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LOG CABIN SERIES.' 
 
 FOOTPEINTS 11^ 
 THE FOEEST. 
 
 BY 
 
 EDWARD S. ELLIS, 
 
 AUTHOR OF " NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE," '•' NED IN THE WOODS,' 
 "nED on THE RIVEE," " THE LOST TRAIL," ETC. 
 
 CASSELL & COMPANY, LoriTED 
 
 LONDON, PARIS, NEW YORK & MELBOURNE. 
 
 1886. 
 
 [all EIGHTS RESERVED.] 
 
 . ;-?/ .7 . (^^ 
 

 FOOTPRINTS m THE FOREST. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EETROSPECTIVE. 
 
 THOSE of my friends wlio have done me 
 the honor of reading " Campfire and 
 Wigwam," will^need little help to recall the 
 situation at the close of that narrative. The 
 German lad Otto Relstanb, having lost his 
 horse, while on the way from Kentucky to the 
 territory of Louisiana (their destination being 
 a part of the present State of Missouri), he 
 and his young friend, Jack Carleton, set out 
 to hunt for the missing animal. Naturally 
 enough they failed : not only that, but the two 
 fell into the hands of a band of wandering 
 Sauk Indians, who held them prisoners. 
 
 Directly after the capture of the lads, their 
 captors parted company, five going in one 
 
 ivi312388 
 
6 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 direction with Jack and tlie other five taking 
 a different course with Otto. " Camp-Fire and 
 Wigwam" gave the particulars of what befell 
 Jack Carleton. In this story, I propose to tell 
 all about the hunt that was made for the honest 
 lad, who had few friends, and who had been 
 driven from his own home by the cruelty of 
 his parents to engage in a search which would 
 have been laughable in its absurdity, but for 
 the danger that marked it from the beginning. 
 
 The youth, however, had three devoted 
 friends in Jack Carleton, his mother, and 
 Deerfoot, the Shawanoe. But for the compas- 
 sion which the good woman felt for the lad, 
 she never would have consented that her 
 beloved son should enter the wilderness for the 
 purpose of bringing him home. 
 
 One fact must be borne in mind, however, in 
 recalling the two expeditions. In the former 
 Jack and Otto were the actors, but now the 
 hunters were Jack and Deerfoot, and therein 
 lay all the difference in the world. Well aware 
 of the wonderful woodcraft of the young 
 warrior, his courage and devotion to his friends, 
 the parent had little if any misgivings, when 
 
EETROSPECTIVE. 7 
 
 she kissed her boy good -by, and saw him enter 
 the wilderness in the company of the dusky 
 Shawanoe. 
 
 Something like a fortnight had gone by, 
 when Deerfoot and Jack Carleton sat near a 
 camiD-iire which had been kindled in the depths 
 of the forest, well to the westward of the little 
 frontier settlement of Martinsville. The air 
 was crisp and cool, and two days had passed 
 since any rain had fallen, so the climate could 
 not have been more favorable. 
 
 The camp was similar to many that have 
 been described before, and with which the 
 reader has become familiar long ago. It was 
 simply a small pile of blazing sticks, started 
 close to a large tree, with a little stream of 
 water winding just beyond. More wood was 
 heaped near, and Jack was lolling lazily on 
 the blanket which he had brought with him, 
 while his friend sat on the pile of sticks 
 opposite. 
 
 ' ' Deerfoot, you remember I told you that 
 while I was in the lodge of Ogallah, an Indian 
 came in who was one of the five that had taken 
 Otto away?" 
 
8 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 The Shawanoe nodded his head to signify 
 he recalled the incident. 
 
 ' ' He made some of the queerest gestures to 
 me, which I could no more understand than I 
 could make out what his gibberish meant, but 
 when I described his actions to you, you said 
 they meant that Otto was still alive — that is, so 
 far as the Indian knew? " 
 
 ' ' My brother speaks the truth : such was the 
 message of the Sauk warrior." 
 
 ' ' They say all the red men can talk with 
 each other by means of signs, but, without 
 asking 3^ou to explain every word of the Sauk, 
 I would like to hear again what it was he 
 meant to tell me." 
 
 '•He said that Otto had been given to a 
 party of Indians, and they had started west- 
 ward toward the setting sun with him." 
 
