"Big Turtle did tell me," was the quiet answer, "that the
Pottawattomies had made bad medicine and were dancing the war-dance in
their villages; but I have met Pottawattomies before, and am not
afraid. They have been my friends, and I have done them no wrong."

He looked intently at the disguised face before him, seeking to trace
the features. "You are Topenebe," he said at last.

"True," returned the chief, with proud gravity. "You serve me well
once; for that I come now, and tell you go back,--there is trouble
here."

Wells's face darkened.

"Have I ever been a coward," he asked indignantly, "that I should turn
and run for a threat? Think you, Topenebe, that I fear to sing the
death-song? I have lived in the woods, and gone forth with your
war-parties; am I less a warrior, now that I fight with the people of
my own race? Go take your warning to some squaw; we ride straight on
to Dearborn, even though we have to fight our way."

The Indian glanced, as Wells pointed, toward the Fort, and sneered.

"All old women in there," he exclaimed derisively. "Say this to-day,
and that to-morrow. They shut the gates now to keep Indian on outside.
No trade, no rum, no powder,--just lies. But they no keep back our
young men much longer." His face grew dark, and his eyes angry.

"Why you bring them?" he asked hotly, designating our escort of Miamis,