What at first seemed only a fancy, now became a
reality, for the smoke increased in volume, and indicated with certainty
a habitation of some kind.
Descending the hill as quickly as he could, he found the two men fast
asleep, overcome with fatigue and excitement, and it was with great
difficulty that he could awake them. When, however, he told them what he
had discovered, their hearts filled with joy, and they sprang to their
feet ready to follow him. Still they entertained a lurking fear that the
smoke might mark the bivouac of some savages who had watched their
movements during the day, and lighted this fire to cook the evening
meal.
They followed the stream about two miles up the ravine, picking their
way over rocks and through a thick wood, until they came to a little
gurgling brook, cutting its way through a deep dell running at right
angles with the ravine. Here they rested for a short time, and carefully
surveyed the scene, excited by strange thoughts. A light suddenly
flashed from the opposite bank, not more than forty yards ahead.
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