s had now become so earnest, that every
word spoken was distinctly heard by the Riflemen. The latter, from the
dress and actions of the savages, understood they had no chief with
them, but were merely seven warriors, who had been out on this
barbarous expedition, and were returning to their town with the booty
and the captive they had secured.

"They're talking in the Shawnee tongue," said Lewis. "Can't you
understand what they're driving at?"

"If you only keep your jaws shut a minute or two, I could; but if you
three fellers mean to talk all the time, I should like to know how I am
going to understand any thing they say. See whether you can keep quiet
a minute, just."

Tom's companions did as requested, while he bent his head forward, and
seemed to concentrate all his faculties into the one of listening. Upon
the part of the Riflemen all was still as death. After several minutes
of the acutest attention, Tom raised his head, and said, with a glowing
expression:

"They're talking about _us_."

"The deuce! what are they saying?"

"Don't you see they're pointing up the river and across it? Well, the
meaning of all that is, that they're wondering which way we'll come
from."

"What seems to be the general expectation?"

"The trouble is just there--the expectation is altogether too general.
Some think we're on their trail, others that we're following the other
side the river down, and waiting for the chance to let drive at 'em,
while one, at least, feels certain we're _coming up_ the stream to meet
'em."

"Is that their dispute?"

"A part of it, of course, but the trouble is--what to do. Some want to
strike off in the woods and take a roundabout way to reach home; but
the greatest number want to cross the stream at this point."

"They'll probably do it then."

"Of course they will--no; I'll be shot if they ain't going further into
the woods!" suddenly exclaimed Tom.

"They're going to start in a minute, too. Get ready, boys, for a
rush--it's all we can do."

"Hold still a minute," commanded Tom, excitedly.

Then dropping his rifle, he ran down to the river's edge, and picked up
several large pebbles, one of which he placed in his right hand as if
about to throw it.

"What are you going to do with that?" asked Dick.

"That's none of your business; you've only to wait and see. Just keep
your heads down now, if you don't want them knocked off."

Tom, drawing his hand back, struck it quickly against his