aresses gave it the bone, and then resigned
himself to unrestrained slumber.

They were all aroused in the morning by the snorting of the horses
without, and the growling and sharp yelping of the hounds within.

"What's the matter with the horses and dogs, Joe?" inquired Glenn,
rising from his couch.

"I don't know what ails the foolish things. I know that I fed the
horses; and as for Ringwood and Jowler, I'll soon kick them out. Let
go my ankle!" exclaimed he, turning to Sneak, who caught hold of him
as he rose to approach the door.

"Don't open the door yet," said Boone, who had been listening to the
sounds outside, and then continued in an under tone, addressing Glenn:
"They are certainly here; but whether or not with an evil intent I am
unable to determine."

"Oh goodness! It's the Indians!" exclaimed Joe, yielding to sudden
alarm, having momentarily forgotten the anticipated danger when he
proposed opening the door.

"Keep your mouth shet!" said Sneak, listening with his ear placed near
the floor behind the door.

"How many do you make them out to be?" inquired Boone, when Sneak had
occupied his position a few minutes.

"It's all right!" replied Sneak, eagerly; "there is only two or three
of 'em, and old Roughgrove's out there talking to 'em! How do you open
the door? Let me out!"

The door was opened with reluctance and cautiously by Joe, and Sneak
going foremost all the party sallied out into the fresh air. A snow of
several inches in depth had fallen, and within the circle enclosed by
the palisade not a single track was to be seen. But when the gate was
drawn back, several Osage Indians were observed standing a few paces
distant with their tomahawks hung in their belts and instead of
exhibiting any symptoms of hostility, they approached smiling, and
extended the hand of friendship to the whites.

"How do!" exclaimed the leader, in imperfect English, grasping the
hands held out in salutation, while his actions were imitated by the
others in silence.

"I'm very well, I thank you," said Joe, bowing and retreating
backwards when they accosted him, unwilling to venture his hand within
their reach, as Glenn and the rest did.

"Shake hands with them, you silly fellow," said Boone, "or they will
think you are an enemy."

"Here, Mr. Osage!" said Joe, his teeth chattering as he extended his
hand; and the Indian, perceiving his alarm, squeezed it so tightly for
merriment that he was on the eve of crying o