which guarded their slumbers from the assaults of wolf and panther; the howls of the one, and the screams of the other, sounding ever and anon within their ears, from the bald rocks which overhung the camp. On the morning of the third day the fugitives were found, close together, and stiffened in death. They had evidently perished from the cold. Very sadly did the D'Erlachs return with their one companion to the camp where they had left their comrades. But their gloom and grief were not to suffer diminution. What was their horror to find the spot wholly deserted. The ashes were cold where they had made their fires: the probability was that the place had been fully a day and night abandoned. No traces of the Frenchmen were left--not a clue afforded to their brethren of what had taken place. Alphonse D'Erlach, however, discovered the track of an Indian moccasin in the ashes, but he carefully obliterated it before it was beheld by his companions. It was apparent to him that his people had suffered themselves to be surprised; but whether they had been butchered or led into captivity was beyond his conjecture. His hope that they still lived was based upon the absence of all proofs of struggle or of sacrifice. To linger in that spot was impossible; but whither should they direct their steps. "We are but three, now, my comrades," said the younger D'Erlach,--"we must on no account separate. We must sleep and hunt together, and suffer no persuasions to part us. Let us descend from this inhospitable mountain, and, crossing the stretch of valley which spreads below, attempt the heights opposite. We may there find more certain food, and better protection from these bleak winds." "Better that we had perished with our comrades, under the knife of Melendez," was the gloomy speech of the elder D'Erlach. "It is always soon enough to die," replied the younger. "For shame, my brother!--it is but death, at the worst, which awaits us. Let us on!" And he led the way down the rugged heights, the others following passively and in moody silence.