curity than he can all alone," I
observed.

"Tastes differ, and although it is not complimentary to us, he may
prefer his own society to ours," answered the Dominie, laughing.

"Perhaps he is on bad terms with the garrison of the fort, and
consequently does not wish to associate with us, because we have been
staying there," remarked Dan.

"It may be that he has shot one of them, or sided with the Indians, or
has committed some offence against the Government," said Martin.

"We might talk all night, and yet come to no satisfactory conclusion,"
replied the Dominie, "and now, it's time to turn in, to be ready for our
work to-morrow morning."

We accordingly lay down wrapped in our blankets round the fire, Martin
taking the first watch.

CHAPTER TEN.

A TIMELY WARNING--THE PURSUIT--INDIAN HORSEMEN--THE CAVALRY ENGAGEMENT--
A SHARP SKIRMISH--DIO SAVES MY FATHER'S LIFE--PREPARATIONS FOR
CONTINUING OUR JOURNEY--I ENCOUNTER THE SOLITARY HUNTER--USEFUL
INFORMATION--REJOIN THE TRAIN--FIRST SIGHT OF THE MOUNTAINS--THE "GROSSE
CORNE"--LOOKING OUT FOR A PASS--MOUTH OF THE CANON DISCOVERED--A GLOOMY
PASSAGE--OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS IN THE GORGE--FIRST GLIMPSE OF "SMILING
VALLEY"--SELECTION OF THE SITE OF OUR FUTURE HOME--BRINGING THE WAGGONS
OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

The stars were shining brightly in the sky, the fire casting a glare on
the trunks and branches of the surrounding trees beyond which was
darkest gloom, when having been aroused by the Dominie, I took the
morning watch.

No sound broke the stillness which reigned through the forest at that
period of the night. Feeling still drowsy, and afraid of dropping off
to sleep again should I sit down, I continued pacing backwards and
forwards, now approaching one side of the glade, now the other,
occasionally giving the fire a poke, or throwing on a few sticks.
Though I had no fear of Indians, a bear or panther, or a pack of hungry
wolves, might pay us a visit, attracted by the smell of the venison
which was packed and ready for transport. As the trees shut out the
view to the eastward, I could only judge when day was approaching by
observing the stars beginning to grow dim. I had gone farther than
usual from the camp-fire, towards the west, when, as I stopped for a
moment, I thought I heard a sound among the underwood in that direction,
as of branches pushed aside and feet pressed on dry leaves.

Expecting to see some animal break through, I brought my gun ready to