"Yet I have already survived ten days of it.

We seek to join some party bound westward, either to Fort Dearborn or beyond." The elder officer smiled gravely, as his stern eyes wandered thoughtfully over our faces in the candle-light.
"You will scarcely find those who go beyond," he said, at last, slowly.
"That is our extreme frontier; and even this post, I hear it rumored, is to be abandoned shortly.

Indeed, I am now proceeding thither, hoping to escort a niece safely eastward because of that very probability.

I can offer you naught save companionship and guidance upon the journey; yet if you needs must go, you may ride with us and welcome.

But 't is my first duty to advise you strongly against it." "You look for trouble ?" I asked, for his words and manner were grave.
"I am not one easily alarmed," he answered, scanning our faces as we fronted him; "but I have lived long among the Indians, and know them well.