e three other
savages. They passed across the clearing--the whole seven, with their
captive like the moving figures in a panorama, and entered the wood
upon the opposite side.

"Every mother's son of them is in his war-paint," said Lewis--who, by
the way, divided his words with Tom, the other two rarely speaking
except when directly appealed to.

"Who said they wasn't?" demanded Tom. "And what difference does it
make? They've got somebody's gal there, hain't they? eh? Say. And
what's the odds whether they've daubed themselves up with their stuff
or not?"

"Well, what's the next move? To set up a yell and pitch after them?"

"None but a fool would want to do that."

"But don't you notice the bank gets so low down yonder that it won't
hide us, and we'll have to show ourselves?"

"It'll hide us as long as we want to be hid. Come, don't squat here, or
we'll let the rascals slip, after all."

Again the three moved down the bank, as rapidly, silently and
cautiously as spirits, ever and anon raising their heads as they gained
a glimpse of the Indians passing through the wood. The latter were
following a course parallel with the Miami, so that the relative
distance between the two parties remained nearly the same. It was
manifest to the hunters that the Indians intended crossing the river
with their captive at some point lower down, and were making toward
that point. It was further evident from the deliberation in their
movements, and from the fact that they were not proceeding in "Indian
file," that as yet they had no suspicion of being pursued, although
every one of their number knew of the existence of the Riflemen of the
Miami--that formidable confederation whose very name was a word of
terror even to their savage hearts. Entirely unsuspicious of the danger
which menaced them, every thing was in favor of the hunters.

For several hundred yards further, the two parties maintained their
relative distance, the Indians proceeding at a usual walk, and the
whites at a very irregular one--now running rapidly a few steps, and
then halting and gazing over the bank to ascertain the precise
whereabouts of their enemies; then skulking a few yards further, and
halting as before, remaining all the time nearly opposite the "braves."
Suddenly the latter came to a stand.

"Now for a confab," said Lewis, as his companions gathered about him.
"I wonder what they are going to jabber about?"

"What do you want to know for, eh?" ask