been curious to know how Reuben and Mike had escaped
from the Indians. Reuben told me that he had given himself up for lost
when he heard the chiefs discussing, as he supposed, what they should do
with us. Each in succession made a long speech, becoming more vehement
as they proceeded. He fully expected to be flayed alive, or roasted
over a slow fire, or shot to death with arrows aimed so as to avoid
vital parts. He had not recognised Manilick, and was therefore not
aware that we had a friend in the council. The warriors at last ceased
speaking, when he saw one approaching with uplifted tomahawk, which he
fully expected would be buried in his brain. What was his surprise to
find, instead, the thongs which bound him severed, and to feel himself
at liberty! He stood for a moment or two irresolute, not knowing what
to do.

"Run! my friend, run!" said the Indian; "make for the river, and you
will escape."

He was not slow to obey the command, but before doing so he looked
wistfully at Mike, whose bonds were also cut, as his had been, and by
the same friendly Indian. Mike immediately started off with him, but
they had not got far when they met Sandy, who had been on the watch for
them; and all three slipping noiselessly into the stream, swam across
it. On landing, Sandy led them on foot at a rapid pace to a rocky hill
some five or six miles away from the river. Having proceeded along it,
the nature of the ground being such that even an Indian could not
discover their trail, Sandy led them to a cave very similar to the one
we had occupied. Here, he assured them, they would run little risk of
being discovered. Sandy supplied them with game, and finally succeeded
in getting possession of three horses, which he managed to carry off
from the Indians. He did not call it "stealing" them, observing that
they had all doubtless been taken from white men. On these they had
finally made their escape and joined us, though, as we had seen, hotly
pursued.

I asked Reuben if he liked the sort of life we were leading.

"I shall be very thankful to find myself safe in some settlement where
the war-whoops of the Indians are not likely to be heard," he answered.
"I used to like to hear about such adventures as we are going through,
but I confess that I consider them very unpleasant realities."

I was very much inclined to agree with Reuben. One thing, however, was
certain--for the present we must make up our minds to go thro