ALTHOUGH great uneasiness had been caused by the reports as to the Indians, the members of the caravan were in good spirits. So far the journey had been a success. The difficulties met with in crossing streams and bad bits of ground had been considerable, but were no greater than they had looked for. The animals had preserved their health and condition. The supply of fresh meat had been regular, and all were in excellent health. The rise of ground had been so gradual that it had scarcely been felt; but they were now at a considerable height above the sea, and the brisk clear air braced their nerves, and enabled even the feeblest to stand the fatigue without inconvenience. One day when Frank was out alone with Dick on the north of the line of march, they came within sight of some buffalo grazing, and Frank was about to set spurs to his horse when his companion suddenly checked him. "What is it?" Frank said in surprise. "They don't see us, and if we follow that hollow we shall be able to get close to them before they can catch sight of us." "That's so," Dick said, "but just at present it air a question of something more serious than bufflars, it air a question of Injins." "Indians!" Frank exclaimed, gazing round in every direction. "Where, Dick? I see no signs of them." "No, and if you were to look round all day you wouldn't see 'em; they are at your feet." Frank looked down in surprise. "I can see nothing," he said, after a minute examination of the ground. "It's thar, though," Dick said, throwing himself off his horse. "Look at this soft piece of ground; that is a hoof-print, and there is another and another." Frank also dismounted and examined the ground. "Yes," he said, "I can see a number of hoof-prints now you point them out. But how do you know that they are Indian prints?" "Because they are unshod; besides, you see, instead of coming along in a crowd, as a drove of turned loose horses would do, the marks are all together, one after the other, as they came along in single file. There is no doubt they are a party of Indians." "They are ahead of us," Frank said. "They were," Dick said, "but thar ain't no saying where they are now; may be watching us." The thought was not a comfortable one, and Frank grasped his rifle tightly as he looked round. "Just stay where you are," Dick said; "we are in a hollow, and I will have a look round." Dick made his way upon his hands and knees to the top of the brow, choosing a spot where the shrubs grew thickest, and making his way with such caution that Frank could scarcely keep him in sight. When he reached the brow he raised his head and looked round in all directions and then went on. It was nearly half an hour before he rejoined his companion. "They have gone straight ahead," he said. "I went over the brow, and down the next hollow, and found their trail strong there, for the ground is swampy; they had certainly passed within an hour of the time I got there."