before them, and so busy were they in keeping the

troop together that Cameron and his men were close

upon them before they were observed.

It was too late to escape. Joe Blunt and Henri had

already swept round and cut off their retreat. In this

extremity the Indians slipped from the backs of their

steeds and darted into the bushes, where they were

safe from pursuit, at least on horseback, while the

trappers got behind the horses and drove them towards

the camp.