ere is he? Has he been unable to come
and look for me?"

The assurance I gave that Manley was well, and not far off, soon
restored Clarice to her usual composure.

Having no longer any fears about Manley's safety, she was able to answer
the questions I put to her. After telling me how the lieutenant and his
men had ridden off to meet the Indians, she continued:--

"We were sitting before the fire awaiting their return, when what was
our dismay to see two huge wolves approaching the camp, followed by a
number of cubs! Our first impulse was to fly; and while the wolves
stopped to eat up our provisions, we were able to escape to a distance.
We took refuge in the hollow of a tree, which afforded us sufficient
shelter, and the aperture being some way up, we felt sure the wolves
could not make their way in. But Maysotta has been telling me that
something dreadful has happened, though I cannot make out what she
means."

"I will tell you all about that by-and-by," I answered; "but I am eager
to know how Maysotta managed to find you."

"As soon as we thought that the wolves had gone from our camp, Rachel
went to see if anything had been left; but the savage creatures had
carried off everything, and at the same time frightened away our horses
and mules, and they were nowhere to be seen. We remained in the tree for
some time, and I do not think anybody would have found us. Then Rachel
went away to try and get some berries and roots. She had not been long
absent when I heard a dog barking, and looking out through a small hole
in the hollow trunk, I saw Maysotta approaching. I therefore stepped out
of my place of concealment; and Maysotta, who was delighted to find me,
said that she had come out expressly to search for us, and would take us
immediately to the camp. Of course, I could not go without Rachel, and
we are now on our way to look for her, as she cannot be far off."

[Illustration: FOUND AT LAST!]

"Keokuk will find her," said Maysotta, patting her dog on the head, and
saying a few words to him.

Away he started, and in a short time we heard him barking loudly.
Maysotta, leaving Clarice with me, hurried on, and in a few minutes we
saw her approach, guiding Rachel towards us.

Rachel's joy on seeing me was so demonstrative, that I scarcely liked to
tell her or my sister of the destruction of the farm. However, it had to
be done, and I related all that had taken place. As I proceeded, Rachel
gave full vent to her g