 "But why did they turn him over to the 
 strangers ? ' ' 
 
 " Deerfoot was not there to ask the Sauk," 
 was the reply of the young Shawanoe. 
 
 ' ' That is true, for if you had been, you 
 would have known all about it ; but, old fellow, 
 you can explain one thing : why do you not 
 
RETROSPECTIVE. 9 
 
 make your way to the Sauk village and get 
 those warriors to give you the particulars? " 
 
 Such it would seem was the true course of 
 the dusky youth, on whom it may be said the 
 success or failure of the enterprise rested. He 
 was silent a minute as though the question 
 caused him some thought. 
 
 " It may be my brother is right, but it is a 
 long ways to the lodges of the Sauks, and when 
 they were reached it may be they could tell 
 no more than Deerfoot knows." 
 
 Jack Carleton did not understand this remark. 
 
 He knew how little information he had given 
 his friend, and it seemed idle to say that the 
 real captors of Otto Relstaub could not tell 
 more of him. 
 
 Strange things happen in this life. Several 
 times during the afternoon Deerfoot stopped 
 and glanced about him, just as Jack had seen 
 him do when enemies w^ere in the wood. He 
 made no remark by way of explanation, and 
 his friend asked him no question. 
 
 " It seems to me the Sauks can tell a good 
 deal more than I ; for instance — " 
 Deerfoot suddenly raised his forefinger and 
 
10 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 leaned liis head forward and sideways. It was 
 his attitude of intense attention, and he had 
 signaled for Jack to hold his peace. The 
 tableau lasted a full minute. Then Deerfoot 
 looked toward his friend, and smiled and nod- 
 ded, as if to say it had turned out just as he 
 expected. 
 
 "What in the name of the mischief is the 
 matter ? ' ' asked Jack, unable longer to repress 
 his curiosity; "you've been acting queer all 
 the afternoon." 
 
 " Deerfoot and his friend have been followed 
 by some Indian warrior for many miles. He 
 is not far away ; he is now coming softly 
 toward the camp ; I have heard him often ; he 
 is near at hand." 
 
 "If he w^ants to make our acquaintance, 
 there is no reason why he should feel so bash- 
 ful," remarked Jack, glancing at different 
 points in the darkening woods ; "I don' t see 
 any reason why he should prowl around in that 
 fashion." 
 
 The lad' s uneasiness was increased by the 
 fact that Deerfoot Avas manifestly looking over 
 his head and into the forest behind Jack, as 
 
EETROSPECTIVE. 11 
 
 tliougli the object which caused his remarks 
 was coming from that direction. 
 
 "The Indian is not far off — he is coming 
 this way — he will be in camp in a breath." 
 
 ' ' And, if I stay here, he will stumble over 
 me and perhaps break his neck," remarked 
 Jack, who caught the rustle of leaves, and 
 springing to his feet, faced toward the i)oint 
 whence the stranger was approaching. 
 
 It can not be said that the youth felt any 
 special alarm, for he knew the sagacious Deer- 
 foot would take care of him, but the knowledge 
 that an armed stranger is stealing up behind a 
 person, is calculated to make him nervous. 
 
 At the moment Jack faced about, he caught 
 the outlines of a middle-aged warrior, who 
 strode noiselessly from the wood and stepped 
 into the full glare of the camiD light. Without 
 noticing Jack, he advanced to Deerfoot, who 
 shook him by the hand, while the two spoke 
 some words in a tongue which the lad did not 
 understand. 
 
 But when the visitor stood revealed in the 
 firelight, the boy looked him over and rec- 
 ognized him. He was the Indian who came 
 
12 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 into tlie liut of Ogallah, the Sauk chieftain, 
 when Jack was a captive, and who went 
 through the odd gesticulations, which the lad 
 remembered well enough to repeat to Deerf oot, 
 who, in turn, interpreted them to mean that 
 Otto Relstaub had not been put to death, as 
 the two youths had feared. 
 
 It was strange indeed that he should come 
 to the camp of the lads, at the very time they 
 were in need of such information as he could 
 give. 
 
