"Patience!" he said. "Someone is coming. I see a lanthorn shining. You will only have a few moments longer to wait, though for your own sake I recommend you not to stir, or I shall put a bullet into you." "Hang it!" a sarcastic voice replied outside, "you have a curious idea of hospitality in there. No matter, I will wait; so you can raise your barrel, for I have no idea of carrying your works by myself." The Captain reached the intrenchments at this moment. "What is it, Bob?" he asked the sentry. "I really don't know, Captain," he answered. "There is a man on the edge of the ditch who insists on coming in." "Who are you? What do you want?" the Captain shouted. "And pray who may you be?" the stranger replied. "I am Captain James Watt, and I warn you that unknown vagabonds are not allowed to enter here at such an hour. Return at sunrise, and then I may possibly allow you to come in." "Take care what you are about," the stranger said. "Your obstinacy in causing me to shiver on the brink of this ditch may cost you dearly." "Take care yourself," the Captain answered, impatiently. "I am not in the mood to listen to threats." "I do not threaten: I warn you. You have already committed a grave fault to-day. Do not commit a grave one to-night, by obstinately refusing to let me come in." This answer struck the Captain, and made him reflect. "Supposing," he said presently, "I allow you to enter, who guarantees that you will not betray me? The night is dark, and you may have a large band with you, which I am unable to see." "I have only one companion with me, for whom I answer with my head." "Hum!" the Captain remarked, more undecided than ever, "and who will answer for you?" "Myself." "Who are you, as you speak our language with such correctness that you might almost be taken for one of our countrymen?" "Well, I am nearly one; for I am a Canadian, and my name is Tranquil." "Tranquil!" the Captain exclaimed. "Are you, then, the celebrated wood-ranger, surnamed the Panther-killer?" "I do not know whether I am celebrated, Captain. All I am certain of is, that I am the man you refer to." "If you are really Tranquil, I will allow you to enter; but who is the man that accompanies you, and for whom you answer?" "Black-deer, the first Sachem of the Snake Pawnees." "Oh! Oh!" the Captain muttered, "What does he want here?" "Let us in, and you will know," "Well, be it so," the Captain shouted; "but I warn you that, at the slightest appearance of treachery, you and your comrade will be mercilessly killed." "And you will be justified in doing it, if I break my word." The Captain, after recommending his hunters to hold themselves in readiness for any event, ordered the drawbridge to be lowered. Tranquil and Black-deer entered.