This was reassuring information, and helped to drive away the fear that had troubled the youth ever since the Sioux passed below stairs. "Mel," called his sister the next minute, "I'm awful hungry; ain't it past dinner-time?" "I'm afraid there is nothing to eat in the house." "I'm awful thirsty, too." "I feel a little that way myself, but I don't believe there is anything to eat or drink. You know, father and mother didn't expect us to stay here, or they would have left something for us." "Can't I go downstairs and look?" "Yes, if you will keep away from the windows, and tell Red Feather what you are doing." "Hasn't he got eyes that he can see for himself?" asked the little one as she hurried down the steps. The chief looked around when he heard the dainty steps, wondering what errand brought her downstairs. "Red Feather," said the young lady, "I'm hungry; ain't you?" "No--me no hungry," he answered, his dark face lighting up with pleasure at sight of the picture of innocence. "Then you must have eaten an awful big breakfast this morning," remarked Dot, walking straight to the cupboard in the farther corner of the room, into which Melville had glanced when he first entered the house; "I know where mother keeps her jam and nice things." That she knew where the delicacies were stored Dot proved the next minute, when, to her delight, she found everything that heart, or rather appetite, could wish. There were a jar of currant jam, a pan of cool milk, on which a thick crust of yellow cream had formed, three-fourths of a loaf of bread, and an abundance of butter. Good Mrs. Clarendon left them behind because she had an abundance without them. Little did she dream of the good service they were destined to do. Dot uttered such a cry of delight that the chief walked toward her, and Melville seized the excuse to hurry below. The first thing that struck him was that Red Feather's tomahawk and knife still lay in the corner where he had placed them. He simply held his rifle which most likely he was ready to use against his own people whenever the necessity arose. "Well, Dot, you _have_ found a prize," said her brother, following the chief, who was looking over her shoulder; "I had no idea that mother had left anything behind; there's enough for all." She insisted that the others should partake while she waited, but neither would permit it. No matter how a-hungered either might have been, he enjoyed the sight of seeing her eat tenfold more than in partaking himself. And you may be sure that Dot did ample justice to the rich find. Melville cut a thick slice for her, and spread the butter and jam on it, while a portion of the milk was poured into a cup.