"Yes," replied Martin, "you'll find them behind the large oak tree." "I'll fetch them; not that I think there's much danger of a rescue." "We have not far to take him," said Captain Sinclair, "for, as I wished you and Alfred not to be so long away as to induce questions to be asked, I have a file of men and a corporal about half a mile off, concealed in the bush. But Malachi, it is as well to let the Indian know that he is only detained as a hostage, and will be restored as soon as the boy is sent back." Malachi addressed the Indian in his own tongue, and told him what Captain Sinclair requested. "Tell him that there are several Indian women about the fort, who will take any message he may send to the Angry Snake." The Young Otter made no reply to any thing said by Malachi, but looked around him very impatiently. "Be off as fast as you can," said Malachi, "for depend upon it the Angry Snake was to meet him after his talk with me; I see it by his wandering eye, and his looking round for assistance. I will go with you, and return with Alfred and Martin, for I have no rifle." "You can take mine, Malachi, as soon as we come up to the soldiers." This was done in a few minutes. Captain Sinclair then took charge of the Indian, and set off with his party for the fort. Malachi, Alfred, and Martin returned to the house, and before they entered the prairie, Martin detected the tall form of an Indian at a short distance, in the shade of the trees. "Yes, I was sure of it," said Malachi. "It was well that I did not go back without you. After all, in the woods, a man's no man without his rifle." CHAPTER XXXV. Martin was right when he stated that he perceived the form of the Angry Snake under the shade of the trees. The chief was then watching what occurred, and had been witness to the capture of his emissary, and, following those who had the Young Otter in charge, saw him conveyed to the fort. In the meantime, Malachi, Martin, and Alfred went home, without any suspicion being raised among the other branches of the family of what had occurred. This gave them great satisfaction. "Well, Malachi," said Alfred the next morning, as they were all busily employed getting the seed into the new cleared land; "what do you imagine will be the steps now taken by the Angry Snake?" "It's hard to say, sir," replied Malachi; "for he well deserves the name of a snake, if, as the Scripture says, it's the subtlest thing on earth: he will try all he can, you may be sure; and if it were not that he is afraid of us, he would attack us immediately; but that I have no idea that he will venture upon." "No, for your letter says, that he has only two rifles in his band, which are not enough to give him any chance of success." "Very true, sir. I hear that the _bateaux_ are coming from the fort for the plank and flour." "Yes, to-morrow, if there is not so much wind as there is to-day; it blows very fresh. Where is John?"