There was, in all probability, not one of us, un-churchgoing and reckless as we had all for many years been, who did not, within his own heart, re-echo that solitary thanksgiving. CHAPTER VIII. SCOUTING AND ITS RESULTS--CAUGHT NAPPING--FRANTIC WITH TERROR--"WHO HAVE BEEN TRIMMED SO NEATLY"--MY FAT FRIEND IN A PICKLE--PERSPIRATION AND BULLETS--THE REQUEST TO "SWAP" TREES--VIRTUE ITS OWN REWARD--HIGH TREASON TO UNCLE SAM--GOING OUT FOR GAME--AN UNPLEASANT MEETING--THE TUSSLE FOR LIFE--PUTTING AN END TO AN ORATION--"A TUFF 'UN." Orders were shortly after given to continue the ascent, and in a sufficiently brief space of time, we had mounted above the belt of dark clouds, which were now drifting along the mountain-side beneath us, into a fresh and warm sunshine. The revulsion in our feelings was almost instantaneous. Those who had quaked before, were now inclined to jeer at their own fright. Lips that had been whitened with terror were now actually laughing. Indeed, I much doubt whether he, whose involuntary audible piety had announced its feelings a few moments since, would have thanked any of us for reminding him of the exclamation. Very certainly, none of us did. We had, at any rate, the grace, not, in our present security, to scoff at the thanks in which we had so cordially although quietly participated. When we were thoroughly above the heavily wet mass of cloud, we paused to rest and dry our clothing. Then, having examined our weapons and reloaded them, we continued our progress in the direction in which it was supposed the Indians were to be found. Night at last overtook us, and orders were given for camping. After a brief sleep of some four hours, with Harry Arnold, Butch' Hasbrouck, and Brighton Bill, I started out to find the position of the Indians. After we had moved in almost complete silence for a distance of some three miles, the faint light of their camp-fires might be seen by us. Touching Butch' and Bill, I in a whisper ordered both of them to remain where we then stood, and with Arnold crept quietly in the direction of the dying embers. Here, in their presumed security, were slumbering the men who had slain nearly the whole of Major Ormsby's party. As yet, we were unaware of this fact, and I had only the knowledge of old Pete's death, and those of my other three companions, to square with the red rascals, whether they had any hand in that affair or not.