across pools. I was, however, saved the pain of witnessing the
sufferings of the animals; and I determined, if possible, to find an
easier path down again.

[Illustration: FOREST-TRAVELLING.]

At length a height which separated us from the first valley was passed;
and looking down, to our infinite satisfaction we caught sight of a
well-constructed hut, with a wreath of smoke ascending from its chimney.
All, then, was likely to be well. Manley and I, leaving our men to
follow with the animals, hurried down, and in less than a quarter of an
hour we were shaking hands with Uncle Jeff and Clarice. I need scarcely
describe how Manley and my fair young sister met, but it was very
evident that they were not sorry to see each other. Rachel came out,
beaming with smiles; and in a short time Pat Sperry appeared, followed
by another person whom I was truly glad to see--Gideon Tuttle. The
latter had joined Uncle Jeff some days before. Although desperately
wounded, he had managed to make his escape, and had lain in hiding in
the mountains for several days, till he had recovered sufficient
strength to travel. The report he gave us of Bartle, however, was truly
alarming. There could be no doubt that he had been captured by the
Indians, and, Gideon feared, must have been put to death by them; but
when I told him what Piomingo said, he became more hopeful as to the
fate of his old friend.

"If he is alive, we will find him out, wherever he may be!" he
exclaimed. "Even if the varmints have him in the middle of their camp,
we will manage to set him free."

Uncle Jeff, as I expected, had not been idle. Ever since the day we had
left him, he had been hunting and trapping, and had collected a large
store of skins of all sorts of animals, with dried meat enough to supply
an army. The baggage animals we had brought could carry but a small
amount of the stores collected by Uncle Jeff. It was arranged,
therefore, that a larger number should be sent up as soon as possible,
to bring away the remainder. Who was to take charge of them? was the
question. Uncle Jeff, Gideon, and I, were naturally anxious to return to
Roaring Water, that we might get up huts and re-establish ourselves
before the commencement of winter.

While we were in this dilemma, Winnemak and several of his braves
appeared. On hearing of our difficulty, he said, "Commit them to my
care. I will protect them with my life--although I believe no one will
venture up here to carry