The dog had scented the meat at first, and, prompted by hunger, it approached the scout, lapped its jaws gleefully. David tossed the dog a portion of the meat, which was greedily swallowed. Throwing it the remainder, the scout prepared for action. Placing his keen knife between his teeth, he sprung upon the beast, with a grasp which would have strangled a giant. Throwing it upon its back, he almost severed the head from the body, and raising his rifle as soon as the struggle ceased, pursued his way. No disturbance had resulted, and David continued his way, slowly but surely. In a short time he reached the rear of the hut he sought. No sound greeted his ears, and, moving nearer, he applied his eye to a crevice where the mud had fallen from the logs. By a small fire which was burning, the interior was quite distinctly illuminated. Four Indians were in the apartment, three of whom were stretched upon the ground, while the fourth sat dozing upon one of the rude blocks. David noticed the partition of skins. “That says Emily,” he mused, drawing back to breathe. “I’ll go and see what I can make out.” Acting upon the thought, he moved stealthily to the end occupied by the maiden. He readily found an aperture, but all was dark within, and he could make nothing out. For once his eagerness got the better of discretion, and applying his mouth to the crevice, he softly whispered: “Emily!” There was no response, and he repeated the summons a trifle more distinctly. As fortune willed, Emily was soundly sleeping, while Sall Simms was wide awake. The latter heard the voice of the scout, and, approaching the place softly whispered: “What and who is it?” “Davy Barring—come to get ye away from this.” Sally started when she heard the name of the bold scout, spoken by his own voice. “Hist!” she softly whispered. “Someone is coming,” she added; “be silent for a moment.” Listening to be sure that David had taken the bait, she glided from the apartment. In another instant she had communicated all she knew to the savage guard still awake. He uttered a grunt of satisfaction, and proceeded to arouse his companions, while Sally hastened back to the scout. “David!” came gently to his expectant ears. He raised himself, and inquired if all was right. “Yis, the Injin guard is gone,” she whispered, in a tone much louder than previously used. “Hush, not too loud,” cautioned the scout, fearing she might betray the presence of a stranger. “Wal, I’ll be careful,” she whispered, in a slightly-modulated key. “But whar’s yer comrades? Ye didn’t come alone?” “That don’t sound much like Emily,” the scout thought to himself. “Maybe she’s dropped that polite way she used to have o’ speakin’. Though I did like to hear such words from her purty lips.” “I’m alone here,” he whispered; “though Charles Markley—” * * *