What was often spoken most lightly about in other days has in this dread wilderness proved my strongest defence.

God uses strange means, Monsieur, to accomplish His purpose with the heathen." She paused, listening intently to a sudden noise behind us.
"Creep in here, Monsieur," she whispered, quickly lifting an edge of the skin-covering of the lodge.

"A party is returning from the Fort, perchance with more prisoners.

Lie quiet there until I return; it will not be long." I crawled through the slight opening into that black interior, turning to hold open the flap sufficiently to peer forth once more.

I knew not where she vanished, as she faded away like a shadow; but I had hardly secured refuge, when a dozen painted warriors trooped by, shouting their fierce greeting.