"Well, Thomas Williams," said my fretful guardian, his antagonism
melting to patronage, "I will tell you who I am, and then you can feel
no anxiety. I am Doctor Chantry, physician to the Count de Chaumont. The
lad cut his head open on a rock, diving in the lake, and has remained
unconscious ever since. This is partly due to an opiate I have
administered to insure complete quiet; and he will not awake for several
hours yet. He received the best surgery as soon as he was brought here
and placed in my hands by the educated Oneida, Skenedonk."

"I was not near the lodge," said my father. "I was down the lake,
fishing."

"I have bled him once, and shall bleed him again; though the rock did
that pretty effectually. But these strapping young creatures need
frequent blood-letting."

The chief gave him no thanks, and I myself resolved to knock the little
doctor down, if he came near me with a knife.

"In the absence of Count de Chaumont, Thomas," he proceeded, "I may
direct you to go and knock on the cook's door, and ask for something to
eat before you go home."

"I stay here," responded my father.

"There is not the slightest need of anybody's watching beside the lad
to-night. I was about to retire when you were permitted to enter. He is
sleeping like an infant."