were now placed, no less on his discretion, than on his disposition to
serve her.

The Indians had, however, no sooner deprived the captives of their
arms and ammunition, and stripped them of a few articles of dress of
little use, and perhaps of less value, than they appeared disposed to
grant them a respite. Business of greater moment pressed on their
hands, and required their attention. Another consultation of the
chiefs was convened, and it was apparent, by the earnest and vehement
manner of the few who spoke, that the warriors conceived their success
as yet to be far from complete.

"It will be well," whispered the trapper, who knew enough of the
language he heard to comprehend perfectly the subject of the
discussion, "if the travellers who lie near the willow brake are not
awoke out of their sleep by a visit from these miscreants. They are
too cunning to believe that a woman of the 'pale-faces' is to be found
so far from the settlements, without having a white man's inventions
and comforts at hand."

"If they will carry the tribe of wandering Ishmael to the Rocky
Mountains," said the young bee-hunter, laughing in his vexation with a
sort of bitter merriment, "I may forgive the rascals."

"Paul! Paul!" exclaimed his companion in a tone of reproach, "you
forget all! Think of the dreadful consequences!"

"Ay, it was thinking of what you call consequences, Ellen, that
prevented me from putting the matter, at once, to yonder red-devil,
and making it a real knock-down and drag-out! Old trapper, the sin of