but he certainly would
have been off, probably have broken our heads before he went."

"I know the nature of these Indians, sir," replied Malachi; "they're
never safe, even when tied, if the thong does not cut into the bone; but
you have him now, sir, fast enough, and the sooner you get to the fort
the better. You have your rifles, in the bush?"

"Yes," replied Martin, "you'll find them behind the large oak tree."

"I'll fetch them; not that I think there's much danger of a rescue."

"We have not far to take him," said Captain Sinclair, "for, as I wished
you and Alfred not to be so long away as to induce questions to be
asked, I have a file of men and a corporal about half a mile off,
concealed in the bush. But Malachi, it is as well to let the Indian know
that he is only detained as a hostage, and will be restored as soon as
the boy is sent back."

Malachi addressed the Indian in his own tongue, and told him what
Captain Sinclair requested.

"Tell him that there are several Indian women about the fort, who will
take any message he may send to the Angry Snake."

The Young Otter made no reply to any thing said by Malachi, but looked
around him very impatiently.

"Be off as fast as you can," said Malachi, "for depend upon it the Angry
Snake was to meet him after his talk with me; I see it by his wandering
eye, and his looking round for assistance. I will go with you, and
return with Alfred and Martin, for I have no rifle."

"You can take mine, Malachi, as soon as we come up to the soldiers."

This was done in a few minutes. Captain Sinclair then took charge of the
Indian, and set off with his party for the fort. Malachi, Alfred, and
Martin returned to the house, and before they entered the prairie,
Martin detected the tall form of an Indian at a short distance, in the
shade of the trees.

"Yes, I was sure of it," said Malachi. "It was well that I did not go
back without you. After all, in the woods, a man's no man without his
rifle."

CHAPTER XXXV.

Martin was right when he stated that he perceived the form of the Angry
Snake under the shade of the trees. The chief was then watching what
occurred, and had been witness to the capture of his emissary, and,
following those who had the Young Otter in charge, saw him conveyed to
the fort. In the meantime, Malachi, Martin, and Alfred went home,
without any suspicion being raised among the other branches of the
family of what had occurred. This gave them