"That is more than you are, then, for he did not mention lead," retorted Emma. "Martin Super, you know I did specify lead on the paper," said Malachi Bone. "You did, and you shall have it," said Mr. Campbell. "Say what your terms are now, and I will close with you." "Well, I'll leave that to Martin and you, stranger. I clear out to-morrow." "To-morrow; and where do you go to?" Malachi Bone pointed to the westward. "You'll not hear my rifle," said the old hunter, after a pause; "but I'm thinking you'll never stay here. You don't know what an Ingen's life is; it ain't fit for the like of you. No, there's not one of you, 'cept this boy," continued Malachi, putting his hand on John's head, "that's fit for the woods. Let him come to me. I'll make a hunter of him; won't I, Martin?" "That you will, if they'll spare him to you." "We can not spare him altogether," replied Mr. Campbell, "but he shall visit you, if you wish it." "Well, that's a promise; and I won't go so far as I thought I would. He has a good eye; I'll come for him." The old man then rose up, and walked away, John following him, without exchanging a word with any of the party. "My dear Campbell," said his wife, "what do you intend to do about John? You do not intend that the hunter should take him with him?" "No, certainly not," replied Mr. Campbell; "but I see no reason why he should not be with him occasionally." "It will be a very good thing for him to be so," said Martin. "If I may advise, let the boy come and go. The old man has taken a fancy to him, and will teach him his woodcraft. It's as well to make a friend of Malachi Bone." "Why, what good can he do us?" inquired Henry. "A friend in need is a friend indeed, sir; and a friend in the wilderness is not to be thrown away. Old Malachi is going further out, and if danger occurs, we shall know it from him, for the sake of the boy, and have his help too, if we need it." "There is much good sense in Martin Super's remarks, Mr. Campbell," observed Captain Sinclair. "You will then have Malachi Bone as an advanced guard, and the fort to fall back upon, if necessary to retreat." "And, perhaps, the most useful education which he can receive to prepare him for his future life will be from the old hunter." "The only one which he will take to kindly, at all events," observed Henry. "Let him go, sir; let him go," said Martin. "I will give no positive answer, Martin," replied Mr. Campbell. "At all events, I will permit him to visit the old man; there can be no objection to that;--but it is bedtime." CHAPTER XI.