The chief and twenty picked warriors accompanied them, together with six young Indians, two of whom carried lighted brands.

The others dragged light sleighs, upon which were piled skins and long poles, for making tents at night, for the temperature was exceedingly cold after sundown.

The whole village turned out to see the party off, and shouts of farewell, and good wishes, rang in the air.
For the first three days no adventures were met with.

The party had no difficulty in killing game sufficient for their needs, and at night they halted at streams or pools.

Ned observed, however, that at the last halting place the chief, who had hitherto taken no precaution at night, gave some orders to his followers; four of whom, when the rest laid down to rest, glided off in different directions into the darkness.
Ned pointed to them inquiringly, and the chief intimated that they were now entering the hunting grounds of another tribe.