“Elmsley, I was touched at this—­almost to tears—­for it was a source of proud yet tender pleasure to me—­much more so than I can express—­to know that Maria was so great a favorite with these rude-hearted fellows.  Assured that every thing was right, I told the corporal to embark his men immediately, and pull for the Fort, while I, with Waunangee and his Indians proceeded by land with the body of Mr. Heywood.

“‘Don’t you think, sir,’ said the corporal, hesitatingly, as he prepared to execute my orders—­’don’t you think it would be well for the ladies’ sake that they should not be reminded of the name of this place, more than can be helped?’

“‘Undoubtedly, Nixon, but what do you mean?’

“’Why, sir, I mean that as poor Mr. Heywood never can be here again, it would be better nothing should be left to remind them of the bloody doings of yesterday.’

“‘And what other name would you give it?’ I asked.

“‘If it was left to me, Mr. Ronayne,’ replied the corporal; ’I would call it Hardscrabble, on account of the hard struggle the fellows must have had with Mr. Heywood, judging from his wounds and his broken rifle, before they mastered him.’

“‘Then, Hardscrabble be it,’ I said, ’not that I can really see it will make much difference in calling the thing to mind, yet it would scarcely be fair to deny to you, who have so bravely defended the place, the privilege of giving it a new name, if the old one is to be abandoned.’

“‘Thank you, sir,’ returned Nixon, ’but if you hadn’t come to our assistance, I don’t know what the upshot might have been, I suspect that fellow whose comrade you killed, sent them off sooner than they intended.’

“’No more of that, Nixon—­and now do you remember what you are to say when you get back to the Fort?’

“’I do, sir, and every man shall be told to say as I do—­but about the new name, Mr. Ronayne,’ he pursued, returning, after he had gone a few paces, ’do you think, sir, Mrs. Heywood will consent to it?’

“‘My good fellow,’ I answered, ’recollect that Mrs. Heywood must know nothing about it—­at least for the present.  I will settle all that later.  In the mean time, as you have called it Hardscrabble, so let it remain.’

“And Hardscrabble that scene of blood is called to this hour.

“I had at first apprehended,” pursued Ronayne, “that the Indians would evince disinclination to carry the body so long a distance, or even at all, but on Waunangee explaining my desire, they all to my surprise, expressed even eagerness to meet my wishes, for, as he assured me, the young men looked upon me as a great warrior who had achieved a deed of heroism that might procure the distinction of a chief, and entitling me to their services in all things.

“I certainly thought my honors cheaply enough purchased; however I was but too glad to appropriate to myself the respect and good-will which the killing of the Winnebago had entailed—­and matters were soon arranged.