s soon as we thought that the wolves had gone from our camp, Rachel
went to see if anything had been left; but the savage creatures had
carried off everything, and at the same time frightened away our horses
and mules, and they were nowhere to be seen. We remained in the tree
for some time, and I do not think anybody would have found us. Then
Rachel went away to try and get some berries and roots. She had not
been long absent when I heard a dog barking, and looking out through a
small hole in the hollow trunk, I saw Maysotta approaching. I therefore
stepped out of my place of concealment; and Maysotta, who was delighted
to find me, said that she had come out expressly to search for us, and
would take us immediately to the camp. Of course, I could not go
without Rachel, and we are now on our way to look for her, as she cannot
be far off."

"Keokuk will find her," said Maysotta, patting her dog on the head, and
saying a few words to him.

Away he started, and in a short time we heard him barking loudly.
Maysotta, leaving Clarice with me, hurried on, and in a few minutes we
saw her approach, guiding Rachel towards us.

Rachel's joy on seeing me was so demonstrative, that I scarcely liked to
tell her or my sister of the destruction of the farm. However, it had
to be done, and I related all that had taken place. As I proceeded,
Rachel gave full vent to her grief, whilst my sister betrayed the sorrow
she felt by her tearful and troubled countenance. Rachel wrung her
hands and burst into tears, which her own previous perilous position had
not been able to draw from her.

"De farm burned!" she exclaimed; "oh dear! oh dear! And what become of
Jenny, Nancy, Polly, and all de oder cows, and de pigs and de poultry?
And Uncle Jeff, what he do; and Bartle and Gideon?"

I consoled her somewhat by saying that I thought it possible all three
had escaped, and that even the cows and pigs might have got away, either
into the woods or among the hills.

On hearing this she became somewhat more tranquil, and was able to chat
away in her usual style.

We now prepared to set out for the camp. I thought it probable, on
account of the delay, that we might not overtake Manley, although I
specially wished to do so, in order to put an end to his anxiety. It
was, of course, important to recover the horses and baggage-mules, and
Maysotta proposed that she should conduct us to the edge of the forest,
where we could remain while she,