s until the other Indian returned. Ree met him and
inquired calmly. "What luck, Black Eagle?"

"Gone. Paleface robber gone."

"Who was it? Where has he gone?"

"Gone," the savage repeated.

"Turn in and get some sleep, John; Black Eagle and I will watch a while,"
said Ree.

"Gone," growled the Indian with gruff dignity; and wrapped himself in a
blanket and was soon asleep.

John likewise lay down, but Ree, resolving to exercise every care,
remained awake through the whole night. Twice John awoke and wanted to
take a turn at guard duty but each time he was told to go back and "Cover
up his head." Reluctantly he did so. He felt that he would do anything in
his power for Ree Kingdom, but he was far from guessing what Fate had in
store for him to do in his friend's behalf before they should see
Connecticut again.

With the first light of morning Ree went reconnoitering hoping to find
the trail of the young Indian's mysterious assailant. Scarcely had he
started when Black Eagle joined him, and in the road three hundred paces
from the camp they came upon the trail together. A single man had
approached the camp on foot--a white man it was certain, for he wore
boots--and from behind a thick thorn bush had fired the shot. Then the
trail led back along the road, but soon disappeared in the woods.

"If North Wind die, scalp will hang here," said Black Eagle, pointing to
his belt. "Black Eagle follows trail long--even many moons, but he will
get the paleface scalp."

What to do Ree did not quite know. He disliked to lose time in helping
the Indian to find the man who had shot his son, yet disliked to leave
the wounded North Wind without doing something for him.

"White brothers go far; go now," said Black Eagle as they returned to the
camp. "Go long way off and never mind. North Wind stays with Black
Eagle," the Indian added.

Ree made no objection to this arrangement. Reaching camp they found that
John had some venison steaks ready. The young Indian arose and greeted
Ree by silently shaking his hand. It was plain to be seen that he was
suffering greatly, but he said nothing and when the breakfast was ready
he tried to eat.

Thankful that the night of watching was past, Ree and John prepared to
pursue their journey. They watered Jerry at the little brook hard by and
hitched him to the cart. When they were ready, Ree took a knife from
their stock of goods and gave it to Black Eagle, who with North Wind
stood looking