“I guess I’m the only critter that got a scratch,” Joe grumbled. “I alluz was an unlucky mortal. One o’ them red devils has raised a strawberry on my cheek, as big’s a walnut. He must ’ave struck me with the butt of his hatchet. I’m much obleeged to him that he didn’t use the blade. I’d ’ave needed a surgeon, I would, by Polly Ann! Seemin’ly the cusses didn’t want to kill us; they didn’t fire a gun. Wanted to take us alive, I reckon. But our charge was too much fer ’em. But we want to reload our rifles, an’ git out o’ here. They’ll git torches an’ be hot on our trail ’fore a half hour, ’r I miss _my_ guess. Gol-fer-socks! But I’m hungry. I could eat hoss-meat now an’ relish it. Say, fellers, which way do we want to steer?” “It makes little difference,” Ross answered impatiently. “Any direction that will carry us from this vicinity is good enough for me.” “That won’t do,” Joe said firmly. “We’ve got to do one o’ two ’r three things: steer fer Fort Harrison on the Wabash, Fort Defiance on the Maumee, ’r make a break ’cross the country fer Franklinton on the Scioto. The question is which way ’ll we go. What do you say, Injin?” “Me say go toward rising sun; go toward home,” Bright Wing answered promptly. “What do you say, Ross?” “I’m willing to abide by Bright Wing’s decision. But let’s be off.” “All right,” returned Joe. “We’ve got to ford the creek then, an’ keep bearin’ east. We want to strike through by Greenville an’ Fort Recovery. Come on. Le’s git out o’ here, an’ find a place where we can cook some meat. The Injin’s got some in his pouch. I’m jest ’bout starved, I am, by cracky! Injin, take the lead.” All night they pressed forward, bearing toward the northeast. At daylight they went into camp upon a rocky elevation, and, after kindling a fire and cooking and eating a quantity of venison, stretched themselves upon the damp ground and fell asleep. * * * * * While they are snatching a few hours of repose, let us go back to the Indian camp upon Wildcat Creek. Fifteen minutes after Douglas’s departure, Bradford regained consciousness. At first he lay and stared vacantly around him. Then a keen remembrance of all that had occurred came to him, and he attempted to arise. He tugged at his bonds; half arose to a sitting posture; and fell back helpless. “Overpowered, but not outwitted!” he muttered, rolling his aching head. “The Indians are on the _qui vive_, and will recapture him. Also, they will take his venturesome comrades prisoners. I hope they’ll not hurt either of the three.