"
"I must protest against that," said Lieutenant Canfield. "If I thought
there could possibly be any danger to Miss Mary, I would not think of
deserting her; but surely there cannot be. I, therefore, propose that
Cato act as her guide, while all of us go to assist Oonomoo. I could
never forgive myself if I failed to requite the faithful Huron, in such
a small degree, when the opportunity is given."
The suggestion of the young soldier received the enthusiastic support
of all; but, Captain Prescott, who could not bear the thought that his
daughter should be placed in the least peril, selected one of his men,
a bronzed border-ranger, who, accompanied by Cato, started at once for
the settlement with her, which (we may as well remark here) was safely
reached by them a few hours later.
"The matter is all arranged then," said Captain Prescott, when he had
selected the man who was to take charge of his daughter. "We are now
ready to follow you, Oonomoo."
"Come quick, den--Oonomoo can't wait--leave his trail--all see it."
As the Huron spoke, his son bounded off in the woods and dashed away
like an arrow, while he followed him with such astonishing speed, that
he almost instantly disappeared from sight.
"God bless me! that's an original way of guiding us!" exclaimed the
Captain, taken aback by the unexpected disappearance of the Indian.
"The danger that threatens his wife is so imminent that he dare not
wait for our tardy movements," said Lieutenant Canfield.
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