scover any traces of her horse's hoofs--
probably because they did not look for them in the right place. I think
that I should have found them had I been there. In vain they shouted
and galloped about in all directions. From that day to this nothing has
been heard of her. There can be no doubt, however, that she must have
been carried off, as Rita is confident she would not have gone of her
own accord. But whether Rochford or Indians are guilty of the deed is
still a matter of doubt. I decidedly believe that Rochford has had a
hand in it. I never felt very cordial towards him from the first,
though you seemed to fancy him a very fine fellow, with his wild notions
of getting freedom for the blacks, and giving the Redskins their rights;
but I believe there's nothing he would stick at. Uncle Michael and
Captain Norton blame themselves greatly. They and my father lost no
time in organising a plan for recovering my poor sister, and punishing
Rochford, or any one else who may be found guilty. They took Judge
Shurtleff into their counsels: he stuck out, however, to the last that
Rochford was innocent; and told them that he had information that a band
of Indians had been in the neighbourhood, and had retreated up the left
bank of the river. He advised that one party should proceed in this
direction by water, and then landing, proceed west--so as to prevent the
Indians making their way farther south--to reunite with another party
moving west, of which my father was to take charge. They were then to
come down south, so as to be able to follow up the marauders should they
turn back again, or try to escape westward."

Carlos gave further explanations of the proposed plan of proceedings. I
at once became as eager as any one to carry them out; though a short
time before I had felt so wearied that I could scarcely use my paddle, I
now declared that I was ready to begin the march as soon as it was
settled we should land. I found that the point fixed upon was only a
mile or two farther up the river. Had we been a little later we should
probably have missed our friends altogether. The boat did not stop at
the place where we had lighted our fire, which was allowed to continue
burning, to assist in deceiving any Indians who might be in the
neighbourhood. From the reports we had heard, we were well aware that
those we were likely to meet with would prove unfriendly, if not open
enemies, and that we should have to be cautious