winding course of the stream, his eye was attracted by
the projecting crag that thrust its bulk almost into the middle of the
channel; and, for a moment, he indulged the speculation of a soldier, as
he pondered upon the military advantages of such a post, either as a
point from which to reconnoitre an enemy, or as a vantage-ground on
which to dispute his passage of the ford. It not long afterwards fell to
his lot to turn this observation to some account.

A mile beyond this spot, and where the road, as it yet crept through the
bosom of the hills, was so obscured by forest as to afford not more than
fifty paces of uninterrupted view, his quick ear was struck with sounds
resembling the tramp of horses. Upon this conviction, it was but the
action of an instant for him to turn aside into the woods and to take a
station which might enable him to investigate the cause of his surmise,
without exposing himself to the risk of detection. The noise grew
louder, and what was vague conjecture soon became the certain report of
his senses. At the nearest turn in the road, whilst protected by a
screen of thicket, he could descry the leading platoons of a column of
horse advancing at a slow gait; and upon examining his own position he
became aware that, although the thicket might guard him from present
observation, it would cease to do so as soon as the squadron should
approach nearer to his ground. His thoughts recurred to the rock at the
ford, and, with a view to avail himself of it, he forthwith commenced
his retreat through the underwood that guarded the road side, as fast as
Captain Peter could get over the ground. It was not long before he was
removed beyond all risk of being seen by the advancing party, and he
thus found himself at liberty to take the road again and retire without
apprehension.

In Horse Shoe's reckoning, it was a matter of great importance that he
should obtain the most accurate information regarding the troop that he
had just encountered; and his present purpose was, accordingly, to post
himself in a secure position upon the rock and there maintain a close
watch upon the party as they rode beneath it. The brook was gained, the
ford passed, and the sergeant, after riding a short circuit towards the
rear of the little promontory, dismounted from his horse, which he
secured in the depths of the wood, and then clambered to the top of the
precipice, where he had barely time to conceal himself amongst the crags
and