The terrible tale which was related by Slugs had the effect of changing
Robin Gore's plans. He resolved to pursue the murderers, and inflict
summary punishment on them before setting off on the contemplated search
for his lost children, and he was all the more induced to do this that
there was some hope he might be able to obtain a clue to their
whereabouts from some of the prisoners whom he hoped to seize.
It might be thought by some a rash step for him to take--the pursuit of
a band of about fifty savages with a party of six men. But backwood
hunters were bold fellows in those days, and Indians were by no means
noted for reckless courage. Six stout, resolute, and well-armed men
were, in Robin's opinion, quite a match for fifty redskins!
He could not muster more than six, because it was absolutely necessary
to leave at least three men to guard Fort Enterprise. Robin therefore
resolved to leave his brother Jeff to look after it, with two of the
strangers; and Jeff accepted the charge with pleasure, saying he "would
defend the place agin a hundred red reptiles." The third stranger--a
man named Stiff--he resolved to take with him.
The war-party, when mustered, consisted of Robin Gore, his nephew
Walter, Larry O'Dowd, the Black Swan, Slugs the hunter, and Stiff the
stranger. Armed to the teeth, these six put on their snow-shoes the
following morning, and set forth on their journey in silence.
Now this change of plans was--all unknown to Robin--the means of leading
him towards, instead of away from, his lost little ones. For Roy and
Nelly had travelled so far during their long wanderings from the Black
Hills--the place where they escaped from the Indians--that they were at
that time many long miles away from them in another direction. In fact,
if Robin had carried out his original plan of search, he would have been
increasing the distance between himself and his children every step he
took!
Not knowing this, however, and being under the impression that each
day's march lessened his chance of ultimately finding his lost ones, he
walked along, mile after mile, and day after day, in stern silence.
On the third day out, towards evening, the party descried a thin line of
blue smoke rising above the tree-tops. They had reached an elevated and
somewhat hilly region, so that the ground favoured their approach by
stealth, nevertheless, fearing to lose their prey, they resolved to wait
till dark, and take their enemies, if such they should turn out to be,
by surprise.
Soon after sunset Robin gave the word to advance. Each man of the party
laid aside his blanket, and left his provisions, etcetera, in the
encampment, taking with him his arms only.
"I need not say that there must be no speaking, and that we must tread
lightly. You're up to redskin ways as well as me, except mayhap our
friend Stiff here."
Stiff who was a tall Yankee, protested that he could "chaw up his
tongue, and go as slick as a feline mouser."
On nearing the fire, they made a _detour_ to examine the tracks that led
to it, and found from their number and other signs that it was indeed
Hawk's party.