Tom was a brave lad. But as he descended the side of the hill towards the river, and the dense shadows made his way dim, although it was high noon and a brilliant sun was flooding the prairies, he could not shake off a feeling of dread that had grown upon him. Every now and then he caught himself starting with nervous apprehension, and, to break the spell, he began to whistle a merry tune, to keep up his courage, as boys are wont to do. But he was thinking how dismally it sounded, when, suddenly, in the distance rang out the clear notes of a robin. Tom involuntarily reined in his horse at that; for the call of that bird his Indian friend Long Hair used to imitate for a signal, and had taught Tom how to do it. "For the sake of Long Hair," said Tom, more cheerily, "I'll answer you, old bird." But scarcely had he done so, when, to his surprise, the bird responded. "Well," said Tom, "you think I'm your mate, I guess; and if you choose to give me your company, I shall not object, it is so lonely here!" So he answered the robin again. Instantly the bushes parted, and Long Hair stepped into view. His eyes were bloodshot, his blanket torn, and his whole appearance indicated that something unusual had happened. "Why, Long Hair!" exclaimed Tom, greatly startled; "what is the matter?" The Indian glanced warily about, then laid his ear to the ground, listening intently, and arose quickly, saying,-- "Indian come. Much fight. Kill white man; kill white squaw; kill pappoose." "What of my father and mother?" inquired Tom, excitedly. "Have they been murdered?" "Long Hair save 'um little; father shoot one, two, tree, ten Injun. Long Hair been up to Fort. Sojer no bleeve Long Hair; say he spy. Long Hair come for Tom to get sojer. Injun see Long Hair; be here pretty soon--one, two, tree, ten, twenty, _fifty_! Kill Long Hair, kill Tom, take scalp. Tom go with Long Hair. He save him. Horse know way home." Tom saw, from Long Hair's manner, that it was no time for delay, and, leaping from the wagon, with marvellous quickness the Indian turned the horse's head about, facing home, and, striking him smartly, the spirited animal rapidly retraced his way. At their right rose a rocky ridge to a considerable height, springing up which Long Hair motioned Tom to follow. The other side was quite precipitous; but a narrow fissure in the rock afforded a scanty footing, down which the Indian glided, Tom following him, although dizzy with the height. Passing along for a short distance, they came to a scrub oak, the roots of which had struck into the side of the ledge. Climbing around it, a small opening appeared. Motioning Tom to enter, Long Hair said,-- "If both stay, Injun kill both. Long Hair run swift like deer;" and he darted up the ridge again with cat-like agility.