The meeting appeared to be friendly.  After a short conference, in which signs seemed to be a material agent in the communications, the four moved on in company, walking deliberately towards the rocks.  Captain Willoughby had sent for his field-glass, and could easily perceive much that occuired in the camp, on the arrival of his son.  The major’s movements were calm and steady, and a feeling of pride passed over the father’s heart, as he noted this, amid a scene that was well adapted to disturbing the equilibrium of the firmest mind.  Joel certainly betrayed nervousness, though he kept close at his companion’s side, and together they proceeded into the very centre of the party of strangers.

The captain observed, also, that this arrival caused no visible sensation among the red-men.  Even those the major almost touched in passing did not look up to note his appearance, while no one seemed to speak, or in any manner to heed him.  The cooking and other preparations for the breakfast proceeded precisely as if no one had entered the camp.  The two who had gone forth to meet the flag alone attended its bearers, whom they led through the centre of the entire party; stopping only on the side opposite to the Hut, where there was an open space of flat rock, which it had not suited the savages to occupy.

Here the four halted, the major turning and looking back like a soldier who was examining his ground.  Nor did any one appear disposed to interrupt him in an employment that serjeant Joyce pronounced to be both bold and against the usages of war to permit.  The captain thought the stoicism of the savages amounted to exaggeration, and it renewed his distrust of the real characters of his visiters.  In a minute or two, however, some three or four of the red-men were seen consulting together apart, after which they approached the bearers of the flag, and some communications passed between the two sides.  The nature of these communications could not be known, of course, though the conference appeared to be amicable.  After two or three minutes of conversation, Robert Willoughby, Strides, the two men who had advanced to meet them, and the four chiefs who had joined the group, left the summit of the rock in company, taking a foot-path that descended in the direction of the mills.  In a short time they all disappeared in a body.

The distance was not so great but these movements could easily be seen by the naked eye, though the glass was necessary to discover some of the details.  Captain Willoughby had planted the instrument among the palisades, and he kept his gaze riveted on the retiring group as long as it was visible; then, indeed, he looked at his companions, as if to read their opinions in their countenances.  Joyce understood the expression of his face; and, saluting in the usual military manner, he presumed to speak, in the way of reply.

“It seems all right, your honour, the bandage excepted,” said the serjeant.  “The flag has been met at the outposts, and led into the camp; there the officer of the day, or some savage who does the duty, has heard his errand; and, no doubt, they have all now gone to head-quarters, to report.”