“Captain Headley,” said the young man, drawing himself up to his full height, and somewhat elevating his voice, for he had remarked there were other and dearer eyes upon him, than those immediately around. “I WILL NOT be spoken to in this manner, before the men. If you think I have been guilty of a breach of duty or of discipline, I am prepared to meet your charges before the proper tribunal, but you shall not take the liberty of thus addressing me in public parade. My sword, sir,” and he unbuckled it, and offered the handle, “is at, your disposal, but I deny your further right.”
“No, no, no!” shouted several men from the ranks
“No, no, no!” repeated almost every man of the fishing-party, in even more energetic tones, while the commanding officer was glancing his eye keenly and rapidly along the little line, to detect those who had set the example of insubordination.
“Ugh! wah! good soger!” came from one of a small party of Indians in the rear, as the disconcerted captain turned, frowningly, from the men in front to those who had followed him from the orderly room, and now stood grouped on the inner flank.
“What is the meaning of all this?” he cried, in a loud and angry voice.
“Am I braved in my own command, and by my own men? Mr. Elmsley, who are these Indians, and how came they in?”
“They are a part of the encampment without, sir. There was no order given against their admission this morning, besides it is Winnebeg, and you have said that the gates of the Fort was to be open to him at all hours.”
“Ah! Winnebeg, my friend, how do you do. I did not know it was you or your people. You know you are always welcome.”
“How do, gubbernor,” answered the chief, coming round from the rear of the line, and taking the proffered hand--“'Spose not very angry now--him good warrior--him good soger,” and he pointed to the young subaltern.
“Ensign Ronayne is, no doubt, very sensible to your good opinion,” remarked the captain, with evident pique; “but, Winnebeg, as I am sure you never allow a white man to interfere with you, when you find fault with your young chiefs, you must let me do the same.”
“What find him fault for?” asked the chief, with some surprise; “brave like a devil!”
“Captain Headley,” interposed the ensign, with some impatience, “am I to surrender my sword, or resume my duty?”
