Finding that she could no longer walk, her captors placed her on the
horse; but this had greatly delayed them, and they had disposed of her in
the manner above narrated. The bloody deed accomplished, the murderers
were hurrying on to join their comrades, when the sound of Jerry's rifle
warned them of danger; and they had made a long _detour_ from the
trail, and thus escaped us.

It was growing too late to think of pursuing them farther; and we
reluctantly turned our horses' heads towards camp, which we reached just
after nightfall, very weary from our long afternoon's ride and quite
ready for bed; nor was our sleep any the less sweet for the attempt to
perform a kind action.

Ned made an effort to have Jerry deliver his lecture upon the art of
trailing, but the old man appeared to think it would receive more
attention another time; and so it was postponed till the following
evening, when, true to his promise, he entertained us for a long hour;
giving us much useful information upon the subject, which I will endeavor
to repeat for the benefit of my young readers, some of whom may one day
be placed like Hal and Ned in a position where they will find it, not
merely a matter of entertainment, but exceedingly useful; for trailing is
as much an art as is painting or sculpture, and requires the most
constant practice to become a proficient in it.

Having filled and lighted his pipe, old Jerry began as follows:--

"There ain't no rules, boys, that anybody kin give yer. You must have a
sharp eye, a fine ear, and a still tongue;--these make your principal
stock in trade."