CHAPTER XV.
MANEUVERING AND SCHEMING.
Through the entire night, with now and then an occasional halt of a few minutes each, the fugitives—for they may now properly be termed such—continued their journey. When day broke, they halted in a small valley through which a small, sparkling stream made its way. On either side, it was surrounded by dark overhanging forest-trees and heavier undergrowth, through which none but the eagle eye of the hunter or savage, could discover their retreat.
Seth, when they first halted, made off in the woods, and in the course of a half-hour returned with a large fowl. The feathers were plucked from this, a fire kindled, and in a few moments it was cooked. It furnished all with a hearty, substantial and nourishing breakfast—what all needed. After this, a short consultation was held, when it was determined that they should halt for an hour or two. Several blankets were spread upon the green sward, as a bed for Ina, and in ten minutes she was sound asleep.
Our friends had decided upon making their homeward journey upon foot for several reasons, any of which was sufficient to influence them. In the first place, their course would be much shorter and more direct, and was really attended with less danger; and even if they desired to take to the river, there were no means at hand to do it.
"By gracious!" remarked Seth, after a few minute's deep thought, "I feel, boys, as though we're to run into a scrape before we get home. I tell yeou I do."
"And I do, too," added Haldidge- "I don't know why it is, and yet I believe there is reason for it. If there is any chance for them Mohawks to play the game of tit for tat, they'll do it; you can make up your mind to that."
"Do you think the chance is given them?" queried Haverland.
