ht," exclaimed Sass; "speak to your friend, my boy."

"Yes, yes, thanks to this Indian," answered Hector, faintly.

"I knew it would be so," observed old Sass, addressing Loraine. "We'll
camp here, as neither of you are fit for travelling, and while you
attend to the lad, Greensnake and I will light a fire and put up a hut
for you, and then I'll see about getting some game."

These arrangements were soon made, and old Sass set off with his gun to
shoot any creature he might come across fit for the pot.

Hector had so far recovered as to be able to sit up, and to show that he
was likely to do justice to the fare the old trapper expected to provide
for the party.

CHAPTER SIX.

The inhabitants of Fort Duncan were spending their time much as usual,
and had almost ceased to trouble themselves about the threats of
Mysticoose, who had, they believed, returned to his lodges, having seen
the hopelessness of inducing the English chief to give him his daughter
in marriage. The hunters were out every day in search of buffalo,
sometimes several days together, while the young ladies, accompanied by
their father and brother, and two or three attendants, took their rides
as they had been accustomed to do, without fear of encountering enemies.

They were about, one afternoon, to take a ride, when a small party of
mounted Indians--who, as they had several pack horses, were evidently
coming to trade--were seen approaching the fort.

"We must wait to receive these fellows," said Captain Mackintosh, "and I
am afraid, my girls, there will be little chance for you afterwards to
get your gallop."

"Oh, papa, Norman can come with us, if you can spare him; it would be a
pity to lose this lovely day," said Effie.

Sybil said nothing, and Captain Mackintosh, perhaps against his better
judgment, consented to let the girls go, supposing that the new comers
would be too fully engaged in trading to notice them. They accordingly
mounted, and accompanied by Norman and two of the men who usually acted
as their body guard, set out a short time before the Indians arrived at
the camp.

No one in the fort observed that one of the savages turned round his
horse and galloped off in the direction from whence they had come.

As there were not more than a dozen men, and as they, according to
custom, had deposited their arms outside the fort, they were admitted
without hesitation.

Captain Mackintosh, well acquainted with the various Indian