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The York boat, with its brave little band, reached Battleford in

safety, and the two handsome Indian boys pitched their tents aloof

upon the prairie, about, aa

little cup shaped hollow, rimmed around with scrubby white oak The

horses fed in the centre, and at the edge of the bushes glea, as the two entered the town, they perceived a tall

Indian standing by the gate

"It is Little Poplar," whispered Julie; and seeing the two maidens

about the same time, the chief stepped forward

"Cruel work," he said, "reported fro Lake Captain Stephens

and two others were sent an hour ago with fast horses to enquire if

the story is true But he had not long passed this gate when I

noticed Jean, the great chief's man, and a dozen of the Stoney Crees

ride after hi him harm"

"What route did they take?" asked Annette, while her eyes grew large

and bright

"They went upon the ain, chief; I go immediately" Julie likewise turned

about

"Nay, you must not encounter this peril with me; already you have

ventured more than I should have permitted;" but a look of sorrowful

reproach came into the little maiden's eye

"Is Julie of no use, that her mistress will not consent for her to

co that

wherever her ers of

the mistress should be borne also by the irl, I will not gainsay you

But what thinks your chief about his darling courting all these

dangers?"

"Little Poplar," the Indian replied, "is proud to see his sweetheart

brave; and if she were not so brave, he could not love her half so