reason for this, as I have greater hopes of being
able to conduct Miss Kearney to this fort than I have to reach her
father's house; and if you are compelled to abandon the fort for want of
provisions, my plan would be defeated."

Both Captain Norton and my father agreed to Rochford's proposals, but it
was a question whether the Indians could be trusted. They might prove
faithful, but it was more likely that they would play him some
treacherous trick. He, however, was not to be turned from his purpose.
On hearing of his intended hunting expedition, Tim volunteered to
accompany him; and I, after a considerable amount of persuasion, induced
my father to let me go also. Rochford, having thought over the matter,
consented to accept our assistance, believing that he could be
answerable for our safety. It was impossible that so large a body of
Indians could move through the country without leaving a well-defined
trail, and we should thus be able to ascertain the direction they had
taken, and to keep out of their way. Both Tim and I, having so long
lived in the wilds, were well able also to take care of ourselves; and
we promised not to go farther from the fort than was necessary to reach
the ground where game was to be found.

Rochford promised to leave his dog behind him, as not only might its
trail be discovered, but, though the animal was useful in many respects,
it was not required for deer-shooting. A small party like ours was much
more likely to escape observation than a large one, so that we hoped to
get back to the fort without difficulty.

Taking with us an ample supply of ammunition, and some cooked food to
prevent the necessity of lighting a fire, we set out a short time before
daybreak, so that, should any of the Indians by chance be approaching
the fort, our departure might not be discovered. Rochford led, followed
by Tim and me in Indian file, we all three keeping our eyes around us,
and our ears open for any sounds which might show the presence of an
enemy. We had reached the thicker part of the forest by the time the
bright streaks in the east announced the rising of the sun. We soon
discovered a track made by the deer on their passage to a neighbouring
pool. Rochford stationed Tim and me behind some thick bushes where we
could lie concealed and have a good chance of shooting a couple of the
animals on their passage to or from the water; while he carefully
explored the country farther to the north