going to attack
you, I thought it best not to come until we were all together."

The Rifleman spoke with such sadness that all noticed it and felt great
curiosity to know the cause. There was but one who dared to question
him, the elder Smith, and he at once called him aside.

"What's the matter, Lew?" he asked. "I never saw you act so odd. Come,
out with it."

"Oh, there's nothing the matter with me," replied Dernor, his very
manner showing an increase of his embarrassment.

"Yes, now, I know there is. Let's hear it."

The bronzed face of the hunter took a deeper hue as he asked:

"Is she--Edith with you?"

"Of course she is," laughed Smith, a dim, vague idea of his meaning
beginning to make its way through his brain.

"To tell the truth, then, Smith, there is one man of ours that I _must_
prevent from seeing her."

Smith looked up in amazement. Lewis proceeded:

"The distance from here to the settlement toward which you are
journeying is not more than forty miles. Let me take Edith and make
that journey alone. I have traveled the ground often enough, and I will
lead her through the woods safely and much sooner than you can perform
the same journey. This is the only favor I have ever asked or expect to
ask of you. Don't refuse it.

"Why, my heavens! who intended to refuse it? Take her? Of course you
may, provided she is willing, for where could she be safer than in the
charge of Lew Dernor? Nowhere, I cac'late."

"You please tell her that it is _necessary_, then, will you?"

Old Smith hastened away, and told Edith Sudbury that her own safety
demanded that she should place herself under the care of the hunter,
who would conduct her safely to the settlement. She exhibited some
natural hesitation at first, but having perfect confidence both in
Smith, who so long had acted the part of father toward her, and in
Dernor, who had manifested such interest in her welfare, she made her
preparations. Smith simply stated to the others that this singular
proceeding was imperatively necessary, and requested them not to refer
to it in the presence of the other hunters.

A few minutes later, the four remaining Riflemen stepped into the
stream, and commenced wading across. As they did so, Edith Sudbury and
the hunter plunged into the forest, and commenced their eventful
journey to the settlement.

CHAPTER V.

APPREHENSION.

They're gone--again the red-men rally
With dance and song the woods resound