rief, whilst my sister betrayed the sorrow she
felt by her tearful and troubled countenance. Rachel wrung her hands and
burst into tears, which her own previous perilous position had not been
able to draw from her.

"De farm burned!" she exclaimed; "oh dear! oh dear! And what become of
Jenny, Nancy, Polly, and all de oder cows, and de pigs and de poultry?
And Uncle Jeff, what he do; and Bartle and Gideon?"

I consoled her somewhat by saying that I thought it possible all three
had escaped, and that even the cows and pigs might have got away, either
into the woods or among the hills.

On hearing this she became somewhat more tranquil, and was able to chat
away in her usual style.

We now prepared to set out for the camp. I thought it probable, on
account of the delay, that we might not overtake Manley, although I
specially wished to do so, in order to put an end to his anxiety. It
was, of course, important to recover the horses and baggage-mules, and
Maysotta proposed that she should conduct us to the edge of the forest,
where we could remain while she, with Keokuk, searched for the
animals,--expressing, at the same time, her confidence of success.

Having placed Clarice on my horse, I led the animal by the rein till we
reached the spot proposed. We looked out to the westward for Manley and
his troopers, and were greatly disappointed at not seeing them. So, I
suspect, was Clarice. We had not, however, waited long until I caught
sight of three horsemen. They came rapidly on, and to my great
satisfaction I distinguished our friends. On observing us they put spurs
to their horses, and the lieutenant galloped forward.

Clarice met him with a sweet smile.

"I felt very sure that you had not willingly deserted us," she answered,
when, in an agitated voice, Manley told her of the anguish of his mind
at finding himself a prisoner in the hands of the Indians, leaving her
unprotected in the forest.

As we could not tell how long Maysotta might be absent, we lighted a
fire and cooked some provisions, of which both Clarice and Rachel stood
greatly in need. The Indian damsel, however, had been so confident
about finding the horses, that I was not surprised to see Keokuk driving
them towards us, a short time before sunset.

Maysotta expressed her satisfaction at finding the young white chief, as
she called Manley, and his men with us. "As it is now too late to set
off to-night," she said, "we must remain here. There are wate