The storekeeper did have business with the sutler, though not the kind suggested by the major. For, after being closeted with that worthy a half-hour, Squaw Charley was despatched to the Lancasters' with a basket, and a note which read: "Mr. Evan Lancaster, Dear Sir--Owing to the fact that a lot of B troop's surplus rations in the way of beans, butter, bacon, flour, salt, pepper, dried apples, prunes, rice, vinegar, molasses, etc., etc., are piling up on my hands, I wish to dispose of same in some way at once and at any sacrifice. Would it be possible for you to relieve me of some of these goods and pay me back next summer out of your garden? Also hope you can find room for a table, benches, and extra lumber on same terms. If you can do this, you will greatly oblige, "Yours very truly, "JAMES MADISON BLAKELY, "Sutler, Fort Brannon, Dakota Terr. "P. S. Enclosed find samples which please keep if satisfactory. J. M. B." When Squaw Charley returned from the shack, he bore an empty basket, and the following reply: "Dear Sir--Thank you. We would like to do what you said if you will please chalk it down. We will pay next summer, and maybe before. I will keep count too. "DALLAS LANCASTER." It was Lounsbury who took possession of the note. He smiled over it, and put it carefully away in his innermost pocket. And now there remained one other thing to do. He dropped into the billiard-room and commenced playing, occasionally going to a window that commanded the river. When, after a game or two, he saw a man approaching from Shanty Town, he put up his cue, sauntered opportunely out, and met the interpreter. "Well, Matthews," was his greeting. "Well?" "I just wanted to be sure that you know Lancaster's got that tenth point I spoke about cinched." "Yes?" "And that what I said before you went away still goes. You hear?" "I ain't deef," said Matthews, non-committal. "That's all." And Lounsbury went back to his billiards. The interpreter continued on to the stockade, where he was more fortunate in the delivery of the true message he had brought. "The white women were not at the winter camp," he said, "so they could not be sent. But your brothers promise to come to save you. Watch for signals from Medicine Mountain." CHAPTER XVII THE AWAKENING That year, in the northland, winter encroached greedily upon spring. The latter end of March, the weather did not moderate. Instead, the wide valley became a channel for winds that were weighted with numbing sleet. Then, April returned angrily, bringing cold rains and blows to check all vegetation.