current,
breaking now and then into crumbling little waves under the gentle wind,
and the Indian canoes, with their silent occupants reflected vividly
upon its surface, like pictures in a burnished mirror. Again he strained
with eye and mind. He examined every canoe. He forced his brain to
construct ingenious theories that might mean something, but all came to
naught.

"Strange people," said Holderness, who thought that Henry was watching
the Indians with a curiosity like his own, merely that of one who sees
an alien race.

"Yes, they're strange," replied Henry. "We must always consider the
difference. In some things like the knowledge of nature and the
wilderness, they are an old, old race far advanced. In most others they
are but little children. Once I was a captive among them for a long
time."

"Tell me about it," said Holderness eagerly.

Henry was willing for a double reason. He had no objection to telling
about his captivity, and he wished to keep Holderness there on the
palisade, where he could watch the river. While his eyes watched his
tongue told a good tale. He had the power of description, because he
felt intensely what he was saying. He told of the great forests and
rivers of the West, of the vast plains beyond, of the huge buffalo herds
that were a day in passing, and of the terrible storms that sometimes
came thundering out of the endless depths of the plains. Holderness
listened without interruption, and at the end he drew a long breath.

"Ah! that was to have lived!" he said. "One could never forget such a
life, such adventures, but it would take a frame of steel to stand it!"

"I suppose one must be born to it," said Henry. "I've known no life but
that of the wilderness, but my friend Paul, who has read books, often
tells me of the world of cities beyond."

"Wouldn't you like to go there?" asked Holderness.

"To see it, yes, perhaps," replied Henry thoughtfully, "but not to stay
long. I've nothing against people. I've some of the best friends that a
man ever had, and we have great men in Kentucky, too, Boone, Kenton,
Harrod, Logan, and the others, but think what a glorious thing it is to
roam hundreds of miles just as you please, to enter regions that you've
never seen before, to find new rivers, and new lakes, and to feel that
with your rifle you can always defend yourself--that suits me. I suppose
the time will come when such a life can't be lived, but it can be lived
now and I'm happy th