th his arms tied behind him, in the midst of the warriors--his two
troopers following, closely guarded.

"What can have happened?" I exclaimed. "What can have become of Clarice
and Rachel? My dear sister! some accident must have befallen her."

"I will learn what has happened," said Maysotta.

I hurried to Winnemak, and explained that his people had made prisoners
of those who were on their way to visit his camp.

He thought I was mistaken; but I assured him that I was not, and that
his daughter would corroborate my statement. On hearing this he ordered
the prisoners to be brought forward, when, at once recognizing the
lieutenant and the two troopers, he ordered them to be set at liberty.

Hurrying up to my friend, I eagerly inquired for Clarice and her
attendant.

His emotion would scarcely allow him to reply. He seemed dreadfully cast
down, as well as weak and faint from want of food.

"We had encamped two nights ago," he said, "in a secure spot, as I
supposed, and were in hopes the next day of reaching our destination,
when just at dusk I saw a band of Indians approaching. To prevent them
coming near, I ordered my men to mount and ride forward, while your
sister and Rachel remained, as I hoped, concealed from view. The Indians
retreated to some distance, and I was induced to follow. They then
halted and made signs of friendship, which tempted me to go still
nearer. Suddenly, however, as I was about to inquire who they were, and
where they were going, they set upon me and my men, without the
slightest warning, and before we could even draw our swords or pistols
we were dragged from our horses, and our arms bound behind us. At first
I thought that our captors must be Arrapahas; but looking again at their
costume, I was sure that they were Kaskaskias, belonging to a friendly
tribe. In vain I expostulated, and tried to explain who we were; but
they did not understand me, mistaking us, I believe, for some of the
Mexicans who had accompanied the Arrapahas; at all events, we were
dragged ignominiously along, neither food nor water being given us."

I at once told the chief what the lieutenant had said. He was very
indignant with his people, but explained that the whole had happened by
mistake.

Our first thought, of course, was to discover Clarice and Rachel. The
lieutenant himself was eager to start immediately, but he was evidently
too weak for the undertaking, and was at once led to the chief's tent,
where Mays