not where. Moreover, Long
Hair had charged him to go for the soldiers to rescue his father and
mother, and, without further hesitation, he turned his steps towards
the fort. Tom was in good health, a quick walker, and, like his
father, accustomed to thread the woods and traverse the prairies.

Tom was agitated with strong and conflicting emotions as he pursued
his lonely way. His boy-nature had been terribly roused by the
exciting scenes through which he had just passed. He had experienced
the strange feeling which men feel, when, in battle, they are stirred
by danger and the sight of blood to deeds of blood. It was under this
feeling that he was led to precipitate the Indian from the bluff, and
to view his remains with so much composure. But now a faintness came
stealing over him. His young heart recoiled at the thought of what he
had done. This relenting, however, was repelled by the recollection
of Long Hair's heroism, and his father and mother's beleaguered
condition, if, indeed, the tomahawk ere this had not drank their life.
How many days had passed since Long Hair had seen them he knew not;
but it was easy to see from his friend's anxiety that his parents were
in an extremity of danger, and whether he could succeed in procuring
assistance for them in season seemed doubtful. It would take him, to
go afoot, two days to reach the fort; and he could not hope to get to
his father's settlement with the soldiers in less than a day more,
even if they were mounted. It was now about two o'clock, and he had
eaten nothing since early in the morning; but he thought not of food
as he hurried on. With the accuracy of the practised pioneer he struck
a bee-line for the fort. This took him some miles away from any
village; but towards night he reached a cabin standing alone.
Entering, he found the family just taking their evening meal. With
true western hospitality, the man of the house urged him to sit down
and partake with them, while his wife poured out a generous bowl of
strong, black coffee, which, as was the custom, was used without sugar
or milk; and she heaped his plate with fried pork, and hot, mealy
potatoes, while by the side of his plate she laid a generous slice of
brown bread.

Tom partook with a relish that did honor to the fare.

"Where are you from, and where are you bound, my lad?" asked the man,
who had refrained from questions until he saw that his guest was well
under way eating.

Tom's mouth and heart w