They scarcely knew what course to adopt.
They talked in whispers, giving their counsels to each other.

Should they creep to their horses, mount, and ride off?
That would be of no use; for if what they saw was an Indian, there were, no doubt, others near; and they could easily track and overtake them.

They felt certain that the strange creatures knew they were there--for indeed their horses, some thirty yards off, could be plainly heard stamping the ground and cropping the grass.

Moreover, one of the two animals had touched and smelt Francois; so there could be no mistake about _it_ being aware of their presence.

It would be idle, therefore, to attempt getting off unawares.