ng his own
captivity among that people. He was one of the wildest revelers at the
feast described in "Campfire and Wigwam", though generally he was
reserved. What drew Jack toward him was the recollection that no one in
the village showed more consideration toward him than did he who sat on
the blanket smoking his pipe and looking into the fire, as if in deep
reverie. He had interfered several times when the prisoner was
threatened with violence, and was so consistent, indeed, in his
chivalry, that when Jack had assured himself the Sank was alone, he
walked forward with Otto at his heels, and offered his hand.

The red man showed no surprise, though he must have been astonished to
meet the white youths so many miles from their own home. He rose to his
feet, without any appearance of haste, shook hands with both, muttering
something which was doubtless meant as a welcome. Jack managed to speak
a few words in the Sauk language, but, for practical purposes, they
might as well have remained unspoken.

But several facts were extracted from the Indian which added to the
pleasure of the visitors. The Sauk was alone, he had not seen any
Indians for several days, and he had some meat left from that which he
had rudely broiled for his own meal. When I say he placed this at the
disposal of the guests, it need not be added that in a short time there
was none of it left.

The reason why the Sauk had fixed on that spot for his camp was that a
tiny spring bubbled from under some rocks near at hand. The bowl-like
cavity, in which it collected before rippling away among the gnarled
roots of the trees, held enough to afford all they could wish. The added
moisture of this spring, as is often the case, nourished a vigorous
growth of succulent green grass, which was also turned to good account.

Just as the boys finished eating, they were startled by the whinney and
stamp of a horse near them. They looked inquiringly at the Sauk, who
smiled and nodded in a fashion which showed that the animal belonged to
him. Instead of traveling the long distance on foot, as did our friends,
he had ridden a horse, which had been cropping the grass close at hand
when the boys came up. The latter's reconnoissance of the camp before
presenting themselves failed to show the presence of the animal.

Observing the interest of the boys, the Sauk picked up a brand from the
camp-fire, swung it over his head until it was fanned into a vigorous
flame, and then m