 While Jack identified the visitor as that 
 personage, Deerf oot recognized him even sooner 
 as Hay-uta, the Man-who-Runs-without-Fall- 
 ing. It was he who, while on a hunt for scalps, 
 came upon the young Shawanoe and engaged 
 him in a hand-to-hand encounter. You will 
 recall how he was disarmed and vanquished 
 by the younger warrior, and how the latter 
 read to him from his Bible, and told him of 
 the Great Spirit who dwelt beyond the stars, and 
 whose will was contained in the little volume 
 which was the comi3anion of the Shawanoe. 
 Hay-uta showed he was deeply impressed, and 
 abruptly went away. 
 
EETROSPECTIVE. 13 
 
 It will be remembered, therefore, that there 
 were peculiar circumstances which caused the 
 two red men to feel friendly toward each other 
 and which led them to spend several minutes 
 talking with such earnestness that neither 
 seemed aware that another party was near. 
 Jack did not object, but busied himself in 
 studying the two aborigines. 
 
 Hay-uta has been already described as a 
 middle-aged warrior. He was strong, iron- 
 limbed and daring, but was not to be compared 
 as respects grace, dignity and manly beauty to 
 Deerfoot. What specially attracted Jack's 
 attention was the rifle which he idly held with 
 one hand while talking, the stock resting on 
 the ground. It was the finest weapon the lad 
 had ever seen — that is so far as appearance 
 went. The stock was ornamented with silver, 
 and the make and finish were as complete as 
 was ever seen in those days. It was a rifle that 
 would awaken admiration anywhere. 
 
 '' I shouldn't wonder if he shot the owner so 
 as to get it," thought the lad. 
 
 But therein he did the Sauk injustice. The 
 savage gave all the furs and peltries that he 
 
14 FOOTPEITTTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 was able to take during an entire winter to a 
 white trader from St. Louis, who with a similar 
 weapon bought more supplies enough to load 
 him and his animal for their return trip to that 
 frontier post. 
 
 While Hay-uta and Deerfoot talked, they 
 smiled, nodded and gesticulated continually. 
 Of course the watcher could not guess what 
 they were talking about, until he noticed that 
 Hay-uta was making the same motions that he 
 saw him use in the lodge of Ogallah, adding, 
 however, several variations which the youth 
 was unable to recall. 
 
 "By George!" muttered Jack, "they're 
 talking about Otto ; now I shall learn some- 
 thing of him." 
 
 When the conversation had lasted some 
 minutes, the talkers appeared to become aware 
 that a third party was near. A remark of Deer- 
 foot caused Hay-uta to turn and look at the 
 young man, as though uncertain that he had 
 ever met him before. 
 
 ' ' Hay-uta has traveled a long ways since my 
 brother saw him," said Deerfoot, who did not 
 deem it worth while to explain why it was he 
 
EETROSPECTIVE. 15 
 
 had made such a journey : "he followed us a 
 good while before he knew I was his friend ; 
 then he came to the camp that he might talk 
 with me." 
 
 Hay-uta, though unable to understand these 
 words, seemed to catch their meaning from the 
 tone of Deerf oot, for they were scarcely spoken, 
 when he extended his hand to Jack, who, of 
 course, pressed it warmly and looked the 
 welcome which he could not put into words 
 that would be understood. 
 
 These ceremonies over, all three sat on the 
 ground, Hay-uta lit his pipe and the singular 
 conversation continued, Deerfoot interpreting 
 to his friend, when he had any thing to tell 
 that would interest him. 
 
 ' ' What does he know about Otto ? ' ' asked 
 Jack. 
 
 ' ' He can not tell much : the warriors who 
 made him prisoner walked slowly till the next 
 morning ; they took another path to their 
 lodges ; on the road they met some strange 
 Indians, and they sold our brother to them for 
 two blankets, some wampum, a knife and three 
 strings of beads." 
 
16 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 '' How many Indians were there in the party 
 that bonght Otto « " 
 
 Deerfoot conferred with Hay-uta before 
 answering. 
 
 ^ ' Four : they were large, strong and brave, 
 and they wanted our brother ; so he was sold, 
 as the young man was sold by his brothers and 
 taken into a far land, and afterward became 
 the great chief of the country, and the friend 
 of his brethren and aged father." 
 
 Astonished as was Jack Carleton to hear 
 these tidings, he was more astonished to note 
 that the young Shawanoe was comparing the 
 experience of Otto Relstaub with that of the 
 touching narrative told in the Old Testament 
 of Joseph and his brethren. 
 
