"White Buffalo's heart is sad," said the Indian chief. "He feels sore for his brother James. The great forest has fallen, and many will be the summers ere it rises again."
"You are right, White Buffalo," answered the trader. "And even when it does rise, it will not be as grand as it was before."
The party could not go into camp on the burn-over, so Sanderson took charge of the pack-train and led it along the river, where the waters flowed toward the broad Ohio. In the meantime, the Morrises and Sam Barringford dug over the ashes where the trading-post had stood.
Little of value was found, outside of a rusty pistol, two rusty hunting knives, a bullet mold, a string of wampum, and a few earthen dishes, and an hour later the searchers left the spot.
"It is too bad," said James Morris. "I loved the place dearly. But it may be we shall find another further on that is just as good."
"Let us hope it will be better," said Dave, trying to look on the cheerful side.
"Yes, let us hope it will be better," said Henry; and the others echoed the sentiment.
CHAPTER XIII
BUILDING THE NEW TRADING-POST
Four days later found the entire party encamped on the bank of the Ohio River, about twenty miles from the district which had suffered from the terrible ravages of fire.