"Most assuredly I will; and if he adopts the most prudent course, he will remain. With your strong force without and ours within, we may have a fair chance with any force that may be brought against us, whereas heaven only knows what may not be the result if we attempt so long a march through the wilderness, alive with Indians in the interest of the British. Good by, Winnebeg; you will excuse me, I am sure, for there must be no time lost in consulting with Captain Headley. Make yourself at home, and call out to Harry for anything you may want. That claret will not hurt you after your long journey; it is pleasant to the taste, and not very strong." "Tankee, Massa Kenzie; Winnebeg go to Pottowatomie camp--not been dere yet. Gubbenor say no tell him Ingins war begun till hold council to-morrow. Winnebeg sure him know it free, four days." "Why, do you think that, Winnebeg, since there has been no intelligence of the kind since your arrival?" "See him plenty Pottowatomie here in Detroit while Winnebeg wait for despatches." "Indeed; but they may not have returned." "Don't know--maybe no, maybe yes." "Well, to-morrow the matter will be no secret, Winnebeg; and some decision will no doubt be added. In the meantime, you will be able to learn whether anything is known in the encampment of this unwelcome news, and, if so, what your people think of it." "Kenzie," said the chief, taking and warmly grasping the trader's hand, "all Pottowatomies tink like Winnebeg--no go to Fort Wayne." CHAPTER XI. When Mr. McKenzie entered the fort, it was with a clouded brow and an oppressed heart. At the gate he met his son-in-law, Lieutenant Elmsley, who, while burning with impatience to be near and console his unfortunate friend, was without the power to leave his post, and in his vexation and annoyance, kept pacing rapidly up and down in front of the guard-house. "What is the matter, Elmsley--what disturbs you so unusually?" "Can you ask, sir," said the officer, "or have you not heard the dreadful news?" "Yes, I have heard it, but did not suppose it had as yet been generally known." "The whole garrison knows it. It could not be concealed. The poor fellow rushed like a madman to announce it. He fell fainting to the ground, and was carried to his room, where, even at this moment, Mrs. Headley and Margaret are attending him." "Attending whom?" demanded Mr. McKenzie with an air of astonishment, "and to what are you alluding?" "Why, Ronayne, of course; to whom do you allude if not to him? Have you not heard that, while riding out with his wife and Von Voltenberg this afternoon, they were intercepted by a party of hostile Indians, and poor Maria taken prisoner." "God bless my soul, is it possible? This is terrible, indeed. Are we then already surrounded by hostile Indians, and is the war already brought to our door?" "War! what war?" asked the subaltern, "and what has this fearful piece of treachery to do with open war--war with whom?"