CHAPTER IT. 
 
 A VALUABLE ALLY. 
 
 ^ ' "T) UT who were the Indians ? ' ' asked Jack 
 
 -L^ Caiieton. 
 
 Deerfoot shook his head, smiled in his faint, 
 shadowy way and pointed to the Avest. 
 
 ' 'They came from the land of the setting sun ; 
 Hay-uta knows not their totem ; he never saw 
 any of their tribe before and knows not whither 
 they went." 
 
 ' ' I should think that even an Indian would 
 have enough curiosity to ask some questions." 
 
 ''He did ask the questions," replied Deer- 
 foot, "but the strange v/arriors did not give 
 him answer." 
 
 "Then all that we know is that Otto was 
 turned over to four red men who went west- 
 ward with him." 
 
 Deerfoot nodded his head to signify that 
 
18 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 such was the fact, and then he continued his 
 conversation with Hay-uta. 
 
 Jack Caiieton recalled that when he and 
 Deerfoot were guessing the fate of Otto, the 
 suggestion was made that probably such had 
 been the experience of the poor fellow. He 
 had been bartered to a party of red men, who 
 had gone westward with him, and beyond that 
 imj)ortant fact nothing whatever was known. 
 
 My reader will remember also that I 
 spoke in " Campfire and Wigwam," of the 
 strange Indians who were sometimes met by the 
 hunters and trappers, and well as by the red 
 men themselves. They were dusky explorers, 
 as they may be termed, who like Columbus of 
 the olden time, had the daring to pass beyond 
 the boundaries of their own land, and grope 
 through strange countries they had never 
 seen. 
 
 The four warriors had come from some point 
 to the west, and Hay-uta said they could not 
 speak a word w^hich the Sauks understood, 
 nor could the Sauks ntter any thing that was 
 clear to them. But the sign-language never 
 fails, and had the strangers chosen, they could 
 
A VALUABLE ALLY, 19 
 
 have given a great deal of information to the 
 Sauks. 
 
 A little reflection will show how limitless 
 was the field of speculation that was opened 
 by this news. Beyond the bare fact, as I have 
 said, that the custodians of Otto Relstaub 
 came from and went toward the west, little, if 
 any thing, was known. Their hunting grounds 
 may have been not far away on the confines of 
 the present state of Kansas or the Indian Nation, 
 or traversing those hundreds of miles of terri- 
 tory, they may have built their tepees around 
 the headwaters of the Arkansas, in Colorado 
 (as now called), New Mexico or the Llano Es- 
 tacado of Texas. It was not to be supposed 
 that they had come from any point beyond, 
 since that would have required the passage of 
 the Rocky Mountains — a feat doubtless often 
 performed by red men, before the American 
 Pathfinder led his little band across that formid- 
 able barrier, but the theory that Otto's new 
 masters traveled from beyond, was too unrea- 
 sonable to be accepted. 
 
 Yet from the little camp where the three 
 persons were lounging, it was more than half a 
 
20 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 thousand miles to tlie Rocky Mountains, while 
 the territory stretched far to the north and 
 south, so that an army might lose itself beyond 
 recovery in the vast wilderness. 
 
 The task, therefore, which faced them at 
 the beginning w^as to learn whither the four 
 warriors had gone wath the hapless Otto. 
 
 It need not be said that none understood 
 this necessity better than Deerfoot himself. 
 Consequently he drew from Hay-uta, the Sauk, 
 every particle of knowledge which he pos- 
 sessed ; that, however, amounted to little more 
 than has already been told. But that which 
 the Shawanoe sought was a full account of 
 their dress, their looks, arms and accouter- 
 ments — such an account being more important 
 to the young w^arrior than would be supposed. 
 
 The information he gained may be summed 
 up : the strangers were taller, more powerful 
 and better formed than Sauks. Each carried a 
 rifle, tomahawk and knife as his w^eapons ; 
 they had blankets, and their clothing, while 
 nearly the same as that of the Sauks, was of a 
 darker and more sober color. They had no 
 beads or ornaments ; their leggings, moccasins. 
 
A VALUABLE ALLY. 21 
 
 and the fringe of their hunting shirts, were less 
 gaudy in color than those of the other party. 
 Their moccasins were well worn, from v\^hich it 
 was fair to infer they had traveled a long 
 distance. 
 
