68 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



turned off at right angles, travelling at great speed 

 some twenty miles, until we reached a small stream 

 called Eagle River, when we camped again. The 

 weather favoured our escape, a dense fog shrouding us 

 from the view of any who might he watching our 

 movements. This was followed in the afternoon hy a 

 high wind, which, although it dispersed the mist, 

 raised the grass hent dowTi hy our passage, and thus 

 completely effaced our trail. At night we again kept 

 diligent guard, picketing all the most valuable horses 

 close to the lodge. 



We spent the next day in looking for the cows, hut 

 no sign of them could be seen. We therefore resolved 

 to spend a few days longer in running hulls, and then 

 return to the Fort. We were still obliged to keep' 

 careful watch during the night, for the attempt on the 

 horses was more likely to be made after the lapse of 

 some days, according to Indian custom. Each took 

 his turn on guard, and it must be confessed we felt 

 somewhat uncomfortable as we crouched in the shade 

 of the bushes alone, while all the rest were asleep. It 

 was fortunately bright moonlight, but the loose horses 

 continually strayed out of view, and as we stole 

 round from time to time to drive them in, we half 

 expected to feel the hand of some ambushed Indian 

 laid upon our shoulder, when we passed through the 

 thick underwood. 



One afternoon two Indians, youths of about seven- 

 teen, came to our camp, and expressed their intention of 

 honouring us with their company till the morrow. We 

 had strong suspicions that they were spies, but invited 



