“Ya-hoo!” repeated those without.

“Who are you? why don’t you speak out?” said Joe, still unable to see their faces.

“Dod—­I mean—­plague take it!  Joe, is Mr. Boone standing there with you?” asked Sneak.

“No,” replied Joe, opening the gate.

“Then dod rot your hide! why didn’t you let us in?” said Sneak, rushing through the gate, and followed by five of the neighbours.

“Why, Sneak, how could I tell that you wern’t Indians?” said Joe.

“You be dod—­never mind!” continued Sneak, shaking his head, and passing to where Boone stood, near the house.

“I am glad to see you all,” said Boone, extending his hand to each of the hardy pioneers.  “But let us not waste a moment’s time.  I see you are all armed.  Seize hold of the sled-rope, and let us be off.”  The command was instantly obeyed, and the party were soon passing out of the inclosure.  The gate was scarce fastened before another “Ya-hoo!” came from the valley below, and a moment after they were joined by Col.  Cooper and Dan.  The other oarsman had been sent up the river for reinforcements, and Col.  Cooper and Dan having heard the great explosion, finally resolved to cross over the river, and not await the arrival of the trappers.

The party now amounted to twelve, and no time was lost in commencing the march, or rather the chase; for when they reached the prairie and found the trail of the snow-canoe, their progress equalled that of the savages.  But they had not gone far before Joe was taken suddenly ill, and begged to be permitted to return.

“I declare I can hardly hold my head up!” said he still holding on to the rope, and keeping pace with the rest, though his head hung down.

“Possomin’—­dod—­I mean he’s jest ’possomin’,” said Sneak.

“No indeed I ain’t—­plague it, don’t you say any thing, Sneak,” Joe, added, in an undertone.

“I am something of a physician,” said Boone, whose quick ear had caught the words addressed to Sneak.  “Let me feel your pulse,” he added, ordering the party to halt, and turning to Joe, whose wrist he seized.

“I feel something better,” said Joe, alarmed at the mysterious and severe expression of Boone’s face.

“I hope you will be entirely well in two minutes,” said Boone; “and then it will not be necessary to apply my remedy.”

“I’m about well now,” said Joe:  “I think I can go ahead.”

“I believe your pulse is good now; and I think you will hardly have another attack to-day.  If you do, just let me know it.”

“Oh, now I feel perfectly well,” responded Joe; and, seizing the rope, they were all soon again flying along on the trail of the savages.

A little before noon, while casting his eyes along the dim horizon in advance, Sneak abruptly paused, causing the rest to do likewise, and exclaimed, “Dod rot it.”

“What’s the matter, Sneak?  Remember the promise you made,” said Boone.