"Oh, Moses!" ejaculated the troopers in subdued tones.
"An Indian will smell smoke from a pipe or a camp-fire a long distance," added George.
"Then keep your pipes in your pockets, where they can't do any mischief," said Bob.—"George, I'd like to take a look at that camp."
George at once led the way up the hill, but when he neared the top he said in a whisper,
"Perhaps you had better trust to my eyes instead of your own; not but that you can see as far as I can, but you might be a little careless in handling that screen, and the least false motion on your part would be seen by that lookout, whose eyes are as good as a telescope."
"All right!" replied Bob, who wondered what he should have done if George had not been there to advise him. "What shall we do?"
"Let me take another look, and then I will talk to you."
So saying, George crept back to the top of the hill and looked under his screen as before. It was rapidly growing dark, but he could see that the sentry still kept his position, and that the camp-fire was burning brightly.
"They do not stand in the least fear of pursuit," said he as he backed down to Bob's side, "but they have taken measures to prevent surprise, as they always do when they are on the war-path."
"How long do you suppose that sentry will stay there?"