Ha! _Indians_! Now you will wonder, my young friend, when you come to think of these Indians--when you come to consider that fifty warlike nations of them live and roam over the prairies--many of them sworn foes to white men, killing the latter wherever they may meet them, as you would a mad dog or a poisonous spider,--I say, when you consider these things, you will wonder that this old French or Corsican father should consent to let his sons go upon so dangerous an expedition.

It seems unnatural, does it not?
In fact, quite improbable, when we come to reflect that the Colonel dearly loved his three sons, almost as dearly as his own life.
And yet one would say, he could hardly have found a readier plan to get rid of them, than thus to send them forth among savages.

Upon what, then, did he rely for their safety?
On their age?
No.

He knew the Indians better than that.

He knew very well that their age would not be cared for, should they chance to fall in with any of the tribes hostile to the whites.