For some time they sat and discussed what was to happen on the morrow, and then they prepared to turn in. A short time later they were sound asleep, and, strange to say, both boys dreamed of desperate encounters with Black Hawk and his band. None of the struggles ever came to a definite end, however, and if such things were really to happen the next few days would have to disclose the result of these combats.
CHAPTER X
ON THE MARCH
“Time to start, Bob!”
The first faint streaks of light were illuminating the eastern sky as Joseph shook his brother and roused him from his slumbers.
“All ready,” cried Robert, wide awake at once. Life in the woods and on the prairies teaches one to waste little time either in going to sleep or in getting up in the morning.
“Deerfoot is looking after the horses,” said Joseph. “As soon as we have washed we’ll be ready for a bite of breakfast and then we must join the others. They’ll start soon, I think.”
Many of their comrades fell in with the two boys as they made their way down to the bank of the stream. There was much laughter and much splashing and puffing as the men drove the last cobwebs of sleep from their brains. Everyone was in high spirits. They all seemed to look upon the affair in the nature of a great picnic, instead of actual warfare.
The two brothers could not help being affected by the hilarity. Robert was especially susceptible. He was more impulsive than Joseph and was readily swayed by his ever changing moods. One moment he was discouraged and gloomy and then a few moments later all his troubles were forgotten and his spirits rose accordingly.
“Isn’t this fun, Joe?” he exclaimed enthusiastically, as they stood on the shore and watched the antics of their comrades.
“It is now,” agreed Joseph, who was of a quieter and more conservative nature. “But how long it will continue to be fun, I don’t know.”