death, or might fall into the power of some
other tribe of Indians. He must ride on.

An hour later he thought he saw in the distance a solitary horseman. It
might be an Indian; but that was not likely, for they generally traveled
in numbers. It was more likely to be a white man. Any white man would be
a friend, and could guide him to safety, unless he were himself lost. At
any rate, there seemed but one course to follow, and that to ride toward
the stranger.

When Tom drew near his heart was filled with sudden joy, for, in the new
arrival, he recognized John Miles. Miles was no less delighted.

"Tom, old boy," he said, "is it you? How did you get away? I was afraid
we should never see you again."

"I feared so myself," said Tom; "but I have been saved in a wonderful
manner. Has the train moved on?"

"Do you think we would go on without you? Not a man was willing to stir
till you were found. Even Peabody, though afraid of falling into the
hands of the Indians, and losing his scalp, was in favor of our waiting.
The boys are very anxious about you."

Tom heard this with satisfaction. The esteem of our friends and
associates is dear to us all; and it is always sad to think that we may
be forgotten in absence.

"But you have not told me of your escape, Tom," said Miles. "Where are
the Indians who captured you?"

"All dead!" answered Tom solemnly.

"Good heavens! You don't mean to say----"

"That I killed them? Oh, no! Look over there! Can you see anything?"

Miles looked earnestly.

"I think I see upon the ground some men and horses."

"It is the Indians. They were pursuing me when they were trampled to
death by a herd of buffaloes."

"Wonderful!" ejaculated Miles. "I have heard of such things, but hardly
believed in them."

"It was a terrible sight," said Tom soberly. "I wish I could have been
saved in some other way."

"It was you or they," said Miles sententiously. "It is well as it is."

* * * * *

They were warmly welcomed at the camp. Tom was looked upon as one raised
from the dead; and the particulars of his wonderful escape were called
for again and again.

"You are sure they didn't scalp you, Tom?" asked Mr. Peabody.

"Feel and see, Mr. Peabody," said Tom, smiling. "I believe my hair is
pretty firm."

"I wouldn't have been in your shoes for all the gold in California,"
said Peabody fervently.

"I believe you, Mr. Peabody. Indeed, I think I may say that I