him into their tribe.

It seemed like a dream to Tom. He found it very hard to realize his
position, so unexpectedly had he been placed in it. He could not help
wondering what the family at home would say when they should learn that
he had joined an Indian tribe far beyond the Mississippi.

CHAPTER XXXI.

TOM GIVES A MAGICAL SOIREE.

Tom had no intention of passing his life with the Indians. In joining
them he submitted to necessity. It gave him a respite, and a chance to
devise plans of escape. He understood very well that, if he made the
attempt and failed, his life would be the forfeit. But Tom determined to
take the risk, though his life was sweet to him; but, of course, he must
wait for a favorable opportunity.

There was a chance of his being rescued by his party, but this chance
was diminished by the decision of his Indian captors to break camp, and
proceed in a northerly direction, while the course of the emigrant train
was, of course, westward. Little time was wasted. The Indians mounted
their horses, Tom being put on the horse of the fallen brave. The leader
put himself at the head, and Tom was placed in the center, surrounded by
Indians. It was evident that they were not willing to trust him yet.
They meant to afford him no chance of escape.

As the only one of the band with whom Tom could converse was the
interpreter, who rode at the head with the chief, he rode in silence.
The Indians on either side of him never turned their heads toward him,
but, grave and impassive, rode on, looking straight before them.

"This is easier than walking," thought Tom; "but I would a hundred times
rather walk with Scott, or Miles, than ride in my present company."

They rode for three hours, and then dismounted for the midday rest.

Nothing had been seen or heard of his old friends, and that made Tom
anxious and thoughtful.

"They have gone on without me, leaving me to my fate," he said to
himself, and the reflection gave him a pang. He had been on such
pleasant and friendly terms with the whole party, that this cold
desertion--as it appeared--wounded him. The young are more sensitive in
such cases than their elders. As we grow older we cease to expect too
much of those whose interests differ from our own.

Tom felt that his fate was more and more bound up with the Indians. If
some days should pass before he could escape, he would find himself in
an embarrassing condition. Suppose he got away safely, he wo