rm should? If every red-skin in Illinois was like him
there'd be little need of us fellows out here in this mud-hole. But
you look disappointed. If you want to take a ride, there's the white
mare you came on. But you'd better not go far away. It isn't safe for
a child like you."

"I'm not afraid, but--Well, if Tempest's gone, I can't. That's all."

So the Snowbird was brought out, and she led the pretty creature away
behind the shelter of the few trees which hid the spot where Osceolo
had bade her meet him.

"I tried to get Tempest for you, but the Chief has ridden him away. I
meant to go with you. But you'll have to go alone. Tell my darling
Other Mother that I am here, and waiting. Tell her about Gaspar, and
that he said he had found out she would be quite safe here. Why, so, I
suppose, would you. I didn't think."

"No, I shouldn't," returned the young Indian hastily. Then, noting her
surprise, explained:

"I'm a warrior, you see. That makes a difference."

"It will be all right, though, I think. And if you cannot come back
with Wahneenah, do hurry and send her by herself. Will you?"

"Oh, I'll hurry!" answered the youth, evasively, and leaped to the
Snowbird's back. The food he had stuffed within his shirt till a more
convenient season, and with a cry that even to Kitty's trusting ears
sounded in some way derisive, he was off out of sight along the
lakeside.

As the Snowbird disappeared, Kitty felt that the last link between
herself and her friends had been severed, and for a moment the tears
had sway. Then, ashamed of her own weakness and remembering her
promise to Gaspar that she would be "just the sunniest kind of a girl,
and true to her name," she brushed them away and entered the busy
Fort, to proffer her services to the women in charge.

These had already learned her story and had reprimanded her for
running away from her protectors, the Smiths; but it was nobody's
business to return her and, meanwhile, she was safe at the Fort until
they should choose to call for her.

"Well, there is always plenty of work in the world for the hands that
will do it," said an officer's wife, with a kindly smile. "You seem
too small to be of much practical use; but, however, if you want a
task, there are some little fellows yonder who need amusing and
comforting. Their mother has died of a fever, and their father is more
of a student and preacher than a nurse. I guess his wife was the
ruling spirit in the household,