Through the long evening they pressed forward till they came to the
Kootenay River, having crossed which they ventured to camp for the
night.
After supper the Inspector announced his intention of riding on to the
Fort for reinforcements, and gave his instructions to the Sergeant.
"Sergeant Crisp," he said, "you will make an early start and bring in
the bunch to-morrow morning. Mr. Cadwaller, you remember you are to
remain at the Fort two days so that the charges brought by White Horse
may be investigated."
"What?" exclaimed Mr. Cadwaller. "Wait for them blank blank devils? Say,
Inspector, you don't mean that?"
"You heard me promise the Indians," said the Inspector.
"Why, yes. Mighty smart, too! But say, you were jest joshing, weren't
you?"
"No, Sir," replied the Inspector. "The Police never break a promise to
white man or Indian."
Then Mr. Cadwaller cut loose for a few moments. He did not object to
waiting any length of time to oblige a friend, but that he should
delay his journey to answer the charges of an Indian, variously and
picturesquely described, was to him an unthinkable proposition.
"Sergeant Crisp, you will see to this," said the Inspector quietly as he
rode away.
Then Mr. Cadwaller began to laugh and continued laughing for several
minutes.
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