. Here and there a small fleck
floated overhead, like a handful of snow cast there by some giant,
while not a breath of wind disturbed the tree-tops. All was silent and
gloomy as the tomb.

"When are we to go to the Shawnee village?" asked the Lieutenant.

"Now!" replied the Huron.

"Then why do you linger?"

"Cato go with us?"

"That is just as you say, Oonomoo. If you think it imprudent to take
him along, he must remain behind."

"You ain't agoin' to leab me here, be you?"

"Know de way to settlement?" asked the Huron.

"No, no; I (recollecting what he had told the Lieutenant) did know de
way once, but, I's afraid I've forgot it. My mem'ry is gittin' poor."

"You find de way--must go--can't stay wid us."

"Oh, gorry! don't leab me among de Injines; dey will eat me up alive!"
replied the negro, bellowing like a bull.

Canfield saw the glitter of the Huron's eyes, and taking Cato by the
arm, said:

"Let us hear no more of this, Cato, or you will arouse the anger of
Oonomoo, and there is no telling what he may do."

"But, I's afraid to go t'rough de dark woods, dat am full of de
Shawnees," said the negro, in pitiful accents.

"It will be no more dangerous than to go with us. We shall probably
find ourselves right among them before long; while, if you are
cautious, there is little probability of your encountering them. Go,
Cato, and tell Mrs. Prescott and Helen what has happened, but do not
exaggerate it. Tell them, for me, that they can hope for the best, and
that they shall soon hear from Oonomoo and myself."

The words of the Lieutenant had the desired effect upon the negro.
When he saw that he had but a choice between two dangers, he prudently
took that which seemed to be the least, replying that, "all t'ings
'sidered, 'twould be 'bout as well to tote off to de settlement, and
guv de news to de folks dar." He added that he was not influenced by
"pussonal fear, but was simply actin' on de advice ob de Leftenant."

Accordingly, Cato took his departure. Our two friends watched him as
he shuffled across the clearing, and finally disappeared in the shadowy
wood beyond.

Then the Huron turned to the duty before him. Taking a northerly
direction, he proceeded at such a rapid walk that the young soldier was
compelled every now and then to run a few steps to maintain his place
beside him. He kept up his pace for a half-hour or so, when he
suddenly halted.

"Fast walk--make breathe fast," said