wind to Howe's inquiry of
what tribe they were, "and have been taken in battle. The tribes all
through this region are very warlike, and every year countless numbers
are taken and sacrificed at their feasts. The tribes are cannibals, and
eat their enemies as you see these do; therefore, they fight with more
desperation knowing they must conquer and feast on their foes or be
conquered and feasted upon."

"What is our chance, do you think, of being sacrificed?" asked Howe.

"We shall be, of course, unless the Great Spirit saves us. It is the
fate of war," replied the chief, with as much indifference as if he was
discussing a puppy stew.[4]

[4] A great delicacy with Indians.

"I could bear it for myself, Whirlwind, but these children!--No; we
must out-wit them and escape," replied the trapper. "Prudence and
cunning may save us."

The village of their captors was situated on a low, level plain,
sloping gently towards the south and west, bordered by the Wahsatch
mountains on the east, a spur of which, branching from the regular
chain, ran a number of miles from east to west, and formed a high
barrier on the north, rising in perpendicular precipices to the height
of three hundred feet. The village was very populous, the corn fields
numerous, and now just in bloom, promising an abundant yield. The
lodges were large, convenient and well stored with furs and skins,
while large quantities of arms for defence hung around, intermixed with
curiously wrought baskets, elaborately embroidered tunics and
moccasins, gay colored blankets, scalps of fallen foes, eagle plumes,
bears' claws, antlers of deer, and innumerable tails of fox and beaver.

The captives were distributed among the different lodges, at first
closely guarded; but as they evinced perfect content, they were allowed
gradually more and more liberty, until at last they were permitted to
roam through the village at will, with a single guard, whose duty it
was to give the alarm in case they should attempt to escape. This
greatly elated them; and, as not one of the tribe understood English,
they were able, at all times, to converse and devise plans without fear
of detection by being overheard.

About two weeks after their captivity, they were wandering around the
outskirts of the village, and approaching the precipice at the north,
penetrated the thick underbrush that grew at its base, and seated
themselves in its cool shade, their sentinel taking up his positio