Gravity Gimp and Fred Godfrey were in high spirits, for each had been highly favored by fortune. They were beyond sight of the camp-fire and had thrown the pursuing Iroquois off the track, so that, with ordinary care, they were out of personal danger.  
But this could not last. Could they forget that within a stone's throw their friends were in , and unless soon rescued would be beyond all help?
 
"We have only one gun between us," said Fred, "and I don't see any of getting another."
 
"I thinked maybe we mought find one, somewhar in de woods," said Gimp, "but I guess dere ain't much show for dat. You am de best shot, so I'll be wery much obleeged if you'll take charge ob dis rifle."
 
Fred accepted the weapon, feeling that before any great harm could befall those in the Indian camp, the bullet nestling in the barrel would be heard from.
 
"We will steal up as near as we dare," said he, "and watch our chances."
 
"I doesn't see dat I can assist you, to a wery alarming extent," said Gimp, "so if you doesn't object, I'll go on a ."
 
"Go on a scout? What do you mean by that?"
 
"Ise an ijee; I'll take a look around, and when I want you I'll just whistle this way, and you'll understand."
 
Fred had little faith in the proposal, but fortunately he did not object, and a minute later Gimp was gone.
 
Left to himself Fred stealthily approached the vicinity of the camp, alive to the of his mission.
 
He was resolved that if detected, and this was likely to occur, since a number of the Senecas were still absent and would soon be returning, he would not be retaken.
 
"There will not be a shadow of hope, if I fall into their hands again, and I may as well make it lively for a while."
 
A few steps farther and he reached a point from which he obtained a clear view of the Indian camp.
 
He saw Aunt Peggy busy with her culinary duties, while the group of half a dozen Indians were as eagerly watching and for the brown slices as if they were so many wolves.
 
By and by Jake Golcher cut the withes that bound the arms of Habakkuk McEwen and Mr. Brainerd, and began talking with Maggie while Fred watched with the deepest interest the singular camp.
 
"I think there'll be some done pretty soon," thought the youth, after watching the scene for a moment; "and, if so, I must take a hand."
 
He had stationed himself by the side of a tree with large spreading limbs, and he now resorted to the odd plan of climbing a short ............