e prisoners had escaped.

"I must get you to protect us from your people when they return," I
said. "We have no wish to take the places of the prisoners, or to have
bloodshed in the matter. At the same time, we are resolved to fight for
our lives, should your people attempt to molest us."

"You indeed speak boldly," said the chief. "But I will endeavour to
prevent further mischief, and will tell my people all you have said."

Almost immediately afterwards the braves came hurrying back to the camp,
when the old squaws commenced in screeching tones to tell them what had
occurred. The warriors on this advanced towards us with threatening
looks. The chief stepped forward, and holding up his hands, they at once
stopped and prepared to listen to him. He possibly may have made a very
eloquent speech in our favour, but his braves were evidently not
satisfied. We saw them making violent gestures, and, from the words
which reached us, I made out that they insisted on our being delivered
up to suffer in the place of the prisoners we had liberated.

Lieutenant Broadstreet, who had now joined us, rifle in hand, told me to
say to the chief that if his people were injured an army of white men
would be sent by his Government against them, and not one would be
allowed to escape.

Although, I believe, the chief spoke as I begged him, the angry braves
were not to be appeased, still crying out that we must be handed over to
them.

"Not while we have got a cartridge left in our pouches," cried Sergeant
Custis, lifting his rifle as he spoke, as if he intended to make use of
it, while Manley, Pat, and I followed his example.

Just at this juncture two persons were seen approaching the camp,--the
one was Maysotta, accompanied by Keokuk, the other was a tall person
dressed in skins. At first I did not recognize him; but on looking
again, what was my joy to see Uncle Jeff! Both he and Maysotta must have
observed that something unusual was taking place in the camp, for they
hurried forward at a quick pace, and in another moment had approached
the chief.

Uncle Jeff at once put out his hand. "What does all this mean?" he
asked.

Winnemak was silent.

"I will tell you all about it, Uncle Jeff," I said; and I briefly
related what had occurred.

"You acted rightly, Ralph," he answered. "It would never do for white
men to stand by and see murder committed, which proper boldness could
prevent. Hand me a few cartridges, for I have expended