OUR WAY WE VISIT PIOMINGO--HE TELLS US OF BARTLE'S CAPTIVITY, AND
OFFERS TO ASSIST US IN HIS RECOVERY--GIDEON, PIOMINGO, AND I SET OUT,
FOLLOWED BY A STRONG PARTY UNDER SERGEANT CUSTIS--WE DISCOVER THE TRAIL,
AND FOLLOW IT UP--HORRIBLE CRUELTIES PRACTISED BY INDIANS ON THEIR
PRISONERS--THE TRAIL LEADS ALONG THE MOUNTAIN--WE SEE A FIGURE ABOVE
US--IT IS BARTLE--IS HE ALIVE?--JUST IN TIME--GIDEON AND I STAY BY HIM--
I AFTERWARDS SET OFF TO OBTAIN HELP--PIOMINGO HAS SENT A LETTER--WE
ARRIVE SAFE AT ROARING WATER--HARD AT WORK REBUILDING THE HOUSE--A FORT
ESTABLISHED--BARNEY AND KLITZ JOIN US--A VISIT FROM MANLEY--A PROPOSAL,
AND CONFESSION--UNCLE JEFF APPROVES OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF MANLEY AND
CLARICE--WINNEMAK AND PIOMINGO BECOME CHRISTIANS, AND INSTRUCT THEIR
PEOPLE--THE HOUSE REBUILT--SETTLERS GATHER ROUND US, AND UNCLE JEFF'S
FARM BECOMES THE MOST FLOURISHING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

As we approached Piomingo's camp, or rather village, we saw him hurrying
out to meet us.

"I have gained information for you," he said, "about one of your white
friends who has long been held in captivity by the Arrapahas. The party
who have him remained for some time in the neighbourhood of Roaring
Water, if they are not there still. If you hasten on, you may overtake
them; but it would be dangerous to approach with a large band, in case
they should immediately kill their prisoner--they have already killed
several who had fallen into their power--rather than run the risk of
allowing him to escape. My advice is, that a small number of
experienced men should pursue them, followed by a larger party at a
short distance; and I willingly offer to serve as a scout to accompany
the first party. If we can find the Arrapahas in camp, we may be able
to liberate the prisoner; or if we can form an ambush and pounce
suddenly out on them, we may manage to cut the thongs with which he is
bound, mount him on one of our horses, and carry him off."

As we were convinced that the white man of whom Piomingo spoke was
Bartle Won, Uncle Jeff and Gideon accepted the brave's offer without
hesitation. It was finally settled that Piomingo, Gideon, and I should
push on until we came upon the trail of the Arrapahas, and that a party
of twenty men, under Sergeant Custis, should follow us. We were then
cautiously to approach the camp of the enemy, and endeavour by some
means or other to liberate Bartle. We had confidence in the success of
our plan, for Piomingo ha