"Thunder! I don't believe it."
"Well, I can't say positively that she does; but I know she likes him, and if Lew Dernor has a mind he can get her. You don't appear to like it, father."
"I don't care much, but the gal seems so like my own da'ter, being I never had any, that I should hate despritly to lose her."
"Fudge! it's got to come to that sooner or later, and who could she get better than Lew Dernor, the leader of the Miami Riflemen?"
"None, that's the fact, but——"
A footstep attracted their attention, and looking up, they saw Jake Laughlin step into view. He raised his hand, as if to command silence, jerking his thumb at the same time significantly toward the wagon and the rest of the settlers. He stepped carefully into the wagon-track, and the father and sons halted.
"It's so," said he, nodding his head several times.
"Are you sure?"
"I've seen sign a half-dozen times since noon."
"Shawnees, I s'pose?"