“You mean Red Feather?” said Ezra Winship.
“Yes. I shall keep him a captive and notify the Indians for miles around the fort that if an attack is made Red Feather shall suffer most horribly for it, but if they keep the peace Red Feather shall be released at the end of six months and be given half a dozen best blankets and a fine horse.”
“But what will you do about my wife and the others who are still missing?” asked Mr. Winship anxiously.
At this Daniel Boone shook his head slowly and thoughtfully.
“I hate to say it, friend Winship, but—but——”
“But what?”
“I am sorely afraid that all of the others who were taken captives are dead,” answered Daniel Boone.
“Do you really mean that?” cried Joe, with a sinking heart.
“I do. I have tried my best to find some trace of them, but there is none, and when a redskin refuses to speak on that subject after talking about all others it is pretty safe to say that the truth is too awful to mention.”