Our friends had not proceeded far when Peterson assured Mansfield that they were gaining rapidly upon the savages. The latter, encumbered by their dead and wounded, were making their way very slowly through the wood, and evidently had no thoughts of pursuit. An hour or two later Peterson remarked,
"We're goin' too fast, Mansfield; we'll run our heads into some trap afore we know it. Let's set down a while."
The two seated themselves upon a fallen tree and engaged in conversation.
"If we don't stop we'll be up with them afore night," said Peterson.
"And why shouldn't we?"
"Because—sh! there's some one back of us now."
Before they either had time to conceal themselves, the bushes parted, and the mysterious Frontier Angel stood before them.
"What are you doing here?" she asked quietly.
"Looking for that renegade," replied Mansfield.
"Do you know how far the Shawnees are away?"