as Tom
had told it to him, and earnestly they discussed their situation.

In three hours the boys came to the Indian town, and Capt. Pipe called a
council to settle the bargain for the land. There was speech making as
before, but less of it, and then came a feast. But this too, was less
formal than before. The Indians seemed about to go on a hunting
expedition and had less time for other matters.

The Delawares promised to do much trading with the young Palefaces, and
the boys would have considered their prospects very bright had it not
been for the likelihood of trouble arising through Tom Fish's desire for
revenge.

The little information Ree secured from Fishing Bird was not at all
re-assuring, either. That agreeable, but none the less wily, savage would
give him no satisfaction when he questioned him concerning the bloody
trophy Big Buffalo had had, declaring, indeed, that no white man had been
killed by the Delawares for a very long time.

The boys started on their homeward way in time to arrive before dark, and
reached the clearing just after sundown. With a hop, step and jump John
ran forward and up the ascent, to the door.

"Why, where is Tom?" he called as he entered. "The fire is out and there
is no sign of him anywhere. He said he would stay here all day."

CHAPTER XIV.

Treed by Wolves.

The disappearance of Tom Fish caused both boys considerable uneasiness.
They at first thought that he might return during the evening, though the
fact that the fire had gone out, indicated that he had left the cabin
early in the day. As they crept into their rough but comfortable bunks,
however, and no sign of his coming had been heard, the lads realized the
strong probability that the woodsman had set out by himself to avenge the
death of Arthur Bridges, and that he had intended going when he told Ree
the strange story of that young man, the night before.

What the consequences of Tom's undertaking might be, afforded grave cause
for alarm. By reason of his having been looked upon as a member of their
party, the Indians would consider the boys equally guilty in any offense
which he might give.

"We will have to make the best of it, though and if it comes to fighting,
we will fight like Trojans," said Ree, with some cheerfulness as he saw
that John was quite depressed. "But our best plan will be to say nothing
to Capt. Pipe's people about Tom. It may be that he left us on purpose to
avoid getting us into t