d double the odds against themselves
should they succeed in doing so, it was resolved to divide the party
into two squads--each to ascend a fork until the trail should reaeppear
upon its banks, then to notify the other, when reuniting they would
again pursue the chase together.

As there was one chance in ten that the Indians--some of them at least,
and perhaps the very ones who had the little captive in custody--had
descended the main stream, Big Black Burl determined to try the fortunes
of war in that direction on his own account, feeling quite sure that
without any further aid of his the white hunters would be equal to any
emergency that should arise in their quarter. Besides, as we have
already seen, the Fighting Nigger usually chose to be alone when out on
expeditions of this kind, partly because his instinct told him that if
he would keep in good odor with his white superiors he must not rub
against them more than occasion should absolutely demand, but chiefly
that he might enjoy the undivided honor of the scalps taken by his own
hand in war, should such be his good fortune. So, making a third squad
of himself and dog, the black hunter detached himself from the white
hunters, and three parties set out on their several ways.

At a signal from his master, understood perfectly by the sagacious
animal, Grumbo, wading and swimming, made his way to the opposite side
of the river, where, shaking the water from his shaggy hide, he turned
and at a slow dog-trot began following the windings of the shore,
keeping his keen and practiced nose bent with sharp and critical
attention upon the ground. Abreast, with the water between them, Burl at
brisk pace followed the windings of his shore, keeping his keen and
practiced eye bent likewise with sharp and critical attention upon the
ground, that not a mark or sign unusual in grass, leaves, mud, or sand
might pass unnoted by. At intervals along the banks lay wide beds of
solid rock, or pebbles mixed with mud or sand, left high and dry by the
summer shrinking of the stream, where the Indians might easily have
quitted the water without leaving a trace perceptible to the eye. At
such places Burl would call Grumbo over to help the eye with the more
unerring nose, when, having satisfied themselves that the trail had not
yet left the water, the dog, swimming and wading, would return to his
side, and abreast the two go on as before. Thus they proceeded till they
had searched the banks fo