"Certainly I do, Mrs. Gracewood; and her father is with her."
"Father in heaven, I thank thee!" exclaimed she, fervently, sobbing and weeping.
"It's just as I tell you; but you had better go into the house, for there are some Indians along the river somewhere."
"I am not afraid of them, if I can only see Ella."
By this time, the sentinel who had confronted me had passed the word to the camp, and the soldiers were all under arms. A squad of them hastened to the river, and presently I heard a couple of shots in that direction. I had finished harnessing the horses, and was putting old Matt's bed upon the wagon for Ella to lie upon, when Lieutenant Jackson, the officer in command of the detachment, rushed up to me.
"What is the matter?" he demanded. "Are we attacked?"
"There are three Indians on the river. I suppose your men are firing at them. Here is an order from Lieutenant Pope," I added, handing him the paper, and jumping upon the wagon, where Mrs. Gracewood had already placed herself. "We have recovered the young lady, and I am going down to the landing after her."
"But I wish to know——"
"Well, I can't stop now to talk, sir."
"I will go with you;" and he leaped upon the wagon.