riding alongside of
Clarice. I do not know what Uncle Jeff thought about the matter, but it
was evident to me that Clarice and Manley were very fond of one another.
However, as I thought highly of him, I did not feel myself called upon
to interfere in the matter.

We had proceeded some distance, when another of the scouts came in with
the alarming intelligence that the enemy, in considerable numbers, were
ahead of us, and that it was too probable they intended to attack us on
our march. We had therefore to proceed with greater caution than before;
and the advance-guard was considerably strengthened, so that they might
be able to keep an enemy in check until the remainder of the tribe could
come up.

It was too evident that the Arrapahas had overrun the country, and that
it would be some time before they could be expelled; and, such being
the case, Uncle Jeff said he would fix upon another location, perhaps to
the west of the Rocky Mountains, where the Indians were friendly, and
where he would still be near enough to the high-road to obtain a market
for his produce.

He had, consequently, just settled to accompany the lieutenant through
the pass, when another scout came in with the information that the
Arrapahas had taken possession of the pass itself, and that they had so
fortified themselves that they could not be driven out except by a
strong party, and at considerable loss of life.

This made it necessary for Uncle Jeff and Manley to change their plans.
They settled that we should proceed northwards with the Indians, while
they reconnoitred the pass; promising, should they find the account they
had received to be correct, to rejoin us, and perhaps attempt to cross
the mountains so as to reach the western plains. The mountains to the
northwards, however, were but little known, and even Winnemak confessed
that he had never wandered among them. He had heard, he said, that there
was a wonderful region in that direction, where the earth trembled
frequently; the fountains, instead of being cold, were hot, and that the
water was seen rushing upwards in huge jets; and that there were lakes
amid the mountains, and torrents, and waterfalls such as were nowhere
else to be seen.

"If the chief's account is correct, it must be an interesting region to
visit," said Sergeant Custis. "For my own part, I hope we shall have
the chance of getting there."

While travelling on we kept in compact order, looking out, as usual, for