What could it be?
The cause was soon ascertained.

To speak poetically, the birds had flown--in plain language, the prisoners had run away.

They were not bound, their honor had been trusted to;--but you cannot place much reliance on the honor of an Indian with a prison in prospect.

I doubt if a white man could be trusted under such circumstances.

True, there was a guard, but, as I said, 'twas a dark night.
The troops returned in fine health, covered with dust and fleas, if not with glory..