to avoid the gully, together
they bore him across the plain. They were directing their course
towards some lodges which were erected close to a wood, and under the
shelter of a high hill. On reviving, Laurence found himself in a large
roomy hut, by the side of a fire, near which sat a tall Indian somewhat
advanced in years. A squaw was chafing his feet, while another, bending
over the fire, was cooking a mess of broth. She soon came round to him,
and poured some of the warm mixture down his throat, which greatly
revived him. He tried to sit up, but again fell back on the pile of
skins on which his head had been resting.

"Do not try to move, young pale face," said the chief. "Your strength
has gone for a while, but the Great Spirit will soon restore it. You
shall then tell me whence you come, and how you happened to be where my
sons found you. We are friends of the pale faces, and would gladly aid
you to the best of our power."

These words greatly revived Laurence's spirits. The chief, however,
insisted on not letting him speak until he had taken some rest. The
kind squaw had put on his feet some warm dry socks, and then began
chafing his hands, and in a short time he again fell asleep.

When Laurence awoke there was no one in the tent. This gave him time to
consider what he should say. He would speak truly, and tell the Cree
chief that he wished to make his way to the fort, and would be grateful
to him if he would assist him in reaching it. He soon found, however,
when he attempted to rise, that he was utterly unable to do so. The
chief smiled when he heard his account.

"You speak but partly the truth," he said. "Still, you are a pale face,
and I regard the pale faces with affection. When you are restored to
strength I'll conduct you thither; for it is some way off, and unaided,
without horses, or weapons to defend yourself or obtain food, you would
not have been able to find your way there. I know with whom you have
been, though you have pulled off the ornaments. That dress was
manufactured by the Sioux. However, though you were foolish to consort
with such people, you are wisely making your escape from them. So speak
no more about it."

Laurence felt ashamed of himself at having been so easily detected. He
at once acknowledged that the chief was right in his conjectures.

For several days he was kept in the tent of the friendly chief, and
treated by his squaws as if he had been a son. Wh