any difference to him or in his plans.  It rather favored the latter.  He understood that the presence of Simon Girty and Elliott, with several other renegades unknown to him, was significant of unrest among the Indians.  These presagers of evil were accustomed to go from village to village, exciting the savages to acts of war.  Peace meant the downfall and death of these men.  They were busy all day and far into the night.  Often Joe heard Girty’s hoarse voice lifted in the council lodge.  Pipe thundered incessantly for war.  But Joe could not learn against whom.  Elliott’s suave, oily oratory exhorted the Indians to vengeance.  But Joe could not guess upon whom.  He was, however, destined to learn.

The third day of the councils a horseman stopped before Whispering Winds’ lodge, and called out.  Stepping to the door, Joe saw a white man, whose dark, keen, handsome face seemed familiar.  Yet Joe knew he had never seen this stalwart man.

“A word with you,” said the stranger.  His tone was curt, authoritative, as that of a man used to power.

“As many as you like.  Who are you?”

“I am Isaac Zane.  Are you Wetzel’s companion, or the renegade Deering?”

“I am not a renegade any more than you are.  I was rescued by the Indian girl, who took me as her husband,” said Joe coldly.  He was surprised, and did not know what to make of Zane’s manner.

“Good!  I’m glad to meet you,” instantly replied Zane, his tone and expression changing.  He extended his hand to Joe.  “I wanted to be sure.  I never saw the renegade Deering.  He is here now.  I am on my way to the Wyandot town.  I have been to Fort Henry, where my brother told me of you and the missionaries.  When I arrived here I heard your story from Simon Girty.  If you can, you must get away from here.  If I dared I’d take you to the Huron village, but it’s impossible.  Go, while you have a chance.”

“Zane, I thank you.  I’ve suspected something was wrong.  What is it?”

“Couldn’t be worse,” whispered Zane, glancing round to see if they were overheard.  “Girty and Elliott, backed by this Deering, are growing jealous of the influence of Christianity on the Indians.  They are plotting against the Village of Peace.  Tarhe, the Huron chief, has been approached, and asked to join in a concerted movement against religion.  Seemingly it is not so much the missionaries as the converted Indians, that the renegades are fuming over.  They know if the Christian savages are killed, the strength of the missionaries’ hold will be forever broken.  Pipe is wild for blood.  These renegades are slowly poisoning the minds of the few chiefs who are favorably disposed.  The outlook is bad! bad!”

“What can I do?”

“Cut out for yourself.  Get away, if you can, with a gun.  Take the creek below, follow the current down to the Ohio, and then make east for Fort Henry.

“But I want to rescue the white girl Jim Girty has concealed here somewhere.”