It is true that the hawk cry which he construed into a preconcerted signal had roused him to action; but the boat and its occupants, one of whom was doubtless the settler's daughter, had left the shore. And he had fired into the craft without thinking that his ball might find the heart of the fair girl, and imperil his own life. It was a startled group that surrounded the young scout, and almost uncontrollable anger flashed in Oscar Parton's eyes. Kate had been abducted during Catlett's hour on guard! The fact was sufficient to give birth to a new and bitter forest feud. But the young borderer avoided the lover's gaze, as he did not desire to enter into a controversy which calmer moments would make appear ridiculous. With remarkable tact and secrecy the girl had been stolen from the couch in the boat. Even Carl's wakefulness had failed to baffle the thief. Since the scout's arrival a feeling of security had settled over the camp, and the sleep of its inmates was deeper than it had been for many nights. The abductor probably knew this; but at any rate he had carried out his scheme at a propitious moment. In the exciting council that followed the abduction an hundred suggestions were offered, to be rejected. Wolf Cap and his friend hardly unsealed their lips, but listened attentively to all that was said. "Now what say you, Wolf Cap?" said Abel Merriweather, appealing to the tall man. "You have not said ten words about my dear child's peril, and we know that you are a king in these forests; and you have said that you would get us to Wayne or die in the attempt. For God's sake suggest some plan of swift rescue, for we are tortured almost beyond endurance." Slowly Wolf Cap turned upon the settler, who held his white-faced, anguish-stricken wife to his bosom, waiting for a reply which he felt would be freighted with salvation or doom. "Talk to the boy, there!" he said, pointing to Harvey Catlett. "He was on guard when _it_ happened. What he says will be done." All eyes fell upon the youthful scout. "I will save her if I can," he said quickly, and with determination. "Wolf Cap must remain. You may need him. Pursue the journey; it may be death to tarry here." "And worse than that to proceed;" Mrs. Merriweather said. "I think not, madam. Keep stout hearts in your bosoms. Mr. Parton, will you follow me?" "On the trail?" inquired the young man, to whom the question was unexpected. "Certainly, sir. I see that you have been thinking pretty hard of me to-night." Oscar Parton blushed. "Forgive me," he said, putting out his hand. "We are apt to think unadvisedly on the spur of the moment. I trust we shall be friends, and work together in all things." Catlett took the extended hand in a pledge of friendship, and pressed it heartily. "Come!" he said; "we must cross the river." Parton turned to press the hands of his friends.