The Indian bowed in response.
“You have already heard of the abduction of Miss Lear?”
“War-Cloud knows all,” answered the scout.
“Then you will hold yourself ready to accompany the troopers on the trail of the abductors in the morning.” After giving the Indian his instructions, the commander dismissed him.
The remainder of the night was spent by a greater part of the inmates of the fort, in a state of feverish excitement. It was deemed prudent to withhold the knowledge of Imogene’s abduction from Captain Sherwood, until more particulars of her fate were obtained.
The next morning, just as the bright sun commenced to tint the neighboring hill-tops and light up the eastern horizon, witnessed the departure of the dragoons from the fort.
They immediately took the path of the previous evening, which they slowly followed, scrutinizing every foot of the ground minutely, until they reached the spot where Imogene had been stopped by her abductors. This they knew by the trampled state of the earth.
Dismounting, War-Cloud made a careful examination of the numerous footprints, while the remainder of the company patiently awaited the result of his investigation.
Quickly beckoning the commander to his side, the scout pointed to several deep prints in the soft soil.
“Well, what’s peculiar about them?” asked the officer, inspecting them closely.