"I shall report to the authorities without delay," said Captain Ecuyer. "More than likely you will be well rewarded for this discovery." But no reward was ever received. "Never mind the reward," answered Barringford. "I want to find Dave Morris." "At present I cannot send out another detachment, Barringford. But I will do so in a few days." "Then I'll take time by the forelock and let his father know what has happened." "I believe I should do so, were I in your place." Barringford had had his wounds washed and dressed, and, mounted on a fresh horse, he lost no time in riding back to the trading-post on the Ohio. White Buffalo did not go with him, stating he would renew the hunt for the lost trail. It was Henry who met the old frontiersman at the stockade gate. "What's wrong?" he questioned quickly. "Where is Dave?" Before Barringford had time to answer, James Morris showed himself. "Something has gone wrong!" he cried. "I can see it in your face. What is it?" "We had a brush with the Indians,--part of Pontiac's party," said the old frontiersman. "And Dave?" "We think he was made a prisoner," went on Barringford, and then told his story in detail. "And you say White Buffalo has gone out again to look for the lost trail?" questioned the trader. "Yes. He'll find it, too, if it is to be done. I thought you'd like to know, so that you could go out with me and the soldiers." "Yes! yes!" "I'd like to go myself, Uncle James," put in Henry. "One of us ought to remain at the post, Henry. I do not like to leave it in the hands of strangers." "But they are not all strangers," pleaded Henry. "Some of the men we know very well. We can leave Sanderson in charge. He knows what to do, and so does Jadwin." "Well, I'll see about it," said Mr. Morris. As Barringford was hungry, a hasty meal was prepared for him, and then the Morrises had a talk with Sanderson, Jadwin, and some of the others. As a result, Sanderson said he would take charge of the trading-post for a week or longer, if necessary, and Jadwin said he would also remain close at hand, in case he was wanted. This left Henry free to join Mr. Morris and Barringford in the hunt for Dave, and the young pioneer was not long in preparing himself for the expedition. Fresh horses were obtained, and the party set off early the following morning, when the sun had not yet shown itself over the rolling hills to the eastward. The day had promised fair, but about noon the sky grew dark very suddenly, and soon after this came a flurry of snow, followed by a heavy wind which tore through the trees of the forest with a mighty roar, hurling more than one trunk to the ground. Broken branches fell in all directions, one hitting Henry on the head and scaring his steed so that the animal could scarcely be controlled. "I must say I don't like this much!" panted the young pioneer, as he reined in the horse. "What is it, a tornado?"