he responsible for her safety? Could he have run straight before the
gale, it would not have been so difficult. But the creek was over
there to the right, hence it was necessary to run in a diagonal manner
which caused the boat to ship a great deal of water. But keep this
steadfast course he did, and after a desperate struggle, _The
Frontiersman_ poked her nose into the opening of the creek, and was
soon gliding calmly over the smooth water within.




CHAPTER XIV

ANOTHER PRISONER

It was morning when Reynolds opened his eyes and looked around. He
believed that he had been dreaming, and a horrible dream it was. In a
few minutes his senses returned, and he vividly recalled the terrible
experiences through which he had recently passed. But where was he?
What had happened to him? Why was he not yet upon the raft, drifting
with the wind and tide? He glanced about the room and saw that it was
a cozy place, with the sunlight streaming in through an open window on
the right. He attempted to rise, but fell back wearily upon the bed.
Then he called, and the sound of his own voice startled him, so
strangely hollow and unreal did it seem.

A light footstep near the door caused him to look in that direction.
An Indian woman was coming toward him, a big motherly-looking person,
with a smile upon her face.