d no thoughts of committing the crime of
which he had been accused; that the words he had uttered, overheard by
Rullock, had reference to an entirely different matter. As Rullock,
indeed, was the only witness against him, and as even the other accused
persons did not criminate him, the captain came to the determination of
proceeding no further in the business. He was, therefore, set at
liberty, and landed with the other passengers. His companions were also
liberated, as they had committed no overt act, and there was no evidence
against them. Ford, who had all along protested his innocence, tried to
worm his way into the confidence of Wenlock, and always volunteered to
accompany him whenever he made any excursions into the interior.
Wenlock, in spite of the young man's professions, disliked him more and
more. Still he could not altogether get rid of him. With the aid of
old Rullock, Wenlock had built a hut for himself in the neighbourhood of
Upland, and he purposed awaiting there the arrival of Colonel Markham.
Hearing, however, at length, that the colonel was within the distance of
five days' march, though he had had but little experience in traversing
the American forests, he yet--by noting the appearance of the bark on
the trees, by the aid of the sun during the day, and by certain marks
which the surveyors had made--believed that he should have no great
difficulty in reaching the colonel's camp. Rullock, of course, wished
to attend him.

"No, my friend," he answered; "you stay at home and take care of the
house. I am strong, and well accustomed to exercise; but, depend upon
it, you would knock up with the fatigue."

The old man was at length obliged to acknowledge that Wenlock was right,
and to submit. Two or three of the old settlers advised him to take a
guide, pointing out the difficulties of traversing the forest; but he,
confident in his own knowledge, persisted in his determination. Staff
in hand, with knapsack on his back, he set forth. It did occur to him,
perhaps, that he should be more at his ease had he possessed a brace of
pistols or a musket; but his profession prohibited their use as a means
of defence, and he declined accepting some arms from a friendly Swede,
who offered them. The weather was fine, and he had learned the art of
camping out. Starting early, he marched on bravely all day, believing
himself to be in the right course. Once or twice he stopped to rest,
and then again proceed