e that I see Strongbow
making signals which I don't rightly understand."

The Indian guide, who had been walking somewhat in advance of the party,
was seen standing on the summit of a knoll making signals, not to his
friends behind him, but apparently to some one in front. Hastening
forward they soon found that he had discovered friends,--a body of
Indians, who were hurrying to meet him; while down in the valley beyond,
which suddenly burst upon their view, stood an extensive Indian village.
It was of that evanescent and movable kind, which consists of cone-like
tents made of skins and bark spread upon poles.

"They are friends," said Strongbow, when Hendrick and the others reached
him; "kinsmen of the murdered Little Beaver."

"Friends of Hendrick also, I see," said the captain to Paul, as the
hunter hastened forward to meet the Indians and salute them.

He was right, and a few minutes' conversation with his friends sufficed
to put the guide in possession of all he wished to know. Returning to
his companions, he at once relieved their minds, to some extent at
least, by telling them that it was indeed the tribe into whose hands
their old shipmates had fallen, and that the sailors were still alive
and well, though prisoners, and lying under sentence of death.

"Come, that at all events is good news," said Paul. "I thank God we are
not too late, and I make no doubt that we will persuade the Indians to
delay execution of the sentence till we find out whether or not they
have been guilty of this murder. Some of our old shipmates I know are
capable of it, but others are certainly innocent."

Hendrick did not at once reply. It was evident from his looks that he
had not much hope in the merciful disposition of the Indians.

"I know some men of this tribe," he said, "but not all of them--though
they all know me by report. You may at least depend on my influence
being used to the utmost in behalf of your friends. Come, we will
descend."

A few minutes' walk brought them to the foot of the hill where the
Indian tents were pitched. Here they found a multitude of men, women,
and children watching them as they descended the hill, and, from the
looks of many of the former, it seemed not at all improbable that a
rough reception awaited them.

"You see," said Paul, in a low voice to the captain, "they probably
class us with the murderers, because of our white skins. Our only hope,
under God, rests in Hendrick."

Th