er Dane, sir, from near Dartmouth, in Devonshire," he answered.

The recluse appeared greatly agitated. "Speak, speak: with whom came
you? when did you reach this distant land?" he asked.

"I arrived here five days since, sir," replied Oliver, "in the
_Rainbow_, commanded by Captain Layton, with Master Roger Layton, Master
Vaughan Audley, and a company of twenty men."

"Vaughan Audley!" exclaimed the recluse; "is he with you?"

"He is with the rest of the party, thirty miles or more away down the
river," answered Oliver.

"And Mistress Audley, and her daughter Lettice--can you give me tidings
of them?" continued the recluse, before Oliver had finished his reply.

"I left; Mistress Audley and Lettice at James Town a week since,"
answered Oliver; "but, alack! Gilbert and young Fenton were carried off
by the Indians, and we have come up in search of them, as we have of
Captain Audley; and, if I mistake not, sir, you are that very
gentleman."

"I am indeed so; I believed that I was long ago supposed to be dead,"
answered Captain Audley; "or that search would have been made for me."

Oliver then told him all he knew respecting the report brought home by
Batten. "But how comes it that my son did not accompany Manita?"
inquired Captain Audley.

"She will tell you why she would only bring me," answered Oliver.
Manita's reply seemed to satisfy him; he then made many eager inquiries
about Gilbert, as to whom and by whom he had been carried off. Oliver
gave him all the information in his power. So interested had he been,
that he had forgotten to invite the young travellers into his house; he
now, however, did so, and placed before them an ample meal. Manita
seemed somewhat puzzled how to behave, but looking at Oliver she
imitated him very well. Their host frequently gazed at the young
people, as he plied Oliver further with questions.

"When will you come with us, sir?" asked Oliver, after waiting for some
time; "Manita is, I know, in a hurry to get back, and all will be ready
to welcome you when you arrive."

"Alas! I cannot go thus far unless one who holds my pledge is ready to
set me free," answered Captain Audley. "He may be willing to do so, or
fear of the white man's power may induce him to release me."

"I suppose, sir, you would not object to be carried off by force, if the
Indians will not by fair means let you go free?" said Oliver.

"As to that I shall make no answer, lad," replied Captain Audley;