t between our
camp and the enemy. From thence a horseman could reach Fort Hamilton by
galloping hard, in three or four days, we calculated, and should the
Indians appear in overwhelming numbers, we might send forward for
assistance. Either Mr Tidey or Uncle Denis would be ready to undertake
the expedition. Just as I was about to rejoin him, Mr Tidey fell back
to consult with my father and uncle. At that moment too Dio came up
from the rear, where he had been stationed; to tell us that he had made
out another numerous party of Indians following our trail, but that they
were still so far off that some time must elapse before they could
overtake us. On hearing this my father hurried to the rear, to take a
look at the strangers through his telescope. He immediately sent back
Dio, who had accompanied him, to tell the drivers to push forward, with
the utmost speed of which the oxen were capable, while Mr Tidey and I
once more rode ahead to ascertain the best ground for the train to pass
over. We could no longer make out the Indians we had before seen to the
southward. We conjectured therefore that they had concealed themselves,
and intended joining the party following our trail.

"They must have halted, or we should by this time have seen them
nearer," observed Mr Tidey. "My idea is that they are waiting for the
chance of our train being stopped by a break-down, and fancy that they
shall take us by surprise while we are off our guard. They are
evidently under the impression that we have not discovered them, for
though they are well aware that our rifles can shoot further than their
bows and arrows, they are fortunately ignorant of the power of the
telescope, and that we can see them much further than they can see us,
keen as is their eyesight."

Whatever might have been the intention of the savages, they did not
approach. We rode on, without having to deviate from our course, the
ground being sufficiently level for the transit of the waggons. In a
short time we saw extended before us an undulating region, though we had
little doubt that we should be able to proceed along the hollows,
without having to make any great detour. Already the evening was
approaching, and as we had not found water during the day, we were
eagerly looking out for a stream or pond at which we and our animals
might quench our thirst. The sun was shining brightly, and, late in the
day as it was, the heat was considerable. Presently I caugh