, perhaps, I'll prove medicine; and I'll give them a
pill or two out of my rifle," said Malachi, with a grim smile.
"Howsomever, I'll soon learn more about them, and will let you know when
I do. Just keep your palisade gates fast at night and the dogs inside of
them, and at any time I'll give you warning. If I am on their trail the
Strawberry shall come, and that's why I brought her here. If you hear
three knocks outside the palisade at any hour of the night, why, it will
be her, so let her in."

"Well," said Mrs. Campbell, "I'm very glad that you have told me all
this; now I know what we have to expect, I shall be more courageous and
much more on my guard."

"I think we have done wisely in letting you know all we knew ourselves,"
said Captain Sinclair. "I must soon take my leave, as I must be at the
fort before sunset. Martin and John are to come with me, and bring back
the dog."

"Ain't the boy going with me?" said Malachi.

"Yes; to-morrow morning he may go, but after his return from the fort it
will be too late."

"Well, then, I may as well stay here," replied Malachi. "Where is he?"

"He is gone to skin a wolf, which he shot this morning," replied Alfred.
"He will soon be here."

Mrs. Campbell shortly related to Malachi the adventure of the wolf. The
old hunter listened in silence, and then gave a nod of approbation.

"I reckon he'll bring home more skins than that this winter," said he.

The party then rose just as Martin and John made their appearance.
Captain Sinclair conversed with the Misses Percival, while the old
hunter spoke to the Strawberry Plant in her own dialect; the others
either went out or were busy in clearing the table, till Captain
Sinclair took his departure with John and Martin, each armed with a
rifle.

"Well, this has been an exciting day," observed Mr. Campbell, a little
before they retired to bed. "We have much to thank God for, and great
reason to pray for His continued protection and assistance. God bless
you all, my children; good-night."

CHAPTER XIX.

The next morning, a little after daybreak, Martin and John made their
appearance, leading the magnificent dog which Captain Sinclair had given
to John. Like most large dogs, Oscar appeared to be very good-tempered,
and treated the snarling and angry looks of the other dogs with perfect
contempt.

"It is, indeed, a noble animal," said Mr. Campbell, patting its head.

"It's a fine creature," observed Malachi, "a wo