on our destruction, make a wide circuit, and getting into
the wood attack us in the rear. To prevent the risk of this, Pierre
made his way among the trees and watched on that side; on hands and
knees he crept cautiously from place to place, as the panther does
watching for its prey. Wary as the Indians were, it was not likely that
they would surprise him. There is an excitement in an adventure of the
sort we were engaged in which affords actual pleasure, and for my part I
enjoyed it greatly, caring neither for being deprived of sleep, nor for
the danger to be apprehended.

We let our fire remain in, though we kept it low, with plenty of sticks
at hand which we could throw on and make it blaze up, should we find it
necessary. At last dawn appeared in the eastern sky, and we believed
that, as the Indians had not attacked us at night, they would not molest
us during our journey.

Having collected our horses and distributed the load of the animal which
had been stolen among them, after a hasty breakfast we set off. We were
much disappointed at finding that Sandy's animal was as lame as on the
previous day, and as it could not move out of a walk, he dismounted and
proceeded on foot. Our progress was therefore slower even than usual.

The country as we advanced became much rougher than that which we had
hitherto passed over. When the greater part of the day had been spent,
we reached the foot of an excessively steep hill, on the top of which
was a wide extending plain. We all here dismounted, and allowed our
horses to scramble on as best they could. To climb up with more ease I
disencumbered myself of my cloak, which together with my gun I fastened
on to one of the pack-horses. We had provided ourselves with thick
sticks, which helped us along.

Sandy's poor horse had great difficulty in making its way, and dropped
behind the rest. There was no fear of its straying; the animals being
accustomed to keep together, it was sure to follow.

"I wish that we had been able to make our way as fast as we had
intended," said Sandy. "We shall have more difficulties on this journey
than we looked for; however, there's no use sighing about what cannot be
helped. Just do you go on, David, to the top of the hill, and take a
look round to see if you can catch sight of any Indians. You are more
active than I am, and will be at the top before I can reach it; I'll
wait and bring up the rest of the horses. If the Indians were