he stockade was now patrolled, it was hardly probable he
would be permitted to approach close enough for identification during
the night. De Croix was no frontiersman, and was reckless to a degree;
yet his long training as a soldier would certainly teach him a measure
of caution in approaching a guarded fort at such a time.

"'Tis doubtless true," I admitted, "yet I shall feel safer if we push
on at once."

"Ye called the feller De Croix, didn't ye?" he asked. "Is it the
French dandy as was at Hawkins's?"

"Yes," I answered, "and I guess you don't care much to help him."

Burns wasted no breath in reply, but moved forward with noiseless step.
Glancing back, I could clearly perceive Kinzie framed in the light of
his open door. The vivacious French lass stood beside him, peering
curiously out across his broad shoulders. Then we sank into the
blackness of the ravine, and everything was blotted from our sight.

Burns evidently knew the intricacies of the path leading to the Fort
gate, for I soon felt my feet upon a beaten track, and stumbled no more
over the various obstacles that rendered my former progress so
uncertain. My guide moved with excessive caution, as it seemed to me,
frequently pausing to peer forward into the almost impenetrable
darkness, and sniffing the night air suspiciously as if hoping thus to
locate any lurking foes when his keen eyes failed in the attempt. So
dark was it that I had almost to tread upon his heels in order to
follow him, as not the slightest sound came from his stealthy advance.
As he surmounted the steeper inclines of land, I was able to perceive
him dimly, usually leaning well forward and moving with the utmost
caution, his long rifle held ready for instant use. As we drew nearer
the river,--or where I supposed the river must be, for I could
distinguish but little of our position,--he swerved from the footpath
we were following, and the way instantly grew rougher to our feet.

"Reckon we 'd better hit the crick a bit below the Fort," he muttered,
over his shoulder; "less likely ter find Injuns waitin' fer us thar."

"You think there are savages on this shore?"

He turned partially, and peered at me through the darkness.

"I never heerd tell as Injuns was fools," he answered briefly. "In
course thar 's some yere, an' we 're almighty likely ter find 'em."

On the bank of the river, which I could see dimly by the faint light of
a star or two that had broken through the cl