We have said the hunter was right. By the accidental turning of the
hunting knife, he had not only been saved his life, but his efforts had
been turned in the right direction.
It must be confessed that Haverland himself had some misgivings about
the course which they were taking. He could not believe that the
savages were short-sighted enough to place a captive which was secure
in their possession, into the hands of one or two of their number, when
they were conscious they were pursued. But the decision of the hunting
knife could not be appealed from, and in a moody silence he followed in
the footsteps of the hunter.
It was now getting far along in the afternoon, and the pursued savages
could be at no great distance. Their trail was plain, as no efforts had
been made to conceal it; but, although Haldidge strove his utmost to
detect signs of Ina’s delicate moccasin, he failed entirely; and was
compelled, in spite of the assurance which he manifested at the start,
to take some misgivings to himself.
The hunter, notwithstanding the consummate cunning and skill he had
shown thus far in tracing up the savages, had made one sad mistake.
He had been misled altogether in the number of the smaller party.
Instead of three or four Indians, there were six; and, as their trails
became visible at intervals, he began to think he had undertaken a more
difficult matter than he anticipated. Still, it was no time for halting
or faltering, and he strode resolutely forward.
“Ah--some more signs,” exclaimed he, stopping suddenly.
“What are they?” queried his companions eagerly.
“Just notice this bush, if you please, and tell me what you make of it.”
The two friends did so, and saw that one of the branches of some
sprouts of chestnut, growing round a stump, had been broken short off,
and lay pointing toward the trail.
“I make it favorable. Ina has done this to guide us,” said Haverland.
“My opinion exactly,” added Graham.
“You are mistaken about one thing. _Ina did not do it._”
“Did not do it?” exclaimed the others; “and who did then?”
“That’s the question. I’m of the opinion that that white man you have
told me about, has done it.”
“But it can not be that he is with them, too.”
“Surely it is impossible that the Indians would allow _both_ of their
captives to be in charge of two or three of their number at the same
time.”
“As for two or three, there are six painted Mohawks ahead of us for
that matter. I haven’t detected the trail of the gal yet, but have
discovered several times pretty convincing evidence that a white man is
among them. If you will look at that stick again, you will see that it
is not likely your gal broke it. In the first place I don’t believe she
is able; for notice how thick it is; and, if she could have done it, it
would have taken so much time, that she would have been prevented.”
“Very probably Seth is among them, although it is singular to say the
least. Some unaccountable whim has taken possession of the Indians.”
“But you say you discern nothing of Ina’s trail?” asked Graham.
“Not as yet.”
“Do you think she is among them?”
“I do.”
“Where is her trail then?”
“Somewhere on the ground, I suppose.”
“Well, why have we not seen it, then?”
“I suppose, because it has escaped our eyes.”
“A good explanation,” smiled Graham, “but if we have failed altogether
thus far to detect it, is it probable that she is among them?”
“I think so. You must remember that these half dozen Mohawks are
walking promiscuously and not in Indian file, as is generally their
custom. It is very probable that the gal is in front, and what tracks
her little moccasins might make would be entirely covered up with the
big feet of the Ingins.”
“I hope you are not mistaken,” remarked Haverland, in such a tone as to
show that he still had his lingering doubts.
“That matter can not be decided until we get a peep of the dusky
cowards, and the only course is for us to push ahead.”
“It strikes me that they can be at no great distance, and if we are
going to come upon their camp-fire to-night, we have got to do it
pretty soon.”
“Come on, then.”
With this, the hunter again strode forward, but with more stealth
and caution than before. He saw in the different signs around them
unmistakable proof that the Indians were at no great distance.
Just as the sun was setting, the triumvirate reached a small stream
which dashed and foamed directly across the trail. They halted a moment
to slake their thirst, and the hunter arose and moved forward again.
But Graham made it a point to search at every halting place for guiding
signs, and he called out to his companions to wait a moment.
“Time is too precious,” replied he, “and you won’t find any thing here.”
“Won’t find any thing here, eh? Just come and look at this.”
The hunter stepped back over the stones in the brook, and with
Haverland approached Graham. The latter pointed to a broad, flat
stone at his feet. Upon it was scratched, with some softer stone, the
following words:--
_“Hurry forward. There are six Indians, and they have got Ina with
them. They don’t suspect you are following them, and are hurrying up
for the village. I think we will camp two or three miles from here.
Make the noise of the whipporwil when you want to do the business,
and I will understand._
_Yours, respectfully_,
SETH JONES.”
“If I warn’t afraid the imps would hear it, I would vote three cheers
for that Jones,” exclaimed Haldidge, “he’s a trump whoever he is.”
“You may depend upon that,” added Graham, “for what little I saw of him
was sufficient to show me that.”
“Let me see,” repeated the hunter, again reading the writing upon the
stone, “he says they will encamp two or three miles from here. The sun
has now set, but we shall have light for over an hour yet, sufficient
to guide us. It’s best for us to be moving forward, as there is no time
to spare.”
“It beats my time how that Jones got into this crowd,” said Graham,
half to himself, as the three again moved forward.
“He’s _there_, we know, and that is enough for the present; when we
have the time to spare, we may speculate upon the matter. All ready.”
“Yes,--but a moment. Haldidge, let us have some arrangement about
the manner in which we are going to travel. Double caution is now
necessary.”
“I will keep my eyes upon the trail, as I have done all along, and
see that we don’t walk into a hornet’s nest, with our eyes shut. You
can help keep a look-out, while you, Graham, who have been so lucky
thus far in stumbling upon what neither of us saw, will watch for more
signs. Just as like as not, that Jones has been clever enough to give
us some more good directions.”
Each understanding his duty, now prepared to fulfil it. The progress
was necessarily slow, from the extreme caution exercised.
The hunter had proceeded but a short distance, when he noticed his
shadow was cast upon the ground; and, looking up, saw to his regret,
that the full moon was in the heavens. This was unfortunate for them;
for, although it discovered the trail with as much certainty as in the
day, and thus assisted them in the pursuit; yet the chances of their
approach being made known to the Indians, was almost certain.
“Hist!” suddenly called Graham, in a whisper.
“What’s up now?” asked the hunter, turning stealthily around.
“Some more writing from Seth.”
Haverland and Haldidge approached. Graham was stooping beside a flat
stone, endeavoring to decipher some character upon it. The light of the
moon, although quite strong, was hardly sufficient. By dint of patience
and perseverance, they succeeded in reading the following:
“_Be_ VERY _careful. The imps begin to suspect; they have seen me
making signs, and are suspicious. They keep a close watch on the gal.
Remember the signal, when you come up with us. Yours, in haste, but
nevertheless with great respect._
SETH JONES, ESQ.”
It was now evident that they were in close proximity to the savages.
After a moment’s hurried debate, it was decided that Haldidge should
walk at a greater distance ahead than heretofore, and communicate
instantly with his companions, upon discovering the camp.
Slowly, silently, and cautiously the three moved forward. A half-hour
later, Graham touched the shoulder of Haverland, and pointing meaningly
ahead. A red reflection was seen in the branches overhead; and, as they
stood in silence, the glimmer of a light was seen through the trees.
The next instant, the hunter stood beside them.
“We’ve come on to them at last;” he whispered, “see that your priming
is all right, and make up your mind for hot work.”
They had already done this, and were anxious for the contest to be
decided. Their hearts beat high, as they realized how near the deadly
conflict was, and even the hunter’s breath was short and hurried. But
there was no faltering or wavering, and they moved stealthily forward.