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moment only in which to study the river to learn if the unfortunate raftsman's
body had appeared。 It was not to be seen。 The river ran swiftly and hid all
evidence of the tragedy under its smooth surface。 When the brave who had gone
back to the raft for the goods joined his companion the two hurried Joe up the
bank after the others。
Once upon level ground Joe saw before him an open forest。 On the border of
this the Indians stopped long enough to bind the prisoners' wrists with thongs
of deerhide。 While two of the braves performed this office； Silvertip leaned
against a tree and took no notice of the brothers。 When they were thus
securely tied one of their captors addressed the chief； who at once led the
way westward through the forest。 The savages followed in single file； with Joe
and Jim in the middle of the line。 The last Indian tried to mount Lance； but
the thoroughbred would have none of him； and after several efforts the savage
was compelled to desist。 Mose trotted reluctantly along behind the horse。
Although the chief preserved a dignified mien； his braves were disposed to be
gay。 They were in high glee over their feat of capturing the palefaces； and
kept up an incessant jabbering。 One Indian； who walked directly behind Joe；
continually prodded him with the stock of a rifle； and whenever Joe turned；
the brawny redskin grinned as he grunted； 〃Ugh！〃 Joe observed that this huge
savage had a broad face of rather a lighter shade of red than his companions。
Perhaps he intended those rifle…prods in friendliness； for although they
certainly amused him； he would allow no one else to touch Joe； but it would
have been more pleasing had he shown his friendship in a gentle manner。 This
Indian carried Joe's pack； much to his own delight； especially as his
companions evinced an envious curiosity。 The big fellow would not； however；
allow them to touch it。
〃He's a cheerful brute；〃 remarked Joe to Jim。
〃Ugh！〃 grunted the big Indian； jamming Joe with his rifle…stock。
Joe took heed to the warning and spoke no more。 He gave all his attention to
the course over which he was being taken。 Here was his first opportunity to
learn something of Indians and their woodcraft。 It occurred to him that his
captors would not have been so gay and careless had they not believed
themselves safe from pursuit； and he concluded they were leisurely conducting
him to one of the Indian towns。 He watched the supple figure before him；
wondering at the quick step； light as the fall of a leaf； and tried to walk as
softly。 He found； however； that where the Indian readily avoided the sticks
and brush； he was unable to move without snapping twigs。 Now and then he would
look up and study the lay of the land ahead； and as he came nearer to certain
rocks and trees he scrutinized them closely； in order to remember their shape
and general appearance。 He believed he was blazing out in his mind this
woodland trail； so that should fortune favor him and he contrive to escape； he
would be able to find his way back to the river。 Also； he was enjoying the
wild scenery。
This forest would have appeared beautiful； even to one indifferent to such
charms； and Joe was far from that。 Every moment he felt steal stronger over
him a subtle influence which he could not define。 Half unconsciously he tried
to analyze it； but it baffled him。 He could no more explain what fascinated
him than he could understand what caused the melancholy quiet which hung over
the glades and hollows。 He had pictured a real forest so differently from
this。 Here was a long lane paved with springy moss and fenced by bright…green
sassafras； there a secluded dale； dotted with pale…blue blossoms； over which
the giant cottonwoods leaned their heads； jealously guarding the delicate
flowers from the sun。 Beech trees； growing close in clanny groups； spread
their straight limbs gracefully； the white birches gleamed like silver
wherever a stray sunbeam stole through the foliage； and the oaks； monarchs of
the forest； rose over all； dark； rugged； and kingly。
Joe soon understood why the party traveled through such open forest。 The
chief； seeming hardly to deviate from his direct course； kept clear of broken
ground； matted thickets and tangled windfalls。 Joe got a glimpse of dark
ravines and heard the music of tumbling waters； he saw gray cliffs grown over
with vines； and full of holes and crevices； steep ridges； covered with dense
patches of briar and hazel； rising in the way。 Yet the Shawnee always found an
easy path。
The sun went down behind the foliage in the west； and shadows appeared low in
the glens； then the trees faded into an indistinct mass； a purple shade
settled down over the forest； and night brought the party to a halt。
The Indians selected a sheltered spot under the lee of a knoll； at the base of
which ran a little brook。 Here in this inclosed space were the remains of a
camp…fire。 Evidently the Indians had halted there that same day； for the logs
still smouldered。 While one brave fanned the embers； another took from a
neighboring branch a haunch of deer meat。 A blaze was soon coaxed from the
dull coals； more fuel was added； and presently a cheerful fire shone on the
circle of dusky forms。
It was a picture which Joe had seen in many a boyish dream； now that he was a
part of it he did not dwell on the hopelessness of the situation； nor of the
hostile chief whose enmity he had incurred。 Almost； it seemed； he was glad of
this chance to watch the Indians and listen to them。 He had been kept apart
from Jim； and it appeared to Joe that their captors treated his brother with a
contempt which they did not show him。 Silvertip had； no doubt； informed them
that Jim had been on his way to teach the Indians of the white man's God。
Jim sat with drooping head； his face was sad； and evidently he took the most
disheartening view of his capture。 When he had eaten the slice of venison
given him he lay down with his back to the fire。
Silvertip； in these surroundings； showed his real character。 He had appeared
friendly in the settlement； but now he was the relentless savage； a son of the
wilds； free as an eagle。 His dignity as a chief kept him aloof from his
braves。 He had taken no notice of the prisoners since the capture。 He remained
silent； steadily regarding the fire with his somber eyes。 At length； glancing
at the big Indian； he motioned toward the prisoners and with a single word
stretched himself on the leaves。
Joe noted the same changelessness of expression in the other dark faces as he
had seen in Silvertip's。 It struck him forcibly。 When they spoke in their
soft； guttural tones； or burst into a low； not unmusical laughter； or sat
gazing stolidly into the fire； their faces seemed always the same；
inscrutable； like the depths of the forest now hidden in night。 One thing Joe
felt rather than sawthese savages were fierce and untamable。 He was sorry
for Jim； because； as he believed； it would be a