`forewarned is being forearmed,' as the saying is; and I
told Martin to request Malachi Bone, if he should hear of any Indians
being about or near us, to let us know immediately."

"Yes, ma'am, that is the whole story," continued Malachi. "It's the
best plan when you're in the woods always to have your rifle loaded."

Mrs Campbell and the girls were evidently not a little fluttered at
this fresh intimation of danger. Captain Sinclair perceived it, and
said, "We have always spies on the look-out at the fort, that we may
know where the Indians are and what they are about. Last month, we know
that they held a council, but that it broke up without their coming to
any determination, and that no hostile feeling was expressed so far as
we could ascertain. But we never trust the Indians, and they, knowing
that we watch them, have been very careful not to commit any outrages;
they have not done so for a long while, nor do I think they will venture
again. At the same time, we like to know where they are, and I
requested Alfred to speak to Malachi Bone, to send us immediately word
if he heard or saw anything 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