 Hay-uta stated another fact which should be 
 known : when the two parties discovered each 
 other, the strangers showed a desire to engage 
 in a fight, not that there was any special cause 
 for so doing, but as may be said, on general 
 principles. Though the Sauks were five to 
 their four, they were afraid of the strangers, 
 and they opened the negotiations for the trans- 
 fer of Otto, with a view of diverting hostile 
 intentions. The Sauks had the reputation 
 of being brave and warlike, but they did not 
 feel safe until many miles of trackless woods 
 lay between them and the strangers. 
 
 So much, therefore, was known, and surely it 
 was little enough. Hay-uta added the remark 
 that as nearly as he could tell, Deerfoot and 
 Jack were close to the very path which the 
 strangers had taken on their way home. It 
 might be they were on the trail itself, if such 
 a thing be deemed possible, where no footprints 
 
22 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 in the forest existed, for since the passage of 
 the four dusky aliens and their prisoner, tlie 
 wilderness had been swept by storms which 
 had not left the slightest trace on the leaves 
 that could be followed, and, though our friends 
 might be stepping in their very tracks, it was 
 hardly possible that the lynx eyes of the young 
 warrior could detect it. 
 
 When Deerfoot and Hay-uta had talked 
 awhile longer, the former turned to Jack and 
 amazed him by the remark : 
 
 "Hay-uta will go with us to give what helj) 
 he can to find our brother who is lost." 
 
 The news was as pleasant as it was surpris- 
 ing. It did seem singular that the one who 
 had helped take Otto Relstaub prisoner, and 
 then sold him to strangers, should now offer to 
 do what he could to bring back the lad to his 
 friends. He could not fail to be a valuable 
 ally, for, though vanquished by Deerfoot, he 
 ranked among the best warriors of his people. 
 
 "I wonder what led him to volunteer ? " said 
 Jack. 
 
 "Deerfoot asked him, and he was kind 
 enough to do so." 
 
A VALUABLE ALLY. 23 
 
 " That's because you overcame him." 
 
 The young Shawanoe had given a short 
 account of his extraordinary meeting with 
 Hay-uta, when the older warrior tried to take 
 his life, but Jack knew nothing more than the 
 main incident. He had not been told of the 
 aboriginal sermon which Deerfoot delivered on 
 that "auspicious occasion". 
 
 It was only natural that the Sauk should feel 
 a strong admiration for the remarkable youth, 
 but the Word which Deerfoot expounded to him 
 had far more to do with his seeking the com- 
 panionship of the Shawanoe. 
 
 The latter made no answer to the remark of 
 Jack, but turning toward Hay-uta continued 
 the conversation which had been broken several 
 times. Young Carleton, believing there was 
 nothing for him to do, spread his blanket near 
 the fire, and, lying down, so as to infold him- 
 self from head to feet, was not long in sinking 
 into slumber. 
 
 Ordinarily his rest would not have been 
 broken, for his confidence in Deerfoot was so 
 strong, that he felt fully as safe as if lying at 
 home in his own bed, but, from some slight 
 
24 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 cause, he gradually regained liis senses, until 
 lie recalled where he was. He was lying with 
 his back to the blaze, but the reflection on the 
 leaves in front, showed the fire was burning 
 briskly. He heard too, the low murmur of a 
 voice, which he knew belonged to Deerfoot. 
 
 "What mischief can be going on? "he 
 asked himself, silently turning his head, so 
 that he could look across to his friend. 
 
 The scene was one which could never be for- 
 gotten. Deerfoot was lying or rather reclining 
 on one side, the upper part of his body resting 
 on his elbow, so that his shoulders and head 
 were several inches above the ground. In the 
 hand of the arm which thus supported him, 
 was held his little Bible, the light from the 
 camp-fire falling on the page, from which he 
 was reading in his low, musical voice — that is 
 he was translating the English into the Sauk 
 tongue, seeking to put the words in such shape 
 that the listener could understand them. It 
 would be hard to imagine a more difiicult task. 
 
