Chapter XI - Page 2

into the settlements, while his scalp is safe on his head."

"Don't hurt him" put in the Chippewa, pointedly. "Know mean well-- talk about Great Spirit--Injin don't scalp sich medicine-men--if don't mind what he say, no good to take his scalp."

"I'm glad to hear this, Pigeonswing, for I had begun to think no man's scalp was safe under your fingers. But what can the so'ger be doing down this-away? A body would think there was business enough for all the so'gers up at the garrison, at the head of the lake. By the way, Pigeonswing, what has become of your letter to the captain at Fort Dearborn, to let him know of the war?"

"Chaw him up, like so much 'baccy," answered the Chippewa--"yes, chaw him up, lest Pottawattamie get hold on him, and ask one of King George's men to read him. No good to hab letter in sich times."

"The general who employed you to carry that letter, will scarce thank you for your care."

"Yes, he do--t'ank all same--pay all same--letter no use now."

"How can you know that? The letter might be the means of preventing the garrison from falling into the enemy's hands."

"Got dere, already. Garrison all kill, scalp, or prisoner. Pottawattamie talk tell me dat"

"Is this possible! Mackinaw and Chicago both gone, already! John Bull must have been at work among the savages a long time, to get them into this state of readiness!"

"Sartain--work long as can 'member. alway somebody talkin' for great Montreal Fadder among red men."

"It must be as you say, Chippewa--but, here are our visitors--let us see what we can make of them"

By this time, the canoe was so near as to render it easy to distinguish countenances and dress, without the aid of the glass--so near, indeed, that a swift-moving boat, like the canoe, might be expected soon to reach the shore. The truth of the observation of the bee-hunter was confirmed, as the strangers approached. The individual in the bows of the canoe was clearly a soldier, in a fatigue-dress, and the musket between his legs was one of those pieces that government furnishes to the troops of the line. The man in the middle of the boat could no more be mistaken than he in its bows. Each might be said to be in uniform--the well-worn, nay, almost threadbare black coat of the "minister," as much denoting him to be a man of peace, as the fatigue-jacket into "batteries"; to all of which innovations, bad as they may be, and useless and uncalled for, and wanton as they are, we are much more willing to submit, than to the new-fangled and lubberly abomination of saying "on a steamboat," or "on a ship."

While le Bourdon was so much astounded at hearing the terrible name of Onoah, which was familiar enough to him, neither of his white