ornia, of
course, which they most certainly would never have reached, but he
inflicted no greater punishment than ordering them to mount the
baggage-mules and return with us.

We did not entirely rely on Barney's report that the Indians had left
the neighbourhood, though it perhaps made us less cautious than we would
otherwise have been. As I was well mounted, I frequently went on a
considerable distance ahead, eager to fall in with some one from whom I
might gain intelligence of Uncle Jeff, Clarice, or our friends. I did
not suppose that Uncle Jeff would remain in the mountains where we had
left him, but that he would certainly have come down to meet us; or
perhaps, should Bartle and Gideon have escaped, he might have rejoined
them and returned to Roaring Water.

We had got through the pass, and were about to march to the southward,
in the hope of overtaking the enemy, should they be still lingering in
that part of the country, when I saw smoke ascending from the level
ground close to the foot of the mountain, and some way ahead. On
watching it, I was satisfied that it rose from an encampment of white or
red men. As there was little doubt that information could be obtained
from the inhabitants, whoever they were, the sergeant and I, with two
well-mounted troopers, rode forward, keeping on the alert to guard
against coming suddenly on an enemy.

As we got nearer, I saw, by means of a telescope which I had obtained at
the fort, an Indian camp of a more permanent character than I had yet
fallen in with in that neighbourhood. This was a proof that the
inhabitants were friendly.

[Illustration: PIOMINGO AND HIS SQUAW.]

In a short time several persons appeared; and on seeing us one of them
came forward, habited in the costume of a chief, a quiver at his back
and a bow in his hand. A squaw followed him. He stopped and gazed at me.
Then, as I rode on, he advanced, and, putting out his hand, exclaimed,--

"You know me!--Piomingo. This my squaw. You save my life and her life,
and I am ever your friend."

I told him that I was very glad to see him, and that he could give me
information I very much desired. In the course of conversation he
informed me that he had talked with Winnemak, and had buried, as he
said, the war-hatchet; and he had therefore come and settled in that
district. He had also preserved my horse with the greatest care; and, he
added, he was ready to restore him to me in good condition. With regard
to U