 Between Deerfoot and Jack was stretched 
 the Sauk, his posture such that his features 
 were in sight. He lay on his face, his arms 
 
A VALUABLE ALLY. 25 
 
 half folded under his chest, so that his 
 shoulders were also held clear of the ground. 
 His dark eyes were fixed upon the countenance 
 of the Shawanoe youth, with a rapt expression 
 that made him unconscious of every thing else. 
 Into that heart was penetrating the partial 
 light of a mystery which mortal man has never 
 fully solved ; he was learning the great lesson 
 beside which all others sink into insignifi- 
 cance. 
 
 Jack Carleton moved as softly as he could, 
 so as to view the picture without bodily dis- 
 comfort. Deerfoot glanced at him, without 
 checking himself, but Hay-uta heard him not. 
 Watchful and vigilant as he was, an enemy 
 might have stolen forward and driven his tom- 
 ahawk through his brain, without any thought 
 on his part of his peril. 
 
 ' ' I wish I could understand what Deerfoot is 
 saying," was the thought of Jack, whose eyes 
 filled at the touching sight. 
 
 " A full-blooded Indian is urging the Chris- 
 tian religion on another Indian. Even I, who 
 have a praying mother, have been reproved by 
 him, and with good cause too." 
 
26 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 By and by the senses of the young Ken- 
 tucJiian left him, and again he slept. This time 
 he did not open his eyes until broad day» 
 li^ht. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE CAMP OF THE STRANGEES. 
 
 THE expedition on which Jack Carleton 
 entered with his two companions prom- 
 ised to be similar in many respects to those 
 which have been already described. It looked 
 indeed as if it would be more dull, and, for a 
 while, such was the fact, but it was not long 
 before matters took a turn as extraordinary 
 as unexpected, and which quickly led the 
 Kentuckian to conclude that it was, after all, 
 the most eventful enterprise of his life. 
 
 For nearly three days the westward journey 
 was without incident which need be given in 
 detail. They SAvam several streams of water, 
 climbed and descended elevations and shot 
 such game as they required. The weapon of 
 Hay-uta proved to be fully as excellent as it 
 looked. Though its flintlock and single muz- 
 
28 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 zle-loading barrel would have made a sorry 
 show in the presence of our improved modern 
 weapons, yet it was capable of sjDlendid execu- 
 tion. Jack Carleton was a fine marksman, but 
 in a friendly contest in which the three 
 engaged, the Sauk beat him almost every time. 
 That this was due to the superiority of his gun 
 was proven by the fact that when they 
 exchanged rifles, the young Kentuckian never 
 failed to beat the other, and the beauty of the 
 whole proceeding was that when Deerf oot took 
 the handsome weapon, he vanquished both ; 
 in fact he did it with the gun belonging to Jack 
 Carleton. 
 
 Though the young Shawanoe clung to his 
 bow, it was clear to his companions that he 
 admired the new piece. He turned it over and 
 examined every part, as though it possessed a 
 special attraction. 
 
 '^ Deerf oot," said Jack, pinching his arm, 
 **you could beat William Tell himself, if he 
 were living, with the bow, but what's the use 
 of talking ? It can' t compare with the rifle and 
 you know it. Just because a gun of yours 
 once flashed in the pan, you threw it away and 
 
THE CAMP OF THE STEA]S^GERS. 29 
 
 took up the bow again, but it was a mistake, 
 all the same." 
 
 '' One of these days Deerfoot may use the 
 riHe," he answered, as if talking to himself, 
 "but not yet — not yet." 
 
 Little did he suspect how close he was to the 
 crisis which would lead him to a decision on 
 that question. 
 
 Toward the close of the three days referred 
 to, the trio were in what is to-day the south- 
 western corner of Missouri. Had the time been 
 a hundred years later, they would have had to 
 go but a short distance to cross the border line 
 into Kansas. 
 
 A remarkable feature of their journey to that 
 point, was the fact that, while making the dis- 
 tance, they had not seen a single person besides 
 themselves. Not once, when they climbed a 
 tree or elevation and carefully scanned the 
 country, did they catch sight of the smoke of 
 a solitary camp-fire creeping upward toward 
 the blue sky. They heard the crack of no 
 gun beside their own, and the keen eyes 
 which glanced to the right and left, as they 
 trod the endless wilderness, failed to detect 
 
80 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 the figure of tlie stealthily moving war- 
 rior. 
 
