“This is Nick, your honour;” said the serjeant, inquiringly—­“is he friend, or foe?”

“What says he himself?” answered the captain, lowering his hand in doubt.  “Let him speak to his own character.”

Nick now advanced and stood calmly and fearlessly at the side of the two white men.  Still there was ferocity in his look, and an indecision in his movements.  He certainly might betray the adventurers at any instant, and they felt all the insecurity of their situation.  But accident had brought Nick directly in front of the opening through which was obtained the view of the Hut.  In turning from one to the other of the two soldiers, his quick eye took in this glimpse of the buildings, and it became riveted there as by the charm of fascination.  Gradually the ferocity left his countenance, which grew human and soft.

“Squaw in wigwam”—­said the Tuscarora, throwing forward a hand with its fore-finger pointing towards the house.  “Ole squaw—­young squaw.  Good.  Wyandotte sick, she cure him.  Blood in Injin body; thick blood—­nebber forget good—­nebber forget bad.”

Chapter XXV.

  “Every stride—­every stamp,
  Every footfall is bolder;
  ’Tis a skeleton’s tramp,
  With a skull on its shoulder! 
  But ho, how he steps
  With a high-tossing head,
  That clay-covered bone,
  Going down to the dead!”

  Coxe.

Nick’s countenance was a fair index to his mind; nor were his words intended to deceive.  Never did Wyandotte forget the good, or evil, that was done him.  After looking intently, a short time, at the Hut, he turned and abruptly demanded of his companions,—­

“Why come here?  Like to see enemy between you and wigwam?”

As all Nick said was uttered in a guarded tone, as if he fully entered into the necessity of remaining concealed from those who were in such a dangerous vicinity, it served to inspire confidence, inducing the two soldiers to believe him disposed to serve them.

“Am I to trust in you as a friend?” demanded the captain, looking the Indian steadily in the eye.

“Why won’t trust?  Nick no hero—­gone away—­Nick nebber come ag’in—­ Wyandotte hero—­who no trust Wyandotte?  Yengeese always trust great chief.”

“I shall take you at your word, Wyandotte, and tell you everything, hoping to make an ally of you.  But, first explain to me, why you left the Hut, last night—­friends do not desert friends.”

“Why leave wigwam?—­Because wanted to.  Wyandotte come when he want; go when he want.  Nick go too.—­Went to see son—­come back; tell story; eh?”

“Yes, it has happened much as you say, and I am willing to think it all occurred with the best motives.  Can you tell me anything of Joel, and the others who have left me?”

“Why tell?—­Cap’in look; he see.  Some chop—­some plough—­some weed—­ some dig ditch.  All like ole time Bury hatchet—­tired of war-path—­why cap’in ask?”