ife.

More scouts were now sent out and still greater caution used. It was
the intention of my companions, if possible, to make the onslaught on
the camp of their foes at night. All depended, however, on our approach
not being suspected. The Sioux, of course, would have scouts out, and
the difficulty was to avoid their meeting ours, or discovering any
traces. At last, just before dusk, one of our scouts brought in word
that they had encamped, and that we were about two miles from them. It
was suspected, from the way in which they had formed their camp, they
must have thought that they had distanced us. We had now no longer any
doubt about overtaking them, but the question was as to the best means
of making the attack. The Indians' chief thought was of revenging
themselves for the loss of their relatives, my only desire was to
recover my brother should he still be alive. We continued to advance
till we got within about half a mile of the Sioux camp--the hilly nature
of the ground and the woods concealing our approach. Beyond that we
dared not proceed, as the country was so open that we might easily have
been seen had we made the attempt. The band, accordingly, here left
their horses under charge of five of their number, and as soon as it was
dusk they commenced their stealthy approach to the camp. Sigenok and
another young and active Indian undertook to look after me. Not a word
was spoken after we set out--not a leaf was moved, scarcely a blade of
grass was uselessly pressed down. On they crept slowly, and so gently
that I could scarcely hear the footfalls even of my two companions. I
imitated their way of walking, and as I had on mocassins I also was able
to avoid making the slightest noise. We had got within a thousand yards
of the camp when we all stopped to listen. The camp was still astir,
and there were sounds of feasting and revelry. The Indians with me
ground their teeth--their enemies, fancying themselves secure, were
about to indulge in a scalp-dance over the scalps they had taken in the
morning. As yet the scouts had not got near enough to ascertain if my
brother was with them. I entreated Sigenok to let me go and ascertain.
"Not without me," was his answer. "Bah, we will go."

I eagerly and fearlessly pressed on. We had to crawl along the ground
lest our figures might be perceived, by the sharp eyes of the Sioux
against the sky. We reached a small stream. The camp was formed a
little