They were in the battle yesterday. They have left others to look
after those in Wyoming, while they are hunting the poor creatures
that have taken to the woods.
The Iroquois who had been studying the ground straightened himself
up and said something to the others. One of them then flung more
fuel on the flames, and he who was ravenously eating suspended his
operations, but quickly resumed again, as if he liked his occupation
better than anything else to which he could turn his attention.
Then the first stooped down and caught up a burning brand. Several
quick circles over his head fanned it into a vigorous blaze. Holding
it aloft, with his shoulders bent forward, he moved slowly towards
Ben Ripley.
He was tracing the footprints by the aid of the torch!
"Gracious! he will be among us in a minute," was the terrifying
thought of the lad, who turned and ran back to his friends, in such
haste that he was in danger of betraying his movements.
"Leave--quick!" he said; "they are after us!"
"No, they are not," replied his mother, who nevertheless stood
ready to do as he said.
Ben looked back. The warrior with a torch, after walking a rod or
so from the fire, had stopped, and was now in plain sight, with
the flaming brand held above his head, while he peered out in the
gloom in the direction of the fugitives, as if expecting to discern
them.
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