CAPTAIN DAN HENRIE. 437 
His comrades had been surprised, no doubt, by the same 
party which had pursued him, but with what result it was 
impossible for him to tell certainly, though he had little 
choice but to believe and fear the worst. Amid the multitude 
of the tracks of unshod horses, he could distinguish the few 
tracks of their shod horses. There was no trace of their 
bodies in the hasty survey he had time to make, and it 
seemed very strange that this dead warrior should be left 
behind, so contrary to their well-known custom! He followed 
the trail for some time, with great caution, but could make 
no discovery, except a great deal of blood on the ground, 
until towards noon, when rising the comb of a steep ridge, 
he looked down into the plain below upon a large body of 
Indians, encamped about a mile distant. 
This was a startling sight, and they perceived him at the 
same moment. Now he felt he would have indeed to run 
for his life. One glance, as he wheeled, was sufficient to 
show him warriors mounting the horses of his friends! He 
did not dread a race with the horses of the Indians so much, 
because his horse was more than a match for the best of 
theirs; but the horses of his comrades were as swift, and in 
every sense as good as his—now they were to be turned 
against him! He cursed the rashness that had induced 
him to follow up their trail, but this was no time to pause 
for regrets—he was off, down the hill, at the best speed 
his horse, already somewhat fagged, could raise. All 
depended upon getting back to the timber and losing 
them! He could’ hear their pursuing yells, distinctly, for 
a moment, and this was no syren’s music to draw him 
back! He had a good mile the start, but that was no 
great matter, if, as he supposed, their horses were fresher 
than his own! He had not time now to feel any alarm, 
but only that there was hot work before, and he had it to 
attend to! His object was to get out of sight as soon as 
possible, for he gained a great deal by compelling them 
