g of birds. On the sixth day the tracks of the horses seemed
to be fresher than usual; and to Claude's question the Indian replied
that they must be close by them. At this Claude hurried on more
vigorously, and kept up his march later than usual. He was even
anxious to go forward all night; but the Indian was unwilling. He
wished to approach them by day rather than by night, and was afraid
of coming too suddenly upon them, and thus being discovered, if they
went on while the others might be resting. Thus Claude was compelled
to restrain his impatient desires, and wait for the following day.

When it came they set forth, and kept up a rapid pace for some hours.
At length they came to an opening in the woods where the scene was no
longer shut in by trees, but showed a wide-extended prospect. It was
a valley, through which ran a small stream, bordered on each side
with willows. The valley was green with the richest vegetation.
Clusters of maples appeared like groves, here and there interspersed
with beech and towering oaks, while at intervals appeared the
magnificent forms of grand elms all covered with drooping foliage,
and even the massive trunks green with the garlands of tender and
gracefully-bending shoots.

For a moment Claude stood full of admiration at this lovely scene,
and then hurried on after his guide. The guide now appeared desirous
of slackening his pace, for he saw that if the other party were not
far away he would be more liable to discovery in this open valley;
but it was not very wide. About half a mile farther on, the deep
woods arose once more; and, as there were no signs of life here, he
yielded to Claude's impatient entreaty, and went on at his usual
pace.

Half way across the valley there was a grove of maple trees; the path
ran close beside it, skirting it, and then going beyond it. Along
this they went, and were just emerging from its shelter, when the
guide made a warning movement, and stood still. The next instant
Claude was at his side. The Indian grasped Claude's arm, and made a
stealthy movement backward.

That very instant Claude saw it all. A man was there--a European. Two
Indians were with him. He was counting some birds which the Indians
were carrying. It seemed as though they had been shooting through the
valley, and this was their game. They could not have been shooting
very recently, however, as no sound had been heard. This was the
sight that met Claude's eyes as he stood by the