ody
of Rangers had encouraged them; and as the company marched through
the forest, generally in single file, the newcomers scattered
themselves amongst the larger body, and talked to them of what was
going forward in the eastern districts, and how, after long delay,
reinforcements were being prepared to come to the aid of the
hapless settlers.

That was cheering news for all, and it put new heart into the band.
They marched along cheerily, although cautiously, for they knew not
what black scouts might be lurking in the thickets; and if the
Indians once got wind of their coming, there would be little hope
of successful attack.

On and on they marched all through the keen winter air, which gave
them fine appetites for their meals when they paused to rest and
refresh themselves, but made walking easier than when the sun beat
down pitilessly upon them in the summer. There had been no heavy
snow as yet, and the track was not hard to find. But the way was
longer than had been anticipated, and night had long closed in
before they caught a glimpse of any settlement, although they knew
they must be drawing near.

The guides became perplexed in the darkness of the forest. The moon
was shining, but the light was dim and deceptive within the great
glades. Still they pushed on resolutely, and the Rangers gradually
drew to the front, goaded on by their own eagerness, and less
disposed to feel fatigue than the soldiers, who were in reality
less hardy than they.

All in a moment a strange sound smote upon their ears. It was the
roll of an Indian drum. They paused suddenly, and looked each other
in the face. The rolling sound continued, and then rose a sound of
whooping and yelling such as some of their number had never heard
before.

"It is the war dance," whispered one of the guides; and a thrill
ran through the whole company. Had they been discovered, and were
the Indians coming out in a body against them?

For a brief while they were halted just below the top of the ridge,
whilst a few of the guides and Rangers crept cautiously forward to
inspect the hollow in which they knew the village lay.

Colonel Armstrong was one of this party, and he, with Stark and
Fritz, cautiously crept up over the ridge and looked down upon the
Indian town below.

The moon lighted up the whole scene. There was no appearance of
tumult or excitement. The sound of the drum and the whooping of the
warriors were not accompanied by any demonstratio