g his broom, told how he had discovered the tracks
of the Indians, and returned at once, as has been related.

"Then," said March, looking anxiously at his host, "you'll not be able
to help my poor comrades and the people at the Mountain Fort."

"It an't poss'ble to be in two places at once nohow ye can fix it,"
returned Dick, "else I'd ha' been there as well as here in the course of
a few hours more."

"But should we not start off at once--now?" cried March eagerly,
throwing his legs off the ledge and coming to a sitting position.

"You an't able," replied Dick quietly, "and I won't move till I have put
things to rights here, an' had a feed an' a night's rest. If it would
do any good, I'd start this minute. But the fight's over by this time--
leastwise, it'll be over long afore we could git there! and if it's not
to be a fight at all, why nobody's none the worse, d'ye see?"

"But maybe they may hold the place for a long time," argued March, "an'
the sudden appearance of you and me might turn the scale in their
favour."

"So it might--so it might. I've thought o' that, and we'll start
to-morrow if yer able. But it would be o' no use to-night. My good
horse can't run for ever right on end without meat and rest."

"Then we'll start to-morrow," cried March eagerly.

"Ay, if ye can mount and ride."

"That I have no fear of; but--but--" at that moment March's eye
encountered Mary's--"but what about Mary?"

"Oh, she'll stop here till we come back. No fear o' redskins troublin'
her agin for some time," replied Dick, throwing down the broom and
patting the girl's head. "Come, lass, let's have some supper. Show
March what a capital cook ye are. I'll kindle a rousin' fire an' spread
some pine-branches round it to sit on, for the floor won't be quite dry
for some time. What red reptiles, to be sure! and they was actually
devourin' my poor old bay horse. What cannibals!"

In the course of an hour the cavern had resumed its former appearance of
comfort. The ruddy glare of the fire fell warmly on the rocky walls and
on the curling smoke, which found egress through the hole near the roof
that let in light during the day. Branches were spread on the floor, so
as to form a thick pile near the fire, and on the top of this sat the
Wild Man of the West with the most amiable of smiles on his large,
handsome countenance, and most benignant of expressions beaming in his
clear blue eyes, as he gazed first at Mary, who