CHAPTER VII.
THE WORK OF A LIE.
The settler’s eyes fell upon Zebulon Strong, as the startling words written at the conclusion of chapter five rung from his lips.
But the captain stood the scrutiny unflinchingly, and started forward with drawn sword.
“The traitor shall die!” he cried. “Let every one look to his neighbor, and watch him closely. As for myself, I believe that Morg Sawyer is the villain; but he is beyond our power. Men, to the lower floor with picks; we’ll dig another well immediately. By the help of God, we’ll hold out against the red and white fiends until fresh water can be struck!”
He turned away as he finished, and was ordering a number of men below to inaugurate the digging of a new well, when Huldah Armstrong bounded toward the settler and touched his arm.
“Father,” she said, in a cautious tone, “Captain Strong is the traitor! I was standing near the logs, a moment since, and heard Wolf-Cap at the gate. He told the guards that our captain had betrayed us into the hands of the savages.”
The next instant Levi jerked his arm from Huldah’s grip, and started toward Strong, who was handing buckets of water to the men on the roof.
“Men,” he cried, in thunderous tones, “treason must not thrive here. Captain Strong, you must consider yourself the prisoner of the garrison.”
Before turning to the old settler the traitor passed the bucket he was in the act of lifting to the nearest man.
He retained a wonderful self composure.