to the Indian's greater weight and
power of endurance.

"You can throw him if you only say to yourself that you must and that you
will, and then do it," Ree whispered, as John was pushed near him, and
his advice was taken.

With a show of strength which surprised them all, John forced his
opponent backward, and tried again to trip the fellow, but could not.
Then he allowed the savage to try to trip him, and seizing the
opportunity, gave the redskin so sudden and violent a pull that he was
taken off his feet and fell heavily, dragging John down with him. Both
the Indian's shoulders touched the ground, however, and with savage glee
the redskins acknowledged John to be the victor. To do them justice, they
seemed not at all put out that their man was defeated. Only one who was
present scowled. He was Big Buffalo, and with an ugly look he strode away
from the campfire's light.

Ree could not help but notice the savage fellow's hostile manner. "We
better watch out for him," he said to John as they discussed the incident
sometime later, when they had sought rest for the night on the skins in
Capt. Pipe's house.

"It makes me feel--well, not exactly comfortable, Ree," John answered.
"Here we are a hundred miles from civilization sleeping in the hut of one
of the bloodiest Indians of the Northwest Territory; Indians all around
us, and Goodness knows what else in the woods, on every side!"

"Why, John," said Ree, "I believe we are safer to-night than at any time
since we left Fort Pitt. Capt. Pipe may be a bad Indian, but he would
fight for us, if need be, while we are his guests. He might scalp us
to-morrow after we have said good-bye, but when we are in his house as
friends, we will be protected."

CHAPTER XI.

Again a Hidden Enemy.

The boys were early astir the following morning. As soon as they were up
Capt. Pipe's wife placed a dish of boiled corn, like hominy, before them,
and this was their breakfast. A little later, telling Capt. Pipe of the
great amount of work they had to do, the lads bade him good-bye, the
chief giving them each a pouch of parched corn, and sending an Indian to
take them in a canoe across the lake.

It was two hours past noon when Tom Fish suddenly started up from the
broiled turkey with which he was regaling himself, as he heard some one
approach, and discovered Ree and John returning. He greeted them gladly,
but not in his usual hilarious fashion, and they could not but notice how