ess, gone sufficiently close to ascertain they were the
foes of his race. His first idea had been to return, collect a part of
his warriors, and attack them; but prudence had soon got the better of
his valor; from the fact, as he reasoned, that his band were now in the
enemy's country, where their late depredations had already aroused the
inhabitants to vengeance; and he neither knew the force of Boone's
party--for the reader will remember they were concealed in a cave--nor
what other of his foes might be in the vicinity;--besides which, his
purpose had been accomplished, and he was now on the return with his
prisoners;--the whole of which considerations, had decided him to leave
them unmolested, and ere daylight resume his journey; so that, even
should they accidentally come upon his trail, he would be far enough in
advance to reach and cross the river before them. Such was the substance
of what Wild-cat, in his own peculiar way, now made known to Girty; and
having inquired out the location distinctly, the latter exclaimed:

"By heavens! I remember leaving that ridge away to the right, which
proves that the white dogs must have been on my trail. I took pains
enough to conceal it before that night; but if they got the better of
me, I don't think they did of the rain that fell afterwards--so that
they have doubtless found themselves on a fool's errand, long ere this,
and given up the search. Besides, should they reach the river's bank,
they have no means of crossing, and therefore we are safe."

Wild-cat seemed to muse on the remarks of Girty, for a moment or two,
and then said:

"Why did Mishemenetoc[10] give the chief cunning, but that he might use
it against his foes?--why caution, but that he might avoid danger?"

"Why that, of course, is all well enough at times," answered Girty; "but
I don't think either particular cunning or caution need be exercised
now--from the fact that I don't believe there is any danger. Even should
the enemies you saw be fool-hardy enough to follow us, they are not many
in number probably, and will only serve to add a few more scalps to our
girdles. However, we are safe for to-night, at all events; for if they
reach the river, as I said before, they won't be able to cross, unless
they make a raft or swim it; and you may rest assured, Peshewa, they
will sleep on the other side, if for nothing else than their own
safety."

"What, therefore, does my brother propose?" asked Wild-cat.

"Wh