mp, or venture to attack us on the march."

I accordingly galloped back, looking as I did so to the southward, as it
was from that direction the war-party might, I thought, appear. I
however saw no human beings moving in the distance, but I caught sight
of a herd of deer, and greatly longed to be able to go in chase, as we
were much in want of fresh provisions. We had intended to halt for the
purpose of hunting, but the risk of falling in with enemies made my
father deem it prudent not to allow any one to go to a distance from the
camp. I soon got back to the waggons, and reported what Mr Tidey had
said.

"We will follow his advice," said my father, "and if Indians appear, we
may, I hope, send them to the right-about. We will at all events take
good care not to allow any strangers to enter our camp, or to come
within range of our rifles while we are on the march. Now go, Mike, to
the support of Mr Tidey; but keep in sight, and fall back should you
see any Indians approaching."

I was soon up with the Dominie. "If all travellers were as cautious as
your father, the redskins would not so often succeed," he observed.

We were now crossing an elevated plateau with slightly undulating ground
in the far distance. By standing up in our stirrups we could obtain a
wide view over the country on every side. We had not proceeded far when
I saw, away to the southward, what seemed like a huge serpent moving
through the grass, although I knew very well that a serpent it could not
be. I pointed it out to my companion, who carried a telescope at his
back, telling him what I at first thought it like.

He took a glance through the glass. "The distance deceives you," he
answered, as calmly as if it was a matter of very little consequence,
"that is a band of Indians on the war-path. I am certain of it. They
are moving eastward; probably they are scouts, and long ago have
discovered our waggons. What their intention is, I cannot say, but
possibly it is to get into our rear, without, as they suppose, being
seen. We must keep an eye upon them, but not on any account alter our
course."

As before, I rode back to tell my father what we had seen. He also had
discovered the war-party, and had determined what to do. The rough map
we possessed showed us that there was a river ahead, but its character
and the position of the fords were indistinctly marked. His object was,
if possible, to cross before nightfall, so as to place i