ng it sparkled on the flakes of foam, as the
stream hurried rippling along the banks. Nearing the hut, we caught
sight of three figures standing in front of it.

"I told you so," observed Kepenau. "Yonder is the man whose trail I
discovered. A trapper, who has come east with his peltries. He is an
old man, too, as I thought, and carried a heavy load."

Before even our friends saw us, the canoe shot into view down the
stream; and after helping Ashatea and Reuben to land--or rather the
latter, for the Indian girl sprang lightly on shore without assistance--
we proceeded to the hut.

Uncle Mark advanced to meet us. "All friends are welcome," he said,
taking Kepenau's hand, and then greeting the young girl in his kind,
friendly way. "You will, however, have to submit to pretty close
stowage, if, as I hope you intend to do, you will remain the night with
us."

"We can quickly put up sufficient shelter for this time of the year for
ourselves, so that we need not crowd you, my friend," answered the
Indian. "And our aged brother there, I doubt not, is as well accustomed
to the open air as we are."

"Many days and nights have passed since I slept under a roof," observed
the old hunter, who, hearing himself mentioned, now came forward. "We
have met before, brother," he added, looking at the Indian; "ay, and
fought and hunted together! Don't you recollect me?"

"Ay, that I do. You saved my life when the Apaches were about to take
my scalp, and enabled me to reach my horse and escape," answered
Kepenau.

"Ah! I have a faint recollection of that; but I remember more clearly
how, when I was hunted by a party of Araphoes, you and your people came
sweeping down to my assistance, and put them to flight," replied the old
trapper.

"I recollect the event," observed Kepenau; "but I have long since buried
the war-hatchet, and now strive to live at peace with my neighbours, if
they will let me."

While the Indian and the old trapper had been speaking, I had been
looking at the latter. I had no doubt, from the description Reuben had
given of the visitor to his father's house, that this was the same
person; and I was therefore not surprised to see him and Reuben shaking
hands as old acquaintances.

Quambo, knowing that food would be required for our guests, lost no
time, with the assistance of Mike, in lighting a fire, and immediately
set about cooking whatever his larder supplied. Though we had killed
but little gam