panions to remain concealed while he more carefully surveyed the
stranger, whom he soon knew, by his dress of skins and the feathers
which adorned his head, to be an Indian. Gilbert watched, supposing
that others would follow, but the Indian was apparently alone. He was
doubting whether he should advance or allow the Indian to proceed on his
way, when the keen eye of the latter caught sight of his face amid the
foliage. Gilbert now observed that, instead of a bow and quiver of
arrows, he carried a musket in his hand. He knew, therefore, that he
must have intercourse with the English, and was probably a friend.
Signing to his companions to remain quiet, he advanced beyond the
shelter of the bushes, and made a sign that he wished to speak with him.
The stranger, showing no signs of fear, immediately came forward and
inquired who he was and whither he was bound. Gilbert at once replied,
that he and his companions were searching for two Englishmen who had
come from the fort and were on their way to the ships in the roads.

"Then we are engaged on the same errand," said the Indian. "Know me as
Miantomah, a friend of the pale-faces. I was in the fort when the ships
arrived, and a young stranger came on shore. He and another officer
immediately set off to the harbour. They had gone some few hours when
one of my people, who had been out scouting, brought word that the
Monacans, who are at enmity with the pale-faces, were out on a war-path,
and would too probably fall in with the trail of our friends and pursue
and scalp them. I at once offered to follow and warn them of their
danger, and to lead them by a path round by the shore which the Monacans
were not likely to approach. I hoped to have come upon them at their
encampment, but they travelled more rapidly than I had expected; and
while still on their track, night overtook me. Next day, at dawn, I
pushed forward; but when I reached the spot where I calculated they must
have encamped, to my dismay, I came upon the trail of the Monacans, who
must, knew, have espied them. I went on, however, desirous of learning
what had happened. I soon afterwards came upon the Monacan camp, and
beyond it I found the trail of the two pale-faces. Could they by rapid
travelling still have kept ahead? I feared not.

"Going on, I reached their camp; and now I learnt what had befallen
them. They were still asleep on the beds they had formed of leaves,
with their camp fire at their f