The father, hiding his own misgivings as best he could, only said that he and his son (as he always regarded his step-son), were compelled to separate a short time before, on the other side of the river, and since a man of his age was able to rejoin his friends, there surely must be reason to believe that one so young and active as Fred would soon show himself. So all resolved to hope, though their fears made the hope more painful than cheering.
"It won't do to stay here," said Mr. Brainerd, when told that they thought of camping where they were till morning.
"Is the danger imminent?" asked McEwen.
"The Tories and Indians are continually crossing the river, and there must be at least a hundred on this side; their whole purpose is massacre. I do not think it possible for us to escape discovery if we wait another hour."
"Then let's be off!" said Habakkuk, throwing his rifle over his shoulder, and starting in the direction of the mountains.
"Hold on!" interposed Gimp; "Ise de guide ob dis procession, and if you takes my place you'll be lost sartin sure."
"All right, go ahead!" assented the other; "only don't be so slow about it."
"Many of the poor people," explained Mr. Brainerd, as the party made ready to start, "are following the trails through the woods and mountains, and they are suffering frightfully—hark!"
As he spoke, the sharp crack of two guns was heard, so close at hand that all started and looked behind them.
Nothing however was seen, and the elder added, as they resumed their flight, "Others of our friends have done like us and left the trails, but without avoiding danger, though they may lessen it."