“Is it not possible, Colonel,” answered Millbanks, in a suggestive way, “that the Indians, forming the two parties, may all be of the game tribe, and have crossed here together, when they came over to make the attack? and that the boats of the other division, unless they have recrossed, may still be secreted not far hence?”

“By the Power that made me!” exclaimed Boone, energetically; “a good thought, lad—­a good thought, Master Harry—­and we’ll act on’t at once, by sarching along the banks above here; for as the other varmints took off to the east, it am’t improbable they’ve just steered a little round about, to come down on ’em, while these went right straight ahead.”

At once proceeding upon this suggestion, Boone and his companions commenced a close examination along the shore; which finally resulted in their finding, as had been premised, not the canoes themselves, but traces of where they had recently been, together with the trail of the other party, who had also arrived at this point and crossed over.  This caused no little sensation among our pursuers; who, scanning the footprints eagerly, and perceiving thereby that the prisoners were still along with their captors, scarcely knew whether most to grieve or rejoice.  One thing at least was cheering—­they were still alive; and could their friends, the present party, succeed in crossing the river during the night, might be rescued.  But where was Isaac and his band, was the next important query.  If, as they ardently hoped, he and his comrades had not lost the trail, they might be expected to join them soon—­a reinforcement which would render them comparatively safe.

Meantime the storm had wholly subsided—­the wind blew strong and cold from the northwest—­a few broken, dripping clouds sailed slowly onward—­while the sun, a little above the horizon, again shone out clear and bright, and painted a beautiful bow on the cloudy ground of the eastern heavens.

“Well, lads, the storm’s over, thank God!” said Boone, glancing upward, with an expression of satisfaction; “and now, as day-light’ll be scarce presently, we’ll improve what there is, in constructing a raft to cross over on; and maybe Isaac and the rest on ’em will join us in time to get a ride.”

As the old hunter concluded, he at once applied himself to laying out such drift logs as were thought suitable for the purpose, in which he was assisted by three of the others, the remaining two proceeding into the bushes to cut withes for binding them together; and so energetic and diligent was each in his labors, that, ere twilight had deepened into night, the rude vessel was made, launched, and ready to transport its builders over the waters.  They now resolved to take some refreshment, and wait until night had fully set in, in the faint hope that Isaac might possibly make his appearance.  With this intent, our party retired up the bank, into the edge of the wood that lined the shore, for the purpose of kindling a fire, that they might dry their garments, and roast some portions of the slaughtered bull.