Page:Edward Ellis--Seth Jones.djvu/32

Rh "Here it is, Seth"

The latter hastened to his side, and stooping a moment, and running his eye along the ground, both forward and back ward, replied:

"This is the trail! They ain't very keerful 'bout it now, but I reckon it 'll make us open our peepers wider to see it, after we get into the wood."

"Well, as the starting point is now reached, we must perfect our arrangements. You must take the lead in following this up?"

"Can't you?" asked Seth, looking up in his eyes.

"Not as well as you. From what little I have seen of you, I am sure you excel me in the knowledge of the forest. I have had some experience in fighting, but very little in tracing a foe through such a wilderness as this."

"Don't say? That's just where you 'n I disagree. I was always the one to track the tories or red-coats for old Colonel Allen, and I remember one time—but I guess I won't go to telling stories now, being as I haven't much time, but I can say, though pr'aps I oughn't to, that I can foller any red-skin as far as he can go, and I don't care how much pains he takes to cover up his tracks. You see, if I undertake to foller this, I've got to keep my nose down to the ground, and won't be likely to see any danger we're running into: that 'll have to be your business. You just hang close to my heels, and keep yer eyes traveling all over."

"I'll endeavor to do my part, although I shall expect some lid from you."

"I may give some, as I can tell purty near about when the imps have gone over the tracks I'm looking at. And now we must start. I promised Haverland that I wouldn't show myself again, until I could tell him something about his darter, and I swow, I won't. Come ahead!"

"With these words, Seth started ahead on a rapid walk. He was slightly inclined forward, and his keen gray eye was bent with a searching look upon the ground. Graham followed him a few feet distant, with the barrel of his rifle resting in the hollow of his left arm, while the stock was held in his right, so as to be ready at a moment's warning.

The signs that led Seth Jones forward were faint, and to