Seth should start back with the first streak of the next dawn.

His long face and dismal croakings kept me constantly upon nettles, and I felt that I should face the uncertain future with far stouter heart if he were out of my sight.
Firm in this resolve, I urged my horse to splash his reluctant way through the shallows of the ford; and as our animals rose on the steep bank of the western shore, we found ourselves at once in the midst of a group of scattered buildings.

It seemed quite a settlement in that dim light, although the structures were all low and built of logs.

The largest and most centrally located of these was evidently the homestead, as it had a rudely constructed porch in front, and a thin cloud of smoke was drifting from its chimney.

As I drew nearer, I could perceive the reflection of a light streaming out through the open doorway.
No one appeared in answer to our shouting,--not even a stray dog; and, in despair of thus arousing the inhabitants, I flung my rein to Seth, and, mounting the doorstep, peered within.