There we would find warm, dry quarters, and materials with which to kindle a fire; and as Sandy had been thoughtful enough to bring the squirrels he had shot, we need not go supperless to bed.
This plan was hailed with delight by the others, and Duke at once turned his horse, and started off in a direction exactly at right angles with the one he had been pursuing.
If we had known all that was to happen to us before we saw the sun rise again, our camp on Black Bayou would have been the very last place in the world we should have thought of visiting.
How Duke knew what course to follow, was a mystery to all of us. I do not suppose he could have explained it himself, for the night was so dark that he could not see five feet in advance of him, and consequently he could not have had the assistance of any familiar landmarks.
He seemed to know the direction by instinct, and we, never doubting his ability to lead us to the place of refuge we had selected, followed him blindly.
I shall never forget that ride. How far it was to the bayou, and how many hours we traveled before reaching it, I do not know. All I remember is that, when I became so cold that I could scarcely sit in my saddle, and with the greatest difficulty resisted the inclination to dismount from my horse and give myself up to the drowsiness that almost overpowered me, Duke suddenly drew rein, and in a cheery voice announced: “Here we are at last, fellows.”
I aroused myself with an effort, and looked about me; but all I could see was a dense black wall of trees, which surrounded us on all sides. I was as completely lost now as I had been at any time during the night, and so was Herbert, if one might judge by the question he asked:
“What place do you call this?” said he.
“Why, this is our old camp,” replied Duke, “and right glad am I to see it; for I do not believe I could ride a hundred yards further to save my life.”
“You must have owl’s eyes indeed, if you can see any signs of a shanty here,” observed Mark.