"Last evening when M'sieu the Factor caught him in a snare, he bitm'sieu's arm. M'sieu's arm is swollen twice its size, and I can seehis blood turning purple. It is pechipoo."

"Pechipoo!" gasped Nepeese.

She looked into Pierrot's eyes. They were dark, and filled with asinister gleam--a flash of exultation, she thought.

"Yes, it is the blood poison," exclaimed Pierrot. A gleam of cunning shotinto his eyes as he looked over his shoulder, and nodded. "I always havehidden the medicine--and told him there is no time to lose in gettingback to Lac Bain. And he is afraid--that devil! He is waiting. Withthat blackening hand, he is afraid to start back alone--and so I gowith him. And--listen, ma Nepeese. We will be away by sundown, andthere is something you must know before I go."