say, Misther----"

Tim now began motioning very earnestly for this article, bullet-pouch
and box of percussion caps that the savage had at his side; but the
shrewd old fellow was sharper than they expected. He indulged in a
peculiar grin, and held them very rigidly.

Howard laughed.

"You don't get anything more without paying for it?"

"What shall I pay? I've alriddy overdrawn me bank account, as they say."

"Let him take my watch," said Elwood. "Fact is, I think it has been
ruined by the salt water."

"No, that's too much; haven't ye got some trinket about yees that isn't
good for nothing and that you doesn't want?"

The boys searched themselves. Elwood finally produced a small silver
pencil.

"Just the thing," said Tim.

But the old Indian, evidently failed to consider it just the thing, for
he continued obdurate and shook his head.

A new idea struck Howard. He wrenched off several brass buttons from his
coat, and handed them to Tim. The eyes of their host fairly sparkled, as
does a child's at sight of a coveted toy, and rising to his feet he
tottered hastily toward them, and tossed the coveted articles into the
Irishman's lap.

"Now, if the owld gentleman would only dispose of his pipe and a ton or
two of tobaccy to me, or make me a prisent of 'em, I'd lave and feel
aisy."

A few more brass buttons procured this also, and our friends had good
cause to feel delighted over the result of the bargain.

"There doesn't seem to be anything more that we can do, and it strikes
me that it would be prudent for us to leave," said Howard.

"I think so," added Elwood. "I believe there are other Indians at hand,
or within call, else he wouldn't be so willing to part with his gun."

The savage now rose and acted in rather a singular manner. Walking to
the opening which answered for a door, he passed out and motioned for
his visitors to follow. They did so, and when upon the outside he
pointed off to the east, nodded his head, and swept his left arm.

"What does he mean?" asked Howard, totally at a loss to understand him.

"He means that this is the direction for us to follow."

"He maans, too, that there's danger in waiting here, and that we'd
better be thramping."

Elwood took a step or two in the direction indicated to test the meaning
of their friend. He nodded very earnestly, and satisfied them all that
the safest plan was for them to leave as soon as possible, and take the
course pointed out by him.