wo feet long. "He struck me with this, and he
was dashing it about among the branches."

"He trampled on me too. I thought it was the Indians," I said.

"Then it's a false alarm, and I'm afraid I've hurt the poor lad a good
deal."

But just then Esau sat up, and began rubbing the side of his head.

"Where's my stick?" he said. "Oh, you've got it. Have you driven 'em
away?"

"Driven whom away?" I said.

"Injuns. I thought they would. They came at us, and I'd got that stick
ready."

"Injun allee seepee," said the Chinaman, waving the pine branch to make
it blaze.

"No; they came and attacked us, and I fought 'em till one of 'em knocked
me down and held me on the ground."

"Did you see them come?" said Gunson.

"Couldn't see 'em because it was so dark; but I sprang up at them, and
did the best I could."

"Quong fuss wake. No Injun came all 'long. Quong been make fire all
light fo' bleakfass."

"I tell you they came," cried Esau, angrily. "Look here at my cheek.
It's cut, and bleeds. That was one of their knives."

"That was my knuckles, my lad," said Gunson, "after you had hit me with
this cudgel."

"What?" cried Esau.

"Why, Esau, you were dreaming of Indians, and got up. You stamped on
me."

"Oh, come, if you won't believe it's of no use for me to talk," cried
Esau, angrily.

"Not a bit, so lie down again and go to sleep."

"Yes; allee go seep," said the little Chinaman. "No Injun. Allee
seep."

"Take away that branch, or you'll set this tree on fire," said Gunson.
"Then it's a false alarm. Too much supper, I suppose."

"I wasn't asleep," said Esau, surlily.

"Don't be stubborn," I cried, angrily. "Lie down."

"Here, I ain't your dog, Mr Gordon," said Esau, sourly. "I did all I
could to fight for you both."

"Yes, and jumped on your companion, and nearly broke my collar-bone."

"Well, you've cut my cheek. Why, I shall have a black eye to-morrow."

"I think you and I may as well shake hands about that," said Gunson.
"There, good-night."

As he lay down once more, and the fire flashed up consequent upon the
little Chinaman throwing back the branch, Esau turned to me.

"I say," he whispered, "was I really dreaming?"

"No doubt about it."

"And walked in my sleep?"

"Yes, and fought in your sleep."

"But it was so real. I could see their grinning teeth and rolling eyes,
and every one had got a knife in one hand and a chopper in the other as
they sprang at me."