Within ten minutes, the whole party was asleep.
| [5] | That brilliant action took place on the 31st of July, 1813. |
| [6] | “Portage de Sioux,” a crossing of the Mississippi, above the mouth of the Missouri. |
| [7] | Two stars in the constellation of Ursa Major, much better known to prairie travelers than the Polar star itself. |
——
CHAPTER III.
THE CHASE ENDED.
No more than the first gray streaks of dawn had shot up from the eastern horizon, when the disappointed rangers were again astir. Their horses—which had been picketed upon the prairie, each with a long rope, after the ranger fashion of feeding—were first taken to a little stream to drink, and then moved to a fresh place, to graze until their riders were prepared to mount. Such provision as they had made against their own hunger was then dispatched, without delay, and with little preparation. Fortunately, however, the wedding feast had furnished viands enough for more than ten times their number; and with the readiness of the women of those days, each had been provided by wife, sister, or sweetheart—with supplies, ample and well selected.
It was now plain, that the chase before them was a long one; and it was no equivocal augury of their resolution to follow it to the end, that they thus set out with systematic prudence.