pass
through, was open, and putting his face to it, he sent back the
answering cry, the long, weird, wailing note. He waited a little and
again he heard a voice from the far shore of the river, the exact
rejoinder to his own, and he knew that the four out there understood.
The chain of communication had been established. Now he went back to his
pallet, fell asleep with ease, and slept peacefully until morning.

The next day, superstition assailed the French-Canadians in the village,
and many of the Indians. A second private who had a late beat near the
forest had been carried off. There were signs of a struggle. No blood
had been shed, but Private Myers had vanished as completely as his
predecessor. To many of the people who sat about the lodges or cabins it
seemed uncanny, but it filled the heart of de Peyster with rage. He
visited Timmendiquas a second time in his lodge of skins and spoke with
some heat.

"You have great warriors," he said, "men who can trail anything through
the forest. Why is it that they cannot find this petty little band of
marauders, only four?"

"They did find them," returned Timmendiquas gravely; "they took your
soldiers, but your soldiers returned without them. Now they hold two of
your men captive, but it is no fault of the Wyandots or their brethren
of the allied tribes. We wait here in peace, while the other presents
that you have promised us come from Niagara."

De Peyster bit his lip. He had rashly promised more and greater gifts
for which he would have to send to Niagara, and Timmendiquas had
announced calmly that the warriors would remain at Detroit until they
came. This had made another long delay and de Peyster raged internally,
although he strove to hide it. Now he made the same effort at
self-command, and replied pacifically:

"I keep all my promises, Timmendiquas, and yet I confess to you that
this affair annoys me greatly. As a malignant rebel and one of the most
troublesome of our enemies, I would subject Ware to close confinement,
but two of my men are in the power of his friends, and they can take
revenge."

"De Peyster speaks wisely," said Timmendiquas. "It is well to choose
one's time when to strike."

Getting no satisfaction there, de Peyster returned to the court, where
he saw Henry walking back and forth very placidly. The sight filled him
with rage. This prisoner had caused him too much annoyance, and he had
no business to look so contented. He began to attribute