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Page 56
The lieutenant had been no less astonished than the
captain, at the unexpected appearance of Ronayne--even
more so, indeed--because he had observed, without, however,
remarking on it, the cool and unhastened pace at which
he moved along the square, from the direction of the
mess-room. "Now it is coming," he thought, and half-
murmured to himself, as he saw the crimson gathering on
his brow, during the last harsh address of his superior.
"Captain Headley," said the young man, drawing himself
up to his full height, and somewhat elevating his voice,
for be had remarked there were other and dearer eyes upon
him, than those immediately around. "I WILL NOT be spoken
to in this manner, before the men. If you think I have
been guilty of a breach of duty or of discipline, I am
prepared to meet your charges before the proper tribunal,
but you shall not take the liberty of thus addressing me
in public parade. My sword, sir," and he unbuckled it,
and offered the handle, "is at, your disposal, but I deny
your further right."
"No, no, no!" shouted several men from the ranks
"No. no, no!" repeated almost every man of the fishing-
party, in even more energetic tones, while the commanding
officer was glancing his eye keenly and rapidly along
the little line, to detect those who had set the example
of insubordination.
"Ugh! wah! good soger!" came from one of a small party
of Indians in the rear, as the disconcerted captain
turned, frowningly, from the men in front to those who
had followed him from the orderly room, and now stood
grouped on the inner flank.
"What is the meaning of all this?" he cried, in a loud
and angry voice.
"Am I braved in my own command, and by my own men? Mr.
Elmsley, who are these Indians, and how came they in?"
"They are a part of the encampment without, sir. There
was no order given against their admission this morning,
besides it is Winnebeg, and you have said that the gates
of the Fort was to be open to him at all hours."
"Ah! Winnebeg, my friend, how do you do. I did not know
it was you or your people. You know you are always
welcome."
"How do, gubbernor," answered the chief, coming round
from the rear of the line, and taking the proffered
hand--"'Spose not very angry now--him good warrior--him
good soger," and he pointed to the young subaltern.
"Ensign Ronayne is, no doubt, very sensible to your good
opinion," remarked the captain, with evident pique; "but,
Winnebeg, as I am sure you never allow a white man to
interfere with you, when you find fault with your young
chiefs, you must let me do the same."
"What find him fault for?" asked the chief, with some
surprise; "brave like a devil!"
"Captain Headley," interposed the ensign, with some
impatience, "am I to surrender my sword, or resume my
duty?"
But the captain either could not, or would not give a
direct answer. "Can you give me a good reason, Mr.
Ronayne, why I should not receive your sword? Do you deny
that you have been guilty of neglect of duty?"
"In what?" was the brief demand.
"In being absent from the Fort, without leave, sir."
"Indeed! To substantiate that, you must bring proofs,
Captain Headley. Who," and he looked around him, as if
challenging his accuser, "pretends to have seen me beyond
these defences?"
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