The Doctor had used so much
diligence in the retreat, as to have already overtaken his friends,
and of course all the fugitives were again assembled.
The trapper now looked about him for some convenient spot, where the
whole party might halt, as he expressed it, for some five or six
hours.
"Halt!" exclaimed the Doctor, when the alarming proposal reached his
ears; "venerable hunter, it would seem, that on the contrary, many
days should be passed in industrious flight."
Middleton and Paul were both of this opinion, and each in his
particular manner expressed as much.
The old man heard them with patience, but shook his head like one who
was unconvinced, and then answered all their arguments, in one general
and positive reply.
"Why should we fly?" he asked. "Can the legs of mortal men outstrip
the speed of horses? Do you think the Tetons will lie down and sleep;
or will they cross the water and nose for our trail? Thanks be to the
Lord, we have washed it well in this stream, and if we leave the place
with discretion and wisdom, we may yet throw them off its track.
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