oped for their guns. Being unable
to find them, they threw a few small sticks upon the dying fire. When
their search for the muskets proved in vain, and when they also found
that their powder-horns, knives, and provisions were also gone, they
stared at one another in profound amazement. They paid no heed to
their still prostrate comrades. Their only thought was for themselves.
A wild insensate fear swept upon them as they huddled there, peering
into the forest. This was something they had never before experienced,
and it was beyond their comprehension. It could not have been the work
of Indians, so they believed, for then not one of them would have been
left alive. But the yells which had awakened them sounded like the
yells of Indians, and several had faint recollections of dusky forms
hovering over them.

"It was not Indians," one of the men declared. "It was a legion of
devils which struck us. Who ever heard of Indians doing such a job?
Why, they would have finished every man-jack of us. It's a warning to
us to get out of this place and leave that girl alone. I said so at
the first when I saw those marks upon Seth Lupin's throat. There's
something d---- uncanny about this, and I'm done with it. Let's get
away before anything else happens."

Seeing that the slashers were now thoroughly frightened, and would
trouble them no more, Sam and his companions picked up their belongings
and booty, and glided away silently among the trees. They were not
altogether satisfied with their night's work, and so little was said as
they sped onward. Their savage nature demanded complete revenge upon
their old-time enemy. The partial knock-out blows were not to their
liking. Little did the slashers realise that they owed their lives
that night to the very girl whose ruin they had sought, who through her
gentle influence upon her dusky defenders had caused them to stay their
hands and temper their punishment toward their hated enemies.

CHAPTER XXI

THROUGH THE WILDERNESS

Jean learned about her defenders' success upon their return to the
lodge. She had been anxiously awaiting their coming, and when they did
arrive and she saw the booty they carried with them, her heart sank
within her. The slashers must all have been slain, so she imagined.
When Sam, however, told her what had happened, she was greatly relieved.

"Will they trouble us any more?" she asked.

"No more now," and Sam smiled. "White man head