. Knowing, however, that we are
well armed, and likely to be prepared for them, they will not attack us
openly; yet they will, if they can, steal up to our camp, and try to
take us by surprise."

Our great object now was to find a secure camping-ground; so we pushed
on, and I led my companion across the stream by a ford somewhat further
up. But still we saw nothing of Klitz or Gillooly, while the waning
light prevented me from discovering their trail, had they crossed where
we did. Some way ahead was a large wood, which extended to the very
foot of the mountains, and within its recesses we should be able to
shelter ourselves from any onset of horsemen, although the trees would
favour the approach of enemies who might attempt to take us by surprise.

We rode on, skirting the forest as long as we had sufficient light to
distinguish objects at any distance, still with the hope that we might
find the runaways encamped, in case they should not have seen us. That
they had not perceived us, near as we were to them, was quite possible,
as their backs had been turned towards us the whole time they were in
sight; and their moving on so quickly might be accounted for by their
wish to reach a good spot for camping on before dark.

We ourselves, after searching about for some time, and being unable to
find any traces of them, resolved to encamp in a small recess in the
wood which presented itself. There was water near, from a rivulet which
came winding through the forest, and plenty of grass. We accordingly
hobbled and staked our horses close at hand; and we then collected wood
for our fire, and made down our beds with our saddles and horse-cloths.

While we were seated at supper, I proposed to my companion to go a short
distance from the wood, that we might command a more extensive range of
view than we could where we were seated; so that should the runaways be
anywhere in the neighbourhood, we might find them out by the light of
their fire. No glare appeared, however, along the whole length of the
forest; but still that was no proof that they were not somewhere in one
of its recesses, as, even should they have kindled a fire, the trees
might conceal its light from us.

Neither of us feeling inclined for sleep, we sat up talking.

"I much regret being obliged to leave the farm, for I confess that I am
not quite satisfied about the movements of the Indians who have been
seen by the chief Winnemak," observed Lieutenant Br