"What is the matter with Bouncer?" cried Bessie.

There was no time for a reply. Looking up, the frightened party saw
three hideous faces peering at them over the bushes!

"The Indians! the Indians!" screamed Bessie.

Springing to the shore, and catching Rudolph with one arm, while he
held Kitty tightly in the other, Tom Hennessy dashed into the forest,
calling upon Bessie to follow. Poor Bessie! What could she do? With a
thrill of horror she saw two fierce savages bounding after them with
fearful yells, while a third, with upraised club, and tomahawk and
scalping-knife in his belt, was rushing toward her.

Uttering one long piercing scream, the poor girl knelt to await her
doom. A prolonged roar of fury caused her to raise her head. Bouncer,
brave, noble Bouncer, and the Indian had fallen together in a deadly
struggle! Now was her time! With new energy and hope, she sprang to her
feet, and darted through the forest, rending the air with cries for
help, and unconscious of whither she was flying.

"Rudolph! Kitty!" she cried, frantically. "God in heaven help us! Oh!
help us!"



III.

WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?