In response to it, half a dozen red men, each carrying a burden, came out from among the trees, and depositing their heavy loads in the lean-to, seated themselves before the fire in silence.

Sewatis motioned for Walter to look at that which had been brought, and while the latter wonderingly obeyed, he cut from the haunch of venison a sufficient number of steaks to serve as a hearty meal for the new-comers.

The boy’s surprise may be imagined when he discovered that each of the packages was made up of furs, and he understood that the value of the whole lot greatly exceeded the amount of money in the bag.

“Big mill,” Sewatis said, in a tone of satisfaction, and then he turned his attention to his followers, leaving Walter to speculate upon the good fortune which had come to him so unexpectedly.

The Indians remained in camp during that night, and at daybreak, after a breakfast of venison, all save Sewatis departed.

Never before had Walter worked as he did on the day succeeding the Indian’s return.  It was a perfect fever of industry, superinduced by the knowledge that there was now nothing to prevent the consummation of his desires save that which could be done by hands.

His companion appeared as before the coming of Jim Albert, with a single exception, and that was at the close of the fatiguing day’s work, when he pointed to a slight elevation overlooking the site of the proposed mill, and said, quietly,-

“Sewatis build house there. "

“So you shall, and between the two of us I reckon we can run the business as it should be.”

Two days more the boy and his friend worked during every moment of daylight, and then came Stephen Kidder.

“Master McCleary is just behind me,” he cried, before Walter could greet him.

“Master McCleary!  Why has he come?  Is there more danger for me?”

“You are free to go to Portsmouth this day.  Samuel Haines has sailed for England, and there is little chance he will ever return.”

Before Walter could realize the full bearing which Haines’s departure would have upon his own affairs, Andrew McCleary came into view.

“It is a brave spot, my lad, and you have done well to choose it.  Master Leavitt gives me great encouragement in regard to advancing the money, but stipulates that he shall be made a partner in the enterprise, you to pay him interest on the entire amount until your debt of one-half is discharged.”

“I shall not need his money, for I already have a partner who neither demands interest nor a portion of the profits,” Walter replied, laughingly; and then he told his now mystified friends of what Sewatis had done.

McCleary insisted upon taking the Indian by the hand as he praised him, but not a word, either good or bad, could he persuade Sewatis to speak.

The mill was built and opened for business four months after the repeal of the Stamp Act, and Sewatis insisted on pouring into the hopper the first bushel of corn brought to be ground.