as suddenly been restored.

"Perhaps it is Indians!"

He plunged into the creek, waded across and started through the woods
toward the light. It was much further away than he had at first
supposed, and he was several minutes in reaching the camp fire.

Ten dusky sons of the forest were seated about the camp fire, while two
men in the garb of civilization were roving about. Charles felt some
misgivings at first on discovering men of his own color in the camp. He
crawled from tree to tree, from log to bush, until he was near enough to
see the features of the men. When he first got within sight they stood
with their backs toward him and he could not see their faces; but at
last one turned about so that the glare of the fire-light fell full on
his face, and, with a cry of joy, Charles Stevens bounded to his feet,
crying:

"Mr. Waters! Mr. Waters!" and dashed toward the camp.

A pair of strong arms encircled his waist, and the young man heard a
voice say:

"White man go too soon!"

He had been seized by a sentry; but Mr. Waters and Oracus hastened to
him, and he was released. The other white man was the brother of Mr.
Waters, and Charles, bewildered, overjoyed, yet faint and weak, was half
led and half carried to the camp. He found himself making hurried
explanations, while a savage was broiling venison steaks before the fire
for him.

"We know all," said Mr. George Waters.

"What! do you know they have been cried out upon?" asked Charles.

"We do."

"Do you know they are in prison?"

"We have heard it all," said Mr. Waters, calmly.

"How could you have heard it?" asked Charles.

"We have faithful friends, who inform us of everything."

"Were you going to take action for their rescue?" asked Charles.

"We were concerting plans when you came; but you must have food."

Charles Stevens gazed on the calm face of the man before him, and could
but wonder at his coolness.

"Mr. Waters, do you know that your own daughter is one of the accused?"

"I know all."

"How can you be so calm, knowing all as you do?"

"I am calm for my daughter's sake. The only hope of liberating her, of
saving her life, is by cool, deliberate and well matured plans."

"Are your plans formed?"

"Yes."

"When will you act?"

"On to-morrow night. Oracus will have all his warriors ready by that
time, and we will require crow-bars, hammers and axes, to break in the
door of the jail. Meanwhile, if you expect to aid us, you will ha