abundance of game, and they felt pretty
confident that the Indians would not again venture to attack them.
Pierre and Long Sam at once volunteered to visit old Folkard's camp, and
to assist in bringing on Charley, should he, as we hoped would be the
case, be in a fit state to be moved. They also promised to consult the
trapper, as his experience would be of value in forming a plan for the
recovery of the young lady: that she had been killed, we none of us
could bring ourselves to believe.

All hands were now employed in strengthening the camp,--Dick, Story, and
I, assisted our friends, working as hard as any one. We were of use
also in attending to poor Armitage. I was afraid every moment that he
would inquire for Miss Hargrave, for he would naturally wonder that she
had not appeared.

As may be supposed, we kept a very strict watch at night, while all the
men lay down with their arms by their sides under the waggons, with the
cattle placed in the centre of the square; but no Indians, we believed,
came near us.

As the morning advanced, I looked out eagerly for the arrival of
Charley. We were anxious to place him under the protection of our
friends, and until Pierre and Long Sam came, we could take no steps for
the recovery of Miss Hargrave. We talked the subject over with Mr
Praeger, who was naturally too much agitated to be able with sufficient
calmness to design any feasible plan of operation.

At length, greatly to our relief, soon after mid-day Pierre and Long Sam
appeared with two other men, carrying Charley on a litter; while old
Folkard and another trapper followed, leading the horses and laden
mules. Charley was much revived, and declared that he could have walked
had his companions allowed him; but when he came to be placed on his
feet, it was very evident that he could not have proceeded many yards by
himself.

No time was lost in holding a council round the camp fire, while the new
arrivals ate the dinner provided for them. Old Folkard advised that we
should in the first place examine the neighbourhood of the camp, in
order to try and discover the trail of Miss Hargrave's captor, for Long
Sam was of opinion that, though he might have been accompanied by a few
of his braves, he had not gone off with the larger body of Redskins.
Charley, who listened attentively to all that was said, agreed with Long
Sam; and, as he had been so long amongst the tribe, his opinion was of
value. He was certain that