While these reflections and surmises were rapidly passing through the mind of our hero—­for such we must acknowledge him to be—­he heard no sound indicating the immediate vicinity of any other human being; and turning his thoughts upon this latter, he was beginning to doubt whether, at the moment, he was not the only individual beneath the roof; when he heard a step, as of some one entering another apartment; and, directly following, a female voice addressed to some person within.

“Have ye looked to the stranger agin, Ella, and moisted his bandage?”

“I have, mother,” was the answer, in a sweet and silvery voice, which caused our wounded hero to start with a thrill of pleasing astonishment.

“And how appeared he, Ella?” continued the first speaker.

“Why, I thought a little better,” answered the same soft, musical voice; “he seemed asleep, and entirely tranquil.”

“God send it, gal, for he’s had a tougher, sartin.  Three days, now, nater’s bin tugging away for him; and I’d hate to see him die now, arter all; and being the colonel’s recommind, too; for Isaac says the colonel injuncted him strongly to take car o’ him; and I’d do any thing to oblege sech a man as him.  He didn’t appear to have his senses, I reckon?”

“I judged not,” answered Ella; “though, from his tranquil sleep, I argued favorably of his case.”

“Well,” rejoined the other, “it’s my opine the crisis is at hand; and that he’ll ayther come out o’ this lethargick—­as they calls it—­a rational, or die straight off.  ’Spose you look at him agin, Ella; or, stay, I’ll look myself.  Poor feller! how he did rave and run on ’bout his troubles at home, that’s away off, until I all but cried, in reckoning how I’d feel ef it war Isaac as war going on so.”.

As the speaker concluded, she advanced to where the object of her remarks was lying; and, drawing aside in a gentle manner, some of the skins near his head, gazed upon him.

As will be surmised by the reader, not a syllable of the foregoing colloquy had been lost upon Reynolds; who heard, with unbounded astonishment, of his narrow escape from that dark valley whence none who enter again return, and that three days had elapsed since he had fallen into an unconscious state.  He learned, too, with regret, that he had been communicating matters—­to what extent he knew not—­to others, which he wished safely locked in his own breast; and judging it best, in the present instance, to dissemble a little, that his informant might not be aware of his having overheard her, he feigned to be asleep on her approach.

“He’s sleeping yit, poor creater,” continued the hostess, as she bent over the bed of our hero, until he felt her breath upon his face.  “I hope it arn’t a going to be his final sleep—­so young, and so handsome too! but, O dear, thar’s no telling what them Injen bullets will do, for folks does say as how they have a knack o’ pizening them, that’s orful to tell on!  O Lord o’ marcy, Ella, child, do come here!” cried the dame suddenly:  “I do believe he’s coming to, for sartin.”