"Let's see—we've come over forty mile, hain't we?"
"Yes, Jim, nearer fifty."
"Well, we're that much nearer the settlement, that's certain. If we get over the creek without much trouble with the oxen, we may fetch up there by sundown, eh?"
"That's the expectation, I believe."
"Provided, of course, the Injins don't make trouble."
"Sh! not so loud, Jim," continued Harry. "They might hear us in the wagon, and I don't s'pose you'd want to scare Edith, when there's no need of it."
"I should like to see any one try that same thing on 'em. They'd be somebody else scared, I reckon. But, father," asked Jim, in an earnest whisper, "how is it about the Injins? We haven't seen a sign of one yet, and that's what gets me."
The parent and his children fell a few yards further behind, and commenced conversing together in suppressed voices.
"I tell you what, boys," said the father, "it won't do to expect to get through without hot work. I've been talking with the scouts, and they think the same. I believe a number are following us, and waiting only for the proper place to come in upon us."
"Where do you suppose that will be?"