he mountains, and was sinking towards the west; in
a short time the shadows of their peaks would be thrown over the ground
upon which I was travelling. Stopping for a moment, I heard the sound
of water rushing over a rocky bed, and hurrying forward I found myself
beside a foaming stream. I had, however, to seek for a path by which I
could descend, before I could slake my thirst. At last I got to a place
where, lying at full length, and holding on with one hand by the branch
of a bush, I could lift the water with the other to my mouth. It seemed
impossible to get enough; but at last I felt that I ought to take no
more.

The ground being tolerably practicable along the bank of the stream, I
proceeded in that direction, desirous of reaching a lower region before
nightfall; and as I went along I resolved to seek for some bushes or an
overhanging rock, under which to take shelter for the night.

I had now very little fear of being overtaken; indeed, the Indians would
probably have lost my trail in the streams I had crossed, while the
rocky nature of the ground would scarcely bear marks sufficient for even
their acute eyes to discover. I knew that as yet I could not be abreast
of Winnemak's camp, and, indeed, that across the mountains it would
probably take me two or three days to reach it. Still I felt that it
would be prudent, in case the Indians should be scouring the country in
the plains, to keep to the mountains for another whole day or so.

Just at dusk I saw a spot at which, from the appearance of the water, I
judged that I could cross the torrent. "I will put that, at all events,
between myself and my enemies, should they be pursuing me," I thought,
and without further hesitation I waded towards the opposite shore. The
water rose higher and higher. I had, I feared, been deceived by the
light, and might have to swim for it. The danger of this was, that I
might lose my rifle, and wet my pistol and ammunition. Very thankful,
therefore, was I when the water again shallowed; and, keeping my feet in
spite of the rush against my legs, I at last got to the bank to which I
was directing my course.

I now continued down the stream until I reached a rock which almost
overhung it, with bushes on either side. This, I saw, would afford me
as secure a resting-place as I could expect to find. I accordingly
resolved to stop; and having examined the locality on the further side,
in case I should have to beat a retreat,