en it in Jerusalem. Oh, it's too
bad--it's too bad!"

Ree could make no answer, and in another minute Tom Fish straightened up
and said he would turn in. He told Ree to do the same, and as he lay
himself down the boy heard him saying:

"We must all die--all die--an' them that's left can only squar'
accounts."

Never before had the land of friends and civilization seemed to Ree to be
so far away as it did that night. His busy thoughts kept him awake until
nearly morning. He knew what Tom Fish meant when he said he would "squar'
accounts." In other words he would make the Delawares pay for Art
Bridges' death. There would undoubtedly he trouble which would put an end
to their plans for trading and home-making in this new country. They
could not fight the redskins one day, and be received as peaceable
traders the next.

And on the other hand, if Arthur Bridges, a peaceable trader, had been
murdered, might he and John not be in greatest danger of the same fate?
Was it not true that the Indians were treacherous and not to be trusted
though they seemed friendly? Even if Tom began the fight alone, would not
the Indians blame him and John as being friends of his, and attack them?

At last Ree went to sleep, resolving to persuade Tom Fish to await
developments. He believed they could find out through Fishing Bird just
where and how the bloody trophy which was at the root of their
difficulty, had been secured. That might throw great light on the
problem.

John was early astir next morning and began preparations for the visit to
the Indian town for the council meeting at which the bargain for their
land was to be finally confirmed. Ree was strangely silent as he also
arose and ate the breakfast which John had ready.

Tom Fish likewise had nothing to say except that he stated that he would
remain at the cabin while the boys were away, and might be doing some
work at chinking the walls.

It was in the early winter, but the day came out bright and clear.
Greatly the boys enjoyed the bright sunshine and the bracing air as they
took their way through the woods, crossing the river at last, and
following a much used trail which took them toward the Delawares'
village. This was a new route to them, but it was the course the Indians
traveled and they found it better than the unbroken way they had
previously taken in going to the lake beside which Capt. Pipe's people
lived. As they walked along Ree told the story of Arthur Bridges