s, without finding water, and the fort, from whence
alone we were certain of obtaining relief, was still far distant. To
turn back, however, and afterwards take a different route, would be as
dangerous as to advance, as we should probably have to encounter the
band of Indians with whom we had had the fight, and who would be certain
to try and revenge the death of their warriors. At last it was decided
that the train should continue to advance, and that Mr Tidey, Dio, and
I should push forward on horseback to the fort. We there hoped to
obtain a guide who would conduct us to where water was to be found. Our
horses were in better condition than the rest of the animals with the
exception of those my father and Uncle Denis usually rode. They however
considered it necessary to remain with the train, and to keep their
horses in case of requiring them on an emergency.

Carrying such provisions as we might require on our backs, with a good
store of ammunition and our rifles slung across our shoulders, we set
out, Mr Tidey having a pocket compass by which we could direct our
course. We hoped to reach the fort in two or three days at furthest,
and we might do so sooner could we find water to refresh our steeds.
Our own water-bottles contained but a small supply, but it was all that
could be spared. My father charged us to keep a watchful look-out for
Indians, and should we see any in the distance, either to hide ourselves
or to trust to the fleetness of our steeds, rather than risk an
encounter. Having bid farewell to my mother, Kathleen, Lily, and Dan,
who was disappointed at not being allowed to accompany us, I joined Mr
Tidey and Dio, and we pushed on ahead of the train.

The heat was as great as on the previous day, but, as the Dominie
observed, "We must not care for a slight inconvenience of that sort." I
however twisted a white handkerchief round my hat, to keep off the rays
of the sun, and he followed my example. Dio seemed very indifferent to
them, his woolly pate protecting him better than all the artificial
contrivances we could adopt. The only living creatures we saw were
several deer passing in the far distance to the westward. Of course we
could not venture out of our course to chase them. Neither streams nor
water-holes could we discover, and we were obliged at length to encamp
on the open prairie. Having tethered our horses a short distance from
us, where they could crop the grass, wet with the dew of