"I know his tribe," said Martin; "but not his name; but he is a chief and a warrior." Martin then spoke to him in the Indian tongue. The Indian merely gave an "ugh" in reply. "He does not choose to give his name," observed Martin; "and, therefore, he is here for no good. Mr. Alfred, just fetch Malachi; he will know him I dare say." Alfred went to the house for Malachi; in the meantime the Indian remained motionless, with his eyes fixed upon different articles exposed to view. "It's strange," observed Martin, "how he could have come here; but to be sure neither Malachi nor I have been out lately." Just as he had finished his remark, Alfred returned with Malachi. Malachi looked at the Indian and spoke to him. The Indian now replied in the Indian language. "I knew him, sir," said Malachi, "the moment I saw his back. He's after no good, and it's a thousand pities that he has come just now and seen all this," continued Malachi; "it's a strong temptation." "Why, who is he?" said Mr. Campbell. "The Angry Snake, sir," replied Malachi. "I had no idea that he would be in these parts before the meeting of the Indian council, which takes place in another month, and then I meant to have been on the look-out for him." "But what have we to fear from him?" "Well; that's to be proved; but this I can say, that he has his eyes upon what appears to him of more value than all the gold in the universe; and he's any thing but honest." "But we have nothing to fear from one man," observed Alfred. "His party ain't far off, sir," said Malachi. "He has some followers, although not many, and those who follow him are as bad as himself. We must be on the watch." Malachi now addressed the Indian for some time; the only reply was an "ugh." "I have told him that all the powder and ball that he sees are for our rifles, which are more than are possessed by his whole tribe. Not that it does much good, but at all events it's just as well to let him know that we shall be well prepared. The crittur's quite amazed at so much ammunition; that's a fact. It's a pity he ever saw it." "Shall we give him some?" said Mr. Campbell. "No, no, sir; he would only make use of it to try to get the rest; however, I believe that he is the only one of his party who has a rifle. The best thing is to close the doors and then he will go." They did as Malachi requested, and the Indian, after waiting a short time, turned round on his heel, and walked away. "He is a regular devil, that Angry Snake," observed Malachi, as he watched him departing; "but never mind, I'll be a match for him. I wish he'd never seen all that ammunition, nevertheless." "At all events, we had better not say a word in the house about his making his appearance," said Mr. Campbell. "It will only alarm the women, and do no good." "That's true, sir. I'll only tell the Strawberry," said Martin; "she's an Indian, and it will put her on the look-out."