ist in
defending you should any enemies appear."

To prevent the dog from following him, Loraine fastened a strap round
its neck, and put the end into Hector's hand. The dog, making no
resistance, lay down by his side. Loraine set off towards a knoll which
he saw at a little distance, hoping from thence to be able to ascertain
in what direction water was to be found. He walked as fast as his
strength would allow. On reaching the knoll he looked anxiously round
on every side. Before long he saw what appeared to be the gleam of
water, near a wood of willow and aspen, and tottered forward, every
instant expecting to find the water, but it seemed to be further off
than he had supposed. At last he saw the grove of willows, and he was
sure that the water would be found near it. The grove was reached, but
no water could he see. "It must be close at hand," he said aloud; "it
would be useless to attempt returning until I have found it." By a
strenuous effort he aroused himself, and pushed forward. His strength
was failing: he felt as if he were in a dream. In vain he tried to move
his feet. At length he sank fainting to the ground, beneath the shade
of a tree.

How long he had thus remained, he could not tell, when he heard a human
voice. At first he thought it was Hector calling to him for help. He
tried to rise, but before he could regain his feet he sank back to his
former position.

"This is dreadful," he thought. "I must help that poor lad. His
friends at the fort, if we do not reach it, will be surprised by savages
and cut off. Those two young girls--what a dreadful fate will be
theirs! I must try and recover myself." And once more he endeavoured
to get up. Again he heard a voice; it was much nearer; and opening his
eyes, he saw a figure standing over him. It was that of Isaac Sass.

"Right glad I am to find you!" exclaimed the old man, stooping down;
"but you seem in a sad plight. What has become of your young companion?
I trust no harm has befallen him."

"Water, water!" answered Loraine, faintly. "Take water to him; he wants
it more than I do."

"You want it bad enough, I guess," said the trapper; and, unslinging his
flask, he poured some of the refreshing liquid down Loraine's throat.
It quickly revived him.

"Take him water," he said; "he is out there." And he pointed in the
direction where he had left Hector.

The old man shouted; and, presently, who should appear but Greensnake,
mo