THE astonishment of Jasper Williams was apparent as he saw Dick and Roger Armstrong before him. Up to that time he had supposed the attack to be simply one of those ordinary Indian surprises to be expected when white men are hunting on ground that the tribes of the Northwest claimed as their own territory. "Saving me seems to be getting quite a habit with you lads," he told them, as his bonds were hurriedly severed, and he could grasp a hand of each. "How did the news reach camp; and what made the captain allow you to start out almost alone into this heathen land in order to rescue me?" Dick quickly informed him concerning the reason for their presence. "We did not dream that you were in trouble," he said. "Mayhew, who was taking the document to our people down on the Missouri, was robbed of the paper. He came back to the camp to let us know; and we could see the fine hand of that French trader over there back of it." "François Lascelles!" cried the hunter, as a look of understanding crossed his rugged features. "Now I begin to see what it all means. He was afraid you would get another signature from me, and to block the game he had me taken prisoner by the Blackfeet. Why," he added, in a burst of anger, "they even threatened to carry me off to their village and make me teach their squaws how white women sew and bake bread, and all such civilized ways!" "We immediately started out to overtake you," continued Dick, "and Mayhew insisted on being one of our party. What strange adventures we have met with you shall hear about another time; for I take it that you do not mean after this to head any further into such a terrible country?" Williams shrugged his broad shoulders, and made a wry face. "I suppose, lads, I would be a fool to try it, since my comrades deserted me," he told them. "Yes," replied Roger, "we met them on the way, and both Hardy and Mordaunt vowed nothing could tempt them to go a step further. What with the working of the Evil Spirit, and the danger from hostile reds, they had had enough." "We are glad to hear you say such a sensible thing," Dick added, "because this does not seem like a white man's country. Only for our good luck in meeting these friendly Sioux, who come from the village of Running Elk, we might have had a much harder time in getting you free. But it is all right now!" "The sooner we start back to the camp the better I will be pleased," Williams admitted. "Then there's that document we ought to have on its way. What will you do with the Frenchmen?" "If we let them go free now," affirmed Roger, "no matter how they give us their solemn word of honor, I believe Lascelles would try to intercept our messenger again." "You are right about that, son," said Williams, warmly. "Better let the Indians knock them on the head, and have done with it. They surely deserve little mercy at your hands." Dick, however, could not agree to such a thing.