seized the food and began to eat.

My father spoke to the chief again and again, and the Indian said
something coldly in reply; but they were wasted words, and the rough
meal was partaken of in comparative silence.

"They only mean to be friendly, father, do they?" I said at last.

"It is impossible to say; they may prove treacherous," he replied. "But
don't talk, and if you grasp anything they seem to want, tell me, so
that I can satisfy them. It would be terrible if they attempted to
destroy all we have been at such pains to get together."

"Couldn't we all make a dart for indoors, sir?" said Morgan, in a
whisper. "We have got plenty of weepons there, sir, and might manage to
keep them off till help came."

"The risk is too great," said my father. "These men are as active as
leopards, and before we could get within doors we should each have an
axe in his brain."

"But, begging your pardon, sir, we can all run."

"As fast as a tomahawk can fly? No; they are peaceful now, and
friendly; let us treat them as friends, and hope that they will soon
go."

At that moment the chief made a sign with his hands to his lips, a sign
that was unmistakable, and a large pail of water was fetched out by
Morgan, and drunk from with avidity.

This done, the Indians sat and stood about watching everything within
reach, while we were in the unpleasantly helpless state of being unable
to speak, or to make them understand, and in the more unpleasant or
perilous position of being unable to grasp their intentions.

As the time went on my father appeared to grow more hopeful. He had
evidently come to the conclusion that it was useless to attempt
resistance, and he seemed to think that our friendly treatment might win
the respect of these stern, morose-looking men. Then, all at once, I
saw that his hopes were dashed. He looked at me wildly, and I saw the
firelock he held tremble in his hand.

"Try and be firm, George," he said, quietly, "and do not look as if I am
saying anything serious to you," he continued, laughing.

"I understand, father," I said, cheerfully, though my heart kept giving
great thumps against my ribs.

"Can you hear what I am saying, Morgan?" continued my father,
pleasantly, and not appearing to pay the slightest attention to the
Indians.

"Every word, sir; but it's hard work, for I want to run indoors to try
and comfort that poor woman who is trembling there."

"So we all do," said my father, and