an hour was consumed before I got close enough
to see the figures moving about it.

I now crept on as noiselessly as I could, for I knew that the least
sound would be conveyed to the quick ears of the Redskins. Fortunately
there were a number of bushes in the neighbourhood, behind which I could
conceal myself.

As I was going on I heard voices, and stopped breathlessly to listen.
They did not sound like those of Indians, and presently I saw a couple
of figures pass in front of the fire. I almost shouted for joy as I
distinguished by their outlines against the bright blaze that their
dress was that of white men. I felt sure that the people I saw before
me were our friends; still, caution was necessary, for it was possible
that they were prisoners of the Indians, saved from the caravan lately
destroyed, only to meet with a more cruel death by torture. There might
be a large party of Indians encamped.

Presently two other fires came into view, which had been hitherto
concealed by the thick bushes surrounding the hollow in which the camp
was formed. I crept on and on, crouching down like a panther about to
spring on its prey. The voices became more and more distinct, and at
last I found myself on the top of the bank, with only a few bushes
intervening between me and those encamped below.

On pushing aside the branches my eyes were greeted by the pleasant sight
of waggons, cattle, and a number of people; some cooking before the
fires, others preparing their resting-places for the night. Not far
off, at the lower part of the hollow, for it could scarcely be called a
valley, was a pool reflecting the stars overhead.

Feeling sure that I saw my friends before me, I now rushed down the
slope towards them. The first person I met was Reuben Claxton.

"Why, Roger! where have you come from?" he exclaimed. "We were very
anxious about you, and my father had determined, should you not appear
soon, to return with a party to your relief."

I quickly told him what had occurred, several others gathering round to
hear my account. They were greatly alarmed at the description I gave of
the remains of the emigrant-train we had discovered. I pointed out that
their own camp was formed with less care than usual; of which fact they
were convinced, but excused themselves on the plea that they had arrived
very tired just at dark, having had a rough country to traverse, and
that their cattle had suffered from want of water since the