"

Laurence hung down his head. "I should like to remain, sir," he said,
"but I have promised to return, and live with the Sioux, unless my
father comes for me. I am at home with them, and know all their ways,
and shall become some day, so they say, a great chief among them."

"Their ways, I fear, are bad ways," said Mr Ramsay. "And though I
cannot tell you to break your promise, you will, I am sure, some day
grieve bitterly that you made it. However, go in and see Mrs Ramsay
and Jeanie. You would not wish to go without bidding them farewell."

"I dare not face them; they might make my heart melt," answered
Laurence, doubting his own resolution; but Mr Ramsay led him to the
house.

Jeanie burst into tears when she heard of his intentions. "Oh,
Laurence, and can you, after you have heard about Jesus, have been told
of His love, and how He wishes you to be ready to go and live with Him
for ever and ever, in glory and happiness, again go back to dwell among
heathen savages, who do all sorts of things contrary to His will, merely
for the sake of enjoying what you call liberty for a few short years,
and thus risk the loss of your soul?" said Mrs Ramsay, taking him
kindly by the hand.

"The Sioux, in their dark ignorance, may wish you well, so far as this
world is concerned, though the life they would induce you to lead is
full of danger and hardships; but here you have friends, who desire not
only to benefit your mind and body, but to show you how you may obtain
blessings which no earthly power can take away, and which will endure
throughout eternity. Think of that, Laurence. Would you barter your
soul for the sake of a few years of wild excitement, and what you
suppose to be enjoyment, and die as a poor ignorant savage, forgetting
God and His mercy and loving-kindness, as shown to us in giving His Son
to die for our sins, that we may be received again as favoured children,
to live with Him in unspeakable happiness for ever and ever?"

"But if I become a warrior, and die bravely fighting, I shall go to the
happy hunting-grounds with my Indian friends," answered Laurence.

It was too evident that all which had been said to the poor lad had
fallen upon barren ground. Laurence was still a heathen.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE LIFE OF LAURENCE AMONG THE INDIANS--SHOOTING THE BUFFALO--THE
HUNTERS' CAMP AND FEAST--LAURENCE IN THE WOOD--THE SIOUX HUNTERS SHOT BY
CREES--LAURENCE LIES CONCEALED--HIS FIRST PRAYER--PASSE