but our animals required rest. We had
been travelling nearly all night, and throughout the morning--under the
friendly shelter of the cotton-wood forest. We all needed an hour or
two of repose; and, seeking a secure place near the ground of the
deserted camp, we stopped to obtain it. The train could not be far
ahead of us. While seated in silence around the fire we had kindled, we
could hear at intervals the reports of guns. They came from up the
valley, and from a far distance. The sounds reached us but faintly--now
single shots, and then two or three together, or following in quick
succession. We were at no loss to account for the reports. They were
caused by the hunters of the caravan, in pursuit of game. We had now
entered that charming region where elk and antelope abounded. On our
morning-march we had seen herds of both trooping over the sward--almost
within range of our rifles. Even as we sat, a band of beautiful
antelopes appeared in the open ground near our bivouack fire; and, after
satisfying their curiosity by gazing at us for a moment, they trotted
off into the covert. It was a tempting sight--too tempting for the
young backwoods hunter to resist. Seizing his rifle, he took after
them--promising us as he went off a more savoury breakfast than the dry
buffalo-meat we were broiling. Soon after, we heard the report of his
piece; and, presently, he re-appeared with a dead "prong-horn" upon his
shoulders.

As Wingrove came up to the fire, I noticed a singular expression upon
his countenance. Instead of being rejoiced at his success, his looks
betrayed anxiety! I questioned him as to the cause. He did not answer
directly; but, drawing me to one side, inquired in a whisper, if I had
seen any one in his absence.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"If it wan't altogether unpossible, I'd swar I seed that girl."

"What girl?"

I trembled, as I put the question: I was thinking of Lilian.

"That darnationed devil of a Chicasaw."

"What! Su-wa-nee?"

"Yes--Su-wa-nee."

"Oh--that cannot be? It could not be her?"

"So I'd a thort myself; but darn me, capt'n! if I kin b'lieve it wa'nt
her. What I seed war as like her as two eggs."

"What did you see?"

"Why, jest arter I'd killed the goat, an' war heisting it on my
shoulders, I spied a Injun glidin' into the bushes. I seed it war a
squaw; an' jest the picter o' the Chicasaw. She 'peared as ef she hed
kim right from hyar, an' I thort you must a see