water, whose banks were
lined with rich grasses, sheltered by tall trees that grew on either
side. Here he resolved the camp should be pitched, and lighting a fire
to mark the place, they galloped back to the Sand Hills. To remove the
heavy wagons was no easy task, as the oxen were only able to walk
without a burthen.

There were two pairs of mules and one of horses, and these being
hitched to one of the wagons, were taken to the place designated by the
stream, and then brought back for another until all the wagons were on
the ground, which the last reached about ten at night. In the meantime,
Mrs. Duncan had walked thither with the children, Mr. Duncan, with the
other boys, driving the oxen a little way at a time, and at last
reached the camp ground as the last wagon came up.

Chapter Fifth.

Preparing a Supper. Heavy Storm. The Place of their Encampment.
Straggling Indians seen. Apprehensions of an Attack. Preparations of
defense. Approach of the Crows. A Fight. The Camp Attacked. Capture of
Five in the Camp. The Pursuit. Recovery of some of the Captured. The
pursuit Continued. Tabagauches meet the Crows, and defeat them. They
are discovered. Encampment.

Tired and sleepy, our travelers provided themselves with supper, having
pitched their tents, and laid down to court sleep the great restorer
for body and mind. The sky was cloudless betokening a clear night; and
presuming on this they had not re-covered their wagons, intending to
leave it until they had slept off their fatigue. But in this, even Howe
had something to learn. People under such circumstances should presume
on nothing, but make everything sure, for at one hour they are not
certain that the next will find them secure. It did not them, for they
had slumbered scarcely three hours, when the whistling winds and
creaking of their tent poles aroused them from their slumbers.
Springing from their beds they were almost blinded by the lightnings'
glare, as flash followed flash, in quick succession, each accompanied
by a deafening peal of thunder that reverberated portentously through
the forest. Mr. Duncan hastened into the open air. The sky was overcast
with fleecy clouds, while from the northwest came slowly up a dark
heavy cloud stretching over the whole of that part of the sky. As
higher and higher it rose, louder grew the thunder, and more vivid the
lightning, the wind sweeping round in angry blasts until it seemed as
if every element in nature w