God grant they may not have bin scalped!" The trader's face looked troubled, and he spoke with one of his Indians for a few minutes in earnest, hurried tones.
"What were they like, young man ?" Dick described them.
"The same," continued the trader.

"They've been seen, lad, not more than two days ago, by this Indian here, when he was out hunting alone some miles away from our camp.

He came suddenly on a band of Indians who had two prisoners with them, such as you describe.

They were stout, said you ?" "Yes, both of them," cried Dick, listening with intense eagerness.
"Ay.

They were tied to their horses, an' from what I know of these fellows I'm sure they're doomed.