Alfred went to the house for Malachi; in the meantime the Indian remained motionless, with his eyes fixed upon the different articles exposed to view.
“It’s strange,” observed Martin, “how he could have come here; but to be sure neither Malachi nor I have been out lately.”
Just as he had finished his remark, Alfred returned with Malachi. Malachi looked at the Indian and spoke to him.
The Indian now replied in the Indian language.
“I knew him, sir,” said Malachi, “the moment I saw his back. He’s after no good, and it’s a thousand pities that he has come just now and seen all this,” continued Malachi; “it’s a strong temptation.”
“Why, who is he?” said Mr Campbell.
“The Angry Snake, sir,” replied Malachi. “I had no idea that he would be in these parts before the meeting of the Injun council, which takes place in another month, and then I meant to have been on the look-out for him.”
“But what have we to fear from him?”
“Well, that’s to be proved; but this I can say that he has his eyes upon what appears to him of more value than all the gold in the universe; and he’s anything but honest.”