Camp-fire and Wigwam

, the widowed mother of Jack was seated by her fireside engaged in knitting. The night was cold, and the huge sticks

ss and poverty of the sad-faced woman, there was an air of neatness and comfort about her home which wou

y, until all at once the lady stopped and allowed her hands to rest in her lap.

certain absurdity which marked the whole business, for, look at it as she chose, there was something grotesque in the project of two youths setting out to hunt for a horse that had been wandering for days in a

came to her lips. "He has wonderfully preserved him through many perils,

y weapon he carried was a heavy, knotted cane, if that may be termed such, which was his companion when moving about the sparse settlement. It has already been said that h

dle of the room, banged his cane upon the floor, and, looking savagely

mine po

the widow in return, w

e goes off mit your poy, b

d. "Your Otto told the truth as you well know. Not only that, but he only obeyed you when he went out in th

uched to a chair on the opposite side of the fire. "Your poy ish badder dan any oder poy; mi

w, impressive voice which would have moved anyo

lvays comes back ven ve doe

home your boy would have done the same, though if I was in Otto's place I would consider the woods, w

as darkened by a frown, and it was easy for the lady to see that the fellow still doubted her word. His manner of looking about the large room, and a habit of listening intently, as though he expected to bear approaching footsteps, showed that he suspec

knock on the door, such a hail being contrary to all the rules of the frontier, when the latch-stri

ch-strin

lips when it was pulled,

ether he would be welcome when those within saw him. As he stood with the blank darkness behind him and t

, which hung luxuriantly and loosely about his shoulders, was of softer texture than is the rule with his people. Several stained eagle feathers slanted upward and outward from the crown, and a double row of brilliant beads encircled his neck. A fine gold bracelet clasped his left wrist, and the deer-skin hunting shirt and leggings were clean, and of the finest possible make. They retained their d

er full of arrows rested behind his right shoulder, where they could be snatched forth on the instant. The youthful

. His features were classical in their regularity, excepting the nose, which was just enough aqui

and without the slightest defect, while the lustrous black eyes glowed with light and feeling

m before, she was certain of his identit

eerfoot th

and inclin

elstaub. There is no one in the world who could be more welc

pleasure, for the words were warm

ng over, drew the rude stool to him. His diffide

ked for shelter, and he knew he had been the companion of his boy on the stirring journey from Kentucky to Louisiana. It mattered not that the masterful woodcraft of the dusky friend had saved the life of Otto Re

Carleton. He cast but a single glance around the apartment, which showed him his young friend was

sees not h

t this morning. They may be back in a fe

o look for the ho

to say they have; but I ask your pardon; have you ha

on the floor, while he grasped the center as though it was a

nd is good and kind, b

ore, but restrained himself. The mother was quick to

her abrupt fashion, suspending the knittin

outright; but it is fair to presume he

s brothers have gone

ckly asked

annot f

, banging his cane again and glaring fiercely a

bidding countenance, and asked, m

father of my

one pad poy, as you ish de

in the same deliberate monotone, Deerfoo

o heart. The Great Spirit hides his fa

his knobby cane with both hands, while he trembled with rag

dvanced upon Deerfoot, who placed his left hand on his