way we had travelled, to the
full distance of a mile from the place where our horses had been left,
when all at once the barrow-track gave out. The buffalo-path continued
on; but no barrow had passed over it, unless carried as before. This
was improbable, however; and we were forced to the conclusion, that the
two men had turned off, by some side-path we had not observed.

While looking for this, a sound reached our ears, that resembled the
murmur of a distant waterfall; but, listening more attentively, we could
distinguish in it a different intonation. We at once moved in the
direction whence the noise came; and before we had advanced a hundred
yards through the thickly standing trees, we were aware that what we
heard was the sound of human voices. Another hundred yards brought us
within hearing of words--at the same time that a luminous reflection
cast upwards upon the trees, indicated that there was a fire at no great
distance off. The underwood hindered us from seeing the fire; but
guided by its gleam, we continued to advance. After making another long
reach through the leafy cover, we got the fire well under our eyes, as
well as those who had kindled it. We had no conjecture as to whether we
had been following the true track, or whether it was the two runaway
travellers we had _treed_. The point was determined by an object seen
standing close to the fire, in the full glare of its ruddy light. Need
I say it was the wheelbarrow?

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

A BRACE OF "OLD SOJERS."

Yes, it was the wheelbarrow; and the "U.S. Ordnance" branded upon its
side, and visible under the light of the blazing pile, told whence it
had come. Either Fort Gibson or Fort Smith was minus a barrow, drawn
from their stores by no very formal _requisition_. There were the
takers of it--one on each side of the fire--presenting as great a
contrast as could well be found in two human beings. Although of the
same species, the two individuals were as unlike each other as a tall
greyhound to a turnspit. Both were seated, though in different
attitudes. The little man was "squatted"--that is, with legs crossed
under him, after the fashion of tailors. The long legs of his
_vis-a-vis_ would scarcely admit of being thus disposed of; and his
weight was resting altogether upon his hips and heels. In this posture,
the caps of his knees stood up to the level of his shoulders--so that
his body, viewed _en profile_, presented a pretty