among his friends?" asked the hunter.

"All is peaceful--all is quiet. But we have news of a war party that
left us many days past. They had gone, about the time that the deer
begin to move, to punish some white men who were cast on shore by the
sea where the sun rises."

"What say you?" cried Hendrick, starting. "Have the Red warriors been
successful?"

"They have. Some of the white men have been killed, others caught and
taken to our wigwams to be made slaves or to die."

The consternation of Paul and his friends, on this being translated to
them, may be imagined. Past injuries were forgotten, and instant
preparations were made to set off to the rescue at the earliest dawn of
the following day.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

THE RESCUE PARTY--A RENCONTRE AND BAD NEWS.

Hot haste now marked the proceedings of the rescue party, for Paul and
his friends felt that they had no time to lose. Fortunately the weather
favoured them. That very night a sharp frost set in, hardening the
moist and swampy grounds over which they had to pass. Strongbow, on
being made acquainted with the state of matters, willingly agreed to
lead the party to the place to which he thought it likely the captives
had been taken, or where, at least, information about them might be
obtained from members of his own tribe.

Little Oscar, at his own urgent request, was allowed to accompany them,
and Trueheart, Goodred, and the family baby and nurse, were left in
charge of an old Indian whose life had once been saved by Hendrick, and
who, although too old to go on the war-path, was still well able to keep
the family in provisions.

Although the party was small--numbering only six, two of whom were
boys--it was nevertheless formidable, each man being more than usually
powerful, as well as valiant, whilst the boys, although comparatively
small, possessed so much of the unconquerable spirit of their sires as
to render them quite equal to average men.

The frost, which seemed to have fairly set in, kept them cool during the
day while walking, and rendered their bivouac-fires agreeable at nights.
Little time, however, was allowed for rest or food. They pressed on
each day with unflagging energy, and felt little disposition to waste
time in conversation during the brief halts for needed rest and food.

Occasionally, however, some of the party felt less disposed than usual
for sleep, and sought to drive away anxiety regarding their old
shipmates by ta