ed possession of his
faculties. Very diplomatic was the conference, for the corporal had his
pacific orders and Willinawaugh was burdened with the grave anxiety to
make the facts conform at once to the probabilities, yet sustain the
impeccability of his own conduct. A little network of wrinkles, almost
like a visible mesh, gathered at the corners of his eyes and gave token
of his grave cogitation.

The corporal, a dark-haired, blue-eyed, florid young Irishman, looking
very stanch and direct and steady, but not without a twinkle of humor
which betokened some histrionic capacity to support the situation,
speaking partly in English and partly, glibly enough, in very tolerable
Cherokee, although incongruously embellished with an Irish brogue,
detailed that Captain Stuart had been apprised that there was a band of
Indians on the river who had some white people with them, and he wished
to know if these white people were French, in which case, according to
the treaty made with the Cherokees, they must be arrested and delivered
up to the commandant of the fort, or if English, he wished to be assured
that they were at liberty to go where they pleased, and were under no
restraint.

As the officer concluded, having bowed to Odalie with much politeness,
considering he was not yet informed as to whether she were of a party of
French emissaries, forever sowing dissension amongst the Cherokee allies
of the English, he drew himself up very erect, with a complacent mien.
He was conscious of being a fine-looking fellow, and he had not seen so
handsome a young woman of her evident position in life for a month of
Sundays. Nevertheless he kept one eye on Willinawaugh, who was also
eminently worthy of his respectful attention.

"Ingliss--all Ingliss," said the chief, unexpectedly.

The Indians in the pettiaugre, listening attentively, gave no sign of
surprise upon this statement, so at variance with the warrior's previous
representations. His ruse to shield the travelers now by declaring them
English shielded himself as well, for being a chief and head-man he
could hardly find a plausible subterfuge to cloak his playing the _role_
of guide, philosopher, and friend to people of a nation so obnoxious to
his English allies, and establishing them in the very heart of the
Cherokee nation, contrary to its many solemn obligations and treaties.

After a moment's further reflection, Willinawaugh said again with
emphasis, "Ingliss, Ingliss." Perh