ins, although the horsemen of the plains are not so clever in
tracking a foe as those who go on the war-path on foot. That makes me
hope that we shall hear of our friends, though it may be some time
hence."

These remarks of old Samson again somewhat relieved my mind. I then
asked him when he thought that the emigrant-train would pass by; and
whether he could manage to let me join it on horseback, for I thought
that I could ride although I could not walk.

"I much doubt whether it will pass this way at all," he answered. "It
will either turn back, or, if the leader is a man of judgment, he will
conduct it by a different route, further to the south. Your uncles, Mr
Claxton, and their companions are brave men, but they will not wish to
encounter the savage hordes who have assembled to stop their progress on
the road they intended taking."

I was very glad to hear this opinion from one who was so well able to
judge rightly, and I felt more reconciled than I otherwise should have
been at remaining inactive; for, as to moving, unless I was placed on
horseback, I knew that was impossible. As far as I could tell, it might
be many days before I could recover, as a sprain, I was aware, is
frequently as difficult to cure as a broken bone; still, I did not like
to keep old Samson in the cave, should he wish to go out for the purpose
of ascertaining what had become of Sandy. I told him that I should not
be at all afraid of staying by myself, if he could manage to close the
entrance behind him.

"I have no desire to show myself on the plain, or I should have a dozen
Redskins galloping after me; and though I should not fear to meet twice
as many, provided I could take shelter behind some big trees, I would
rather not meet them where I should be exposed to their arrows," he
answered. "We must make up our minds to be prisoners for some days to
come; and keep a constant watch, too, lest they should get upon our
trail, and find their way up here."

"But how can you manage to keep watch alone? You will require some
sleep," I observed.

"Two or three hours are quite sufficient for me; and they are not likely
to attack us for the first hour or two before and after midnight," he
answered. "If they come at all during the night, it will be soon after
dark, or just before dawn. I know their ways, and have thus been
frequently enabled to get some necessary rest, even when I knew that
they were on my trail."

"But you would sur