thought that he would give a good deal if he knew, although he
chose to say nothing about it. An hour or more was spent in
conversation, when the four sauntered carelessly toward the cave, the
canoe first having been pulled high enough upon the bank to make it
secure against being washed away by the current. They did not enter the
cave, but passed it, and returned after it was fairly dark, when they
were certain that no prying eyes had seen them.

When morning dawned, Sego had not returned, and Lewis was undetermined
whether to wait longer for him, or to go on at once. The case was
urgent, but the need of Sego's arm was also urgent, and he concluded to
wait still further. The forenoon, the afternoon, and finally the night
came and went, without bringing any signs of the absentee, and at
daylight on this day, Lewis and his men made ready to start, resolved
not to lose another moment. As they passed down to the river's edge,
the delinquent made his appearance and joined them. They crossed the
Miami in the canoe--its lightness rendering it necessary to make the
passage twice--and plunging in the forest, made all haste toward the
settlers.

Meanwhile, the prolonged absence of the Riflemen, was the occasion of
much speculation and anxiety upon the part of the emigrants. When Lewis
had named the period at which he expected to join them with his men,
they all knew he had allowed himself the widest limit, and fully
intended to return within the time specified.

When, therefore, this hour passed, they certainly had sufficient
grounds for their anxiety and uneasiness, and some of the men did not
hesitate to express their conviction that the Riflemen would not come
at all. Not that they would willingly fail to keep their appointment,
but it was more than probable that circumstances had arisen which
prevented it.

The settlers remained encamped until thirty hours beyond the time of
the expected arrival of the Riflemen, when every one had given up all
hope of seeing them, and it was agreed to move on to the banks of the
creek. The scouts, who had been constantly busy, reported that no signs
of Indians were visible in the vicinity, and strong hopes were
entertained that they would be able to cross without disturbance.

"Before venturing into that same piece of water," said Smith, "I
propose that another examination of the woods be made, and that some of
us wade over first to see how deep the stream is."

The latter suggestion