"If the Lord will not help us out of this," Matthew said, "we are completely lost."
"The greater the need, the nearer is God, indeed," Fred said; and after eating a little of the bear's meat, the boys lay down on the soft grass, creeping close to each other, for the nights were cool. They slept soundly until dawn, when Fred awoke and awakened his companion.
"Brother," he said; "listen, there are Indians in the neighborhood. I hear them. And now see, they are making a fire!"
The boys crept through the woods, and when they had reached the top of a low ridge, they saw the camp before them.
"It's the same band of Indians that burned down the log house," Fred suggested; "I recognize some of them."
"Then let's go, for it is not safe to be near them," Matthew urged. "I don't care to fall into their hands just now."
"The sun is rising," Fred said cheerfully, "and now we can again find our way through the woods. Here is the direction; we go east to the river."
They walked away swiftly, but they had not gone more than a few rods, when suddenly they saw two large dogs running after them.
"Shoot them," Matthew ordered his companion, "they look wild and hungry."
"Not by any means," Fred answered; "a shot in the woods will bring the whole Indian band on our tracks."