a
large body of mounted men, whom he knew from their numbers, and the
prevailing colour of their ranks, must be Indians.

He pointed them out to his companions, "They are probably bound either
for the fort, or are on a hunting expedition to the eastward, but I
cannot yet make out in what direction they are going," he observed.
"However, I conclude that they are friends, and should they come near
us, I will go forward and meet them. It is always better to show that
one wishes to be on good terms with the Redskins, and have no fear of
them. You girls, however, keep back. Since the lesson Sybil received,
it is as well you should not let them see you pale-faces, if you can
help it."

The young ladies laughed, and Norman soon afterwards observing that the
horsemen were approaching, dashed forward to meet them as he proposed.

He had got some little way when he saw that the strangers had put their
horses to their topmost speed, and he remarked at their head a tall
chief who was galloping on, urging his steed by whip and spur.

"I don't like their looks," he thought. "That fellow is very much like
Mysticoose. It will be wiser for the girls to keep clear of them."

Turning round, therefore, he rode back as hard as he could go, and as he
rejoined Sybil, and Effie, he advised them to give their horses the whip
so that they might not risk an encounter with the strangers. On looking
round he saw that the latter were coming directly after them.

"On, girls, on!" he cried out. "I wish that we had turned sooner; but
our horses are in good wind and we can keep ahead of these fellows, even
should they try to overtake us."

Norman's horse was a powerful one: the young ladies being light weights,
and accustomed to riding, giving the rein to their steeds they flew over
the ground.

Their attendants, who did not like the appearance of the strangers,
making good use of whip and spur, managed to keep up with them.

"There's a ford right ahead, across the river; we will make for it,"
shouted Norman. "We can then keep along the northern bank. It will be
much safer than attempting to reach the fort by the direct track, which
would bring us close to those fellows."

Towards the ford, therefore, they directed their course. Trusting to
the fleetness of their steeds, they had reason to hope that they should
keep ahead of their pursuers; for the Indians' horses, though strong and
possessed of great endurance, were incapable, they