Captain Sinclair, "and
that we should retaliate."

"Yes; but you see the Snake don't belong to these tribes about us; his
nation is much farther off,--too far to go for redress; and the tribes
here, although they allow him to join the `talk' as an old warrior who
had served against the English and from respect to his age, do not
acknowledge him or his doings. They would disavow them immediately and
with truth, but they cannot prevent his doing mischief."

"What, then, is the redress in case of his doing any mischief?" said
Henry.

"Why, upon him and his band, whenever you can find them. You may
destroy them all, and the Injuns here won't say a word, or make any
complaint. That's all that can be done; and that's what I will do; I
mean to tell him so, when I meet him. He fears me, and so do his men;
they think me medicine."

"Medicine! What is that?" said Henry.

"It means that he has a charmed life," replied Captain Sinclair. "The
Indians are very superstitious."

"Yes, they be; well, perhaps, I'll prove medicine; and I'll give them a
pill or two out of my rifle," said Malachi, with a grim smile.
"Howsomever, I'll soon learn more about them, and will let you know when
I do. Just keep your palisade gates fast at night and the dogs inside
of them, and at any time I'll give you warning. If I am on their trail
the Strawberry shall come, and that's why I brought her here. If you
hear three knocks outside the palisade at any hour of the night, why it
will be her, so let her in."

"Well," said Mrs Campbell, "I'm very glad that you have told me all
this; now I know what we have to expect I shall be more courageous and
much more on my guard."

"I think we have done wisely in letting you know all we knew ourselves,"
said Captain Sinclair. "I must soon take my leave, as I must be at the
fort before sunset. Martin and John are to come with me, and bring back
the dog."

"An't the boy going with me?" said Malachi.

"Yes; to-morrow morning he may go, but after his return from the fort it
will be too late."

"Well, then, I may as well stay here," replied Malachi. "Where is he?"

"He is gone to skin a wolf, which he shot this morning," replied Alfred.
"He will soon be here."

Mrs Campbell shortly related to Malachi the adventure of the wolf. The
old hunter listened in silence, and then gave a nod of approbation.

"I reckon he'll bring home more skins than that this winter," said he.

The party then rose j