," cried Mrs. Jones, "stop laughing at Bub."

But he cut too comical a figure for them to stop at once, for, as he
had used, the night before, one of Tom's old shirts for a night dress,
he now found it difficult to move towards his father, as each time he
stepped the garment would trip his feet.

"Children," interposed Mr. Jones, "why don't you hush. Your marm's
spoken to you a number of times already."

At which Bub added with dignity, as he tried to balance himself,--

"I des they're _blind_, they're so hard o' hearin'!"

"Your father," said the mother, impressively, "has been shot at by the
Indians, and came very near being killed, and you ought to keep more
quiet."

"Did they kill you, daddy?" asked Bub, who now stood at his father's
knee, his blue eyes wide with wonder; "tause, if they did, I'll stick
my big stick into their backs."

There was a suppressed tittering at this, for which the children felt
half ashamed, considering the startling intelligence they had just
heard.

"Mother was afraid you'd have trouble with the Indians," observed Tom,
"and she was so much worried that she didn't sleep last night."

"Why, the Indians haven't been doing any mischief about here--have
they?" asked his father.

"No," replied Tom, "and I told mother that there wasn't any danger."

But the venison was filling the cabin with its savory smell, and Mrs.
Jones said,--

"Hurry, children, and get washed and dressed for breakfast."

And going to the basin, which was in its place on the wash-bench
outside the door, with much discussion as to who should have the first
chance, hands and faces were treated to a hasty bath.

Mr. Jones was about forty-five years of age--a short, thick-set man,
with dark hair and heavy beard. He was a man of much natural ability,
and exhibited singular contrasts in character and speech. The free and
easy carriage, and quaint language of the "Leather-stocking," sat
easily upon him; and yet, at times, he would express himself in words
well chosen, and even elegant. He hated society, and was despised by
the settlers for his lack of enterprise; and yet, when circumstances
drew him out, they were wonder-struck at the variety and accuracy of
his information. These inconsistencies made him a mystery; and he was
looked down upon, and looked up to, as his neighbors came in contact
with one of the other side of his characteristics. In all, too, that
pertained to the habits of the animals, and the appe