, a well-turned head, small nose
and a health-tinted complexion, were characteristics to arrest the eye
of the most ordinary observer. Even under disadvantageous circumstances
like the present, these were so striking that they could but make an
impression, and a skillful reader of human nature would have seen that
Lewis had been _touched_--that, in short, the leader of the Riflemen of
the Miami had reached the incipient stages of the passion of passions,
in the short interview to which we have referred. That he would rather
have been scalped than have been suspected of it by his companions, was
very true.

Taking the small hands which were confidingly placed in his own, he
said;

"Let us hear all about this scrape, my little one."

"My home is, or was until night before last, many miles from here. On
that evening, I was left alone by my dearest friend, who little dreamed
of the danger which hovered over our house. The Indians must have been
aware of his absence, for, before it was fairly dark, three of them
stalked in the door without saying a word, and led me away. They have
traveled constantly ever since, and I was almost wearied to death, when
you came up, and by the assistance of kind Heaven, saved me. How came
you to be so interested in a stranger?"

"As for that matter," replied Lewis, "it ain't the first time, my
little one, that _we've_ been interested in strangers. I might say
we've a particular interest in all the whites and reds of this region.
The Riflemen of the Miami----"

"Are you the men who are known by that name?" asked the girl, with a
glowing countenance.

"At your service," replied Lewis, with a modest blush.

"Indeed, I have heard of you, and have heard your name blessed again
and again by the settlers further east."

"Which certainly is pleasant to us. As I was going to say, we were
coming down the Miami, this morning, when we chanced to strike the
trail of these identical Indians. It was easy enough to see that it was
but a short time since they had gone along, and, as it was in our line,
of course we jogged on after them. The red imps were taking it coolly,
and in a couple of hours or so we got sight of them going down the
river. Well, we followed on after them till they made their halt out
here, when--well, you know the rest."

"Of course she does," said Tom, "so what's the use of talking? What's
the gal want to do? Go back to her friends, I s'pose?"

"If you could take me there, I