grass. We accordingly
hobbled and staked our horses close at hand; and we then collected wood
for our fire, and made down our beds with our saddles and horse-cloths.

While we were seated at supper, I proposed to my companion to go a short
distance from the wood, that we might command a more extensive range of
view than we could where we were seated; so that should the runaways be
anywhere in the neighbourhood, we might find them out by the light of
their fire. No glare appeared, however, along the whole length of the
forest; but still that was no proof that they were not somewhere in one
of its recesses, as, even should they have kindled a fire, the trees
might conceal its light from us.

Neither of us feeling inclined for sleep, we sat up talking.

"I much regret being obliged to leave the farm, for I confess that I am
not quite satisfied about the movements of the Indians who have been
seen by the chief Winnemak," observed Lieutenant Broadstreet. "Should
they return to the farm, your friends will be exposed to great danger. I
purpose, on reaching Fort Harwood, to lay the state of the case before
the commandant, and to try and induce him to send me back with a body of
men, either to relieve the garrison of the farm should it be attacked,
or to go in search of the marauders."

I thanked the lieutenant kindly for this offer, although I did not
suppose that Uncle Jeff and his companions would have any difficulty in
beating off their assailants.

"As we must be off by daylight, it is now time to turn in," said the
lieutenant. "Suppose you keep one eye open, and I another! We must not,
if we can help it, be surprised by wolves or bears--nor Indians either.
It is just possible that the fellows whom we saw in the afternoon may
follow us."

"Then I will sit up and keep watch while you sleep," I said. "If they
come at all, they will try and steal upon us when they think that we may
be asleep."

"I agree to your proposal," answered my companion. "If you will call me
in a couple of hours, I will then take my turn, and thus let you have
the morning watch. I am accustomed to have my sleep broken."

Nothing occurred during the first watch, and at the end of it I roused
up the lieutenant and lay down. I suspect that he had intended to keep
on watch for the rest of the night; but I happened to awake, and
insisted--finding he had had a long spell--on his lying down. The young
officer, therefore, rolling himself in his buffalo