e intention of
attacking only one side.

We were looking about us, however, in every direction, to ascertain what
manoeuvres they might adopt, when we saw to the westward another body
of horsemen coming across the prairie.

"We are to have a fresh band of them upon us," cried some of our party.

"No, no," I shouted out; "they are white men! I see their rifle barrels
glancing in the sun; and there are no plumes above their heads!"

I was right; and before many minutes were over the Indians had seen them
too, and, not liking their looks, had galloped off to the southward.

We received the strangers with cheers as they drew near; and they proved
to be a large body of traders.

"We heard your shots, and guessed that those Pawnee rascals were upon
you," said their leader, as he dismounted.

He came up to where my father was lying by the side of the waggon.

"I am sorry to see that you are hurt, friend," he said. "Any of the rest
of your people wounded? If there are, and your party will come on to our
camp, we will render you all the assistance in our power."

"Only two of our men have been hit, and that but slightly; and my wound
is nothing," answered my father. "We are much obliged to you, however."

"Well, at all events I would advise you to harness your beasts and move
on, or these fellows will be coming back again," said the stranger. "We
too must not stay here long, for if they think that our camp is left
unguarded they may pay it a visit." His eye, as he was speaking, fell on
Clarice. "Why! my little maiden, were you not frightened at seeing those
fierce horsemen galloping up to your camp?" he asked.

[Illustration: CLARICE AND THE STRANGER.]

"No," she answered simply; "I trusted in God, for I knew that he would
take care of us."

The stranger gazed at her with surprise, and said something which made
her look up.

"Why! don't you always trust in God?" she asked.

"I don't think much about him; and I don't suppose he thinks much about
such a wild fellow as I am," he said in a careless tone.

"I wish you would, then," she said; "nobody can be happy if they do not
trust in God and accept his offer of salvation, because they cannot feel
secure for a moment without his love and protection; and they will not
know where they are to go to when they die."

"I have not thought about that," said the stranger, in the same tone as
before; "and I do not suppose I am likely to find it out."

"Then let me give yo