Through this expanse, and in its darkest corner, flitting dimly along, Roland's eyes fell upon certain shadows, at first vague and indistinct, but which soon assumed the human form, marching one after the other in a line, and apparently approaching the very ridge on which he lay, each with the stealthy yet rapid pace of a wild cat.

They were but five in number; but the order of their march, the appearance of their bodies seemingly half naked, and the busy intentness with which they pursued the trail left so broad and open by the inexperienced wanderers, would have convinced Roland of their savage character, had he possessed no other evidence than that of his own senses.
"They are Indians;" he muttered in Nathan's ear.
"Shawnee creatures," said the latter, with edifying coolness;--"and will think no more of taking the scalps of thee two poor women than of digging off thee own." "There are but five of them, and--" The young man paused, and the gloom that a spirit so long harassed by fears, though fears for another, had spread over his countenance, was exchanged for a look of fierce decision that better became his features.

"Harkee, man," he abruptly resumed, "we cannot pass the ridge without being seen by them; our horses are exhausted, and we cannot hope to escape them by open flight." "Verily," said Nathan, "thee speaks the truth." "Nor can we leave the path we are now pursuing, without fear of falling into the hands of a party more numerous and powerful.

Our only path of escape, you said, was over this ridge, and towards yonder Lower Ford ?" "Truly," said Nathan, with a lugubrious look of assent,--"what thee says is true: but how we are to fly these evil-minded creatures, with poor frightened women hanging to our legs--" "We will not fly them!" said Roland, the frown of battle gathering on his brows.

"Yonder crawling reptiles,--reptiles in spirit as in movement,--have been dogging our steps for hours, waiting for the moment when to strike with advantage at my defenceless followers; and they will dog us still, if permitted, until there is no escape from their knives and hatchets for either man or woman.