He noted the direction of her gaze, and there, not fifty feet away, was
a big hen turkey, walking slowly over the leaves, with head aloft and
glancing here and there for the lost one.

The target was a good one, and taking careful aim, Ben toppled it
fluttering to the ground at the first fire.

"Dat all want?" queried Linna.

"Yes; that will do for tonight, Linna."

"Den go back--play wid Alice."

And off she ran to rejoin her companion, while the delighted lad picked
up his prize and brought it to camp.

Turning that and his knife over to his mother, he made a fire ready
to pass the night, full of thankfulness that all had gone so well. Ben
agreed to stand watch until near midnight, and then allow his mother to
help him at the necessary duty.

While the simple preparations were going on, Linna knelt on the bare
ground with her ear pressed to the earth. Almost instantly she raised
her head and whispered:

"Somebody comin' dis way--guess be Injins!"

CHAPTER NINE: IN A CIRCLE

This was alarming news. Ben Ripley imitated the action of Linna.
Kneeling down, he pressed his ear to the earth.

Yes; he heard faint footfalls. Persons were moving about not far away.

"She is right," he said in a low tone; "likely they are Indians, though
we cannot be certain."

"It won't do to wait till they come to us," remarked his mother.

"Shall I put out the fire?" asked Ben, disconcerted by the suddenness of
the danger.

"No; we can't spare the time. Let us leave. Come, children."

She took the hand of each girl and walked quickly off, while Ben caught
up the blankets and followed. They had no particular point in view, but
wished to reach a safe place without delay.

The gloom of the gathering night helped them, and when they paused they
were confident they had not been seen by anyone.

Without any thought on their part, they made their way to a mass of
rocks and boulders, more extensive than any seen through the day. It was
a hundred yards from their starting point.

They sat down for a whispered consultation.

"They must have heard the report of my rifle," said Ben.

"That was a considerable while ago, and they may have been a good way
off at the time."

"Then, being so much nearer, it was the report which brought them.
What would become of us but for Linna?" added Ben placing his arm
affectionately around her. "It was she that got us our supper, and now
she warns us of danger."

"They may be Zitner