hole of the party, the two young ladies, and, at their request, the
wounded men, were first ferried over.

Captain Mackintosh stood on the bank to receive them, and, as Sybil and
Effie threw themselves into his arms, their feelings at length giving
way, they burst into tears.

"There is nothing more to fear; we have driven off the Blackfeet, and
they have received a lesson which they will not soon forget, I trust,"
he said.

He then inquired how they had been preserved. They were both eloquent
in describing the way Hector and Loraine, with their old companion, had
rescued them; but there was no time to say much just then. While some
of the garrison, who had come down for the purpose, carried the wounded
men into the fort, the rest of the party were ferried across the river.
Captain Mackintosh gave a fatherly greeting to Hector, who then
introduced Loraine.

"I have to thank you, sir, for the brave way in which you saved this
young lady from the clutches of the savage chief. Had it not been for
your gallantry, she might have been carried off. As the fellow has,
however escaped, we must still keep careful watch for her protection."

Loraine expressed himself appropriately, saying how rejoiced he was to
have been of service, and that it made ample amends to him for his
disappointment in not having arrived in time to warn Captain Mackintosh
of the Indians' plot to surprise the fort.

Old Sass, who had modestly kept out of the way, now came in for his
share of thanks; and the whole garrison, when they heard of the clever
way in which he had frightened off the Blackfeet, were enthusiastic in
their expressions of admiration at his conduct. The hump-backed Indian,
who, as may be supposed, was no other than Greensnake, was also made
much of, all acknowledging that it was through the warning he had
brought that they were put on their guard against the intended treachery
of their cunning enemies.

The bodies of the Indians, and other signs of the strife, had been
removed before the party had entered the fort. The young ladies at once
disappeared into the house, under charge of Mrs Mackintosh, whose
maternal feelings had been fearfully tried during their absence. They
did not appear again until the evening, when Hector declared that they
looked as blooming as ever.

Loraine soon won the regard of Captain Mackintosh and Norman. Every
hour the young Englishman remained in the society of the original of the
beautiful