The profits of the trade, however, were still great enough
to tempt the more reckless and daring of these men. Cattle rustling
and horse stealing still continued, but on a much smaller scale. To the
whole country the advent of the police proved an incalculable blessing.
But to the Indian tribes especially was this the case. The natives soon
learned to regard the police officers as their friends. In them they
found protection from the unscrupulous traders who had hitherto cheated
them without mercy or conscience, as well as from the whiskey runners
through whose devilish activities their people had suffered irreparable
loss.
The administration of the law by the officers of the police with firm
and patient justice put an end also to the frequent and bloody wars that
had prevailed previously between the various tribes, till, by these wild
and savage people the red coat came to be regarded with mingled awe and
confidence, a terror to evil-doers and a protection to those that did
well.
To which class did this man belong? This Cameron was utterly unable to
decide.
With this problem vexing his mind he ate his breakfast in almost
complete silence, making only monosyllabic replies to the trader's
cheerful attempts at conversation.
Suddenly, with disconcerting accuracy, the trader seemed to read his
mind.
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