It was as the negro said, and in the hope of finding some more of the valuables of the family, the soldier kicked the ashes and cinders hither and thither and searched among them for a considerable time.  Nothing further rewarded him, however.  Placing the watch upon his own person, he went on, across the edge of the clearing, into the woods beyond.  He led his horse further into their protection, and then beckoned the negro to his side.

“Do you feel sleepy, Cato?”

“No! what’d you ax that fur?”

“Well I do, and I am going to try to get a little sleep.  I wish you to keep watch of the clearing while I do.”

“Don’t ’spect none of dem Injines will be back here?”

“No, but Oonomoo will probably soon be.  I want you to see him the minute he comes, and awaken me so that there shall be no unnecessary delay.”

Cato promised to obey, and took his station nearer the clearing, while the fatigued soldier stretched himself upon the ground and was soon wrapped in a dreamless slumber.

Lieutenant Canfield slept until nearly sunset, and would have slept even longer had he not been aroused by Cato roughly shaking his shoulder.

“Why, what’s the matter?” he asked, looking up in the terror-stricken countenance of the negro.

“Hebens, golly! dey’ve come!”

“Who has come? what are you talking about?”

“De Injines.  Dar’s forty fousand of ’em out dar in de clearing!”

Considerably flurried by the husky words of his sable friend, Lieutenant Canfield arose and walked stealthily toward the clearing to satisfy himself in regard to the cause of the negro’s excessive fear.

“Be keerful, or dey’ll see you,” admonished the latter, following several yards behind.

Approaching as near the edge of the wood as he deemed prudent, he was rewarded by the sight of some six or eight Indians—­undoubtedly Shawnees—­who were examining the ruins that lay around them with considerable curiosity.  They were ugly-looking customers in their revolting war-paint and fantastic costumes, and the Lieutenant felt that the wisest plan he could adopt was to give them a wide berth.  Withdrawing further into the wood, he asked the negro when he had first seen them.

“Massa Canfield, I stood and watched out dar for two, free hours till I fell asleep myself and come down kerwollup on de ground.  I laid dar a good while afore I woke, and de fust t’ing I see’d when I looked out dar, war dem Injines walking round, kickin’ up t’ings and makin’ darselves at home ginerally.  You’d better beliebe I trabeled fast to tell you ob it.”

“From which direction do you think they come?”

“Dunno, but I finks de way dey looks dat dey come purty near from dis way, mighty clus to whar we’s standin’; and I t’inks dey’ll take de same route to git back agin.”

Somehow or other, the Lieutenant had the same impression as the negro.  It was so strong upon him that he resolved to change their position at once.  Accordingly, he proceeded to where his horse was tied, and unfastening, led him into the wood.  Making a detour, he came back nearly upon the opposite side of the clearing, where, if possible, the wood was still thicker.  Here they carefully screened themselves from observation and watched the Shawnees.