"We must hurry along as fast as we can, Ella," said I, finding that my companion was inclined to go very slowly.
"I am sorry, but we cannot waste our time. If that Indian can find where we crossed the brook, he will pursue us."
"It is five miles to the Castle, but it is only two to Kit Cruncher's cabin."
"I am very faint, for I have eaten nothing since we breakfasted on the island very early this morning," added Ella.
"I think I can find something for you to eat when we get to Kit's cabin."
"But where is my father, Phil?" asked Ella. "I hope nothing has happened to him."
"Nothing has happened to him. He is with the soldiers who landed up Crooked River. Did you not see the troops?"
"I saw them when they landed, but not afterwards."
"Did the Indians use you badly?" I inquired.
"No; they only compelled me to walk when I was so tired that every step was painful."
"Where did you go after you left the dugouts?"
"I'm sure I don't know. We travelled till we came to another river."
"Two of the Indians left us then, and paddled across this river on a log. They had a talk before they separated, and they pointed often at me. I knew that it was about me."
"Where did you go then?" I asked, anxious, if possible, to ascertain the plan of the savages.
"We walked back again till we came to the edge of the forest, not far from the river. Here one of the Indians lay down on the ground, so that the soldiers could not see him, and crawled to the stream. The other led me through the woods towards the Missouri, two or three miles, I should think; at any rate, I was completely exhausted. At last we arrived at the great river, in sight of the island where my father lived."
[Illustration: PHIL BEARING ELLA ACROSS THE FORD. Page 142.]
"I suppose they were beating about the woods, looking for us. The Indian drove me down the steep bank of the river to the water-side. I was terribly frightened, and if my savage conductor had not held my arm I should have slipped down into the river. Here I was permitted to rest myself for an hour, and then the other Indian came in the boat."
"Did you see the steamer that went up the river this afternoon?"
"I did; and when the Indians heard the whistle, they ran the boat into a creek, and kept very quiet until she had passed. Then they paddled up the river by the wood-yard."