With the aid of the bright glare, it could not take him long to
identify the little party as fugitives fleeing eastward, though
it may be questioned whether they learned that it consisted of one
large boy, an adult woman, and two small children.

They were in the battle yesterday. They have left others to look
after those in Wyoming, while they are hunting the poor creatures
that have taken to the woods.

The Iroquois who had been studying the ground straightened himself
up and said something to the others. One of them then flung more
fuel on the flames, and he who was ravenously eating suspended his
operations, but quickly resumed again, as if he liked his occupation
better than anything else to which he could turn his attention.

Then the first stooped down and caught up a burning brand. Several
quick circles over his head fanned it into a vigorous blaze. Holding
it aloft, with his shoulders bent forward, he moved slowly towards
Ben Ripley.

He was tracing the footprints by the aid of the torch!

"Gracious! he will be among us in a minute," was the terrifying
thought of the lad, who turned and ran back to his friends, in such
haste that he was in danger of betraying his movements.

"Leave--quick!" he said; "they are after us!"

"No, they are not," replied his mother, who nevertheless stood