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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
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