is later day, I can
trace our progress with some degree of accuracy, and know that we
passed that night in the valley of Bureau Creek, blindly groping our
way forward toward a fate of which we little dreamed.

Nor did those weary hours of darkness bring to us the slightest
warning, I do not recall feeling any special fear. In the first place
I was convinced that we must already be at the extreme limit of Black
Hawk's radius, and that, traveling as we were eastward, must before
morning be well beyond any possible danger of falling into the hands of
his warriors. The other pursuers I had practically dismissed from
thought. Not for twenty-four hours had we perceived the slightest
signs of Kirby's presence in our rear, and my faith was strong that his
party had either lost our trail, or been turned aside by fear of
encountering Indians. In this respect Kennedy remained more
pessimistic than I, yet even in his mind confidence began to dawn that
we had outstripped our enemies, both white and red, and that a few
miles more must bring us in safety to some pioneer settlement. The
poor condition of our horses compelled us to rest frequently, and our
own utter exhaustion led to our dropping asleep almost the moment we
halted. We were without food, and in no mood to converse. Shortly
after midnight my horse strained a tendon, and could no longer uphold
my weight. On foot, with the poor beast limping painfully behind me, I
pressed on beside Eloise, both of us silent, too utterly wearied with
the strain for any attempt at speech.

The early dawn found us plodding along close beside the creek, a fair
sized stream, which meandered quietly through a beautiful valley
protected on either side by high bluffs, rising to the plateau of
prairie beyond. The bluffs themselves were wooded, but the lower
expanse was open, covered with luxuriant grass, and containing only an
occasional tree, like some lone sentinel, diversifying the landscape
with the darker coloring of its leaves. It was a delightful scene, a
bit of wilderness beauty undefiled, appearing so peaceful and perfect
in its outer aspect as to cause even our tired, jaded eyes to open in
eager appreciation. I noticed Eloise straighten up in the saddle, her
face brightening in the early light as she gazed enraptured at the
varied shades of green decorating the near-by bluff, fading gradually
into the delicate blue of the arching sky overhead. The clear water of
the creek spa