"_Accident_!" iterated Joe; "who says it was an accident?"

"Wasn't it an accident?" asked the simple girl.

"No, indeed!" replied Joe. "But," he continued, "have they blown up
the other Indians yet?"

"Not yet--but I heard them say they would do it very soon. They can be
heard digging under the snow now, very plainly," said Mary.

"Indeed!" said Joe, with no little terror depicted in his face. "I
wish you'd go and ask Mr. Boone if he thinks you'll be entirely safe,
if you please, Miss Mary," said Joe beseechingly.

"I will," responded Mary, rising to depart.

"And if they ask how I am," continued Joe, "please say I am a great
deal better, but too weak yet to go out."

Mary did his bidding; and when she returned, what was her astonishment
to find her patient running briskly across the room from the cupboard,
with a whole roasted prairie-hen in one hand, or at least the body of
it, while he tore away the breast with his teeth, and some half dozen
crackers in the other! In vain did he attempt to conceal them under
the covering of his bed, into which he jumped as quickly as possible.
Guilt was manifest in his averted look, his trembling hand, and his
greasy mouth! Mary gazed in silent wonder. Joe cowered under her
glance a few moments, until the irresistible flavour of the fowl
overcame him, and then his jaws were again set in motion.

"I fear that eating will injure you," remarked Mary, at length.

"Never fear," replied Joe. "When a sick person has a good appetite,
it's a sure sign he's getting better."

"If you think so you can eat as much as you please," said Mary; "and
you needn't hide any thing from me."

Joe felt a degree of shame in being so palpably detected, but his
appetite soon got the better of his scruples, and he gratified the
demands of his stomach without reserve.

"But what did Mr. Boone say?" asked he, peeping out.

"He says he thinks there is no danger. But the Indians are now within
a few feet of the palisade, and the explosion is about to take place."

CHAPTER IX.

Sneak skills a sow that "was not all a swine"--The breathless
suspense--The match in readiness--Joe's cool demeanour--The match
ignited--Explosion of the mine--Defeat of the savages--The
captive--His liberation--The repose--The kitten--Morning.

"Don't you think I know who you are, and what you're after?" said
Sneak, as he observed a large black sow, or what seemed to be one,
rambling about on the snow within a