the camp, and they were too loyal to insist
upon having their own way when it was opposed to that of the leader.

Five men were with Henry, fairly good hunters on the whole, but more at
home in the far south than in the woods of the Ohio. One, a big fellow
named Larkin, had an undue pride in his skill, and another, a Frenchman,
Pierre Cazotte, was a brave fellow, but uncommonly reckless. The
remaining three were not of marked individuality.

Henry examined them all with swift glances, and decided at once that
Larkin and Cazotte, full of overweening confidence, would want their
way, but he said nothing, merely leading the band into the mass of dense
green foliage that rimmed the camp around. He looked back but once, and
saw his four faithful comrades sitting by the fire, it seemed to him, in
an attitude of dejection. Then he went forward swiftly, and in another
minute the forest shut out camp fire and comrades.

"What's your notion, Henry?" asked Larkin. "Have you seen signs of deer
or buffalo near?"

"Both," replied Henry. "There are good springs and little open places in
the woods not more than a couple of miles away. We're pretty sure to
find deer there."

"Why not buffalo?" exclaimed Larkin. "I've shot more deer than I could
ever count, but I've never killed a buffalo. It's the first time that
I've been in this part of the country."

"Nor have I," said Cazotte. "We have many people to feed, and ze buffalo
ees beeg. Ze deer ees too leetle for all ze mouths back there."

"Right you are, Frenchy," exclaimed Larkin jovially. "We'll pass the
deer by an' go for buffalo if we have to travel six or seven miles
further. What this gang wants is buffalo, an' buffalo it will have."

"I don't think we ought to go very far from the camp," said Henry.
"These woods from here to the lakes are the hunting grounds of the most
warlike tribes, and bands may be near us now."

Larkin laughed again his big jovial laugh.

"You're thinkin' a lot about Indians," he said, "You're brave--everybody
knows it--but a fellow can put his mind on 'em so hard that he can see
'em where they ain't."

Henry laughed, too. He knew no offense was intended, but he was
confirmed in his belief that Larkin meant to have his own way. He saw,
too, that Cazotte and the others were ready to back him up. But he would
not yield without a protest.

"It's true, I am thinking a lot about Indians," he said earnestly, "and
I think I have cause to do so. They'