“To ould Nick with the ugly winch, for her pains!” half muttered the disappointed soldier to himself.  “I wish it may be as your honour says; but my mind misgives me sadly that evil will come of this.  Has your honour secured the pistols?”

“They are here,” returned his captain, placing a hand on either chest.  “And now, Donellan, mark me:  I know nothing that can detain me longer than an hour; at least the woman assures me, and I believe her, that I may be back then; but it is well to guard against accidents.  You must continue here for the hour, and for the hour only.  If I come not then, return to the fort without delay, for the rope must be removed, and the gate secured, before Halloway is relieved.  The keys you will find in the pocket of my uniform:  when you have done with them, let them be hung up in their proper place in the guard-room.  My father must not know either that Halloway suffered me to pass the gate, or that you accompanied me.”

“Lord love us! your honour talks as if you nivir would return, giving such a heap of orders!” exclaimed the startled man; “but if I go back alone, as I trust in heaven I shall not, how am I to account for being dressed in your honour’s rigimintals?”

“I tell you, Donellan,” impatiently returned the officer, “that I shall be back; but I only wish to guard against accidents.  The instant you get into the fort, you will take off my clothes and resume your own.  Who the devil is to see you in the uniform, unless it be Halloway?”

“If the Saganaw would not see the earth red with the blood of his race, he will go,” interrupted the female.  “Oucanasta can feel the breath of the morning fresh upon her cheek, and the council of the chiefs must be begun.”

“The Saganaw is ready, and Oucanasta shall lead the way,” hastily returned the officer.  “One word more, Donellan;” and he pressed the hand of his domestic kindly:  “should I not return, you must, without committing Halloway or yourself, cause my father to be apprised that the Indians meditate a deep and treacherous plan to get possession of the fort.  What that plan is, I know not yet myself, neither does this woman know; but she says that I shall hear it discussed unseen, even in the heart of their own encampment.  All you have to do is to acquaint my father with the existence of danger.  And now be cautious:  above all things, keep close under the shadow of the bomb-proof; for there are scouts constantly prowling about the common, and the glittering of the uniform in the starlight may betray you.”

“But why may I not follow your honour?” again urged the faithful soldier; “and where is the use of my remaining here to count the stars, and hear the ‘All’s well!’ from the fort, when I could be so much better employed in guarding your honour from harm?  What sort of protection can that Ingian woman afford, who is of the race of our bitterest enemies, them cursed Ottawas, and your honour venturing, too, like a spy into the very heart of the blood-hounds?  Ah, Captain de Haldimar, for the love of God, do not trust yourself alone with her, or I am sure I shall never see your honour again!”