The others were silent, but they knew the dreadful significance of Tom's remark, and Henry glanced at them all, one by one. “It's the greatest danger to be feared,” he said, “and we must overtake them in the night when they are not suspecting. If we attack by day they will tomahawk the captives the very first thing.” “Shorely,', said the shiftless one. “Then,” said Henry, “we don't need to hurry. We'll go on until about midnight, and then sleep until sunrise.” They continued at a fair pace along a trail that frontiersmen far less skillful than they could have followed. But a silent dread was in the heart of every one of them. As they saw the path of the small feet staggering more and more they feared to behold some terrible object beside the path. “The trail of the littlest child is gone,” suddenly announced Paul. “Yes,” said Henry, “but the mother has picked it up and is carrying it. See how her trail has suddenly grown more uneven.” “Poor woman,” said Paul. “Henry, we're just bound to overtake that band.” “We'll do it,” said Henry. At the appointed time they sank down among the thickest bushes that they could find, and slept until the first upshot of dawn. Then they resumed the trail, haunted always by that fear of finding something terrible beside it. But it was a trail that continually grew slower. The Indians themselves were tired, or, feeling safe from pursuit, saw no need of hurry. By and by the trail of the smallest child reappeared. “It feels a lot better now,” said Tom Ross. “So do I.” They came to another camp fire, at which the ashes were not yet cold. Feathers were scattered about, indicating that the Indians had taken time for a little side hunt, and had shot some birds. “They can't be more than two or three hours ahead,” said Henry, “and we'll have to go on now very cautiously.” They were in a country of high hills, well covered with forests, a region suited to an ambush, which they feared but little on their own account; but, for the sake of extreme caution, they now advanced slowly. The afternoon was long and warm, but an hour before sunset they looked over a hill into a glade, and saw the warriors making camp for the night.