"I found it among the vines at the level of a rider's head." This was bad news indeed.

What folly had induced a woman to ride so far across the Borders?
It could be no settler's wife, but some dame from the coast country who had not the sense to be timid.

'Twas a grievous affliction for two men on an arduous quest to have to protect a foolish female with the Cherokees all about them.
There was no help for it, and as swiftly as possible and with all circumspection Shalah trailed the horse's prints.

They kept the high ground, in very broken country, which was the reason why the rider had escaped the Indians' notice.

Clearly they were moving slowly, and from the frequent halts and turnings I gathered that the rider had not much purpose about the road.
Then we came on a glade where the rider had dismounted and let the beast go.