was not the
Christian's creed. His father was a Christian; so was he--not that he
knew much about religion. That was all very well for people who lived
in towns. I tried to show him that all men had souls; that one Saviour
died for all; that all would have to stand before the judgment-seat of
God; and that therefore religious faith and religious practice were
essential for all.

Such was one of the many subjects of our conversation which beguiled our
way. My long solitude had made me reflect and remember many things I
had before forgotten, and my late merciful escape had not been without
its effects in turning my heart to my Maker. I wish that I could say
that, like the compass, it has ever since kept true to the pole. I did
not feel, however, that I was making very deep impression on my
auditors. We pushed on, not as fast as I had come, but still at a very
rapid rate; and if I at all showed signs of flagging, two of the huge
Indians would lift me up by the shoulders and help me along, scarcely
allowing my feet to touch the ground. We camped in a wood for a short
time, making an arbour with fir branches to keep off the cold, and then
on we went. My heart beat quick as, soon after daylight, we approached
the height whence we could look down, I knew, on my tent. We reached
the spot--the one where I had been standing when I saw the Pawnees
coming to destroy me. I looked eagerly for the tent. It was no longer
there, nor was there a sign of living beings near. Two scouts went down
to examine all the places of concealment near. After a time they signed
to us to approach. We hurried down. There lay the remains of the tent,
almost burned to pieces, and among a confused mass of cinders and
various articles which the tent had contained, lay scattered about the
blackened and mangled remains of my late captors.

"Verily let not man attempt to avenge himself," I repeated. "Here is a
proof of those solemn words, `Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will
repay.'"

CHAPTER FIVE.

I HAVE CAUSE TO REJOICE THAT I DID NOT AVENGE MYSELF--MY GREAT MEDICINE
WORK--I RISE IN THE ESTIMATION OF MY NEW FRIENDS--AN INDIAN ENCAMPMENT--
AM OFFERED A WIFE, BUT COMPELLED TO DECLINE THE HONOUR--JOHN PIPESTICK--
SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES--A FIERCE ATTACK--WE FIGHT WITH DESPERATION, AND
RESOLVE TO DIE LIKE BRAVE MEN.

The disappointment of my Ottoe friends was very considerable when they
found all their enemies killed, and not even