“They haven’t treated us overly well,” remarked Joe Blunt, as they strode through the underwood.

“Non, de rascale, vraiment, de am villains.  Oui!  How de have talk, too, ‘bout—­oh-o-oo-ooo-wah!—­roastin’ us alive, an’ puttin’ our scalp in de vigvam for de poo-poose to play wid!”

“Well, niver mind, Henri, we’ll be quits wi’ them now,” said Joe, as they came in sight of the two bands, who remained in precisely the same position in which they had been left, except that one or two of the more reckless of the trappers had lit their pipes and taken to smoking, without, however, laying down their rifles or taking their eyes off the savages.

A loud cheer greeted the arrival of the prisoners, and looks of considerable discomfort began to be evinced by the Indians.

“Glad to see you, friends,” said Cameron, as they came up.

“Ve is ’appy ov de same,” replied Henri, swaggering up in the joviality of his heart, and seizing the trader’s hand in his own enormous fist.  “Shall ve go to vork an’ slay dem all at vonce, or von at a time?”

“We’ll consider that afterwards, my lad.  Meantime go you to the rear and get a weapon of some sort.”

“Oui.  Ah! c’est charmant,” he cried, going with an immense flounder into the midst of the amused trappers, and slapping those next to him on the back.  “Give me veapon, do, mes amis—­gun, pistol, anyting—­cannon, if you have von.”

Meanwhile Cameron and Joe spoke together for a few moments.

“You had goods with you, and horses, I believe, when you were captured,” said the former.

“Ay, that we had.  Yonder stand the horses, under the pine-tree, along wi’ the rest o’ the Redskin troop; an’ a hard time they’ve had o’t, as their bones may tell without speakin’.  As for the goods,” he continued, glancing round the camp, “I don’t know where—­ah! yes, there they be in the old pack.  I see all safe.”

Cameron now addressed the Indians.

“The Peigans,” he said, “have not done well.  Their hearts have not been true to the Pale-faces.  Even now I could take your scalps where you sit, but white men do not like war, they do not like revenge.  The Peigans may go free.”

Considering the fewness of their numbers, this was bold language to use towards the Indians; but the boldest is generally the best policy on such occasions.  Moreover, Cameron felt that, being armed with rifles, while the Indians had only bows and arrows, the trappers had a great advantage over them.

The Indian who had spoken before now rose and said he was sorry there should be any cause of difference between them, and added he was sorry for a great many more things besides, but he did not say he was sorry for having told a lie.

“But, before you go, you must deliver up the horses and goods belonging to these men,” said Cameron, pointing to Joe and Henri.

This was agreed to.  The horses were led out, the two little packs containing Joe’s goods were strapped upon them, and then the trappers turned to depart.  The Indians did not move until they had mounted; then they rose and advanced in a body to the edge of the wood, to see the Pale-faces go away.  Meanwhile Joe spoke a few words to Cameron, and the men were ordered to halt, while the former dismounted and led his horse towards the band of savages.