“Now tell me, Mary, what it was you wished to say,” remarked Glenn, addressing her in a playful tone, when they were seated in the house, and a lamp suspended against the wall was lighted. “I did not expect to find Mr. Boone and Sneak with you—and now—” “What?” inquired Glenn, much moved by her paleness, and the throbbing of her breast, which now seemed to be gradually subsiding. “Nothing—only you and Joe are both safe now,” she replied, with her eyes cast down. “Were we in danger? How are we safe?” inquired Glenn, regarding her words as highly mysterious. “Everybody is safe where Mr. Boone is,” replied Mary. “But what was the danger, my pretty lass?” inquired Boone, playfully taking her hand. “Why Posin, one of father’s boatmen—” “Speak on, lass—I know Posin to be an unfeeling wretch, and a half-blood Indian; but he is also known to be a great coward, and surely no harm could have been feared from him,” said Boone. “But I heard him speaking to himself when I was filling my pitcher at the spring, and he was standing behind some rocks, where he couldn’t see me, and didn’t think any one was within hearing.” “What said he?” inquired Glenn, impatiently, and much interested in the anticipated disclosure, for he had often remarked the satanic expression of Posin’s features. “These were his words: ‘The Osages will be here before to-morrow morning. If Raven, the chief, will go halves with me, I’ll tell him how much money the young men have, and help to get it!’ Such were his very words!” continued Mary, her dark eyes assuming a brightness, and her voice a boldness unwonted on ordinary occasions, as she proceeded: “He then started off towards the prairie with his rifle, and nobody has seen him since. I told father about it but he wouldn’t believe there was any danger; and when night came, he told me not to be uneasy, but to sleep like a good girl. I did lie down, for I never like to disobey my father; but I couldn’t sleep, and so I got up and came here to wait till you returned, to tell you all about it.” “Thanks, Mary—I shall never forget your kindness,” said Glenn, as much affected by her simplicity and gentleness as at the threatened danger. “You’re a sweet lass; God bless you, Mary!” said Boone, kissing her smooth forehead. “Now run home and go to sleep, child; we will be on our guard. As for you, your father is respected by all the Indians, and therefore your own safety will be best secured under his protection.” “I will accompany you to the hut,” said Glenn, as the girl bid them good night, and was about departing. “Oh no—I’m used to going alone,” said Mary, promptly declining the proposition. “She speaks truly, and it is unnecessary,” said Boone, as the maiden bowed and disappeared. The party then fastened the gate and secured themselves within the stone house. Joe petitioned Glenn to permit him to bring in the dogs, and Sneak seconded the motion, proposing to lie with them before the fire.