t we should hear no more of
them.

That night we encamped at a snug spot near a stream, with a wood to the
southward almost surrounding us, so that the light of our fire could not
be seen by any one on that side. There was rich grass for our animals,
and they were therefore not likely to stray. We were both young, in
good health and spirits, and with no cares to oppress us, so we greatly
enjoyed our bivouac. We sat by the fire chatting away for some time;
then we lay down, wrapped in our buffalo robes, to sleep, resolving to
awake at intervals, in order to put on fresh fuel, as it was important
not to let our fire get low. Fortunately, we awoke as often as was
needful, and by maintaining a good blaze we kept at a distance any bears
or wolves which might have been prowling about. The next morning, at
daybreak, we once more moved on. As yet, we had discovered no signs of
the runaways; indeed, when we came to think over the matter, we
considered that they would probably have kept out of the beaten track,
in order to avoid discovery should they be pursued. From the nature of
the ground, they would not have gone to the left; and I therefore
suggested that we should keep to the right, where, if they really were
making for the pass, we should be pretty certain of coming upon them.
We accordingly struck off at an angle in the direction I proposed, and
then once more continued our former course northward, keeping a bright
look-out ahead and on either side.

"If the fellows are still before us, they deserve credit for the speed
at which they must have been travelling," observed the lieutenant.

"But, notwithstanding, we shall be up with them before dark," I
exclaimed. "See there!" and I pointed to a mark on the grass, which my
quick eye had detected as that made by a single wheel.

The lieutenant, however, could not see it, and thought that my fancy was
deceiving me.

Had we not been detained by the baggage-mules, we should, I was sure,
have quickly overtaken the runaways. I must own, however, that I felt
very little interest in their capture, for I considered them not worth
their salt as soldiers,--a couple of "Uncle Sam's" hard bargains,--but
the lieutenant had no wish to be blamed for losing his men, should he
arrive at the fort without his escort.

We had to call a halt twice in the day, to allow our animals to feed and
drink, and to take some refreshment ourselves. Two or three times, as I
looked round, I fa