The preparations for the marriage continued.
The Canadians entertained their friends at a great banquet that night, at which Numank was present, grave and proud, seated beside Angela, who was charming, though blushing with downcast eyes, and never speaking a word.
The formal ceremony of betrothal had taken place in the morning, so that this was rather a friendly meeting than anything else.
There was, however, a magnificent exchange of presents.
Next day, just before the final ceremony, Tom Mitchell went off with a hundred of his most resolute men.
Camotte remained in command of the others.
According to invariable Indian custom, the man who takes a wife takes her seemingly by force; he snatches her up, puts her behind him, darts off, and two days later comes back, slays a mare that has never foaled, and all is over.
Numank, of course, would do the same.
At night the hut was surrounded by a party of Indians, and Angela carried off, after a feeble resistance.
Then some shots were fired, and away sped Numank with his wife surrounded by a powerful Indian escort.