to rise from the camp of Indians, so Pierre thought, as they
do not generally venture so far east. However, to run no risk of
falling among foes, we sent forward one of our scouts, while we
proceeded at the pace we had before been going. We felt most anxious to
get some shelter, where we could sleep in security and obtain food, for
our bear's flesh was well-nigh exhausted, and we had not hitherto fallen
in with buffalo; while both our wounded men required more care than we
could give them in the camp, with the chance of having to mount and ride
for our lives at any moment.

After riding some distance we heard a shot.

"All's not right," cried Dick; "we may have either to fight, or run for
it."

In a short time we saw an Indian riding at full speed towards us.

"What's the matter?" asked Pierre as he came near.

He pointed to the wood, when presently two white men appeared with
rifles in their hands. As soon as they caught sight of us, they shouted
out and made signs of friendship to us, while they grounded their arms.
We were soon up to them.

"Sorry to have shot at your Redskin friend, but we took him for an
enemy, that's a fact," said one of them; "however, as the bit of lead
missed his head, he's none the worse for it."

Dick assured him we had no wish to complain, and asked whether we could
find any shelter in the neighbourhood.

"You are welcome to our hut, friends," answered the other man, "it's big
enough for all hands except the Indians, and they can put up wigwams for
themselves. Come along, for there's a storm brewing, I guess; and
you'll be better under cover than in the open air."

We gladly accepted the invitation, and guided by our new acquaintances,
we soon found ourselves in a clearing, with a good-sized log-hut and a
couple of shanties at the rear of it. The rain had already begun to
fall; so speedily taking off the bridles and saddles of our steeds, we
hobbled them and turned them loose; we then hurried under cover, our
Indian guides taking possession of one of the shanties.

Our hosts, Mark and Simon Praeger, told us that they and their brothers
had built the log-hut the previous winter. They had already a
good-sized field fenced in and under cultivation and had besides a herd
of cattle, the intention of the family being to move west in a few
months.

On hearing of the loss of our provisions and stores, they at once set to
work to get supper ready; and, as they had killed a deer th