In the middle of the afternoon they stopped upon the banks of the river and baited their horses, and rested while partaking of their luncheon which they had brought with them. They had passed through many small towns on their way, towns of mushroom growth, and at one of them they had bought their dinner. “We are upon the old overland route,” Nathan said. “Over this road many emigrants have toiled along, suffering and dying, many of them at the hands of the Indians. Do you see that ridge of earth which seems to have been artificially thrown up there? That was undoubtedly a sort of breastwork hastily made by a party of emigrants who were assaulted at this place.” Lissa shuddered. “Can it be possible I am really in this wild land of which I have read. I wonder if any were killed here, and if the ground has been soaked with their blood. How strange it all seems! I can imagine so much since seeing that Indian. He does not look much like those I have seen at Niagara, selling bead-work.” “Not much; and you will receive another impression should you ever see a band out on a war expedition against a hostile band, fully decorated with warpaint and feathers. They really look formidable then.” Lissa shivered again. “We have made good time to-day. How far do you think we have driven?” Nathan asked as, toward evening, they approached the suburbs of a small town. “I am sure I have no idea. The ponies have trotted steadily all day. These mustangs are good travelers, if they are small.” “They have endurance. I have been out on a hunt with the Indians when we have kept in the saddle for a hundred miles at a time, the ponies loping or running most of the way.” “But how could you stand it to ride so far?” “O, I can sleep in the saddle if necessary. One never knows what he can do until he is put to the test. But I think we have come about forty-five miles to-day. Yonder is the town. They are just lighting it. How pleasant it looks, doesn’t it, this evidence of life after so many miles of uninhabited wilds.” “The ride has been perfectly delightful,” said Lissa. “I never better enjoyed a day in my life.” They drew rein at a freshly painted building, bearing a sign “Badger House.” The landlady was evidently a Yankee, for she began a series of questions to Lissa. Where did they hail from? Where were they going? Had she ever been West before? To Lissa’s responses she vouchsafed a consolatory remark: “Well, I’m kind of sorry for you. There is nothin’ but work out here. Ye don’t look as if ye’d seen much hardships. Ye’ll git awful homesick, I reckon. What with the poor crops and the hot winds, and the grasshoppers, there ain’t much to look for’d to.” After which she left the room to see to their supper. The next morning they started early, that they might get well on their way before the intense heat of mid-day. They had been traveling for some time, when Lissa suddenly started and grasped Nathan’s arm.