matters were not as bad as they
first appeared. Inasmuch as the fugitives had not returned over their
own trail, the Indians, in case they took it in the morning, must make
the same circuit, and thus be forced to go just as far as if the flight
had been in a direct line.

It was a mystery, however, what had become of the three warriors. They
could not be near the camp, or they would have appeared when the lad
returned to it. They had left, but who could say whither they had gone?

While Ben was debating the painful question, a growing light in the
direction of the Delaware told him the night was ended and the new day
dawning.

The fourth day of July, the second anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence, had passed. He thought of it, standing alone in the dismal
forest with danger on every hand, and oppressed by the great fear that
those whom he loved more than his own life must perish in that gloomy
wilderness.

He did not dare, however, to give way to his sad thoughts. At the first
streakings of light among the trees, he roused his mother and told her
the alarming truth.

"I do not understand it," she replied, alluding to the absence of the
Iroquois; "it must be they are in the neighborhood."

The children were still sleeping quietly on the blanket. No food or
water was at command, and they could not take the time to look for any.
Indeed, the two elder ones felt no hunger or thirst.

The mother rose to her feet and looked around, her interest centring
on the rock and boulders, which stretched away to the rear further than
they could penetrate with the eye.

"I know they are skilful in following footprints," she remarked; "but
if we walk carefully over those rocks, I think they will not be able to
track us. We will try it."

The children were roused and quickly learned what was to be done, the
mother adding that the prayer which she was accustomed to offer up every
morning would be given when they reached a spot where it was safe to do
so.

For fully a hundred yards the four were able to make their way without
resting their feet on the ground. Then the boulders ended as abruptly as
they began.

All now kneeled on the granite floor and asked Heaven to deliver them
safely out of the dangers by which they were surrounded.

If the Indians chose to make search, after tracing the little party to
the stony place, they must eventually come upon the new trail, where it
began again on the ground; but unless