ace, in such a manner as
to evade any examination from a common eye. Paul and the Pawnee fettered
the beasts and cast them to the earth, where, after supplying them with
food, they were also left concealed in the fog of the prairie. No time
was lost when these several arrangements were completed, before each of
the others sought a place of rest and concealment, and then the plain
appeared again deserted to its solitude.

The old man had advised his companions of the absolute necessity of
their continuing for hours in this concealment. All their hopes of
escape depended on the success of the artifice. If they might elude the
cunning of their pursuers, by this simple and therefore less suspected
expedient, they could renew their flight as the evening approached, and,
by changing their course, the chance of final success would be greatly
increased. Influenced by these momentous considerations the whole party
lay, musing on their situation, until thoughts grew weary, and sleep
finally settled on them all, one after another.

The deepest silence had prevailed for hours, when the quick ears of the
trapper and the Pawnee were startled by a faint cry of surprise from
Inez. Springing to their feet, like men, who were about to struggle for
their lives, they found the vast plain, the rolling swells, the little
hillock, and the scattered thickets, covered alike in one, white,
dazzling sheet of snow.

"The Lord have mercy on ye all!" exclaimed the old man, regarding the
prospect with a rueful eye; "now, Pawnee, do I know the reason why you
studied the clouds so closely; but it is too late; it is too late! A
squirrel would leave his trail on this light coating of the 'arth. Ha!
there come the imps to a certainty. Down with ye all, down with ye; your
chance is but small, and yet it must not be wilfully cast away."

The whole party was instantly concealed again, though many an anxious
and stolen glance was directed through the tops of the grass, on the
movements of their enemies. At the distance of half a mile, the Teton
band was seen riding in a circuit, which was gradually contracting
itself, and evidently closing upon the very spot where the fugitives
lay. There was but little difficulty in solving the mystery of this
movement. The snow had fallen in time to assure them that those
they sought were in their rear, and they were now employed, with the
unwearied perseverance and patience of Indian warriors, in circling the
certain b