The little party moved rapidly. John Douglas’s whispered words and anxious demeanor had warned his companions, of the gravity of the situation; and they realized that no time was to be lost, if they would escape. At last they came in sight of the place and, to their great relief, beheld the American officer and his escorts just ready to embark. An English officer and two subalterns were among the group upon the shore. Ross frantically waved his hand and hallooed at the top of his voice. The American soldiers gave him a ringing cheer in reply, thus signifying they would await his arrival. At that moment, a score or more of savages, quickly emerging from the shelter of the trees, confronted Ross and his companions. Bright Wing uttered a sharp grunt and cocked his rifle. Farley did the same, muttering as he did so: “Jest as I ’xpected! Ther’s that dang fat brave leadin’ ’em.” Ross placed himself in front of La Violette, and looked to the priming of his weapon. John Douglas carried his own gun, which had been restored to him on leaving the blockhouse at Fort Meigs. Now he boldly stepped forward—his hollow eyes blazing—and shouted authoritatively, in the Shawnee tongue: “Out of the way, you hellhounds! Do you not know me?” From force of habit, the Indians retreated a few steps. But the thick-set warrior, who acted as leader of the band, scowled fiercely as he replied in blunt backwoods English: “You needn’t fire any Injin lingo at me, Mr. Scar Face—as the redskins call you. I don’t understand it. But I know you—I’ve seen you ’round the camp. An’ I know what y’r little game is now—an’ I’m goin’ to block it.” “George Hilliard!” Ross exclaimed. “The low-lived critter!” Farley hissed, nervously fingering the trigger of his rifle. The fat warrior overheard Ross’s exclamation, and returned savagely: “Yes, I’m George Hilliard; an’ I’ve come to have a final settlement with you, Ross Douglas——” “Out of the way, you infernal renegade!” John Douglas cried menacingly. “Not till I’m through with my business, Mr. Scar Face,” Hilliard answered coolly. “An’ you’d better not be callin’ hard names, ’r you’ll git a dose o’ the same medicine we mean to give that young dandy at y’r side. I’m commandin’ this squad o’ redskins; an’ they don’t like _you_ much better’n they do _him_. You jest keep quiet till I git through with my business.” Then turning his attention from father to son: “Ross Douglas, you an’ me’s goin’ to have a final settlement right here. You toted off my wife last night—me an’ my gang trailed you ’cross the river. An’ now you’ve come to carry off the Prophet’s gal. You ain’t content with one woman—you want two. But then I happen to want this young miss myself—an’ I’m goin’ to have her. Fair ’xchange is no robbery. You can have my wife; I’ll take your plump little sweetheart. Hand her over peaceably, an’ you an’ y’r crowd can go on to the fort; refuse, an’ my warriors ’ll kill an’ scalp the last one o’ you. Do you understand?”