foot-hold.

"It won't do," said Larry, wiping the perspiration from his brow; "av we
had wings we might, but we hain't got 'em, so it's o' no manner o' use
tryin'."

"We shall try from the top now," said Robin. "If anybody _has_ tumbled
over, the poor crittur may be alive yet, for all we know."

They found their efforts to descend from the top of the precipice
equally fruitless and much more dangerous, and although they spent a
long time in the attempt, and taxed their wits to the utmost, they were
ultimately compelled to leave the place and continue their journey
without attaining their object.

One discovery was made, however. It was ascertained by the old marks in
the snow at the edge of the precipice that, whatever members of the
party who owned the sledge had tumbled over, at least two of them had
escaped, for their track--faint and scarcely discernible--was traced for
some distance. It was found, also, that Wapaw's track joined this old
one. The wounded Indian had fallen upon it not far from the precipice,
and, supposing, no doubt, that it would lead him to some encampment, he
had followed it up. Robin and his men also followed it--increasing
their speed as much as possible.

Night began to descend again, but Wapaw was not overtaken, despite the
Black Swan's prophecy. This, however, was not so much owing to the
miscalculation of the Indian, as to the fact that a great deal of time
had been lost in their futile endeavour to reach the sledge that had
fallen over the precipice.

About sunset they came to a place where the track turned suddenly at a
right angle and entered the bushes.

"Ha! the first travellers must have camped here, and Wapaw has followed
their example," said Robin, as he pushed aside the bushes. "Just so,
here's the place, but the ashes are cold, so I fear we are not so near
our Injun friend as we could wish."

"Well, it can't be helped," cried Stiff, throwing down his bundle;
"we've had plenty o' walkin' for one day, so I vote for supper right
off."

"I second the motion," said Walter, seizing his axe, "seein' that the
camp is ready made to hand. Now, Larry, get your pot ready."

"Sure it's stuffed full a'ready--an' I only wish I was in the same
state," said the Irishman, as he pressed the snow tightly into a tin
kettle, and hung it over the fire, which Slugs had just kindled.

The supper scene of the previous night was, in most of its details,
enacted over again; but it was r