red with nature's uniform of
white. Carrying my eye along it in the far distance, I saw a wreath of
white smoke ascending into the clear, bright blue sky. There was
something inexpressibly cheering in the sight, after going so long
without seeing the slightest sign of human beings. However, the smoke
might be produced by Indians, and perhaps enemies, whom we must of
necessity avoid. I asked the Delaware if he would tell what he knew
about the matter.

"`That is the fort,' he answered; `you will there very likely gain
tidings of your friends.'

"My heart bounded within me at the thought of being once more united to
my family.

"`The sun will sink thus far down before we can reach the place,' said
the Indian, pointing to the sky with his hand.

"This good news added fresh vigour to my muscles, and I found myself not
only keeping up with the Indian, but actually hurrying his steps. After
walking for nearly two hours over very rugged ground, up and down steep
and wild hills, we saw before us, on an elevated mound overlooking the
river, a strong stockade, over which peeped the roofs of several
cottages, while a deep trench cut round the hill added yet more to the
strength of the place. As the Delaware and I drew near, we saw that we
were closely watched through a spy-glass. We waved our hands to show
that we came as friends, and as we began to climb the steep height
towards the fort, several people came out by the door of the fort to
meet us. How pleasant it was to be welcomed as a white man by white
men, to hear them talk and to be treated as a brother! The honest
Delaware, too, was welcomed, for he had brought letters for many in the
fort, and undertook to deliver any others in return, with which he might
be intrusted. How pleasant was a cup of hot tea, and some soft bread,
and the vegetables for dinner, and then to find myself turning into a
real bed, with sheets and blankets! The truth is, however, that after
sleeping so long in the open air, I found that of a small room so
oppressive that I could not breathe, and had to get up and open the
window, and let the cold in. But I am going ahead too fast.

"Having satisfied the governor of the fort all about myself, I inquired
if they could give me tidings of my family. What was my satisfaction to
find that a party answering their description were encamped in winter
quarters not more than a week's journey to the north-west. My friend
the Delaware knew the s