observe a column of smoke rising above the trees. They looked in
each others' faces with a smile of gratification: inasmuch as the
trail led into the grove and it was evident a camp fire was burning
there, it followed that they were close to the thieves whom they
had followed such a long distance.

The discovery infused new warmth into the blood of the hunters,
who were fairly atremble with eagerness to attack the unsuspecting
Indians.

But all were too experienced in the ways of the wilderness to allow
their impatience to betray them into any indiscretion. They deemed
it necessary their assault should be a surprise and they, therefore,
withdrew to a secluded place in the woods and waited for night.

This was trying to a painful degree. The weather which had been
bitterly cold during the day, grew still colder, until the animals
shivered as if with the ague. They were carefully tied where the
trees partly sheltered them from the cutting wind and the hunters
made sure their arms were ready. Then, when the sun went down and
darkness crept over the snowy landscape, the men moved around so
as to approach the camp from the direction opposite to that from
which the Indians would naturally look for pursuit.

When close enough to catch sight of the flames among the trees,
the hunters sank on their knees and crept noiselessly forward until
able to gain a full view of the dusky thieves. They were surprised
at what they saw. The savages had thrown some logs and stones
together so as to make a couple of rude forts and had divided
themselves into two parties. It was characteristic of them that they