t the sheen
of water, but it appeared to be much below the level on which we were
riding. I pointed it out to Mr Tidey, and as we galloped on we saw the
summit of a line of cliffs.

"There is a river between us and the ground we wish to reach," observed
Mr Tidey, "and I very much fear it is one we shall find it difficult to
cross."

"If you will hold my horse, I will go ahead and ascertain the nature of
the ground," I said.

"Be careful then, for I should not be surprised if you found yourself
suddenly on the brink of a precipice," replied Mr Tidey, as I
dismounted carrying my rifle.

"Never fear," I answered as I ran forward. I had not gone fifty yards
when I saw a deep gully on my right hand, and in another minute
discovered a river a hundred feet below me fringed by trees, beyond
which rose a line of perpendicular cliffs, the tops of which we had seen
in the distance. Gazing up and down the stream I could perceive no
place by which the waggons could pass. I returned to my companion, and
we rode together for some distance to the south-west, in the hopes of
finding the ground slope down to a level with the water. We were,
however, disappointed. It was therefore necessary to return to the
train and to inform my father of our discovery, that he might decide
what course to take. This then was the point towards which the wily
Indians had seen us proceeding and had hoped that we should not perceive
our danger until the leading waggon had gone over the cliff, when they
would have taken the opportunity, so we fancied, of setting on us and
gaining an easy victory.

They would, however, be disappointed, though we might find it difficult
to select a suitable spot for camping, where we could obtain water and
fuel, and at the same time defend ourselves should we be attacked.

On getting back to the train, we learned that the Indians had not again
been seen. My father, on hearing our report, directed our course as Mr
Tidey advised, to the south-west.

We had still more than an hour of daylight, and we calculated that we
should have time before dark to reach the river, though it was doubtful
whether we should find a practicable way down to the water.

Never before had the poor oxen been made to go so fast, for our safety
might depend on our reaching the river before Mr Tidey and I once more
rode forward. At length we found the ground decline slightly in the
direction we were going. "As we are still evidently at a