We will sleep till dawn, but with the first of the daylight we must be moving.

The way is long, but we have some good guides who know the best tracks.

We ought to reach the town soon after nightfall; and when all are sleeping in fancied security, we will fall upon them." The Rangers were glad enough of the few hours of sleep which they were able to obtain, and it was luxury to them to sleep beneath a roof, and to be served the next morning with breakfast which they had not had to kill and cook themselves.
The men were in good spirits, too.

The arrival of the little body of Rangers had encouraged them; and as the company marched through the forest, generally in single file, the newcomers scattered themselves amongst the larger body, and talked to them of what was going forward in the eastern districts, and how, after long delay, reinforcements were being prepared to come to the aid of the hapless settlers.
That was cheering news for all, and it put new heart into the band.
They marched along cheerily, although cautiously, for they knew not what black scouts might be lurking in the thickets; and if the Indians once got wind of their coming, there would be little hope of successful attack.
On and on they marched all through the keen winter air, which gave them fine appetites for their meals when they paused to rest and refresh themselves, but made walking easier than when the sun beat down pitilessly upon them in the summer.

There had been no heavy snow as yet, and the track was not hard to find.