Gradually, however, the steady, rapid
motion, the sense of strength and reliance in themselves and each
other, lessened the somber expression, and a general talk began,
mostly upon Indian fights, in which most of the older settlers had
at one time or other taken a part.
Mr. Hardy took a part in and encouraged this conversation. He knew
how necessary, in an expedition of this sort, it was to keep up the
spirits of all engaged; and he endeavored, therefore, to shake off
his own heavy weight of care, and to give animation and life to
them all.
The spirits of the younger men rose rapidly, and insensibly the
pace was increased, until Mr. Hardy, as leader of the party, was
compelled to recall to them the necessity of saving their animals,
many of which had already come from ten to fifteen miles before
arriving at the rendezvous at the Mercers'.
After three hours' steady riding they arrived at the banks of a
small stream. There Mr. Hardy called a halt, for the purpose of
resting the animals.
"I think," he said, "that we must have done twenty-five miles. We
will give them an hour's rest, and then do another fifteen. Some of
them have already done forty, and it will not do to knock them up
the first day."
Girths were loosened, and the horses were at work cropping the
sweet grass near the water's edge.
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