CHAPTER XXV.

A LUCKY MEETING.

"Captain, where am I?"

"In the woods with me, Peck."

"What has happened?"

"Don't you remember? The Indians surprised us, and you were shot in the
side."

The brow of the wounded soldier contracted for a moment, and then he
drew a long and painful breath.

"Ah, yes, I remember now. Are we alone?"

"Yes."

"And what of the others, captain?"

"I am afraid they have either been shot down or taken prisoners. Poor
Carwell and Leeds I know are dead."

"It was a nasty surprise, wasn't it? I was sure they hadn't seen me."

"Those Indians are sly, Peck. They never let on until they are fully
ready. We can be thankful that we escaped."

"How long have we been here?"

"The best part of the day. I carried you along the brook and to here,
and I haven't dared to go any further. Those Indians can't be far off."

"It was good of you to do that for me, captain," said the private
gratefully.

"I know you would have done as much for me, Peck. What I am worried
about is what we are to do next."

"Perhaps you had better wait till dark, and then sneak to the fort."

"How do you feel?"

"Weak, captain, weak as a rag."

"I shan't leave you, Peck."

"But you ought to try to save yourself."

"We can both try to do that, when you are stronger."

Slowly the day wore along until night was once more on the pair. Peck
had tried to stand up, but the effort had proved a dismal failure.

"It's no use," he murmured. "I reckon I'm a fit subject for the
hospital," and he gave a sickly grin.

The night was one Captain Moore never forgot. He was hungry, but there
was nothing at hand with which to satisfy the cravings of the inner man.
Peck's mind began to ramble again, and once he struggled violently,
thinking he was fighting with an Indian, who was trying to tear out his
side.

With the coming of dawn the young officer felt that matters were growing
desperate and that he must do something. He determined to go on a short
exploring tour, leaving the soldier where he lay.

"I'll be back inside of half an hour," he said. "Make yourself as
comfortable as possible while I am gone."

"Don't desert me!" groaned Peck. "Promise to come back,
captain--promise!" he pleaded, and the young officer promised.

On the opposite side of the brook was a series of rocks leading to the
top of rather a high hill, and Captain Moore had an idea that from this
eminence he could obtain a faint view of the