t they've got to say for theirselves. By
good luck, we've the devantage o' 'em. They're bound to kum 'long the
big trail. Tharfor, ef we throw ourselves on it, we'll intercep' an'
take 'em as in a trap. Jess afore we turned in hyar, I noticed a spot
whar we kin ambuskade."

"Let us do so; but what about these?" Clancy points to the other three,
still seemingly asleep. "Hadn't we better awake them? At all events,
Heywood: we may need him."

"For that matter, no. Thar's but two buck Injuns. The does wont count
for much in a skrimmage. Ef they show thar teeth I reckin we two air
good for uglier odds than that. Howsomever, it'll be no harm to hev
Ned. We kin roust him up, lettin' Harkness an' the mulattar lie.
Ye'es; on second thinkin' it'll be as well to hev him along. Ned!
Ned!"

The summons is not spoken aloud, but in a whisper, Woodley stooping down
till his lips touch Heywood's ear. The young hunter hearing him,
starts, then sits up, and finally gets upon his feet, rubbing his eyes
while erecting himself. He sees at once why he has been awakened. A
glance cast upon the river shows him the strangely ridden horses; still
visible though just entering the tree-shadow on its nether bank.

In a few hurried words Woodley makes known their intention; and for some
seconds the three stand in consultation, all having hold of their
rifles.

They do not deem it necessary to rouse either the ex-jailer or Jupiter.
It is not advisable, in view of the time that would be wasted. Besides,
any noise, now, might reach the ears of the Indians, who, if alarmed,
could still retreat to the opposite side, and so escape. Woodley, at
first indifferent about their capture, has now entered into the spirit
of it. It is just possible some information may be thus obtained, of
service to their future designs. At all events, there can be no harm in
knowing why the redskins are travelling at such an untimely hour.

"As a gen'ral rule," he says, "Tair best let Injuns go thar own way when
thar's a big crowd thegitter. When thar aint, as it chances hyar, it
may be wisest to hev a leetle palaver wi' them. They're putty sure to a
been arter some diviltry anyhow. 'S like 's not this lot's been a
pilferin' somethin' from the new settlement, and air in the act o'
toatin' off thar plunder. Ef arter gruppin' 'em, we find it aint so, we
kin let go again, an' no dammidge done. But first, let's examine 'em,
an' see."

"Our horses?" s