, where our squaws, children, and old men are encamped, when I
caught sight of you as you came down the mountain, and I knew at once
that you were flying from the Arrapahas."

This information explained Winnemak's unexpected appearance. Aided by
him, I continued the descent of the mountain, although I believe without
his support I could have gone no farther. He then told me all that had
occurred.

Having visited Roaring Water and warned Uncle Jeff of the attack he knew
would be made on the farm, he returned to where he had left his
warriors, resolved to make a diversion in our favour, as he had
promised. He had attacked the Arrapahas with much determination, but,
overwhelmed by numbers, he had been driven back, with the loss of many
of his followers. Having in vain attempted to reach the farm, he had
stationed a band of his best warriors to afford us support should we
have deserted the house, or attempted afterwards to cut our way out of
it.

I was much disappointed to find that he could give me no information
about Uncle Jeff, or about any of our friends; he was not even aware
that Clarice had gone to join his daughter at the camp. He expressed
his satisfaction at hearing that she had escaped the fate which had, he
supposed, befallen all the inmates of the farm.

He now conducted me to his temporary camp, where we found a few of his
warriors reclining on the ground. Several of them were wounded, and all
looked weary and disheartened. They had, however, succeeded in killing
a deer, and food was abundant. I was thankful to get a substantial
meal, after which I lay down with the rest by the side of the stream, to
obtain the sleep I so much needed.

A few skins had been stretched over some poles to afford shelter to the
wounded, who required it more than the rest of us.

I had been asleep for several hours, when, suddenly awaking, I happened
to turn my eyes across the stream, and saw, partly concealed by the
brushwood, the figure of an Indian stooping down and apparently watching
us. My first impulse was to jump up and present my rifle at him. I
had, indeed, made some slight movement, when I felt a hand placed upon
my arm. It was that of Winnemak.

"Hush!" he whispered. "I see the spy, and can kill him if I wish; but
it is important to take him alive, to learn what he is about."

I observed, as he spoke, that he was freeing himself of such parts of
his dress as might impede his progress, and that he wa