ey were then, although, as he saw now, they
certainly could not indicate the banks of the Missouri, as he had then
thought; while between this distant bank of timber, that stood out here
under the shades of evening more strongly against the sky line, were
sundry little timbered islands as it were amidst the vast ocean of
spreading plain on which they were.

As it got darker, the half-breed, who was unacquainted with Wolf's
sagacity, that equalled his own in following a trail, made them
understand that they must give up the pursuit until the morning light,
or moon, should it not be obscured, enabled the trail to be deciphered;
but Wolf's master showing him what to do, and a sort of leash being
attached to the dog so that he should not go too fast on the scent and
be lost sight of in the gathering gloom, the expedition started on
again, after a brief halt, as untiringly as ever.

"Ugh!" ejaculated Moose, when they had continued their quest through the
darkness with Wolf's aid for about an hour, more or less--"Hist! Light
yonder! Stay here, I go see!" and he disappeared from amongst them,
while the others halted on the spot, from whence they could faintly
perceive the glimmer of firelight shining amidst trees in front of them:
so they were evidently near one of those little wooded islands they had
observed in the distance.

After an absence which seemed unconscionably long to those who remained
behind, the half-breed returned, and from what he said Mr Rawlings
divided the band into two portions, one of which he ordered to follow
Moose, whose object was to take the Indians in the rear, while the main
body attacked them in front, thus causing them to surrender probably at
the display of their overwhelming numbers, the two parties acting
together by a concerted signal, without any recourse to their weapons,
which would most likely endanger the life of poor Sailor Bill whom they
had come to save.

All proceeded satisfactorily up to a certain point.

The half of the band that accompanied Moose stole forward, skirting
round the trees so as to get the Indians in a line between themselves
and Mr Rawlings' party; and presently the solitary note of the
melancholy whip-poor-will was heard from amidst the trees, to warn the
others that Moose and his companions were in position, and they were to
close in nearer to the Indian camp before the half-breed should give the
second intimation that it was time for the final rush.

Blac