bability they would fire guns to give me
an idea of the direction I ought to take.

I had read of such things, and felt that in all probability this was
what Mr Raydon would do. But time went on as I slowly crept along from
tree to tree, cautiously picking my way, till I began to feel convinced
that my chance of escaping this night was hopeless, and once more I
stood gazing straight before me, till I fancied I saw a gleam of light
close at hand. It was so strange and misty-looking, that it was as if a
bit of phosphorus had been rubbed upon the back of a tree.

As I stared at it, the dim light died out, and all was so black once
more that for the moment I thought it must have been fancy, but as I was
coming to this conclusion, there it was again, and now fully convinced
that it must be phosphorescent wood, I stepped forward cautiously to
touch it, when it went out again. But I stretched out my hand, and
leaning forward touched the trunk of a tree which grew luminous once
more, till as I changed my position there it was out again. I repeated
my movements, feeling puzzled at its coming and going so strangely, and
then like a flash of mental light the reason came to me, and I turned
sharply round with my heart beating, to look for the gleam of which this
must be the reflection.

I was quite right, and I was ready to shout for joy, for there,
glimmering among the trees, some distance from where I stood, I could
see that there was the blaze of a small fire, which rose and fell, and
flickered, sending flashes of light up among the branches overhead; and
I knew at once that it must be the fire in connection with some camp,
but whether Indian or English it was impossible to say. But that did
not matter. The Indians all about were peaceable, and very friendly to
the people of the Fort. They knew a few words of English too, so that
with an intense feeling of relief, thinking that I could at least get
food and shelter, if I could not obtain a guide, I stepped out more
freely, the light growing now, and enabling me to see dangers in my path
in the shape of the thick-growing trees.

I was not long in finding out as I approached that the party around the
fire were not Indians; and as I grew near enough to see the rough, ruddy
faces of a party of men, I thought it would be better to announce my
coming with a shout, lest my sudden appearance should be taken as that
of an enemy. Somehow or other, though, I deferred this till I