s the
prairie, so that we could see our enemies before they could discover us.
To light a fire and cook our bear's flesh while our horses were turned
loose to feed, occupied but little time. We had saved a couple of tin
mugs with which we brought water from the stream; but our kettle, and
several other articles, in the hurry of our flight, had been left
behind. Our first care was to see to Charley's wound. He heroically
bore the operation of cutting off the head of the arrow, which had to be
done before the shaft of the arrow could be drawn out. We then, with a
handkerchief, bound up the wound. Dick was less seriously hurt, an
arrow having, however, torn its way through his shoulder. The Indian
made light of his wound which was very similar to that Charley had
received. His companions doctored him, we supplying them with a
handkerchief which they bound round his wounded limb. I was still
resting when Story, who had taken his post on the knoll, spy-glass in
hand, shouted out--

"I have just caught sight of the heads of the Redskins, over the grass,
so the sooner we are away the better."

Saying this he hurried down the hill. We, having caught the horses and
packed up the remainder of our meat, mounted and rode on. Both Charley
and Dick declared they did not feel much the worse for their wounds, the
blood they had lost probably preventing inflammation. Though the
Indians could not see us, they must have discovered our trail; and they
would soon ascertain, by the remains of our fire, that we were not far
ahead. This might encourage them to pursue us; but our horses being
better than theirs, we might still, should no accident happen, keep well
ahead of them.

We galloped on until dark and then we were once more compelled to camp.
Only half our party lay down at a time, the remainder keeping by the
horses while they fed, to be ready to bring them in at a moment's
notice. Our pursuers would also have to stop to feed their horses, and
as they had not come up to us during the first watch, we hoped that they
would leave us in quiet for the remainder of the night.

We were not disturbed; and before daybreak, jumping into our saddles, we
pushed on. I must pass over the two following days. As yet we had met
with no signs of civilisation, when we saw a wreath of smoke rising
above the trees in the far distance. It might come from a
backwoodsman's hut, or it might be simply that of a camp fire. It was
not likely