He 'd a bin back afore this, an' on yer trail with a bunch o' young bucks." From the top of the ridge they could look down on the toiling column of cavalrymen below in the bluff shadow, and gaze off over the wide expanse of valley, through which ran the half-frozen Canadian.
Everywhere stretched the white, wintry desolation.
"Whar wus thet pony herd ?" Hamlin pointed up the valley to the place where the swerve came in the stream.
"Just below that point; do you see where the wind has swept the ground bare ?" "Sure they were n't buffalo ?" "They were ponies all right, and herded." The two men spurred back across the hills, and made report to Elliott.
There was no hesitancy in that officer.

The leading squadron was instantly swung into formation as skirmishers, and sent forward.

From river-bank to crest of bluff they ploughed through the drifts, overcoats strapped behind and carbines flung forward in readiness for action, but as they climbed to that topmost ridge, eager, expectant, it was only to gaze down upon a deserted camp, trampled snow, and blackened embers of numerous fires.

Hamlin was the first to scramble down the steep bluff, dismount, and drag his trembling horse sliding after.

Behind plunged Corbin and Elliott, anxious to read the signs, to open the pages of this wilderness book.