Rabbits and other small animals, which had probably been surrounded on some island and compelled to take to the brush or drown, crouched on floating logs and piles of driftwood.

Happening to glance down the road, Clarke saw a horse galloping in his direction.

At first he thought it was a messenger for himself, but as it neared him he saw that the horse was an Indian pony and the rider a young girl, whose long, black hair was flying in the wind.
"Hello! I wonder what the deuce this is?
Looks like an Indian girl," said Clarke to himself.

"She rides well, whoever she may be." He stepped behind a clump of laurel bushes near the roadside and waited.

Rapidly the horse and rider approached him.