ke tracks at once, as Mister
Rawlings says, or else I'll--" and he shook his fist expressively to
complete the sentence.

"Perhaps I had better go," said Ernest Wilton at this juncture. "Jasper
seems to be so frightened that he might lose his way; and, at all
events, he would probably have forgotten half your instructions when he
got to the creek, and give only a garbled account of what has happened.
I think I would make the best messenger, unless you would prefer me to
remain with you in case the Indians should return in force before we get
help."

"Go by all means," answered Mr Rawlings. "I needn't tell you to hurry,
my boy, you know the necessity of that, on every account! Jasper shall
stop here and help defend us in case the savages assail us before you
get back;" and Mr Rawlings could not help smiling as he spoke, in spite
of their perilous position, at the comical idea of the cowardly Jasper
acting as a protector.

"Bress us and sabe us, Massa Rawlings!" ejaculated the negro in mortal
terror, about which there was no pretence or affectation. "Don't say
dat, don't now! mebbe it come out for true! I'se rader go 'th Mass'
Willerton, an' bring back the waggin for Mass' Seth, iss, sah."

"No you won't," said Mr Rawlings. "You hesitated to go when I told
you, and now you shall stop here whether you like it or not!"
emphasising his words by laying his hand on the darkey's shoulder, in
such an impressive manner that he could not but submit to the command.
But long before the question of Jasper's staying behind or going off
with the young engineer was settled, Ernest had started off on the back
track towards Minturne Creek at a brisk run, and was shortly out of
sight behind the top of the plateau they had just descended from.

Prior to leaving, however, Ernest considerately ordered Wolf to remain
in his place, as he would be of much service in the event of an Indian
attack, telling the sagacious animal to lie at Seth's feet, with a "Hi,
watch there; old man!" an order which the dog at once obeyed, while his
master was off and away in an instant.

"Well, Seth," said Mr Rawlings, when the young engineer had disappeared
from their gaze, "you haven't yet told me how this catastrophe occurred?
But let me see your foot now, and I can examine it, and see what I can
do to that while you are telling me all about it." And Mr Rawlings
proceeded to cut away a portion of Seth's boot with his clasp knife--the
same as he ha