Part 23 (1/2)

”But what of the others--your father and mine?” questioned Alf ”They may need help----”

”Not yet,” Mackintosh interrupted ”It's no' possible for the, and the--the cereht Oh yes, I ken fine how you are both feeling You're wanting to be off until you break doeariness But that's no' the way to do things in the backwoods Work until you are out-and-out weary, then rest, and you'll be able to work again But to keep on slaving till you're worked out--that's nothing but a gowk's gaht,” said Holden slowly

”Of course I am Don't you fear, laddie I'll no' be too late I know the ways o' the Indian, and I know the Dacotahs Depend upon it, your faithers are being kindly treated, as best the redskins kno to treat friends The Dacotahs are firm in their superstition, but they're kindly folk all the sa of their guide, though it was irkso And now that they were so near to the achieve to be inactive than it had been when there was distance as an excuse

It was a dreary place The valley was deep, and there was a river-bed where once--before theman--water had flowed in a swift and wide flood, but where now there was nothing but dust Not a tree ithin sight There was hardly any grass Only a few cacti appeared to thrive on the barren soil The rest was rocks, sand, and bordering precipices

The boys shuddered as they looked around

”It's a terrible spot,” Bob commented, as he viewed the dreary scene

”It feels like being in prison”

”There's a ith the finest of cool water about six feet away,” was Mackintosh's re ho, if we only take the trouble to look for it

A meal was made from the supplies hich each had been provided, and an hour or two later Haggis turned up with the pack-horse

It was not considered necessary to pitch the tent that night, as a very early start was proposed to be taken at the streak of dawn So each lay down as he ith a sand-heap for a pillow, and soon the little ca Sleep ca broke, Mackintosh was the first to waken He quickly roused the others, and a swift ”eve-of-battle”ended, the pack-horse was once more loaded, and the journey resumed toward Flood Creek, which was now only about five hted soined how excited the lads felt when they found themselves practically at the end of their journey

But once there, ould be the result?

That was the question that was exercising the ave it voice, the Scotsrimly

”What'll happen? Well, no one can foresee the future, but I can iine?” asked Bob

”That there will be a pickle o' bother before all coht

Superstition is no' that easy baulked; but if we ever have to fight for it, don't think that the ancient Highland blood of the Mackintosh is water in the veins of the clan”

”I hope it won't cohlander rejoined--

”That's ot_ to conquer----”

”And conquer we shall!” added Bob, with deter the camp, the rescuers were met by a host of Indians, ere all filled with curiosity regarding the strangers The white ns could they see of the captives

Then Mackintosh recognised a friend in Swift Arrow

”Ha, Nitchie!” he exclairasp

”It is pleasant for the eyes of Swift Arrow to see the Black Bear in the careeting