Rochford found
out whar de young missie is stayin'. He talk to her, an' she ready to
come. Massa Rochford say if he had 'osses he bring her 'way, but
oderwise he fear dey bof get caught; so he stop in a wood not far from
deir lodges, whar no Indians find him. He stay dar till de young massa
and captain come wid de 'osses, den he get de white girl an' carry her
'way all safe. Massa understand what Pompey say?"

"Very clearly; but how are we to find the place where Mr. Rochford is
hiding?" I asked.

"Pompey him show you, massa; him come on purpose," said the black.

"How long will it take to get there?" I asked.

The black began to count on his fingers, with a knowing look.

"Maybe two days, maybe free, accordin' to circumstances; maybe only one,
if 'osses go quick--but den Pompey not keep up an' show de way."

"Come in, Pompey, and you shall explain what you have told me to Captain
Norton and my father, and I have no doubt that they will agree to Mr.
Rochford's proposal."

Neither of them had turned out, but I roused them up, as there was no
time to be lost. On hearing the information Pompey had brought, they at
once went to the commandant and laid the matter before him. He
consented to allow us to take the horses we had brought to the fort,
with two or three others if we required them. I did not expect that he
would give permission to Captain Norton to go; but the captain pressed
him so hard that he at length consented, provided my father, who had
been unwell for some days, would consent to remain. To this my father
consented, fearing that if he went he might break down on the way, and
be unable to proceed. It was finally arranged that Captain Norton,
Carlos, Tim, and I, under the guidance of Pompey, should set out on our
four best horses, with two led ones for Juanita and Rochford. The black
declined mounting, declaring that he had never ridden a horse, but that
he would keep the lead on foot. As soon as he had taken some food and a
short rest we set out. He showed by his activity that he was well able
to perform his promise. When, however, he got out of sight of the fort,
he stopped and said--

"Pompey guess he might stick on de 'oss, an' den we go faster." Without
waiting for a reply, he sprang into the saddle, and from the way in
which he sat showed that he was as well accustomed to riding as any of
us. Where the ground would allow he took the lead in fine style. Away
we went, allowing no