We in vain pressed him to alter his decision. He waited until the horses arrived, and having assisted us in packing the meat, took his own share, put up in a piece of skin, and after bidding us farewell went off in an opposite direction to our camp. We had forgotten to mention the mark of the moccasin we had seen in the morning, but we had little doubt that the stranger had gone over the ground, and our apprehensions of Indians being in the neighbourhood were dispelled. We, however, kept as usual a strict watch at night. As our camp was placed in the recesses of the wood, we knew that our fire could not be perceived at any distance beyond it. As we sat round the cheerful blaze of the fire, we naturally talked of the stranger, wondering who he could be. His dress was that of a Canadian trapper, but he spoke without any French accent, and the Dominie remarked that he recognised a touch of the Irish brogue on his tongue. "It is odd that he should prefer camping out by himself, to joining us, when he might sleep in much greater security than he can all alone," I observed. "Tastes differ, and although it is not complimentary to us, he may prefer his own society to ours," answered the Dominie, laughing. "Perhaps he is on bad terms with the garrison of the fort, and consequently does not wish to associate with us, because we have been staying there," remarked Dan. "It may be that he has shot one of them, or sided with the Indians, or has committed some offence against the Government," said Martin. "We might talk all night, and yet come to no satisfactory conclusion," replied the Dominie, "and now, it's time to turn in, to be ready for our work to-morrow morning." We accordingly lay down wrapped in our blankets round the fire, Martin taking the first watch. CHAPTER TEN. A TIMELY WARNING--THE PURSUIT--INDIAN HORSEMEN--THE CAVALRY ENGAGEMENT-- A SHARP SKIRMISH--DIO SAVES MY FATHER'S LIFE--PREPARATIONS FOR CONTINUING OUR JOURNEY--I ENCOUNTER THE SOLITARY HUNTER--USEFUL INFORMATION--REJOIN THE TRAIN--FIRST SIGHT OF THE MOUNTAINS--THE "GROSSE CORNE"--LOOKING OUT FOR A PASS--MOUTH OF THE CANON DISCOVERED--A GLOOMY PASSAGE--OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS IN THE GORGE--FIRST GLIMPSE OF "SMILING VALLEY"--SELECTION OF THE SITE OF OUR FUTURE HOME--BRINGING THE WAGGONS OVER THE MOUNTAINS. The stars were shining brightly in the sky, the fire casting a glare on the trunks and branches of the surrounding trees beyond which was darkest gloom, when having been aroused by the Dominie, I took the morning watch.