u think that there are many among them that would wash white?"

"Wyandotte _know_ so. When did red warriors ever travel on their
path like hogs in drove? _One_ red-man there, as Great Spirit make
him; by his side _two_ red-men as _paint_ make 'em. This soon
told on trail."

"You struck their trail, then, and joined their company, in that
manner?"

Another nod indicated the assent of the Indian. Perceiving that the
Tuscarora did not intend to speak, the captain continued his
interrogatories.

"And how did the trail betray this secret, chief?" he asked.

"Toe turn out--step too short--trail too broad--trail too plain--march
too short."

"You must have followed them some distance, Wyandotte, to learn all
this?"

"Follow from Mohawk--join 'em at mill. Tuscarora don't like too much
travel with Mohawk."

"But, according to your account, there cannot be a great many red-skins
in the party, if the white men so much out-number them."

Nick, now, raised his right hand, showing all the fingers and the
thumb, at each exhibition, four several times. Then he raised it once,
showing only the fore-finger and thumb.

"This makes twenty-two, Nick--Do you include yourself in the number?"

"Wyandotte, a Tuscarora--he count _Mohawks_"

"True--Are there any other red-men among them?"

"Oneida, so"--holding up four fingers only. After which he held up a
single finger, adding--"Onondaga, so."

"Twenty-two Mohawks, four Oneidas, and a single Onondaga, make twenty-
seven in all. To these, how many whites am I to add?--You counted them,
also?"

The Indian now showed both hands, with all the fingers extended,
repeating the gestures four times; then he showed one hand entire, and
two fingers on the other.

"Forty-seven. Add these to the red-skins, and we get seventy-four for
the total. I had supposed them rather stronger than this, Wyandotte?"

"No stronger--no weaker--just so. Good many ole womans, too, among
pale-faces."

"Old women!--You are not speaking literally, Nick? All that I have seen
appear to be men."

"Got beard; but ole woman, too. Talk--talk--talk;--do not'in'.
_Dat_ what Injin call ole woman. Party, poor party; cap'in beat 'em,
if he fight like ole time."

"Well, this is encouraging, Wilhelmina, and Nick seems to be dealing
fairly with us."

"Now, inquire more about Robert, Hugh"--said the wife, in whose
maternal heart her children were always uppermost.

"You hear, Nick; my wife is desirous of learnin