didn't I catch sight of a whole tribe of the murtherin' villins
creepin' up on all fours, loike so minny big rats towards us, and didn't
they turn tail an' scamper off when I fired at thim."

The other men had not even seen the enemy.

"Depend on it, Tim, that your tribe of redskins were a tribe of coyotes,
who might, however, have pulled down one of the oxen had you not driven
them off," said Uncle Denis. "You may let the cattle rest without any
fear of an attack for the present, for the appearance of the wolves is a
pretty sure sign that no redskins are in the neighbourhood."

Uncle Denis was right in his conjectures, the night passed away without
any further alarm. We had hopes of enjoying a complete rest during the
day, but the forest to the westward and the dense wood below us, caused
my father some anxiety, as they might afford concealment to an
approaching enemy, and we were compelled therefore to keep a constant
watch against surprise. As evening approached and it was necessary
again to water the cattle, two parties were sent out, one along the bank
of the river, and the other to examine the forest some distance from the
camp. Both returned reporting that they had met with neither human
beings nor animals, and the cattle were accordingly led down as before
to the river side. It was somewhat difficult to account for our being
allowed to remain in quiet. The only way we could do so was from
supposing that the Indians had lost so many men that they thought it
prudent not to molest us while we remained in camp. The question was
whether they would venture to attack the train when we were once more
moving on. Still, move we must, and preparations were made for starting
at daybreak the following morning.

The weather was beautifully fine, and we were all in good health and in
excellent spirits, considering the dangers by which we were surrounded.
Another night went tranquilly by, and the instant the first faint
streaks of light appeared in the eastern sky my father roused up all
hands. In an instant we were engaged in our respective duties,
reloading the waggons, harnessing the cattle, and saddling the horses.
We were quickly in order, the word was given to move on. My father, on
his stout horse, led the way, keeping at some distance from the wood, on
which he directed us to maintain a vigilant watch lest a party of
Indians, expecting to find us off our guard, might be in ambush beneath
its shelter, and p