 the manner in which he had been since employed.
    The Tuscarora met these inquiries, and he gave his answers, with the
stoicism of an Indian. As respects the separation, his excuses were very simply
made, and they seemed to be sufficiently plausible. When he found that the party
was discovered in its place of concealment, he naturally sought his own safety,
which he secured by plunging into the woods, for he made no doubt that all who
could not effect this much, would be massacred on the spot. In a word, he had
run away, in order to save his life.
    »This is well,« returned Pathfinder, affecting to believe the other's
apologies; »my brother did very wisely; but his woman followed?«
    »Do not the Pale Faces' women follow their husbands? Would not Pathfinder
have looked back to see if one he loved was coming?«
    This appeal was made to the guide, while he was in a most fortunate frame of
mind to admit its force, for Mabel, and her blandishments and constancy, were
getting to be images familiar to his thoughts. The Tuscarora, though he could
not trace the reason, saw that his excuse was admitted, and he stood, with quiet
dignity, awaiting the next inquiry.
    »This is reasonable and nat'ral,« returned Pathfinder in English, passing
from one language to the other, insensibly to himself, as his feelings, or habit
dictated, »this is nat'ral, and may be so. A woman would be likely to follow the
man to whom she had plighted faith, and husband and wife are one flesh. Mabel,
herself, would have been likely to follow the sarjeant, had he been present, and
retreated in this manner, and no doubt, no doubt, the warm- girl would have
followed her husband! Your words are honest, Tuscarora,« changing the language
to the dialect of the other, »your words are honest, and very pleasant, and
just. But, why has my brother been so long from the fort; his friends have
thought of him often, but have never seen him!«
    »If the doe follows the buck, ought not the buck to follow the doe!«
answered the Tuscarora smiling, and laying a finger significantly on the
shoulder of his interrogator. »Arrowhead's wife followed Arrowhead; it was right
in Arrowhead to follow his wife. She lost her way, and they made her cook in a
strange wigwam.«
    »I understand you, Tuscarora. The woman fell into the
