'I hope nothing has happened.' answered Johnny, feeling that he
deserved all the blame that could be laid upon him.

'Not much, exceptin' while yer war snoozin' the reds have come down
and got us all in a nice box.'

The boy was certain he was jesting until he saw the expression of his
face.

'Surely, Baldy, it is not as bad as that?'

'Do you see that ar?' demanded the trapper, pointing toward the wall,
which the youngster could not help observing.

'How comes that to be there?'

'The red-skins put it thar. Can yer steam man walk over that?'

'Certainly not; but we can remove them.'

'Do yer want to try it, younker?'

'I'm willing to help.'

'Do yer know that ar' somethin' less nor a hundred red-skins ahind
them, jist waitin' fur yer to try that thing?'

'Good heavens! can it be possible?'