pushed forward rapidly.

We were fain to endure the pangs of hunger all that day, for nothing did
we see to kill. We talked of the fate of our late companions. Martin
thought it possible that some might have escaped. He could scarcely
believe that Sandy had allowed himself to be taken, and he suggested
that, when everything was lost, he might have slipped down to the side
of the river and perhaps got off in a canoe. When he said this I
regretted that we had not examined the river more narrowly.

The canoes belonging to the fort were kept in a cave with a shed built
in front of it which was not visible from the ground above, and any
people escaping from the fort might have got down during the night, and,
having launched a canoe, might have shoved off before being discovered
by their enemies. Alick differed from us. He was sure that the
Indians, when once they had obtained an entrance into the fort, would
have kept too vigilant a watch to allow any one to get out without being
perceived.

It was now too late to go back to decide this point, but he agreed,
should our Cree friends have already gone to the southward, to return,
and instead of proceeding overland to Fort Ross, to try to make our way
down the river in a canoe. This seemed altogether the most feasible
plan. When once embarked, we should run less risk of meeting with
hostile Indians; though, on the other hand, we should be unable to kill
any buffalo or other wild animals except deer, which we might possibly
meet when they came down to drink at the margin of the stream. I felt
much happier when this plan was arranged. I knew what it was to trudge
day after day over the prairie, and though we might be able to find our
way in fine weather, should the sky become cloudy or rain come on we
might have a difficulty in doing so.

We marched on till near dark, in vain looking out for game, and at last
were compelled to encamp. We chose the spot on account of a small
stream from which we could obtain water. I suppose the cold draught
assisted to keep away the pangs of hunger, though substantial food would
have been more acceptable. We of course lighted a fire, and lay down to
sleep by it.

In the morning we all found that we had been dreaming of buffalo humps
and deers' tongues, and only wished that we had the reality before us.
Having no breakfast to cook, we were able to start immediately it was
daylight. We, of course, kept our guns in readiness to sh