OD.

As we approached Piomingo's camp, or rather village, we saw him hurrying
out to meet us.

"I have gained information for you," he said, "about one of your white
friends who has long been held in captivity by the Arrapahas. The party
who have him remained for some time in the neighbourhood of Roaring
Water, if they are not there still. If you hasten on, you may overtake
them; but it would be dangerous to approach with a large band, in case
they should immediately kill their prisoner--they have already killed
several who had fallen into their power--rather than run the risk of
allowing him to escape. My advice is, that a small number of experienced
men should pursue them, followed by a larger party at a short distance;
and I willingly offer to serve as a scout to accompany the first party.
If we can find the Arrapahas in camp, we may be able to liberate the
prisoner; or if we can form an ambush and pounce suddenly out on them,
we may manage to cut the thongs with which he is bound, mount him on one
of our horses, and carry him off."

As we were convinced that the white man of whom Piomingo spoke was
Bartle Won, Uncle Jeff and Gideon accepted the brave's offer without
hesitation. It was finally settled that Piomingo, Gideon, and I should
push on until we came upon the trail of the Arrapahas, and that a party
of twenty men, under Sergeant Custis, should follow us. We were then
cautiously to approach the camp of the enemy, and endeavour by some
means or other to liberate Bartle. We had confidence in the success of
our plan, for Piomingo had ever been celebrated for his cunning and
audacity, which he had in times past exercised in less reputable ways
than that in which he now proposed to employ them. Some of Winnemak and
Piomingo's people, who were now on good terms, scoured the country as
scouts; and from the reports they brought us we were satisfied that the
chief body of the enemy had completely deserted the neighbourhood.
Still, the party of whom Piomingo had heard might have remained behind,
and we therefore at once commenced our search for their trail.

But I must be brief in my account. For two days we searched in every
direction, scarcely resting, till at length we discovered a trail which
Piomingo was confident was that of our foes; and, moreover, he said they
had a white man with them. They had, however, he thought, passed some
days before. Piomingo sent back one of his men to urge Sergeant Custis
to come