they struck it by accident, they
must use a good deal of time in hunting for it.

"Come on," called Ben in a low voice, but with a renewal of hope; "we
shall get somewhere one of these days."

To their surprise, not far from the rocks they came upon a faintly
marked path among the trees.

"What is the meaning of that?" Ben asked, looking inquiringly at his
mother and Linna.

"Men don't do dat--wild beasts," replied the dusky child.

"She is right," added the mother; "the animals follow it to water; let
us do the same."

The haunting fear of the red men made the words between the fugitives
few, and all their movements guarded. They kept glancing to right and
left, in front and to the rear, Linna being probably the most active. It
was as if she inherited from her parents their surprising woodcraft, and
was now calling it into play for the benefit of her friends.

Suddenly something flickered in the path ahead, and Ben stopped short,
those behind him doing the same.

Just in advance--less than fifty yards indeed--a beautiful fawn had come
to a halt. Its graceful head, with its soft brown eyes, was lifted high,
and it looked wonderingly at the people, as if not knowing the meaning,
and too innocent to feel fear. Ben drew up his rifle, for it was a
tempting chance for a delicious breakfast. But almost instantly he
lowered the weapon again.

The fawn was so trusting, so unsuspicious, that a feeling of pity came
to the young hunter. The animal suggested his own little sister, for it
was wandering through the unfriendly woods, with none to protect it from
cruel enemies.

"Go," whispered Ben; "I haven't the heart to harm you; I will starve
first."

"Remember the result of the shot yesterday," said his mother warningly.
"We are in too much peril to increase it."

The lad advanced along the path, and every one of the company smiled at
the fawn, when it stood motionless, staring until they were almost to
it. Then the timid creature turned nimbly and trotted over the trail,
its head so high that, as it turned it from side to side, it saw every
thing done by the strange beings following.

Had the situation been less serious, Ben would have had some sport
with the lovely creature, but he dared not give it much attention. It
continued trotting a short way, and then sprang gracefully aside among
the trees, leaving no scent on the leaves by which the most highly
trained hound could trace it.

A little way beyond they c