about for the rifles; what was my dismay not to
find them where I felt sure they had been left. Our saddle-bags, too,
were gone. We walked round and round the fire, to be certain that we
were not mistaken, but we could discover neither the one nor the other.
We were now convinced that Indians must have visited our camp during our
absence, and that our horses also had been carried off. The only
surprising thing was, that they had not attacked us. Perhaps they only
waited until we were seated before our fire to shoot us; they might
suppose that we had pistols, and were afraid of venturing near while we
were on the watch. My first impulse was to fly and try to escape, but
in what direction should we go? Until daylight, we could not find our
way out of the forest. We should in all probability fall into their
hands. I never before felt my scalp fit so uncomfortably to my head.
The thieves, whoever they were, had, however, left us our blankets,
which perhaps had escaped their observation. To stay where we were,
with the prospect of being shot, would be madness. Snatching up our
blankets, therefore, we secured them over our shoulders, and, followed
by Boxer, endeavoured to make our way through an opening, which as far
as we could calculate, led towards the east. We went on groping our
way, sometimes falling over logs, but managing again to recover our
feet. It was better to keep moving than to sit down. Although the cold
in the forest was much less than in the open prairie, it was still very
severe, and we might very easily be frozen to death. Our chief
consolation was, that day would soon return, and that we might at all
events be able to see our way. We were still a long distance from the
fort, and even should we ultimately reach it, the delay of sending
medical assistance to my dear mother might be of serious consequence.
Daylight at last returned, but not a break in the sky indicated that the
snow was about to cease. It was important to keep under the shelter of
the trees as long as we could. Should we venture after we got out of
the forest to cross the open prairie without weapons to defend ourselves
against enemies, or any means of obtaining food? Dio and I decided that
it must be done at all risks; that on we would go as long as our legs
would carry us. It was now broad daylight. We were making our way on,
when we came to a stream, which flowing but slowly, had been frozen over
during the night. As I