the chiefs might
be brought to an end. For this very reason, the crisis might be
hastened, the council take place at an early hour; for this very reason,
I too must needs be early upon the spot.

It was my aim to arrive within sight of the Indian encampment just
before night--in the twilight, if possible--that we might be able to
make reconnoissance of the ground before darkness should cover it from
our view. We were desirous of acquainting ourselves with the lay of the
surrounding country as well--so that, in the event of our escape, we
should know which was the best direction to take.

We timed our advance by the sign upon the trail. The keen scouts could
tell, almost to a minute, when the latest tracks were made; and by this
we were guided. Both glided silently along, their eyes constantly and
earnestly turned upon the ground.

Mine were more anxiously bent upon the sky; from that quarter I most
feared an obstacle to the execution of my purpose. What a change had
come over my desires!--how different were they from those of the two
preceding nights! The very same aspect of the heavens that had hitherto
chagrined and baffled me, would now have been welcome. In my heart, I
had lately execrated the clouds; in that same heart, I was now praying
for cloud, and storm, and darkness!

Now could I have blessed the clouds, but there were none to bless--not a
speck appeared over the whole face of the firmament--the eye beheld only
the illimitable ether.

In another hour, that boundless blue would be studded with millions of
bright stars; and, silvered by the light of a resplendent moon, the
night would be as day.

I was dismayed at the prospect. I prayed for cloud and storm, and
darkness. Human heart! when blinded by its own petty passions,
unreasoning and unreasonable; my petition was opposed to the unalterable
laws of nature--it could not be heard.

I can scarcely describe how the aspect of that bright sky troubled and
pained me. The night-bird, which joys only in deepest darkness, could
not have liked it less. Should there be moonlight, the enterprise would
be made more perilous--doubly more. Should there be moonlight--why need
I form an hypothesis? Moonlight there _would_ be to a certainty. It
was the middle of the lunar month, and the moon would be up almost as
the sun went down--full, round, and almost as bright as he--with no
cloud to cover her face, to shroud the earth from her white light.
Certain