iled up in a
corner sound asleep, and Crusoe was sitting at one side of the fire
looking on at things in general.

"I wonder," remarked Mrs Varley, as she spread the table with a pure
white napkin; "I wonder what the sodgers are doin' wi' Joe Blunt."

As often happens when an individual is mentioned, the worthy referred to
opened the door at that moment and stepped into the room.

"Good-e'en t'ye, dame," said the stout hunter, doffing his cap, and
resting his rifle in a corner, while Dick rose and placed a chair for
him.

"The same to you, Master Blunt," answered the widow; "you've jist comed
in good time for a cut o' venison."

"Thanks, mistress, I s'pose we're beholden to the silver rifle for
that."

"To the hand that aimed it, rather," suggested the widow.

"Nay, then, say raither to the dog that turned it," said Dick Varley.
"But for Crusoe that buck would ha' bin couched in the woods this
night."

"Oh! if it comes to that," retorted Joe, "I'd lay it to the door o' Fan,
for if she'd niver bin born nother would Crusoe. But it's good an'
tender meat, whativer ways ye got it. Howsiver, I've other things to
talk about jist now. Them sodgers that are eatin' buffalo tongues up at
the block-house as if they'd niver ate meat before, and didn't hope to
eat agin for a twelve-month--"

"Ay, what o' them?" interrupted Mrs Varley; "I've bin wonderin' what
was their errand."

"Of coorse ye wos, Dame Varley; and I've comed here a' purpis to tell
ye. They want me to go to the Red-skins to make peace between them and
us; and they've brought a lot o' goods to make them presents withal,--
beads, an' knives, an' lookin'-glasses, an vermilion paint, an'
sich-like, jist as much as'll be a light load for one horse--for, ye
see, nothin' can be done wi' the Red-skins without gifts."

"'Tis a blessed mission," said the widow, "I wish it may succeed. D'ye
think ye'll go?"

"Go? ay, that will I."

"I only wish they'd made the offer to me," said Dick with a sigh.

"An' so they do make the offer, lad. They've gin me leave to choose the
two men I'm to take with me, and I've comed straight to ask _you_. Ay
or no, for we must up an' away by break o' day to-morrow."

Mrs Varley started. "So soon?" she said, with a look of anxiety.

"Ay; the Pawnees are at the Yellow Creek jist at this time, but I've
heer'd they're 'bout to break up camp an' away west; so we'll need to
use haste."

"May I go, mother?" asked Dick, with a