forward in a
south-westerly direction. Though we were glad to be on horseback, yet
our spirits sank when we found that we were getting further and further
from home, and saw our chances of escape diminishing.

"No matter," cried Mike; "the longer we stay with these Indians, the
more we shall know of their ways, and be the better able to desave them.
We must appear to be perfectly continted and happy, and try to spake
their language--though it gives me a pain in me jaws whenever I utter
one of their long words."

"You are right, Mike; I will try to practise your philosophy," I
answered.

We marched on all day, stopping only for a short time to take our scanty
meals. We could proceed but slowly, on account of the women and loaded
animals; but the warriors scoured over the plain on both sides of our
line of march, either looking out for an enemy or in search of game.
Mike and I, however, were kept with the main body. At night we encamped
either near a wood or by the side of a stream, where there were always
trees to afford us fuel for our fires. Thus we went on for several
days.

The Indians were, we guessed, making for a region frequented by buffalo,
which had not this year come so far east as usual. At last we reached
the spot at which they considered it desirable to remain; there being a
full stream from which water could be obtained, and plenty of wood to
afford fuel for our fires. In every other direction, as far as we could
see, the country was nearly level, with little or no timber of any size
growing on it. The women immediately set about their usual avocations.
But as our meals were very scanty, it was evident that there was a
scarcity of meat in the camp.

Early next morning a band of twenty men mounted their best horses to set
out, as we concluded, in search of buffalo. Without asking leave, Mike
and I got on our steeds and joined them. They did not object to this;
probably supposing that we should not attempt to make our escape so far
from home. We each of us obtained a bow and a quiver full of arrows,
besides a long spear. None of the tribe possessed firearms.

We rode on for some distance, the main body keeping together, while
scouts were sent forward to look out for buffalo. At last we reached a
broad stream, and were proceeding along the bank, when my companions
became greatly interested; and looking out to the left, I saw the whole
plain covered with a dense mass of dark objects, which