here they are, and I requested
Alfred to speak to Malachi Bone, to send us immediately word if he heard
or saw any thing of them: not, however, that I intended that the ladies
should be wakened up in the middle of the night," continued Captain
Sinclair, laughing; "that was not at all necessary."

Malachi Bone would have responded, but Alfred pinched his arm; the old
man understood what was meant, and held his tongue; at last he said--

"Well, well, there's no harm done, it's just as well that the Strawberry
should know her way about the location, if it's only to know where the
dogs are, in case she comes of a message."

"No, no," replied Mr. Campbell, "I'm glad that she is come, and hope she
will come very often. Now, Malachi, sit down and eat something."

"Well, but about the Indians, Captain Sinclair,--" said Mrs. Campbell;
"that you have not told us all I am certain, and the conviction that
such is the case, will make me and the girls very uneasy; so pray do
treat us as we ought to be treated; we share the danger, and we ought to
know what the danger is."

"I do not think that there is any danger, Mrs. Campbell," replied
Captain Sinclair, "unless Malachi has further information to give us. I
do, however, perfectly agree with you, that you ought to know all that
we know, and am quite ready to enter upon the subject, trifling as it
is."

"So I presume it must be, my dear," observed Mr. Campbell, "for I have
as yet known nothing about the matter. So pray, Captain Sinclair,
instruct us all."

Captain Sinclair then stated what he had before mentioned to Alfred, and
having so done, and pointed out that there was no occasion for alarm, he
requested Malachi Bone would say if he had any further information.

"The Injuns did meet as you say, and they could not agree, so they broke
up, and are now all out upon their hunting and trapping for furs. But
there's one thing I don't exactly feel comfortable about, which is that
the 'Angry Snake,' as he is called, who was at the 'talk,' and was
mighty venomous against the English, has squatted for the winter
somewhere hereabout."

"The Angry Snake," said Captain Sinclair. "Is that the chief who served
with the French, and wears a medal?"

"The very same, sir. He's not a chief though; he was a very good warrior
in his day, and the French were very partial to him, as he served them
well; but he is no chief, although he was considered as a sort of one
from the consequence he o