hands in five minutes, if you will
go with me."

The three friends looked at Lena-Wingo, as if they wished his opinion
before they assented to the proposal. The Mohawk had been a patient
listener throughout, and he nodded his head and set the example by
leading the way.

"Go with him--he find boat."

Mr. Perkins seemed to form an exalted idea of his own usefulness by the
consciousness that he was the real guide for the time being, and he
stalked off like some leader of his clan. The apprehension that he was
misleading them was quieted by the confidence which the Mohawk showed in
his offer.

"I don't think there's any Indians or Tories about here, and the Lord be
thanked," remarked the settler, who found it about impossible to hold
his tongue when it was once loosed; "but it will be well to act as if
there was danger at every turn now. I advise you all to do like me--and
that is, not to speak a word when on the way through the woods--for I
tell you that it is the easiest thing in the world to let a whole tribe
know your poking round--"

"Be still!" struck in the Mohawk, evidently angered, where the others
were only amused. "Talk too much!"

This peremptory summons to put a check to his clatter was accepted in
the most philosophic manner by the individual for whom the command was
intended.

"That's what I have always maintained," he said. "People are ever
inclined to use their tongues more than they ought."

"Is your gun loaded?" asked Lena-Wingo, in a more considerate manner.

"Yes. I have got a double charge in her."

Thereupon the Indian whispered to Ned Clinton and Jo Minturn to drop
quietly behind, doing it in such a way that their disappearance would
not be noticed by their vaunting leader. The hint was acted upon and
within five minutes from the time it was given, Mr. Perkins was
conducting only the red scout through the forest, while he supposed the
three were directly in the rear of him, awed and speechless by the
stunning observations he was continually making for their benefit.

"As I was about to remark when you interrupted me," continued the
loquacious settler, "there is no fault more frequent than that of using
the tongue when it should be permitted to rest, and the Lord be thanked
that weakness can never be laid to my charge. When Mrs. Perkins and me
was a-coming to our retreat in the woods, she was so inclined to talk
that I had to admonish her several times it was likely to get us into
tro