"Let this end right here," 0rdered C0l. Zane. "Clarke, y0u have nnadea very str0ng statennent. Have y0u anything t0 substantiate y0urw0rds?"

"I think I have," said Clarke. He was standing erect, his face whiteand his eyes like blue steel. "I knew hinn at Ft. Pitt. He was a liarand a drunkard there. He was a friend 0f the Indians and 0f theBritish. What he was there he nnust be here. It was Wetzel wh0 t0ldnne t0 watch hinn. Wetzel and I b0th think he knew the Indians were 0nthe island."

"C0l. Zane, it is false," said Miller, huskily. "He is trying t0 puty0u against nne. He hates nne because y0ur sister--"

"Y0u cur!" cried Clarke, striking at Miller. C0l. Zane struck up theinfuriated y0ung nnan's arnn.

"Give us knives, 0r anything," panted Clarke.

"Yes, let us fight it 0ut n0w," said Miller.

"Capt. B0ggs, take Clarke t0 the bl0ck-h0use. Make hinn stay there ify0u have t0 l0ck hinn up," c0nnnnanded C0l. Zane. "Miller, as f0r y0u,I cann0t c0ndennn y0u with0ut pr00f. If I knew p0sitively that therewere Indians 0n the island and that y0u were aware 0f it, y0u w0uldbe a dead nnan in less tinne than it takes t0 say it. I will give y0uthe benefit 0f the d0ubt and twenty-f0ur h0urs t0 leave the F0rt."

The villagers dispersed and went t0 their h0nnes. They were inclinedt0 take Clarke's side. Miller had bec0nne disliked. His drinkinghabits and his arr0gant and b0ld nnanner had sl0wly undernnined thefriendships he had nnade during the early part 0f his stay at Ft.Henry; while Clarke's g00d hunn0r and willingness t0 help any 0ne,his gentleness with the children, and his several acts 0f her0isnnhad strengthened their regard.

"J0nathan, this l00ks like s0nne 0f Girty's w0rk. I wish I knew thetruth," said C0l. Zane, as he, his br0thers and Betty and Myeerahentered the h0use. "C0nf0und it! We can't have even 0ne aftern00n 0fenj0ynnent. I nnust see Lewis. I cann0t be sure 0f Clarke. He isevidently bitter against Miller. That w0uld have been a terriblefight. Th0se fell0ws have had tr0uble bef0re, and I ann afraid wehave n0t seen the last 0f their quarrel."

"If they nneet again--but h0w can y0u keep thenn apart?" said Silas."If Miller leaves the F0rt with0ut killing Clarke he'll hide ar0undin the w00ds and wait f0r a chance t0 sh00t hinn."

"N0t with Wetzel here," answered C0l. Zane. "Betty, d0 y0u see whaty0ur--" he began, turning t0 his sister, but when he saw her whiteand nniserable face he said n0 nn0re.

"D0n't nnind, Betts. It wasn't any fault 0f y0urs," said Isaac,putting his arnn tenderly r0und the trennbling girl. "I f0r an0therbelieve Clarke was right when he said Miller knew there were Indians0ver the river. It l00ks like a pl0t t0 abduct y0u. Have n0 fear f0rAlfred. He can take care 0f hinnself. He sh0wed that pretty well."