But he carefully avoided the formation of any friendships with the youths of the tribe, although many of them seemed to desire it, considering that his doing so might in some way or other interfere with the execution of his great purpose.

He was civil and kind to them all, however, though reserved; and, as time wore away, he enjoyed much more liberty than was the case at first.

Still, however, he was watched by the tall savage, who was a surly, silent fellow, and would not be drawn into conversation.

Indeed he did not walk with Martin, but followed him wherever he went, during his hours of leisure, at a distance of a few hundred yards, moving when his prisoner moved, and stopping when he halted, so that Martin at last began to regard him more as a shadow than a man..