wers, dressed in their gayest attire, for I
can see their ornaments glistening in the rays of the sun. Perhaps he
has come to ask for Sybil's answer to his offer; if so, we can give him
a very short one."

"We will say nothing to offend him," answered Captain Mackintosh, who
had joined his son; "but it will be prudent, knowing what we do, not to
admit these gentlemen inside the gate. I will go out and meet them, and
you and the other men cover me with your rifles. Let the Indians have a
glimpse of your arms, and I am sure that they will attempt no violence."
The arrangements were quickly made. As soon as the chief and his party
drew near, Captain Mackintosh went out of the fort, directing the men at
the gate to close it should the Indians show any intention of making a
rush to get in.

Advancing a short distance, he called to Mysticoose to dismount, and
explain the object of his visit. The chief looked up at the ramparts,
and, seeing the gleaming rifle-barrels, did as he was directed. Giving
the bridle of his horse to one of his followers, he then advanced, and,
putting out his hand in a cordial manner, said--

"Why does my white brother look upon me as an enemy? I have traded
fairly, and wish to trade again. I have now brought some more peltries,
not to trade, but to present to him as an earnest of my goodwill. Let
him, then, admit me and my followers within the gates, that I may offer
my present as presents should be offered, and have the happiness of
gazing once more on the fair lily of the prairie, after whom my heart
pants, as does the weary stag for the refreshing stream." Mysticoose
uttered much more in the same strain before he stopped.

Captain Mackintosh replied that he was always glad to see his friend,
but as it was late in the day he regretted that he could not admit the
chief and his followers, but that the next morning, if they wished to
come, he should be happy to receive them; and although he would not
refuse the present they had brought, he must insist on returning one of
equal value in goods, as he could not promise that the fair lily, as he
described his daughter, would be willing to show herself, and begged the
chief to understand clearly that she had sufficiently considered the
matter, and could not become his bride.

Whatever were the Indian's feelings, he concealed them, and made an
equally courteous reply, intimating that, notwithstanding what his white
brother had said, he should