All this was evasive. The order was conclusive with Captain Headley. Had his road led over a battery bristling with cannon, once ordered, he would have made the attempt; but, from a motive of prudence, the cause for which he could not explain to himself, he was unwilling to communicate his final determination to the chief. "Leave me now, Winnebeg; I have much to do that must be done directly; come early to-morrow, and we will talk the matter over. Meanwhile, not a word to your young men of the beginning of the war, or the fall of Mackinaw. Do you promise me? To-morrow I will hold a council." "Yes, Winnebeg promise," he said, taking the proffered hand of Captain Headley; "not speak till to-morrow? How him fine squaw, eh?" "Mrs. Headley is quite well, Winnebeg," returned the Captain, faintly smiling, "and I am sure she will be very glad to hear that you have returned. Come and breakfast with us at eight o'clock, and she will tell you so herself; so, for the present, good bye." Winnebeg departed, but, far from satisfied with the answer he had received, he repeated the question to the commanding officer--"Go to Fort Wayne?" "Maybe--perhaps--I will tell you to-morrow in council," returned Captain Headley. "What do you think, Winnebeg?" The chief looked at him steadily for some moments, shook his head in disapproval of the scheme, and then slowly and silently withdrew. "What can this mean?" mused Captain Headley, when left alone. "Whence his opposition to the will of the General? Surely he cannot meditate treachery. He does not wish to see us taken by the British here. But--nonsense! I will at once summon my officers, make known the state of affairs, and for form's sake, consult with them as to our mode of proceeding--my own determination of retreat is not the less formed. Corporal Collins!" he called to the orderly, who was pacing up and down in front of the door opening on the parade ground, "summon the several officers to attend me here within the hour." "Please your honor, sir," said the man, hesitatingly, as he raised his hand to his cap. "Well, sir, please what?" "There is only Mr. Elmsley in the fort. He is the officer of the guard." "And where is Mr. Ronayne?" "Mr. and Mrs. Ronayne and the Doctor rode out soon after dinner, sir, in the direction of Hardscrabble." "The direction of the devil," muttered the commanding officer. "This is the result of my loosening the reins of discipline; besides, there is some risk. Hostile Indians may be in the neighborhood; and what should I do without officers, pressed as we are now? Let me know, orderly, when they return. The next time they leave the fort, it will be for ever." "Sir!" said the Corporal, hearing the words, but not comprehending their meaning. "When next they leave the fort, they will never enter it again," rejoined Captain Headley, abstractedly. "Meanwhile, as soon as Mr. Ronayne and the Doctor return, let them know that I wish to see them, with Mr. Elmsley, immediately."