“I’m glad to hear it,” said Colonel Strode warmly. “I’m also glad to meet you and to see what the new owner of The Swallow looks like.” He smiled pleasantly at the young volunteer and then turned away to give an order to one of his aides. Joseph realized that he was dismissed and quickly withdrew.
“We may as well start back,” he said when he had rejoined his comrades.
“Your business all finished here?” asked Robert.
“All finished.”
“Let’s go then,” exclaimed Robert. “I don’t believe we can do anything more for the people here.”
A few moments later the four scouts were on their way back to Dixon’s Ferry, their errand accomplished. Their safe return was by no means assured, however, for they well knew that Black Hawk and his war party were probably not far distant. His failure to take Apple River Fort would make the chief all the more relentless against his next foe.
It was easy to follow the trail of the marauding Indians, for they had taken no pains to cover up their tracks. The four volunteers did not long keep on this trail, however. Deerfoot led the way and he soon turned to the others.
“We better go ’round,” he remarked.
“Go ‘’round’,” exclaimed John Mason. “What do you mean?”
“He means,” explained Joseph, “that we’d better make a detour and not keep on this trail any longer.”