As well as they could, they buried the dead hunter among the rocks. Then they moved to another spot, which James Morris thought might be still safer. Here they remained for the rest of the day and all of the night without anything happening to disturb them.
Each hour the trader grew more anxious regarding those who had been advancing along the Ohio on foot, and during the night he made a trip along the river, in the direction where the last band of Indians had been encountered.
"You'll be careful, won't you, Uncle?" asked Henry, anxiously. He hated to see his relative depart on so dangerous a mission.
"Yes, Henry, and you must be on the alert while I am gone."
James Morris left the camp about eleven o'clock, and for the next six hours the watch for Henry and the wounded trapper was a lonely one. The wind died down utterly and scarcely a sound broke the stillness of the wilderness. Once they heard the howl of a lonely wolf, but that was all.
Just before dawn they heard a well-known whistle, and then James Morris appeared, followed by Jadwin and another white hunter, and two friendly Indians. All were tired out, and it was some time before their story was told.
"We had a hard time of it," said Tony Jadwin. "We fell into a regular nest of the red varmints, and I reckon almost all of the others are dead or badly wounded. We were making for this place when we fell in with Mr. Morris."
As tired as were the newcomers, it was decided that the whole party must push on without delay, and the start was made just before sunrise, after a hasty and scanty breakfast. As much of the packs as could be carried were taken along and the rest left behind, along with the ice-boat, for James Morris said it would no longer be safe to show themselves on the river.
It was a hard and lonesome tramp, through a section of the country which was new to all but Tony Jadwin. In spots the snow filled the forest to the depth of several feet, and they had to proceed with care, for fear of going down into some dangerous pitfall. All took turns at carrying the wounded trapper, for his hurt leg was now so sore he could not step upon it. Once they ran into half a dozen half-starved wolves, and in self-defense had to shoot two of the beasts before the others would take themselves off.