as he can't well marry
while in your service without your leave, he has asked me to speak about
it."

"Well, but the Strawberry is your property, not mine, Malachi."

"Yes, sir, according to Injun fashion, I am her father; but I've no
objection, and shan't demand any presents for her."

"Presents for her! why we in general give presents or money with a
wife," said Emma.

"Yes, I know you do, but English wives an't Injun wives; an English wife
requires people to work for her and costs money to keep, but an Injun
wife works for herself and her husband, so she is of value and is
generally bought of the father; I reckon in the end that it's cheaper to
pay for an Injun wife than to receive money with an English one; but
that's as may be."

"That's not a very polite speech of yours, Malachi," said Mrs Campbell.

"Perhaps it an't, ma'am, but it is near the mark, nevertheless. Now I
am willing that Martin should have the Strawberry, because I know that
he is a smart hunter, and will keep her well; and somehow or another, I
feel that if he made her his wife, I should be more comfortable; I shall
live with them here close by, and Martin will serve you, and when he has
a wife he will not feel inclined to change service and go into the
woods."

"I think it is an excellent proposal, Malachi, and am much pleased with
it, as we now shall have you all together," said Mrs Campbell.

"Yes, ma'am, so you will, and then I'll be always with the boy to look
after him, and you'll always know where we are, and not be frightened."

"Very true, Malachi," said Mr Campbell; "I consider it a very good
arrangement. We must build you a better lodge than the one that you are
in."

"No, sir, not a better one, for if you have all you want, you can't want
more; it's big enough, but perhaps not quite near enough. I'm thinking
that when the sheep-fold is finished, it might be as well to raise our
lodge inside of the palisades, and then we shall be a sort of guard to
the creatures."

"A very excellent idea, Malachi. Well, then, as far as I am concerned,
Martin has my full consent to marry as soon as he pleases."

"And mine, if it is at all necessary," observed Mrs Campbell.

"But who is to marry them?" said Emma; "they have no chaplain at the
fort; he went away ill last year."

"Why, miss, they don't want no chaplain; she is an Injun girl, and he
will marry her Injun fashion."

"But what fashion is that, Malachi?" said Mary.

"Why,