"Was there no man with father?"
"I couldn't see any footprints except his."
"Then it has been as you said: Plummer was killed by the Sioux. But surely you noticed the direction they took?"
"I did that same, and was following their trail whin I cotched sight of yersilf among the trees, and coom nigh shooting ye before asking for an inthrodooction."
"Then they have passed nigh this spot?" asked the startled son.
Tim partly turned and pointed behind him.
"Right beyant is the thracks made by thimsilves and their animals, for the ground won't admit of their riding."
"I wish it were otherwise," remarked Warren thoughtfully, "for I have had the hope that they might be so near the fort as to be safe. They are not, but we ought to join them quite soon. But, Tim," added his friend, as if alarmed by a new fear, "the Sioux must have learned of your flight long ago, and are now on your trail."
"I must say that I'm forced to agree wid ye," was the reply of the Irishman, spoken as though the question was of trifling import.
"It won't do for us to stay here. They are liable to appear at any moment," and the alarmed youth glanced apprehensively around, as if he expected to see the whole party of hostiles burst through upon them.