ture
could only be effected by the most skilful stalking, as such travellers
have the habit of looking behind.

The question is--Have they passed the place, where it was intended to
waylay them?

"I don't think they hev," says Woodley, answering it. "They have hardly
hed time. Besides 'tain't nat'ral they'd ride strait on, jest arter
kimmin' acrosst the river. It's a longish wade, wi' a good deal o' work
for the horses. More like they've pulled up on reachin' the bank, an'
air thar breathin' the critters a bit."

None of the others offering an opinion, he adds--

"Thur's a eezy way to make sure, an' the safest, too. Ef they've good
by hyar, they can't yet be very far off. Ridin' as they air they won't
think o' proceedin' at a fast pace. Therefore, let's take a scout 'long
the road outwards. Ef they're on it, we'll soon sight 'em, or we may
konklude they're behind on the bank o' the river. They're bound to pass
this way, ef they hain't arready. So we'll eyther overtake, or meet 'em
when returnin', or what mout be better'n both, ketch 'em a campin' by
the water's edge. In any case our surest way air first to follow up the
road. Ef that prove a failure, we kin 'bout face, an' back to the
river."

"Why need we all go?" asks Heywood. "Supposing the rest of you stay
here, while I scout up the road, and see whether they've gone along it."

"What ud be the use o' that?" demands Sime. "S'posin' ye did, an'
sighted 'em, ye ain't goin' to make thar capture all o' yourself. Look
at the time lost whiles ye air trottin' back hyar to tell us. By then,
they'd get out into the clear moonlight, whar ther'd be no chance o' our
comin' up to them without thar spyin' us. No, Ned: your idee won't do.
What do you think, Charley?"

"That your plan seems best. You're sure there's no other way for them
to pass out from the river?"

"This chile don't know o' any, ceptin' this trace we've ourselves kum
off o'."

"Then, clearly, our best plan is first to try along the road--all
together."

"Let's on, then!" urges Woodley. "Thar's no time to waste. While we
stan' talkin' hyar, them redskins may ride to the jumpin'-off place o'
creashun."

So saying, the hunter turns face to the right, and goes off at a run,
the others moving in like manner behind him.

After proceeding some two or three hundred yards, they arrive at a place
where the trees, standing apart, leave an open space between. There a
saddle-like hollow i