ything but satisfactory to him. The manner of
the savages was impudent and brutal beyond anything he had yet seen in
them, and he fancied that their sneering and malignant grimaces and
serpent-like contortions of the body expressed evil and vengeful
passions that burned within. On the faces of the whites a startled,
anxious look struggled, with an effort to feel at ease, and fear
nothing.

"There is something wrong about these Indians," whispered the minister
to a man near him; "they are plotting mischief; their looks and tones
are full of ugliness; and I am convinced that if they intend no
trouble to-night, they know that some hidden danger threatens us. See
how that chief's eye glares. Observe the murderous leer of the one
beside him. Notice how they mock and insult us to our very faces. Now,
how awfully jubilant their tones, as if they had us at their mercy. Do
you suppose they are secretly armed?" and, rising, he went calmly from
Indian to Indian, lifting the blanket of each, to see if a rifle cut
short, or some other deadly weapon, was not concealed there. But none
was to be found; and at the close of their alarming exhibition, the
chief haughtily arose, bowed to the missionary, who was now seated
again, and passed out; each of his followers imitating him in the
salute as he glided from the room.

"The Indians have taken down their wigwam, and gone away," said Tom to
Mr. Payson, the next day.

"I am glad to hear it," replied the missionary; "they are a dangerous
set, and I have been quite anxious lest the settlers should get into a
quarrel with them. But what makes you look so depressed? Are any of
your folks sick?"

"No," replied Tom, striving to appear calm. "Father came home last
night--"

"Well, that was a pleasant surprise--was it not?" interrupted his kind
friend.

"Yes; but--but--he wants us to remove."

"Remove! Whereto?"

"Near Spirit Lake."

"I am sorry to hear that. I heard this morning that the Sioux are
quite insolent towards the settlers in that vicinity, and threaten an
outbreak. I must see your father, and dissuade him from his project;"
and the minister proceeded to the cabin occupied by the Joneses.

It was near Spirit Lake that Mr. Jones was wounded by the Indian.
This, however, did not deter him from going there again to hunt. Three
promising young settlements had sprung up there, side by side, for the
beauty, fertility, and cheapness of the land had attracted quite an
immigration