spying some berries growing on bushes near at hand, I pointed to
them; and the man who held me letting me go, I sprang forward and
ravenously devoured a number. They quenched my thirst, though they did
not much tend to appease my hunger. One of the Indians, suspecting that
this was the case, produced some dried buffalo meat from his pouch, and
offered it to me.

I thanked him by signs, and showed how I appreciated his gift by
immediately eating it up. He and his companions, on observing how
hungry I was, again laughed. One of them now pointed to the sun, which
was getting low, and made me understand that I must accompany them. As
I knew that I had no chance of escaping, I nodded,--as much as to say
that I was ready to go if they wished it,--and tried to look as cheerful
as possible.

Their leader, the man who had first spoken to me, pointed to the west
and stalked off; and two of the others seizing me by the arms, one on
each side, we followed him.

CHAPTER SIX.

MY INDIAN CAPTORS COMMENCE THEIR HOMEWARD JOURNEY--ARRIVAL AT THE CAMP--
AGUSKOGAUT THE CHIEF--HIS KINDNESS TO ME--MY ASTONISHMENT ON SEEING MIKE
A PRISONER--HIS LUDICROUS FIDDLING--HIS COMICAL ACCOUNT OF HIS CAPTURE--
RETURN OF THE WARRIORS FROM THE WAR-PATH--MIKE AND I JOIN THE
BUFFALO-HUNTERS--THE HERD--EXCITING SPORT--THE BISON--ITS IMPORTANCE TO
THE INDIANS--MY HOPE OF ESCAPE--I AM IN GREAT DANGER FROM THE HERD--MIKE
RESCUES ME--OUR RETURN TO CAMP.

My captors led me along at a rapid rate over the rough ground; nimbly
climbing the rocks, and dragging me after them without much
consideration as to whether I was hurt or not. Of course, I had made up
my mind to attempt escaping on the first opportunity. Perhaps they
suspected this, for they took good care not to afford me the chance.

On we went due west, as I knew by the position of the sun, scorning all
impediments--up hills and across valleys, through streams and marshes.
They were, I knew, in an enemy's country, and were in a hurry to get out
of it. Their leader did not fail to keep a look-out on every side--
sometimes hurrying on ahead to the top of a rock, from whence he could
take a glance over the country around to ascertain whether any one was
moving; still they did not appear to be very anxious, and they must have
been aware of the exact spot in which Kepenau and his tribe were
encamped, while they knew that they were not likely to encounter other
foes.

We must have traversed a