and out of view, at
which the old trail they were following, turned to the southwest and an
Indian trail turned toward the northwest, leading on to the "Sandusky
Plains" near Lake Erie.

It was apparent that Tom had settled in his own mind the locality in
which the boys should erect their cabin and make their home. He had their
interest at heart, the lads did not doubt, but they were unwilling to
accept his judgment absolutely. It was arranged between them, therefore,
that Ree should go ahead and spy out the lay of the land--and especially
investigate the "lake country" of which Tom had so often spoken. If he
should find it all that was represented, well and good; if not, they knew
that along almost any of the rivers to the south and west of them, were
fertile lands and Indian villages which would afford that which they
sought--crops and trade.

And so on the morning of the fourth day after their having taken to the
Indian trail toward the "Sandusky Plains," the matter having been
explained to Tom Fish, Ree left his friends behind. It was a perilous
undertaking upon which he set out. They had now reached a wild and rugged
country whose hills and valleys almost swarmed with game. Deer, bears and
wolves were abundant. Panthers, wildcats and smaller game were frequently
seen, and Indians were all about, though the party had thus far met but
few.

But Return Kingdom had no fear--that was something he did not then know.
He was only anxious to quickly find the right place for their residence
and to make no mistake in selecting it. A light snow had already fallen,
making it desirable that he and John should get themselves settled
without delay. This was his thought as he hurried on alone.

Under a big beech tree Ree camped at night, building no fire lest it draw
unwelcome guests toward him, but wrapping his blanket about himself and
sitting, not lying, on the ground, his rifle between his knees. Any one
passing, even very near, would have supposed his dark figure to be that
of an old stump, and he spent the night with a feeling of safety, not
entirely comfortable in his position, but little disturbed by the
snapping of twigs and the rustle of leaves which told that forest
prowlers were near.

Crossing a river at a shallow place next day, Ree mounted a hill and
climbed a tall hickory whose upper branches rose above all other trees
near it.

The weather had become warm and pleasant again and he would be able, he
knew, t