e Indian encampment. Heretofore there had been a protest
against his doing so, but in this case Harry did not offer any
objections.

On his return Harry noticed several objects which he carried back and
was surprised to see they were the peculiar headdresses worn by the
attacking party. It was a matter of wonder to him that John should make
a prize of these things, but when the Professor was called, and he
noticed them, his face lighted up, and nodding his head, said: "Well,
this is a wonderful piece of information."

"What is it?"

"How stupid I have been, not to recognize that before."

"What is the matter with the headgears that John brought in?"

"Look at the topknot of the fellow we have in the wagon."

The moonlight was sufficiently clear to enable Harry to distinguish a
pronounced difference.

"So another tribe that our captive does not belong to has been pursuing
us?"

This news was of so much importance that Harry waked up George, although
it was not his hour for the watch.

"What do you think, George, the fellow we have does not belong to the
attacking party." George was too sleepy to comprehend the intelligence
at once.

"How do you know it?"

"John has just brought in several of the headdresses, and they are
entirely unlike the one the chief has."

The utter disregard of the savages for the chief was now explained.

When morning came the Professor turned to the boys, and remarked: "I
have still further information to impart this morning."

"What is it?" was the query of both.

"Last night when I made an examination of the articles John brought in,
I was under the impression that our pursuers were the other tribe that
we first met north of the river. On more carefully looking them over I
find that our late enemies are an entirely different tribe, so that we
must count on three distinct people in our further explorations."

CHAPTER IV

THE ESCAPE. ENCOUNTERING ANOTHER HOSTILE TRIBE

The boys did not know how to receive this news; whether it complicated
the situation or really offered an easier solution. The annoying thing
was that the natives were at war with each other, and, apparently, all
were at war with them.

The Professor commended John for his intuition, or whatever it may be
called, in enabling them to gain this information. In his mute way he
made a place for himself in the hearts of all. His wonderful ability
with the gun, his caution and prudence, and the remarkable