n under the waggon, and in less than a minute were
fast asleep.

We rested till about ten o'clock, when Aunt Hannah, as Uncle Stephen had
desired, awoke us. Not a human being had approached the valley, though
she said that she had seen some creatures moving along on the top of the
heights; but what they were she could not make out, though they did not
look, she thought, like deer.

Having taken a hurried meal, we again yoked the oxen; and going behind
with crowbars to assist, we commenced the ascent of the hill. It was
harder work than we expected, but, by making a zigzag course, in about
half an hour we got to the top. Looking ahead, the country appeared to
be pretty level, with rocky hills rising out of it in various
directions, but we expected to have no difficulty in making our onward
way. We had filled all our skin-bottles with water, and even should we
meet with no more till the following day the cattle would not materially
suffer.

My uncles were of opinion that we had crossed near the source of the
stream at which the rest of the party must have stopped, and that by
verging to the right we should fall upon their tracks, although we did
not expect to meet with them till the close of the day, owing to the
direction we were taking. They might possibly have sent back to help
us; but as they had not many men to spare, it was more likely that they
would push forward, expecting us ultimately to overtake them. We kept a
look-out for water as we went along, that we might allow our animals to
drink, and thus be able to continue our journey the next day although
none should be found at the camping-ground. Still, though we went on
and on, no signs could we discover of our friends. Already the sun was
sinking towards the west.

I had gone on ahead, and made my way up a hill over which we should have
to pass, that I might obtain before sunset a wide view around, when I
saw some way before me a number of creatures moving about. They seemed
to be very busy, but what they were doing I could not make out. Some
objects lay near them on the ground. I hastened on, and when I got
nearer I perceived that the objects were broken pieces of waggons,--
several wheels, and portions of the woodwork,--while the animals, I had
no doubt, were wolves, from the horrid sounds which reached me; a
mixture of snarling, yelping, barking, and growling, for I cannot
otherwise describe the noise made by the creatures.

Not wishing to ap