He was now reposing quietly beside me, utterly oblivious to external things; and as the night was far advanced, I sank upon my knees, and besought the great Disposer of events to guide me aright in the undertaking which I was about to commence, and to watch over my unfortunate companion, now doubtless in captivity; to protect the kind-hearted trapper, and to soon clear away the mystery which had enveloped us like a cloud. Then I lay down and slept. I awoke, hearing a slight rustling noise beside me, and, upon looking around, caught a glimpse of Biddon as he departed. It was very early, and he doubtless was after the horses, in order to leave at once the place which had such terrors for him. In the course of a half hour he returned. “The horses are waitin’,” said he. I arose and passed out. The three animals stood outside, a short distance away, each saddled and prepared for travel. “Come, work lively, and fetch them skins out,” said Biddon, commencing himself. I made no reply, but assisted him until everything was in readiness, for starting. “Jump on, and shoot me ef we won’t soon be clar of this outlandish place.” “Biddon, I am not going with you,” I said, mildly. “_What?_” he asked, looking wonderingly at one, as if doubting my senses. “I intend to remain here.” “Ogh! jump on, an’ shut up yer meat-trap; it’s time we started.” “I said I was going to remain here.” “Do you mean it, Jarsey?” he queried, bending such a fierce look upon me. “Most certainly I do.” “Then, all Bill Biddon’s got to say is, you’re a fool.” I colored slightly at this, but made no reply. “What yer going to stay fur? Get shot and lose yer ha’r, I s’pose, jist to please the reds.” “I am sorry, friend Biddon, that you feel thus. When Nathan Todd and I left the States for this country, we pledged eternal friendship to each other, and I am sure I should never feel at ease if I should leave him in this dire extremity. I am by no means satisfied that I can afford him no assistance, although he is a captive. He has no claims upon you, and I should not expect you to remain, but, as I said, I am determined not to leave this place until I have obtained satisfactory intelligence of him.” The trapper remained silent a few moments after this. He then spoke: “I s’pose you mean right, Jarsey, but you’re awful simple. Yer’s as what hopes you’ll find the other chap right side up and squar with his ha’r on, but I don’t ’spect _your_ ha’r ’ll be yer’s to-night. Howsumever you’re bound to stay, I see, so yer’s good luck. I’d like to stay with you, but I ain’t backward to own Bill Biddon knocks under _this_ time.” He reached his hard, horny hand, and I took it. “Good-by, Bill, I hope we shall meet again. We have not been long acquainted, but I trust long enough to be friends.” “And you’ll remember as how ole Bill Biddon didn’t mean what he said just now.” “Certainly, certainly, I know you did not.” “Wal, good-by it is, then.”