understand, dear,” she went on, seeing the anxiety in his eyes.  “I have the strength—­to-night.  I must return to father, and he will know everything—­when you come to Fort o’ God.”

“I will send MacDougall with you,” said Philip, after a moment.  “And then I will follow—­”

“With Pierre.”

“Yes, with Pierre.”

For a brief space longer they stood outside of Cassidy’s cabin, and then Philip, lifting her face, said gently: 

“Will you kiss me, dear?  It is the first time.”

He bent down, and Jeanne’s lips reached his own.

“No, it is not the first time,” she confessed, in a whisper.  “Not since that day—­when I thought you were dying—­after we came through the rapids—­”

Five minutes later Philip returned to MacDougall.  Roberts, Henshaw, Cassidy, and Lecault were with the engineer.

“I’ve sent the St. Pierres to find out about the firing,” he said.  “Look at the crowd over at the store.  Every one heard it, and they’ve seen the fire on the mountain.  They think the Indians have cornered a moose or two and are shooting them by the blaze.”

“They’re probably right,” said Philip.  “I want a word with you, Mac.”

He walked a little aside with the engineer, leaving the others in a group, and in a low voice told him as much as he cared to reveal about the identity of Thorpe and Gregson’s mission in camp.  Then he spoke of Jeanne.

“I believe that the death of Thorpe practically ends all danger to us,” he concluded.  “I’m going to offer you a pleasanter job than fighting, Mac.  It is imperative that Miss d’Arcambal should return to D’Arcambal House before morning, and I want you to take her, if you will.  I’m choosing the best man I’ve got because—­well, because she’s going to be my wife, Mac.  I’m the happiest man on earth to-night!”

MacDougall did not show surprise.

“Guessed it,” he said, shortly, thrusting out a hand and grinning broadly into Philip’s face “Couldn’t help from seeing, Phil.  And the firing, and Thorpe, and that half-breed in there—­”

Understanding was slowly illuminating his face.

“You’ll know all about them a little later, Mac,” said Philip softly.  “To-night we must investigate nothing—­very far.  Miss d’Arcambal must be taken home immediately.  Will you go?”

“With pleasure.”

“She can ride one of the horses as far as the Little Churchill,” continued Philip.  “And there she will show you a canoe.  I will follow in the morning with the body of Pierre, the half-breed.”