ld be
in vain; and we should not only have our long ride for nothing, but
would be under the necessity of doubling the distance by riding back
again.

Along the route we found time to discuss the circumstances--both those
in our favour and against us. The water-way taken by the canoe was far
from being direct. Both the creek and the larger stream curved
repeatedly in their courses; and in ordinary times were of sluggish
current. The freshet, however, produced by the late rain-storm, had
rendered it swifter than common; and we knew that the canoe would be
carried down with considerable rapidity--faster than we were travelling
on horseback. On such roads, for so great a distance, fast travelling
was impossible; and could only have been accomplished at the risk of
killing our horses. Mounted as I was, I might have made more of the
time; but I was under the necessity of slackening pace for my
companion--whose sorry steed constantly required waiting for. Our sole
chance lay in our route being shorter, and in the circumstance that the
fugitives had not a very long start of us; but for all this the issue
was exceedingly doubtful; and by the nicest calculations, we were
satisfied we should have but little margin to spare.

I need hardly point out the importance of our arriving in time. Should
the canoe get beyond the mouth of the Obion--without our seeing it--we
should be left undetermined as to whether they had gone _up_ the
Mississippi or _down_; and therefore altogether without a guide as to
our future movements. In fact, we should be unable to proceed further
in the pursuit. So far as the mouth of the Obion, their route was
fixed; and of course ours was also determined. But beyond, it would be
on our part mere blind guessing; and, should evil chance conduct us in
the wrong direction, the result would be ruin to our prospects. On the
other hand, could we but arrive in time--if only to see the canoe
entering the great river--and note which turning it took--our purpose
would be accomplished. That is, our _present_ purpose; for beyond that
of ascertaining their route of travel across the plains, and their point
of destination, I had formed no plans. To follow them wherever they
might go--even to the distant shores of the Pacific--to seek them
wherever they might settle--to settle beside them--beside _her_--these
were the ideas I had as yet but vaguely conceived. All ulterior designs
were contingent on the carryi