her wood--that
never-failing substitute for thread or cord.

Jane was next attended to; but, on examination, hers proved to be a
mere flesh wound, neither deep nor large, but which they thought
prudent to dress so there need not be any danger of inflammation.

"We will take care of the monster's skin," said the trapper, "for we
may need it, if we can save Sidney's life, to protect him from the cold
before he recovers."

To take off and stretch the skin for drying, was but the work of a few
minutes for their practised hands; and the rest of the night was spent
in endeavoring to determine what was the safest plan to adopt; but the
morning broke, leaving them as undecided as at first. At one moment
they were for dividing their force, part remaining until the wounded
could be removed, or, as they feared, died, the rest hasten on, and
return with assistance as soon as possible. This was rejected, as it
would be weakening their numbers, already too small to provide for
their sick properly. Thus project after project was rejected, for their
condition was bad enough before, but now they felt it was doubly
appalling. Sad, indeed, they were; for they dreaded every hour the fate
of him who had been as a son and brother; and to have him die there,
and be buried in the vast wilds, the location of which they knew not
themselves, and, perhaps, could not point out should they be so
fortunate as to escape a similar fate, was enough to wring the stoutest
heart. But it was now the time that the untutored Indian showed his
superior tact and energy. Howe was cheerful, still hopeful, but not
resigned, like the chief, who, at first, had pined for the station of a
free leader of a free people; but, as the time advanced when the
authority would be given to another, unless he returned by the harvest
feast according to custom, and the injury Sidney had received, would
prevent their travelling, he nobly resolved that let the consequences
to himself be what they might, he would not desert the young man in his
hour of need.

Anxiously they watched by the couch hour after hour, until dawn of day,
when the poor fellow began to call for water; a fever had set in. When
this new evil became apparent, it destroyed what little hope remained,
and though they sought every way to baffle the disease, yet it was
through a desire to leave nothing undone, that might possibly in any
way relieve him. The trapper gathered some roots noted for their
cooling prop