ate, but it was certainly twenty miles or more.

What they longed for at this stage more than anything else was the open
country. The proximity of the river would likely be the better place for
them, so early the next morning the team was gotten ready, and before
starting, the Professor made a survey of the surroundings in the
direction that their visitors had gone.

At several places were indications of tracks, and these were followed,
the team coming along behind. Everything was covered with leaves where
the trees abounded, and in the more open areas the grass was so well
advanced that it was difficult to distinguish tracks in the earth, but
the broken-down grass plainly showed their trail, leading to the south.

Aside from that, nothing could be gathered to give any indications until
they had proceeded over a mile, when a small rivulet, the first they had
noticed since leaving West River, crossed their route. The Professor
actually bounded forward at the sight and examined the footprints. The
marks of bare feet were visible where they crossed, and they were of
abnormal size.

After a careful examination, the Professor said: "There must have been
at least a half dozen of them, judging by the different prints. See,
this one has a deformed foot, or the big toe is missing; and this one
must be a large man, judging from the deep impression made." Beyond the
vicinity of the stream all footprints were again lost.

"As we are now likely to have an open country until we reach the river,
we can make more extended observations from the top of the wagon, and
one should be there constantly to notice any signs on either side."

They were within five miles of the river, and George, who occupied the
post of lookout on the top bow of the wagon, called out excitedly: "I
can see them; there must be a dozen or more." The wagon stopped, and the
Professor and Harry hurriedly scrambled to the top. John saw the
movement and seemed to understand, for he also crawled up and looked
across the rolling landscape to the southwest.

In the distance were unmistakable movements of beings moving to and fro.
They were distant at least two miles, and there was no evidence, from
the character of their movements, that anything unusual had occurred,
and it might therefore be inferred that the wagon had not yet been
discovered.

At last they had come up to the people who occupied such a large share
of their speculations during the past year, and in