As she looked toward a corner of the room opposite the food and blankets, she was astonished to see many muskets leaning against the wall.  She went over and began to count, and found there were fifty in all.  She also saw numerous old swords, bayonets, and boxes filled with bullets.  There were cans, as well, which she believed contained powder.  She grew more puzzled now than ever.  Who could the man be, and why did he have so many guns?  Perhaps he was a trader, and dealt with the Indians.  But why had not Sam and Kitty spoken about him?  Then she recalled the look of defiance in his eyes when she had first met him.  What was the meaning of that?

She crossed the room to where the Indian woman was searching among the pots, pans, and other cooking utensils near the fire-place.

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

“Cook supper,” was the reply.  “Plenty grub, eh?”

“There certainly is, Kitty.  I wonder what that man is going to do with it all.”  She then lowered her voice, and glanced toward the door.  “Do you know anything about him?” she enquired.  “Why does he have so many guns?”

“Kitty know,” was the reply.  “White man beeg chief.”

“What kind of a chief?”

“Kitty no say now.  Bimeby, mebbe.”

“Is he a trader?”

“A-ha-ha, mebbe.”

This was all the information Jean could gain from the woman, and she was greatly mystified.  Kitty evidently knew who the man was, and yet she would tell nothing more than that he was a big chief.  She sat down before the fire and tried to puzzle it all out.  But the more she thought, the more confused she became, and at last was forced to give up in despair.  Perhaps she could find out for herself.  Anyway, she must get food and clothing to send to the Loyalists as speedily as possible.

In the meantime Kitty had found a quantity of Indian meal and was cooking some cakes in one of the frying-pans she had found.  There was also a good supply of molasses in a cask, which when served with the cakes makes fairly good eating.  It was a change, at any rate, from the constant meat diet.

“Kitty cook plenty bimeby,” the Indian woman announced.  “Good tam, eh?”

“Some of that food must go to those starving people on the A-Jem-sek,” Jean replied.  “And look at those blankets.  Why, there are enough to keep them all warm.  You and Sam will take some, will you not?”

To this request Kitty made no response, and while Jean was wondering why she did not answer, Sam entered the room, and came close to the fire.

“Beeg chief want see babby,” he announced.

“How is he?” the girl asked, rising to her feet.

“Seek here,” and Sam placed his hand to his side.  “Much seek.  Bad!”

Jean at once went into the other room, which was lighted only by the fire, and crossed to where the injured man was lying.