the approach of foes; but happily none appeared. Crossing the road which
led to the pass, we continued onwards until nightfall. We then encamped
in as strong a position as we could find. We knew it was of no use to
attempt concealing the route we had followed; for even had we taken the
greatest pains to do so, we should not have succeeded in eluding the
sharp eyes of our foes, had they wished to pursue us.

Soon after it grew dark, the sounds of horses' feet were heard. The
braves flew to arms. We stood ready with our rifles. Before we could see
any one, Uncle Jeff's voice was heard, and he and Manley rode into camp.
They had found that the report of the scouts was correct, and that we
could not hope to be able to get through in that direction. Accordingly,
the next morning we again started, and pushed on until we reached a spot
strongly guarded by rocks and trees, with a stream flowing on one side.
Here Winnemak, believing himself secure from his foes, resolved to
remain.

[Illustration: IN THE PINE FOREST.]

We now made preparations to separate from our Indian friends. None of
them were willing to encounter the fatigue and dangers necessary to be
undergone in crossing the mountains; they also evidently believed the
region to be enchanted, and, if inhabited at all, to be the abode of
spirits, or beings differing greatly from the human race. When Maysotta
heard we were going, she begged Clarice and Rachel to remain with her;
but Clarice had made up her mind to accompany us, and was fully prepared
for all the difficulties we might have to encounter. Fortunately,
Lieutenant Broadstreet had sufficient supplies of provisions for all our
wants. We were thus not altogether destitute of the necessaries of life,
for we had, I remember, even tea and coffee, sugar and salt. The
lieutenant had also a very small bell-tent, the canvas of which formed
scarcely half a load for a man. He himself seldom used it, but he
insisted that it should be brought, to afford shelter to Clarice. Three
or four Indians, moreover, agreed to accompany us as far as our
baggage-mules could go, that they might convey our provisions and
stores; after which we should have to carry them ourselves in knapsacks
on our backs.

On parting with Winnemak, he told us that we should come back sooner
than we expected, as he was sure we should never get over the mountains.

"'Where there's a will there's a way.' There is nothing like having the
will to do a thin