ls in the distance bear a resemblance to others, which
vanishes on a nearer approach," observed the trapper.

"Let Mahnewe go to her people, she fears not of finding strangers in
their place," said she, in pleasing tones.

"A good idea, uncle, let her go and ascertain positively; but keep the
child to prevent treachery," suggested Sidney.

"Mahnewe goes not without her child, if all our lives should depend on
her going!" said the squaw, decidedly.

"But consider, Mahnewe, if they should not prove to be your people the
child would only hinder your retreat, and if they should be, you can
return and claim it in safety," said Howe.

"If my brother listens to the forked tongue of the Snake's squaw, she
will guide the warriors of her people to our retreat, where we shall
all be slaughtered," said the chief.

"I think not, chief; there is an air of sincerity about the squaw that
dispels all thought of treachery in my mind; besides, she is under
great obligations to us for saving her own and the child's life. The
Indians are not ungrateful you know, chief, and I think we do her wrong
to suspect her motives in wanting to go."

"The Snakes are friends of my brother, and will not harm him. Let the
squaw conduct the dogs to our camp; Whirlwind knows how to die,"
returned the chief.

"They shall not hurt you while we live," said Edward. "Those who are
our friends must not offer harm to you, unless they want us their
enemies."

"Do not go, Mahnewe," said Jane. "Some harm might result from it for
which we should all repent. We shall find out in the course of
to-morrow at furthest if these are the Snakes, and if they are you can
join them when we are assured no harm can result to us from it."

Mahnewe turned her dark, liquid eyes imploringly to Howe as if to gain
his voice in her favor, but they were evidently all against it, and he
did not like to take the responsibility.

"Not to-night," said he, kindly, "but perhaps to-morrow you may go."

Sad and sorrowfully she walked away, and they saw how bitter was her
disappointment.

"Never mind, child," said Howe, "it will all be well yet. Patience and
perseverance will overcome everything. Our first business must be to
secure ourselves on the defensive. From the appearance of the Indians,
I do not think they suspect our being in this vicinity, and I propose
that our horses be secured in this thicket that skirts the bank here,
where they can feed and not be detected. We must