H6 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



moccasin track of -an Indian was discovered, doubt- 

 less made by a brave, who in search for game had got 

 benighted, and chance had caused to stumble across my 

 hiding-place. My camp was therefore no longer safe ; 

 the coming night he, with his companions, would be 

 back, when woe betide the solitary white man ! My 

 horses in the morning I accompanied to their feeding- 

 ground, not permitting them to get beyond control, 

 and as soon as their appetites were sufficiently satisfied, 

 I returned to my little home for the last time. The few 

 trifles I possessed were soon packed, and nothing re- 

 mained further to cause delay. Still I waited a quarter 

 of an hour longer, for the purpose of building a pile of 

 wood, in which I placed some smouldering embers, in 

 the hope that it would not blaze up till several hours 

 after dark an*indication that I doubted not the red- 

 skins would construe into a certain evidence that I was 

 still ignorant of being discovered. On arrival my 

 mare had been a little tender in front from her hoofs 

 having been worn very close ; the period of rest had 

 rectified this, and, full of hope and anticipation, I 

 pushed my way eastward, the only regret that passed 

 like a cloud over my mind occurring, as I took the 

 last, aye, and long look, at my wilderness home. 



