We had to feel our way; and it was not without some knocks that the carriage reached the clearing ten minutes later.
This clearing, surrounded by great trees, formed a sort of oval, covered with rich grass.

Here it was still daylight, and the darkness would scarcely deepen for over an hour.

There was thus time to arrange an encampment and to rest awhile after our hard trip over the rough and rocky roads.
Of course, we were intensely eager to approach the Creek and see if the "Terror" was still there.

But prudence restrained us.

A little patience, and the night-would enable us to reach a commanding position unsuspected.