"No, no," I shouted out; "they are white men! I see their rifle-barrels glancing in the sun; and there are no plumes above their heads!" I was right; and before many minutes were over the Indians had seen them too, and, not liking their looks, had galloped off to the southward. We received the strangers with cheers as they drew near; and they proved to be a large body of traders. "We heard your shots, and guessed that those Pawnee rascals were upon you," said their leader, as he dismounted. He came up to where my father was lying by the side of the waggon. "I am sorry to see that you are hurt, friend," he said. "Any of the rest of your people wounded? If there are, and your party will come on to our camp, we will render you all the assistance in our power." "Only two of our men have been hit, and that but slightly; and my wound is nothing," answered my father. "We are much obliged to you, however." "Well, at all events I would advise you to harness your beasts and move on, or these fellows will be coming back again," said the stranger. "We too must not stay here long, for if they think that our camp is left unguarded they may pay it a visit." His eye, as he was speaking, fell on Clarice. "Why! my little maiden, were you not frightened at seeing those fierce horsemen galloping up to your camp?" he asked. "No," she answered simply; "I trusted in God, for I knew that he would take care of us." The stranger gazed at her with surprise, and said something which made her look up. "Why! don't you always trust in God?" she asked. "I don't think much about him; and I don't suppose he thinks much about such a wild fellow as I am," he said in a careless tone. "I wish you would, then," she said; "nobody can be happy if they do not trust in God and accept his offer of salvation, because they cannot feel secure for a moment without his love and protection; and they will not know where they are to go to when they die." "I have not thought about that," said the stranger, in the same tone as before; "and I do not suppose I am likely to find it out." "Then let me give you a book," said Clarice, "which will tell you all about it." She went to the waggon, and brought out a small Bible. "There! If you will read that, and do what it tells, you will become wise and happy." "Well, my dear, I will accept your book, and do as you advise me. I once knew something about the Bible, before I left home, years and years ago; but I have not looked into one since." Without opening the book, the stranger placed it in his breast-pocket; then, after exchanging a few words with my father, who promised to follow his advice, he left the camp and rejoined his companions. My father, being unable to ride without difficulty, had himself placed in the waggon by the side of Clarice; and the animals being put to, we once more moved on to the westward, while we saw our late visitors take an easterly course.