But it was a trail that
continually grew slower. The Indians themselves were tired, or,
feeling safe from pursuit, saw no need of hurry. By and by the
trail of the smallest child reappeared.
"It feels a lot better now," said Tom Ross. "So do I."
They came to another camp fire, at which the ashes were not yet
cold. Feathers were scattered about, indicating that the Indians
had taken time for a little side hunt, and had shot some birds.
"They can't be more than two or three hours ahead," said Henry,
"and we'll have to go on now very cautiously."
They were in a country of high hills, well covered with forests,
a region suited to an ambush, which they feared but little on
their own account; but, for the sake of extreme caution, they now
advanced slowly. The afternoon was long and warm, but an hour
before sunset they looked over a hill into a glade, and saw the
warriors making camp for the night.
The sight they beheld made the pulses of the five throb heavily.
The Indians had already built their fire, and two of them were
cooking venison upon it. Others were lying on the grass,
apparently resting, but a little to one side sat a woman, still
young and of large, strong figure, though now apparently in the
last stages of exhaustion, with her feet showing through the
fragments of shoes that she wore.
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