"You look for trouble?" I asked, for his words and manner were grave.

"I am not one easily alarmed," he answered, scanning our faces as we
fronted him; "but I have lived long among the Indians, and know them
well. This new war with England will not pass without atrocities along
the border, and in my judgment we are now on the eve of a general
uprising of the savages. It will surely come with the first news of
British success, and 't is the fear of reverses at Dearborn that has
hurried me westward. You, sir," and he turned toward me, "are young,
but it is evident you have been bred to the frontier, so you will
realize what it may mean to us if we be caught in the Illinois country
by such an uprising."

I bowed, deeply impressed by his earnestness.

"I have, indeed, seen something of savage warfare, and know much of its
horror," I replied stoutly. "Yet what you say of the possible future
only makes more urgent my duty to press on."

"And you?" he asked De Croix.

"Faith, Captain," was the instant reply, "it is the gentle hand of love
which leads me westward, and never yet did a true Frenchman hesitate in
such a quest because danger lurked between."

Wells smiled grimly.

"Then my conscience is left clear," he exclaimed heartily; "and if you
ride with me to death, 'tis of your own choosing. However, glad enough
we have cause to be thus to gain two more fighting men. I have a party