What's the matter, Lew? What is there about that name that so troubles
you?"

"Never mind, Jim. I did not think it was _her_!"

Smith had too much natural kindness of heart to refer to a subject so
painful to the hunter, although his curiosity was great to know what
could possibly have affected him so strangely. As nothing further was
said by Dernor, this curiosity remained unsatisfied for a long time.

The emigrant-party shortly after was under way. When within a mile or
so of the creek to which we have referred, one of the scouts
reconnoitered it, and came in with the report that quite a body of
Shawnees were on its banks, and beyond a doubt were waiting for the
company to come up. Dernor coincided in this opinion, and held a
consultation with the male members of the party. The result of this
consultation was a determination on his part to make all haste to the
rendezvous of the Riflemen of the Miami, and bring them hither, the
settlers agreeing to halt and await their arrival. The danger that
menaced them was certainly great to make this step necessary.

CHAPTER III.

THE RIFLEMEN OF THE MIAMI.

There they sat and chatted gayly, while the flickering of the blaze
Led the shadows on their faces in a wild and devious maze;
And among them, one I noted, unto whom the rest gave place,
Which was token he was foremost in the fight or in the chase.

DR. ENGLISH.

One cold, drizzly, sleety day, in a winter toward the latter part of
the last century, a party of Shawnee Indians crossed from the Kentucky
cane-brakes into Ohio. Penetrating its deep, labyrinthine forests, they
came upon a double cabin, where dwelt two widows, with several
children. These they inhumanly massacred, and burnt their dwellings to
the ground. Then, laden with their plunder, they set out on their
return to Kentucky.

It so happened that two brothers, George and Lewis Dernor, who were
upon a hunting expedition in this section, came upon the burning cabin
within an hour after the savages had left it. They saw by the numerous
tracks that the party was too large for them to think of attacking;
nevertheless, they took the trail with the resolution of ascertaining
to what tribe the savages belonged; and, if possible, to pick off one
or two, as a slight payment for the outrage they had committed.
Following on for several miles, they gained a glimpse of them, as they
crossed a ridg