eturn.

Some twenty minutes later, Hans Vanderbum was at the tree, where he had
first caught sight of Oonomoo. It was not long before the latter came
from his concealment, and, after exchanging words upon unimportant
subjects, for the purpose of concealing his curiosity, he inquired in
regard to Miss Prescott.

"She tells me to tell you dat she's dere, and is hopeful, and ain't
hurt, and hopes you won't hurt yourself to git her away."

"Oonomoo won't hurt his self--Shawnee won't hurt Oonomoo--he git gal
away too."

"Oh, I like for to forgot. She tells me 'bout Lieutenant Canfield de
same as she tells you. Will you see him?"

"See him dis mornin'--waitin' in woods fur me--see him 'gin--tell what
gal said."

"I'm glad for to hear it, Oonomoo. I shpose you'll be back this way
ag'in one dese days."

"Be back soon--have somebody with me--tell gal so--look out fur
whistle--keep ears open--hear _dis_ time."

"Yaw, I will. I heerd you dis oder time, too; but didn't t'ink 'twas
you. I'll know de next time. You going now?"

The Huron signified that he was, and took his departure as quietly as
he had come. Hans watched as the dusky figure flitted in and out among
the trees and finally disappeared in the distance. Then, muttering to
himself, he returned to the village.

The day was unusually warm for the season; there was little activity in
the Indian town. Hans noticed that many of the Shawnees were still
lingering along the Miami, although what object other than that of mere
languor could induce them to remain, he could not possibly conceive.
Reaching his own wigwam, he was confounded with joy to learn that the
captive, Miss Prescott, was to be domiciled in it. He could scarce
believe it until Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock told him that she was to
be strictly guarded, used as her slave and never to be out of her sight
for one minute. In case of her escape, Hans Vanderbum was to be held
responsible for it, his life paying the forfeit.

"Dat is quare," he muttered. "I guess Oonomoo can fix it, if dey
_does_ do it."

It perhaps is well to remark here, by way of explanation, that the time
in which the incidents occurred, which we intend to relate, was a few
years subsequent to the great victory of Anthony Wayne over the
combined forces of the various Indian tribes in the West. As a
consequence of this splendid achievement and the no less splendid
victory gained in the renowned treaty of Greenville, a lon