or among us," he added, turning to Won, who was at work mending
some harness on the opposite side of the room; "see what you can do for
the poor fellow."

Bartle put down the straps upon which he was engaged, and joined us,
while Clarice retired. Uncle Jeff and Bartle then examined the Indian's
side.

"I will get some leaves to bind over the wound to-morrow morning, which
will quickly heal it; and, in the meantime, we will see if Rachel has
not got some of the ointment which helped to cure Gideon when he cut
himself so badly with his axe last spring."

Rachel, who prided herself on her ointment, quickly produced a jar of
it, and assisted Bartle in dressing the Indian's wound. She then gave
him a cooling mixture which she had concocted.

The Indian expressed his gratitude in a few words, and again covering
himself up with a buffalo robe, was soon asleep.

The next morning he was better, but still unable to move.

He remained with us ten days, during which Clarice and Rachel watched
over him with the greatest care, making him all sorts of dainty dishes
which they thought he would like; and in that time he and Uncle Jeff
managed to understand each other pretty well.

The Indian, according to the reticent habits of his people, was not
inclined to be very communicative at first as to how he had received his
wound; but as his confidence increased he owned that he had, with a
party of his braves, made an excursion to the southward to attack their
old enemies the Arrapahas, but that he and his followers had been
overwhelmed by greatly superior numbers. His people had been cut off to
a man, and himself badly wounded. He had managed, however, to make his
escape to the mountains without being observed by his foes. As he knew
that they were on the watch for him, he was afraid of returning to the
plains, and had kept on the higher ground, where he had suffered greatly
from hunger and thirst, until he had at length fallen in with Clarice at
the spring.

At last he was able to move about; and his wound having completely
healed, he expressed his wish to return to his people.

"Winnemak will ever be grateful for the kindness shown him by the
Palefaces," he said, as he was wishing us good-bye. "A time may come
when he may be able to show what he feels; he is one who never forgets
his friends, although he may be far away from them."

"We shall be happy to see you whenever you come this way," said Uncle
Jeff; "but as for