unted on a horse, accompanied by three others, which he at once
secured to some neighbouring trees. Isaac then handed a flask of water
to the young Indian, who, receiving some directions which Loraine could
not understand, set off at full gallop towards the spot where Hector had
been left.

"Will he find him?" asked Loraine, anxiously.

"No fear of that," said Sass. "When you have recovered we will follow.
Here, take some food, if you can swallow it."

Loraine was better able to eat than he expected.

"I brought a couple of horses for you and your companion, besides yonder
pack animal; for I guessed whereabouts I should find you, though I
thought you would have made better progress than you have done, and I
did not expect to come upon your trail for another day or two."

Loraine having briefly explained what had happened, inquired how the old
trapper had fallen in with Greensnake.

"The lad was carried off by a party of Sircees, who stole your horses;
but, believing him to be an idiot, they failed to keep a watch over him,
and he easily managed to escape on one of the fleetest of their animals,
and made his way towards Fort Edmonton. I, knowing the difficulties you
would be in without horses, at once set off to find you, though I little
expected that you would have been reduced to this sad plight. And now
do you think you could mount, and see how it fares with your friend?"

"I will try, at all events," said Loraine, feeling very anxious about
Hector.

With the aid of the old trapper he got into the saddle. When once there
he felt capable of going as fast as the horse could gallop.

They set off, the trapper leading the other horse. As they neared the
spot, Loraine's mind misgave him. Had Hector survived the hardships he
had endured? He himself felt how nearly he had succumbed, and he wished
that he had begged the old trapper to go on at once, and left the Indian
with him.

"Cheer up, cheer up, friend," said Sass, surmising the thoughts passing
through his mind. "Youth is tough, and hunger and thirst don't kill a
man for a long time."

At last the spot was reached. Loraine threw himself from his horse, and
nearly fell to the ground in doing so, forgetting how weak he was.
Greensnake was bending over Hector, supporting his head with one hand,
while he was feeding him with the other; Musky, who was looking on,
evidently having recognised the Indian as a friend.

Loraine hurried forward.

"All rig