tible, so that, in order to
save time, it was concluded to follow the blazed path, which could be
made out easily, thus bringing them together fully three hours earlier
than Harry had anticipated.

Harry explained what had been seen to the west, and that three or four
hours more of hard travel would bring them to an open country which, in
all probability, led to the West River.

All was eagerness now, and they pressed forward, hoping to be able to
reach the open country before night set in.

CHAPTER XVIII

SEEING THE FIRST SAVAGES

George's patience in teaching Angel was most commendable. Hours were
devoted to this work. Even before leaving home the animal would
recognize certain sounds, and performed many acts at the word of
command. Such words as "come," "go," "take this," and others usually
employed, were fully comprehended, and the names of Harry and the
Professor were understood.

Frequent tests were made by George and the Professor, acting in concert,
as this phase of the education greatly interested the latter, to
ascertain whether the orang performed the services from an understanding
of the meaning of the words, or whether it proceeded merely from the
constant repetitions of the words and acts conjointly.

The value of this proceeding will be made apparent to the reader as we
proceed in this history; but when they were educating Angel the idea of
utilizing his future services, in a critical time, did not occur to
them.

They camped for the night at the end of the trail; and now they hoped
that the morrow would open the route over a more comfortable path than
the last three days had offered them. Before going an hour on the way, a
campfire was found, which evidently had been used not many days before.

There had not been any rains in their section of the country for ten
days previous to this, and it was obvious that no rain had fallen on the
ashes of this fire. From this it must be inferred that whoever made the
fire must have been there recently.

The utmost vigilance would be necessary, in view of this discovery. The
wagon moved forward slowly. Every part of the country within the limits
of the trail was under scrutiny, and every sound and moving object fully
investigated before proceeding. This made travel necessarily slow. The
underbrush was very thick, and but few trees remained, and those were
scattered, mostly in clumps or in detached groups.

Harry looked at the tall trees longingly