“I don’t know. He has had it for years. Come on.” Together the two sauntered away from the vicinity of the Prophet’s cabin. The day passed quietly. Several hunting-parties returned to camp, laden with game. The savages had an abundance of meat for supper and retired to rest at an early hour. Bradford and Douglas stretched upon the earthen floor of their hut and fell asleep. Duke occupied his usual place. At the door, stood the two copper-colored guards. About midnight Bradford was aroused by the sound of voices outside. He arose, softly opened the door, and stepped out into the darkness. It was raining steadily. The two guards were parleying with a company of braves who demanded that the hound be brought out and given to them. “What are you doing here?” Bradford asked sharply. The leader advanced and answered shortly: “The big dog.” “Who sent you?” “Lone Jack, the Delaware chief.” “Well, go back to Lone Jack and tell him I said to come himself—that I will give him a taste of powder-and-ball instead of dog-meat. Be off!” Grumbling and snarling, the braves disappeared in the darkness; and Scar Face re-entered the cabin. At that moment Douglas stirred uneasily and murmured: “Joe and Bright Wing—come—rescue——” Bradford raised his head and listened attentively. Ross’s lips were moving, but the words were so softly spoken that the listener could not catch them. “Poor fellow!” the older man whispered pityingly. “He’s dreaming of rescue. How sweet is freedom. Well—well, the whole of life is but a dream—a miserable nightmare——” “At the ravine—to-morrow evening,” Ross mumbled. Then he sighed deeply, changed his position—breathing heavily—and again slept soundly. Bradford started and sat erect. “Ah!” he muttered, shaking his head. “There _may_ be something in that dream—more than I thought. At the ravine—to-morrow evening. What can _that_ mean? I must investigate. Perhaps his friends are near—and he has met them at the ravine above here. What more likely? Forewarned is forearmed.” And, smiling grimly, he replenished the fire, rolled himself in his blanket—and was soon sound asleep. [Illustration] CHAPTER VIII. Steadily, monotonously, the rain poured down all night long. The morning dawned cheerless and murky. The earth was sodden; every rivulet was swollen; and the creek was bank full. A dense fog rose from the water-courses and spread itself over the land. The feeble rays of the winter sun could not penetrate it; and at midday the depths of the forest were gloomy and oppressive. The savages huddled together in their mean hovels and silently watched the dreary downpour. Nothing broke the stillness, save the steady drip of the rain and the rumbling roar of the fast hurrying streams. All the fuel was wet, and the fires burned dismally. It was a wearying, soul-trying day.