Having returned, the scout knew that the only possible explanation for the absence of the ladies was Indians, although no peril could have been more unexpected.

He had discovered by "the sign" that it was a large band traveling eastward.

He had set out by night to get ahead of them while Hare and his other guide started for the fort.

Binkus knew every mile of the wilderness and had canoes hidden near its bigger waters.

He had crossed the lake on which his party had been camping, and the swamp at the east end of it and was soon far ahead of the marauders.