Page:Hugh Pendexter--Kings of the Missouri.djvu/251

 was an Arapaho, my father a French trader. The Arapahoes are friends to the Blackfeet. I married a Blackfoot woman. I have worked at Fort Union, but came here when Deschamps and his rascal sons said they would kill me.

"The Blackfeet say it was Deschamps who brought them down on you. He met one of their scouts and said he would make a smoke signal to show your camp."

"Deschamps? He betrayed me to the Indians? He was guiding Malcom Phinny"

"Ah, M'sieu Phinny! He is one bad one. He is now at Fort Union, but he brought much news of Bridger. The A. F. C. do not like M'sieu Bridger's way of getting the beaver. If I were M'sieu Bridger I would never walk ahead of a Deschamps or a Rem."

"But if Deschamps betrayed me, then Phinny betrayed me," gasped Lander.

"But why not? Does M'sieu Phinny love you? When he came to Fort Union he was quick to get thick with Deschamps. It is said he will marry one of the old man's wildcat daughters when he returns to the fort."

"You must get me out of this," gritted Lander.

"It is my life if they know I cut your cords. It