Before the Indian knew his danger the vigilant settler had his unerring rifle at his shoulder, and his keen eye was running along the barrel. But he noticed that the Indian carried a bow and arrow instead of a gun. This was so unusual that he hesitated. At the moment of doing so Red Crow stopped short and looked up with a startled look, as though recalling his forgetfulness. Despite his paint, Edwards recognized him as Arqu-wao, whom he had often seen when he was actively engaged in scouting along the frontier. The pioneer had stopped both horses, and he and his wife were on foot when this little episode took place. "By George!" he exclaimed to his companion, "I came within a hair of killing that poor crazy fool, Red Crow." "What can be his business with us unless it be unfriendly?" asked the wife, who also held a weapon in her hands. "He may have been sent forward by some of the others." "I don't think we have anything to fear from him. I never heard that he harmed those who did not interfere with him. I will see what he wants with us." As Red Crow approached, Mr. Edwards addressed him by name and repeated his own, but the Shawanoe showed no signs of recognizing it. "Why did you come here?" asked the white man, sternly. "Shaw'noe dere and dere and dere," replied Red Crow, pointing toward every point except that of the block-house; "if go on path, Shaw'noe kill white man--kill white woman." "Do you want to help us?" "Me show way--Shaw'noe not see--not find." This promise was received with a good deal of skepticism, but the feelings of the parents were greatly stirred by the next words that were quickly uttered: "White boy Wart'n--white boy Larr--dey come with Arqu-wao." "What!" exclaimed the father, recognizing the names, and striding in front of the Indian; "do you know anything about those two boys?" Red Crow nodded his head several times. "Where are they?" "Up dere," he replied, pointing in the direction of the point in the trail where he had left them but a short time before. "What can this mean?" demanded the agitated parent. "I must investigate it. We will leave the horses here while we go back with him." The mother was as anxious to meet her son and Larry, and they quickly made ready to start. CHAPTER XXX. ALL TOGETHER. Brigham Edwards stopped short on hearing the signal of Kenton, and he and his wife held themselves ready to repulse any attack from the Indians, whom they knew to be in the neighborhood. Red Crow did a little thing which won the confidence of the couple, who could not help regarding him at first with suspicion: he placed himself directly in front, with his bow and arrow ready for use. The little party was not kept long in suspense. From among the trees strode the athletic figure of the famous scout, who, at that time, was in his magnificent prime. Directly behind him walked Wharton Edwards and Larry Murphy.