s Mr. Starr that did it."

"How can you know that?"

"I've been there, and found out," was the surprising reply.

"Where are he and mother now?"

"Can't say; I'm looking for them. Whin I give the spalpeens the slip I
did the best travelling I knew how, and without thinking of anything but
getting away as quick as I could I coom right onto the spot where the
fire had been burning. It hadn't gone out yit, but it was so nearly so
that it give no smoke. Looking around it did not take me long to l'arn
that two horses had been there----"

"They had three with them, as you told me."

"But they have only two now. I wouldn't have been sartin of the matter
if I hadn't seen the print of yer mother's small shoe in the snow, and
while I was looking I obsarved that of Dot, no bigger than Cinderella
hersilf might have made."

Warren was profoundly interested, and tears dimmed his eyes.

"Was there no man with father?"

"I couldn't see any footprints except his."

"Then it has been as you said: Plummer was killed by the Sioux. But
surely you noticed the direction they took?"

"I did that same, and was following their trail whin I cotched sight of
yersilf among the trees, and coom nigh shooting ye before asking for an
inthrodooction."

"Then they have passed nigh this spot?" asked the startled son.

Tim partly turned and pointed behind him.

"Right beyant is the thracks made by thimsilves and their animals, for
the ground won't admit of their riding."

"I wish it were otherwise," remarked Warren thoughtfully, "for I have
had the hope that they might be so near the fort as to be safe. They are
not, but we ought to join them quite soon. But, Tim," added his friend,
as if alarmed by a new fear, "the Sioux must have learned of your flight
long ago, and are now on your trail."

"I must say that I'm forced to agree wid ye," was the reply of the
Irishman, spoken as though the question was of trifling import.

"It won't do for us to stay here. They are liable to appear at any
moment," and the alarmed youth glanced apprehensively around, as if he
expected to see the whole party of hostiles burst through upon them.

"Jack is strong enough to carry us a long way," he added, "and since he
is close at hand I can lead him out on the open plain, where we shall
gain such a good start that there will be little chance of their
overtaking us."

"No doubt ye are corrict."

"Then let's do it without throwing away another moment."