arks.
"See, there are three paths close together at fixed distances apart. I
will tell you how they are produced. The framework of their lodges are
made, as you know, of long poles. These on a journey are tied to each
side of a pony, the ends trailing on the ground. It is very evident
from the way the grass is trampled down, that a long line of ponies has
passed this way, one following the other. The centre line, which is
deepest, you see, is caused by the feet of the ponies and the two outer
lines by the trailing of the poles over the ground. There must have
been women and children with them, which is satisfactory, as it shows
that although the party was a large one, they were not out on the
war-path. They were going northward, crossing our course; whether the
men who attacked the emigrant train belong to them or not, it is hard to
say; perhaps they were the braves of another tribe, and those whose
trail we see were escaping from them."

"You read the marks as well as an Indian could do," I observed; "and I
have no doubt that you are right."

"I have given my mind to the subject, and the man who improves his
opportunities in these wilds can soon attain the knowledge possessed by
the redskins. I have met with many white trappers and hunters who were
fully equal to the most sagacious Indian scouts."

"What do you advise then?" I asked.

"That we should proceed straight on, as we are going, and keep as strict
a watch at night and as bright a look-out during the day as heretofore.
The poor fellows who have been massacred must have been very careless,
and allowed themselves to be deceived by the Indians. It was evidently
an act of treachery, and I should say that a party of the Indians made
their way into the camp on some pretence or other, probably of trading,
and suddenly attacked their too confiding hosts. I observed that none
of the white men had been killed by bullets or arrows, and it is likely
that the poor lady lost her life by a stray shot from one of her own
party."

"We had better let my father and Uncle Denis know that we have seen the
trails, and they will judge what is best to be done," I observed.

"Ride back then, Mike, and tell them what I advise," answered Mr Tidey;
"I will continue to look out ahead. Just say that I think it possible
that another war-party may be pursuing the tribe whose trail we have
seen, and disappointed at not overtaking them, that they may make an
attempt on our ca