that. They had all seen the
light from the settlement, and knowing the direction of my house, were
pretty sure it was that. But, to be certain, one of the men came out
here yesterday, and found there was no mistake about it. But the
queerest part of the matter was, that all the people, the garrison
especially, appeared to feel bad about it too--actually felt bad about
it. And when I asked for volunteers, they all sprung forward and
insisted that they would go--insisted that they would go. I picked out
those twelve there--because they had all been in Indian fights and
understood the country through which we would be compelled to go. They
are all good fellows, and perfect phenomena, if you may believe all
they say--perfect phenomena. You see that chap there, with the big
mouth and crossed eyes. Well, sir, he informs me that he has dined off
a live Indian every morning for the last seventeen years, and is
certain that he should pine away and die, if he should be deprived of
his usual meal. You see he is pretty nearly an Indian himself. His
hair is black as a savage's, and if he goes a few months longer without
washing, he will have the war-paint all over his face. That one
standing beside him, with a nose like a hickory knot and with feet like
flat-boats, calls himself 'half horse, half alligator, tipped with a
wild-cat and touched with a painter.' The rest are about the same, so
that I have a good mind to march right into the Indian country on a
campaign against the whole set that have been in this business--the
whole set that have been in this business."

The pleasant humor with which this sarcasm was uttered, made every man
laugh and respect their commander the more. They saw that while he
rather disliked the extravagant boasting in which several of them had
indulged, he still had great confidence in their skill and courage, as
was shown by his selection of them for this perilous enterprise.

"They are the right stuff," added the Captain. "They ain't used to the
drill, but they will soon understand that. I had some trouble to keep
them in line in the woods, as they couldn't exactly see the use, but
they were doing first rate, when we came upon you--doing first rate.
But, I declare, I haven't spoken to Oonomoo, there, I dare say he is at
the bottom of this rescue. He generally is--generally is."

Stepping forward in front of the Huron, who with his son had stood
silent and gloomy, he said, as he grasped