to regain it.

"Spotted Wolf has escaped, and has gone off with the horse!" I cried
out.

My voice aroused our sleeping companions, who sprang to their feet.
Fortunately Rochford had heard me, and came back. We at once held a
consultation as to what was to be done. It was the general opinion that
Spotted Wolf would rejoin our late assailants, and probably bring them
down upon us. We therefore agreed to load ourselves with the venison,
and set off at once for the fort. Lejoillie was very much ashamed of
himself, as it was evident that the Indian had made his preparations for
escaping while he had been dozing. The stars served to guide us, and
although we frequently stumbled over logs of wood and branches, we
managed to get some distance before daylight. We then pushed on as fast
as our weary legs and heavy loads would allow us.

Our friends were very much surprised at seeing us arrive without the
horse.

"I thought so!" exclaimed Carlos, when we told of the Indian's flight.
"I knew that fellow was trying to play us a trick from the first; and he
would have done so before now, had we not kept a watchful eye on him."

We brought venison enough to last a couple of days, or even longer on
short commons, provided we could manage to dry it in the sun or smoke
it.

Rochford told me that he had resolved to set out immediately, and make
his way to the lodges of Oceola. Captain Norton, on hearing of his
determination, though anxious to recover my cousin, saw clearly the
danger our friend would run, especially since the spy had made his
escape, and coming into the hut where we were standing, spoke earnestly
to him on the subject.

"Spotted Wolf will tell the Redskins that you have been with us," he
said. "They, of course, considering that we are their enemies, will
treat you very differently to what they might previously have done."

"I am fully prepared for every danger I may have to encounter," answered
Rochford, as he took the captain's hand; "but I have resolved, at the
risk of my life, to restore Juanita to her family, if she be willing to
intrust herself to my care. I have become acquainted with Oceola, and
know him to be as generous as he is brave, although he may not have been
able to restrain his followers from committing the cruel and sanguinary
deeds of which they have been guilty. We shall meet again, I trust, ere
long; and if not, those here will know that I have fallen in a righteous
cause."