iquas could say a word, and he
answered all the more promptly, because he knew that the renegades,
Girty, Wyatt and Blackstaffe had drawn near and were listening.

"I am no recruit," he said. "I don't want to die, but I'd sooner do it
than make war upon my own people as you and your friends are doing,
Colonel de Peyster, and be responsible for the murder of women and
children, as you and your friends are. I was at Wyoming and I saw the
terrible deeds done there. I am no renegade and I never can be one."

The face of the well-fed Colonel flushed an apoplectic purple, and
Braxton Wyatt thrust his hand to the butt of the pistol in his belt, but
Girty, inured to everything, laughed and said:

"Don't take it so hard, young man."

"Then tell us who you are!" exclaimed Colonel de Peyster angrily.

Now it was Timmendiquas who replied.

"He is my prisoner," he said. "He is the most valiant of all the
Kentuckians. We took him after a great struggle in which he overthrew
many of our young men. I have brought him as a present to you at
Detroit."

Did the words of Timmendiquas contain some subtle irony? De Peyster
looked at him sharply, but the coppery face of the great chief expressed
nothing. Then the diplomacy which he was compelled to practice
incessantly with his red allies came to his aid.

"I accept the present," he replied, "because he is obviously a fine
specimen of the _genus_ rebel, and we may be able to put him to use. May
I ask your name, young sir?"

"Ware--Henry Ware."

"Very well, Master Ware, since you are here with us, you can join in the
little banquet that we have prepared, and see what a happy family the
King's officers and the great chiefs make."

Now it was de Peyster who was ironical. The words of Henry about
renegades and Wyoming and the slaying of women and children had stung
him, but he would not show the sting to a boy; instead, he would let him
see how small and weak the Kentuckians were, and how the King's men and
the tribes would be able to encompass their complete destruction.

"Timmendiquas has given you to me as my prisoner," he said, "but for an
hour or two you shall be my guest."

Henry bowed. He was not at all averse. His was an inquiring mind, and if
de Peyster had anything of importance to show, he wished to see it.

"Lead the way, Catesby," said the commandant to a young officer,
evidently an aide.

Catesby proceeded to a large house near the north end of the court.
Colonel