an'
over again but that. He was one o' the lot as was blowed into the
water, so, when he come up he swamed ashore, an' come straight away here
to visit me, bringin' three o' the blowed-up passengers with him. The
three are somethin' like himself; good for nothin'; an' I'd rather have
their room than their company at most times. Hows'ever, just at this
time I'm very glad they've come, for I'll leave them in charge o' the
Fort, and set off to look for the child'n in two days from this. I'll
take Walter and Larry wi' me, for brother Jeff is able enough to manage
the trade if redskins come; he can fight too, if need be. The Gore
family could always do that, so ye needn't be afraid, Molly."

"I'll not be afraid, Robin, but I'll be anxious about ye."

"That's nat'ral, lass, but it can't be helped. Well, then," continued
Robin, "the five of us will start for the Black Hills. I've bin told by
a redskin who comed here last week that he an' his tribe had had a
scrimmage with Hawk an' the reptiles that follow him. He says that
there was a white boy an' a white girl with Hawk's party, an' from his
account of 'em I'm sartin sure it's my Roy and Nelly. God help 'em!
`but,' says he, `they made their escape durin' the attack, an' we
followed our enemies so far that we didn't think it worth while to
return to look for 'em, so I'm convinced they made for the Black Hills,
nigh which Hawk was attacked, an' if we follow 'em up there we may find
'em alive yet, mayhap.'"

Poor Robin's voice became deeper and less animated as he spoke, and the
last word was uttered with hesitation and in a whisper.

"O Robin, Robin!" exclaimed Mrs Gore, throwing her arms suddenly round
her husband's neck, and hiding her sobbing face in his breast, "d'ye
think they can _still_ be alive?"

"Come, Molly," said Robin, commanding his feelings with a great effort,
"han't ye often read to me that wi' God all things is possible?"

The poor woman thanked God in her heart, for up to that day Robin had
never once quoted Scripture in his efforts to comfort her.

"Was Wapaw with Hawk when they were attacked?" inquired the Black Swan.

"Wapaw is dead," said a deep voice, as the huge form of a western hunter
darkened the little doorway, and the next moment Slugs strode into the
store, and quietly seated himself on the counter.

"Dead!" exclaimed Robin, as he shook the hunter's proffered hand.

"Ay, dead! Have ye no word of welcome for a chum after a month