e, Master George, and let your father
see the kind of game he's got on his property. I'll show it to my Sarah
too, or she won't believe it was such a big one, or got such poison
fangs."

"You'll have to carry it home," I said, with a shudder.

"No, I shan't, Master George, and it's of no use for you to try to make
me believe you're afraid, because I shan't have it. You killed it, and
I'll twist up a bit o' grass to make a rope, and you shall carry it home
to show master and our Sarah. I can tie it to the end of the pole.
Stop a minute; where's my knife?--must be just here."

He went straight for the low growth and bushes, and began peering about
while I stood leaning on the pole and looking down at the slightly
heaving form of the serpent, when my attention was taken by a hoarse cry
from Morgan.

"What's the matter?" I said, as I saw that he was bending forward
staring in among the bushes.

He did not reply, and feeling certain that he had found another
rattlesnake, I raised the pole once more, and went to where he stood,
when my lips parted, and I turned to call for help, but stopped there,
for I found myself face to face with a similar object to that which had
arrested Morgan. A tall, keen-faced, half-naked Indian stood before me,
with his black hair gathered back and tied up so that a few eagle
feathers were stuck through it; a necklace or two was about his neck and
hanging down upon his breast; a pair of fringed buckskin leggings
covered his legs; and he carried a tomahawk in one hand, and a bow in
the other.

Almost before I could recover from my surprise, I saw that we were
completely surrounded, for at least a dozen more were dotted about the
clearing.

At that moment Morgan seemed to get the better of his start, and backed
to where I stood, with the Indian following him in a slow, stately
manner.

"We're in for it, Master George," whispered Morgan. "What shall we do--
run?"

"It would be of no use to try," I whispered.

"Not a bit, lad, they'd run us down directly. Hold up your head, lad;
you arn't afraid of a rattlesnake, so you needn't be afraid of these
furreners. What are they--Injuns?"

"Yes," I answered; "Red Indians," though I had never seen one before.

"Ah, well, look you, there's nothing to mind--they arn't poisonous. I
shall ask them what they want. I say, what are they all coming close up
to us for?"

"I don't know," I said, as I made a strong effort not to be afraid, and