How his heart bounded at meeting one who had lived so near his own home! He hastily crossed the stream, and, seizing the man's hand, shook it heartily.
"I am overjoyed at meeting with you, sir," he said, in a voice choked with emotion.

"Perhaps I owe you an apology; but you will acknowledge that it is best to be on the safe side." "Certainly it is," answered the man.

"I should have done exactly as you did, if I had been in your place.

But where are you travelling to ?" "I want to reach Red River, as soon as possible." "So do we! But we have lost our reckoning, and don't know which way to go." "I do," said Frank.

"This path leads directly to it." They did not linger long to converse--time was too precious for that--but immediately struck into the path, Frank leading the way.
He soon learned that the names of his newly-found friends were Major Williams and Captain Schmidt.