Page:Edward Ellis--Seth Jones.djvu/35

32 forest, and already the birds bad ceased their songs. There was, however, a bright moon,—in fact, so bright, that they determined to keep up their pursuit.

The progress was now necessarily tardy, as it required the utmost, straining of Seth's vision to keep the trail, and had it not been for the friendly openings in the wood, where it was as plain as at mid-day, they would have been compelled to abandon it altogether until the morning. Several times, Graham was compelled to stand, while Seth, almost on his hands and knees, searched out the "signs." They came across no evidence of the Indians having encamped, and judged from this, that they either intended reaching their tribe before doing so, or that they were somewhere in the vicinity. The latter was the most probable supposition, and prudence, demanded them to be cautious and deliberate in their movements.

Suddenly Graham noticed the woods appeared to be growing thinner and lighter in front, as though an opening was at hand. He called the attention of Seth to this, who remarked that it was very probable. In a few moments they heard a noise as of flowing water, and immediately after stood upon the bank of a large creek, or more properly a river. The current was quite rapid, yet without much hesitation, they plunged boldly in and swam across. The night being warm and moderate, they suffered little inconvenience from their wet and clinging clothes, as the exercise of walking kept them sufficiently warm.

As they ascended the bank, they stood upon a vast and treeless plain, over which the trail led.

"Must we cross this?" asked Graham.

"I don't see any other way. There ain't any chance to skirt it, 'cause it appears to run up and down about four thousand three hundred miles, while you can see the other side."

This was true—that is the latter part of his assertion. The plain before them, from all appearances, was a prairie of great length, but comparatively narrow breadth. The dark line of the woods upon the opposite side could be plainly seen, and did not appear more than a good hour's walk away.

"I don't see any other way," repeated Seth, musingly to himself. "It's got to be crossed, although it's a ticklish businesa, I swow!"