Thus he with his two associates were detained so long in the Indian country, that by their friends at home they were given up as lost.
At last peace was restored, and they set out on their return.
The journey home was a long and tedious one, but nothing occurred worth narrating.
Upon reaching the Hudson, they employed an Indian to take them the remainder of the way in a canoe.
Upon reaching Manhattan Island, the first place they stopped at was the residence of Carl Rosenthrall, Billings intending that the father of Hellena should be the first to hear the sad story of his failure and disappointment.
It was evening when he arrived at the house and the lamps were lighted in the parlor.
With heavy heart and trembling hands he rapped at the door.
As the door opened he uttered a faint cry of surprise, which was answered by a similar one by the person who admitted him. It was Hellena herself!
The scene that followed we shall not attempt to describe.
CHAPTER XVIII.