The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-10-23

dislnounted.
"fIcro is water, boys" said the
leading his horse to n small
stream which trickeled through the
grass; ''we had better let our horses
drink aud craze for about an hour,
else they will be to much blown for
to-morrow's march | think we had
then better strike Tor Colton's grove,
direct; it cannot he more than twenty
miles, and we can reach it before mid
night, hope TO find tho Redskins
there.
II did not seem to prove Edgar's
ardor in the pursuit, that he thus or
dered II halt in the very opening of
the chase; but there was not man in
the company who did not know that
this was the wiscst course. The
hearts Of the brothers grew heavy,
however, for Notwithstanding Edgar'S
hope of finding the Indians ut the
grove, it could not escape them that
he expected long pursuit.
lii truth he was too well acquaint-
ed with the Indian character, to have
faith in his own expectations. Of"
he reasoned. "they had designed to
spend the night Mt Colton's grove,
they would have been at some pains
to battle us on our trail--they would
have gone into the timber, or, ut least,
swerved from the direct course. But,
here, they have travelled for thirty
miles, straight as bird flies, for the
point we would naturally expect to
find them. They must he deceiying
us "
The thought was 10y no means II
pleasant one; for, calm rs he appear
ed, his impatience amounted almost
to agony. And, when he briefly stated
the argument to White, the ranger be,
fore mentioned, in whose judgment he
had much confidence, the weight
which he seemed to have with him,
only deepencd his misgiying.
There is no choice, however, said
the ranger; 1--WE must go on to the
grove; for,at least, we shall he nearer
to the Portage there, than here
And this was the course resolved
upon.
The hour of rest passed slowly
away; and, mt its end, the Captain
again gave the word to mount and fol-
low. There was now no trail to guide
them; hut their course was due north,
and, led by the stars, Edgar once
moro put himself in the advance, and
galloped away. The prarie was us
silent MS night and profound calm
would make it; and rolling away down
the lowlands, and rcvcrberatlng along
the ridges, the sound Of their horses
footsteps seemed like the rumble OF
am earthquake. The voices of those
who spoke sounded hollow and echo
less: and the jingling Of spurs, and
rafting of arms, seemed smothered
by the stiffness. The men of that
time were taciturn and earnest; and
the scene through which they were
riding was no bad type of their stern
characteristics. They were in pursuit
of Indian marauders; and hatred Of
the savagc-which was natural to cv-
cry mm--gave depth even to their
bearing. Each carried his rifle in his
right hsnd; and while he governed
aud assisted his horse over the inc
qualities of the ground with the LEFT
kept his face steadily to the front.
They had been riding thus a little
more than two hours, when Edgar
suddenly drew up to Il walk.
we must take it slowly now.
boys" said he turning in the saddle,
as his men followed his example; 'for
at 4 gallop our horses could be heard
five miles
Captain said White, riding for
ward, isn't that light yonder, to
the North - here, just aGove tho
ground:"
at is, indeed" exclaimed Edgar;
sin the grove, too -
Rather too far to the right isn't
it?" said the Ranger.
1--WE have been following the Point
ers,% and their wheeling to the West
must have taken us n little out of ON
course" replied Edgar ut must b,
in the grove"
He turned little TO the right as ho
spoke, and urging his horse to his
swirtest walk, struck directly for the
light.
"They must suppose there are nc
men in the country" he said thought
fully, "or else this is only stratagen
to take us out of our way, and gail
time"
"They could scarcely have rddel
farther than this" said White; "anC
if they are not yonder, we are entire
( ly oil the trail"
"They must be there" Edgar re
piled, decidedly; even as experienced
Il ranger as he could not but bcley
what he wished.
The advance continued-not swift
~, bbt steadily; for they were nov
less than two miles from the light
and the tall trees of the grove coul,
be distinguished like shadows agains
the Northern sky. The fire was evi
IDENTIFY built within the skirts of til
wood, and was now burning brightly
as if replenished with fuel since the
had discovered it. Occasionally
was hid from view--when they dc
scended a slope and entered hollow
and, sometimes shadows passed acros
it, AS if persons were moving abou
lit.