He had been seized by a sentry; but Mr. Waters and Oracus hastened to him, and he was released. The other white man was the brother of Mr. Waters, and Charles, bewildered, overjoyed, yet faint and weak, was half led and half carried to the camp. He found himself making hurried explanations, while a savage was broiling venison steaks before the fire for him.
"What! do you know they have been cried out upon?" asked Charles.
"We have heard it all," said Mr. Waters, calmly.
"How could you have heard it?" asked Charles.
"We have faithful friends, who inform us of everything."
"Were you going to take action for their rescue?" asked Charles.
"We were concerting plans when you came; but you must have food."
Charles Stevens gazed on the calm face of the man before him, and could but wonder at his coolness.
"Mr. Waters, do you know that your own daughter is one of the accused?"
"How can you be so calm, knowing all as you do?"
"I am calm for my daughter's sake. The only hope of liberating her, of saving her life, is by cool, deliberate and well matured plans."
"On to-morrow night. Oracus will have all his warriors ready by that time, and we will require crow-bars, hammers and axes, to break in the door of the jail. Meanwhile, if you expect to aid us, you will have to take some refreshments, food and drink, and get some sleep. You don't look as if you had slept for weeks."
"Your conduct is foolish. If you love your mother, you should give the full strength of body and mind to her rescue."
Charles ate some broiled venison and went to sleep.
So exhausted was he, that he did not awake until the noise of breaking camp aroused him.
Another white man was in camp. His hands were fastened behind his back and he was tied to a tree. His sallow complexion and angular features were familiar to Charles Stevens. The prisoner was Joel Martin.
"Two of the Indians captured him last night," explained George Waters. "He was prowling about in the woods, and they seized him."
"What are you going to do with him?" Charles asked.
"We will do him no hurt unless we are forced to," said Mr. Waters.
"I trust you will not be forced," said Charles Stevens.
"So I pray; yet we must protect ourselves and those whom we would rescue."