t alive, and he meant
to prove it.

In the afternoon the clouds moved away a little, and the rain decreased,
though it did not cease. The Indian signs multiplied, and Henry felt
sure that the forest within a radius of twenty miles of his islet
contained more than one camp. Some great gathering must be in progress
and the hunters were out to supply it with food. Four times he heard
the sound of shots, and thrice more he saw warriors passing through
the forest. Once a wounded deer darted past him, and, lying down in the
bushes, he saw the Indians following the fleeing animal. As the day grew
older the trails multiplied. Certainly a formidable gathering of bands
was in progress, and, feeling that he might at any time be caught in a
net, he returned to the islet, which had now become a veritable fort for
him.

It was not quite dark when he arrived, and he found all as it had been
except the tracks of two panthers under the boughs to which he
had fastened the big pieces of bear meat. Henry felt a malicious
satisfaction at the disappointment of the panthers.

"Come again, and have the same bad luck," he murmured.

At dusk the rain ceased entirely, and he prepared for a journey in the
night. He examined his powder carefully to see that no particle of it
was wet, counted the bullets in his pouch, and then examined the skies.
There was a little moon, not too much, enough to show him the way, but
not enough to disclose him to an enemy unless very near. Then he left
the islet and went swiftly through the forest, laying his course a third
time toward the Indian camp. He was sure now that all the hunters had
returned, and he did not expect the necessity of making any stops for
the purpose of hiding. His hopes were justified, and as he drew near the
camp he became aware that its population had increased greatly. It was
proved by many signs. New trails converged upon it, and some of them
were very broad, indicating that many warriors had passed. They
had passed, too, in perfect confidence, as there was no effort at
concealment, and Henry surmised that no white force of any size could
be within many days' march of this place. But the very security of the
Indians helped his own design. They would not dream that any one of the
hated race was daring to come almost within the light of their fires.

Henry had but one fear just now, and that was dogs. If the Indians had
any of their mongrel curs with them, they would quickly scent him