“Wonderful!” Harrison exclaimed as he got upon his feet. “Your story sounds like a mythical tale of the long ago. And yet if I desired proof of its truthfulness—which I do not—you have it with you. Keep the ring, my boy, in remembrance of the perils and adventures through which you have passed. I trust that in your possession—whatever its magic power—it may not work the evil to our country, it has done in the hands of the Prophet. Tenskwatawa—a wizard, a sorcerer, a cowardly cur. Hiram Bradford—an English agent among the Indians, a spy among the Americans, your foe—your friend. La Violette—an untutored savage, a refined and intelligent white woman. What characters for a romance—a drama! And yet they are actual inhabitants of these Western wilds.” Then suddenly riveting his keen gaze upon Douglas’s handsome face: “What is your purpose now—what are you going to do?” “I came to offer my services to you, General,” was the answer. The commander meditatively rubbed his chin for some seconds. At last he said: “There will be but little active campaigning until spring opens. Then the war will begin in earnest—and I shall need you. However, there will be expeditions sent out against the troublesome savages, all through the winter. By the way, I’m going to send Colonel Campbell against the villages upon the Mississinewa, this month. Would you care to go as guide and scout?” “I should be greatly pleased to go,” Ross answered simply. But his heart was beating wildly. The thought was in his mind, that he might again meet La Violette—and, perhaps, persuade her to return with him to Franklinton. He heard the commander saying: “The place is yours, then. The companies of the expedition will assemble at Greenville. You can join them there. Here’s your commission. Shall I bid you good-by?” “Yes,” Ross answered decidedly. They shook hands and parted. Douglas accompanied Colonel Campbell’s detachment. He took part in the several skirmishes of the winter campaign, and saw much hard service. In the various petty engagements, quite a number of Indians were killed and captured. From the red prisoners, Ross learned that Tenskwatawa, La Violette, and Bradford had left the Miami villages, shortly after his departure, and had gone to join Tecumseh at Malden. Colonel Campbell destroyed the towns upon the Mississinewa, and in the latter part of December returned to Greenville. From this place, Ross Douglas went to Cincinnati. He could not bear the thought of returning to Franklinton. He was disheartened, moody, and restless. So far as he knew, Amy Larkin was lost to him forever. Had she been false to her vows? He did not know; and the maze of uncertainty maddened him.