But now I'm off, if I see
anything shall I halloo out, and let you know there's
danger?"
"Not by a long chalk," returned the corporal. "All I want
you to do is to keep your tongue in your head and your
eyes open. If you see anything to alarm you, come back
quietly and let us know. We shall be moving down close
to the bank of the river; and now start."
Collins threw his musket to the trail, and advanced
cautiously, though fearlessly, along the scarcely
perceptible pathway--interrupted, at every third or fourth
step by creeping vines that protruded from the earth,
and rendered it necessary, in order to prevent his
tripping, that he should raise his feet somewhat in the
manner of a horse with the string-halt.
He had not proceeded half a mile, when, at an angle of
the ill-defined path, formed by a point where the river
was the narrowest, he was started at the sight of a human
body lying across his course, evidently on its face,
though the head was concealed from view by the trunk of
a large tree that bordered upon the road. His first
impulse was to turn back and acquaint the corporal with
what he had discovered; but a few minutes of reflection
satisfying him of the ridicule he should incur in reporting,
without being able to state with accuracy on WHAT, he
boldly advanced.
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