Ned in the Block-House

expressed, was genuine, and at once dissipated the lat

y cleared away, and Deerfoot smiled more than before as he turned t

, and, slapping the lad on th

hear the folks say you are the stupidest boy in all Kentucky, I

how he should accept this remark. While he was considering the matter, Deer

ly, and moaned among the branches, from which the crisp leaves, turning from bright yellow and flaming crimson to dull brown, were continually drifting downward. The squir

owny that they scarcely found their way to the leaves below. It was the tim

only Indian near them, and he was vastly relieved that

into camp. He could conceive of no reason why they should push forward any furt

who related, in his pointed way, the story of th

the block-house!" excla

s head to signify there cou

round and go back to Wild

and tell him of the Wyandots," said the

you to go with us; we can ma

red from the path on

aste," replied young Preston; "that could not happen

n the daytime;

would not have hesitated to start on t

nd wait till the rising of the morning sun. I have

head; he had anot

hand the letters to the white so

st; we will follow

he young pioneer, who, it must be stated, could

ttempt to enter the post. They could not reach the station ahead of the Wyandots, and it would be a task of extreme d

if embarrassed by two companions, whom the other Indians would co

oe to take the letters and make his way through the trackless forest, w

re appreciated by no one more than by young Preston

h temperament, he disliked severe exertion. He had not only been on the tramp most of the day, but, during the last half hour, had been

'll be fresh, and we can run all de way to de Lickin', and get dar

upon him in the dusk

night may wait here; Deerfoot a

bout, and, facing southwest, strode off

knows hisself, while you folks go to your destru

rse, took the lead, Ned Preston stepping close behind him, while the Afric

ouched them as lightly as do the velvet paws of the tiger when stealing through the jungle. Ned Preston took extreme care to imitate hi

e gait was slackened, that, to a certain

bank nor along the watercourse of any stream to guide them; but the dusky leader advanced as unerrin

head projected slightly beyond. This was his attitude while on the trail, and when all his faculties were alert. Eye and ear were strained to th

ion in response to the long, loping tread of the Indian; occasionally he could detect a part of the quiver, fa

ch silence that Ned feared he had left them altogether. But he was there all the time

hecked himself with his chin almost upon the arrow-quiver. It was different with Blossom, who bumped his nose against the sh

e slightest sound, and they wondered

runks beside them, those behind waiting the pleasure of

ing which the listening followers heard only the soughing of the night-wind and

hawanoe showed that he was moving forward again, and the others re

whisper or halt. Blossom, although wearied and displeased, appreciated the situation too we

the thought which came to him; "and when I make up my mi

he heard the same warning hiss from the Shawanoe, and checked h

e, which it was necessary to cross to reach the block-house. It ran into the Licking a number of mile

ted, and which was used on their return. As they took a course each time which brought them to the same point on the tributary, this was an easy matter.

ty; and as Deerfoot had brought them to a point on the bank far removed from the usual

they had stood motionless several minutes looki

wide; we can swim

than once; but there is snow flying in the air, and

ich was probably meant as an expression of co

did he, in point of fact, mean to force

Deerfoot

own the bank, while Blossom Brown th

night, and I hope he has gone f

" explained Ned, "for he is too

s anxiouser

ealing along the stream close to the shore. In it was seated a single warrior, who did not sway hi

hispered Blossom,

he is; it's

aid the lad, lowering his p

ile the Shawanoe held the craft against the shore, they stepped within, Ne

lightly dipped the ashen paddle alternately on the right an

t is that?

ence which showed he held no doubt in the matter, though he might have found it

ant to follow the stream to its confluence with the Licking. Suspecting he w

if you did but know it, Deerf

o other sign, but continued down the creek with arrowy swiftness for t

ern where they were going, and back, that he might admire the gr

Blossom Brown thought they were going to upset and be precipitated into the water. By the time

n everything was removed, Deerfoot stooped over, and, wit

ake dat along to hold ober

only a few paces, when he placed it under a clump of bushes, pulled some leaves ove