of distributing the provisions and ammunition
among them. Captain Sinclair, although his feelings may well be
imagined, was very active in arrangements, and showed that, if his heart
was smitten, his head was clear. The order of the march was settled by
Malachi and him, and as soon as all was arranged, they waited
impatiently for the return of the Indian girl; she came at last, and
informed them that she had recovered the trail about three miles up the
course of the stream, and they all started immediately. As was agreed,
they kept perfect silence, and followed the newly-discovered trail for
about a mile, when, on their arrival at a clear spot in the woods, where
the grass was very short and dry, they were again at fault. They went
over to the other side of this heath, to see if they could again fall in
with it, but after half-an-hour's search, could not discover it, when
they were summoned by a low whistle from the Strawberry, who had
returned to the spot where the trail had been lost.

"They have turned back again," said the Strawberry, pointing to the
former footmarks; "see, the track of the moccasins is both ways."

"That's true," said Malachi, after a close examination; "now then,
Strawberry, to find out where they have left the old trail again. I told
you, sir," continued Malachi to Alfred, "that the Strawberry would be
useful; she has the eye of a falcon."

It was not till another half-hour had elapsed that the spot where they
had left the trail, which, to deceive those who might pursue them, the
Indians had returned upon, was discovered, and then they started again,
and proceeded with caution, led by the Strawberry, until she stopped and
spoke to Malachi in the Indian tongue, pointing at a small twig broken
upon one of the bushes.

"That's true, let us see if it happens again."

In a few moments the Strawberry pointed out another.

"Then all's right," said Malachi, "I said that she could help us again
if she chose, and so she has. The Indian woman who wrote the letter,"
continued Malachi, turning to Captain Sinclair and Alfred, "is our
friend still. See, sir, she has, wherever she has dared to do it without
being seen by the Indians, broken down a small twig as a guide to us.
Now, if she has continued to do this, we shall not have much trouble."

They continued their course through the woods until the sun went down,
and they could see no longer, having made a journey of about nine miles
from the settleme