George and Samuel then placed him before the guide. Charbonneau pressed his head against his chest, and started.
Going slowly, they were an hour on the journey.
The wigwam, as the hunter called it, was a charming habitation built of wood, upon the summit of an eminence, round which ran a silver stream, lined with well-constructed palisades.
"Your house is delicious," said Samuel Dickson, examining the residence. "You should be very comfortable."
"My good friend, I want for nothing except happiness."
"Are you going to have the blues again?" said Samuel.
"You know I hardly dare hope," replied George.
"You are very foolish. When you are rich, young, and loved, Master George, you ought to hope for the best."
"I do not joke, I only try to inspire you with courage. But, look, here are your guests coming to meet you, while your servants seem to me to be rather muddled and mixed," observed Samuel.
"It is the first time they have ever seen strangers."
"Then," said Samuel, laughing, "they will have a change today."
Three persons were advancing in the direction of the advancing troop. They were Bright-eye, Numank-Charake, the Huron chief, and Oliver.
They bowed ceremoniously to Clinton, who renewed the invitation given by Charbonneau; and then alighting, the wounded man was carried by Bright-eye and Oliver to the best bedroom, placed on the master's own couch, and at once attended to by one of the domestics, who knew something of medicine.
"What a disagreeable face!" murmured Oliver.
"He does not look pleasant," said Bright-eye.
"'Tis the face of a traitor," said the Indian chief, sententiously; "he should have been allowed to die."
"Hum!" cried Keen-hand; "There are others of my opinion."
"Let my brother watch carefully," remarked the Indian.
"In my opinion," said Bright-eye, "this man is one of the outlaws of the desert. I have seen him somewhere before. I must not only think over the matter, but put the master of the house on his guard."
Meanwhile the four men rejoined Clinton and Samuel Dickson in the drawing room, where copious refreshments awaited them.
As soon as the farmer had taken some slight refreshment and assured himself as to the comfortable position in which he was placed, he took his leave. The day was far advanced, and he had to meet his brother on a matter of business.