 This was singular, for there w^ere plenty of 
 Indians afc that day west of the Mississippi, 
 and it would be hard to find a section through 
 which such a long journey could be made with- 
 out coming upon red men. But at the end of 
 the three days, our friends could not com- 
 plain that there was any lack of dusky 
 strangers. 
 
 It was near the middle of the afternoon, when 
 finding themselves in a dense portion of the 
 wood, on a considerable elevation, they decided 
 to ' ' take another observation " . To Jack Car- 
 leton it looked as if they were engaged on a 
 hopeless errand, and, but for his unbounded 
 faith in Deerfoot, he would have turned back 
 long before in despair ; it would be more 
 proper indeed to say, that he never would have 
 entered alone on such an enterprise. 
 
 There was no need for the three to climb a 
 tree, so two stood on the ground while Deer- 
 foot made his way among the limbs with the 
 nimbleness of a monkey. 
 
 He went to the very top, and balancing him- 
 
THE CAMP OF THE STRANGERS. 31 
 
 self on the swaying limb carefully parted the 
 branches before his face. His penetrating glance 
 was rewarded by a sight which caused an 
 amazed " hooh ! " to fall from his lips. 
 
 A little ways to the westward flowed a rapid 
 stream, a hundred yards wide. The other 
 shore, for a rod or two, was bare of trees and 
 vegetation, except some stunted grass, and in 
 this open space was encamped a party of 
 Indians. The sentinel in the tree counted 
 eleven, and suspected there were others who 
 just then were not in sight. Though it lacked 
 several hours of darkness and the air was 
 pleasant, they had started a fire, big enough 
 to warm a large space. Some of them seemed 
 to have been fishing in the stream, for they had 
 broiled a number of fish on the coals, and the 
 nostrils of the young Shawanoe detected their 
 appetizing odor. 
 
 Under ordinary circumstances there would 
 have been nothing specially interesting in the 
 group, but Deerfoot had studied them but a 
 minute or two when he became convinced that 
 they belonged to the same tribe which held 
 Otto Relstaub a prisoner. Their dress, looks, 
 
32 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 and general appearance answered the descrip- 
 tion given by Hay-nta. 
 
 The heart of tlie youth beat faster over the 
 thought that probably the four warriors whom 
 he was seeking to follow w^ere among them, 
 and the fate of the German lad was about to 
 be solved. He glanced down the trunk of the 
 tree, and saw Jack Carleton and the Sauk 
 standing on the ground and looking up at him, 
 as though they suspected from his manner that 
 some important discovery had been made. 
 Without speaking, Deerfoot beckoned to the 
 warrior to join him. The next instant the 
 fellow was climbing among the limbs with such 
 vigor that Deerfoot felt the jar at the very top. 
 
 Their combined weight was too great for such 
 an elevation, and the younger perched himself 
 somewhat lower, so as to give Hay-uta the 
 advantage. A few w^ords made knowm what 
 Deerfoot had seen and that he Avished the 
 elder to answer the questions wdiich the Shaw- 
 anoe had asked himself. 
 
 Hay-uta was as guarded in his actions as 
 Deerfoot could have been. He spent several 
 minutes in a study of the group on the other 
 
THE CAMP OF THE STRAXGEKS. 33 
 
 side of the stream. Had lie and the Shawanoe 
 suspected they were so close to a camp of red 
 men, neither would have climbed the tree, for 
 little, if any thing, was to be gained by doing 
 so ; the strangers could have been scrutinized 
 from the ground as well as from the elevation. 
 It was a noteworthy fact that two such skillful 
 woodmen as Hay-uta and Deerfoot should 
 approach so close to another party without dis- 
 covering it. 
 
 While Hay-uta was inspecting the warriors, 
 Deerfoot quietly awaited him on a limb some 
 ten feet below, and Jack Carleton, peering iilof t 
 from the ground until his neck ached, wondered 
 what it all meant. 
 
 The Sauk softly withdrew the hand extended 
 in front of his face, and the leaves came to- 
 gether with scarcely a rustle. With several 
 long reaches of his arms and legs, he placed 
 himself beside his friend below and told what 
 he had learned. The two of course talked in the 
 Indian tongue and I give a liberal translation : 
 
 " What does my brother know?" asked 
 
 Deerfoot. 
 
 " They belong to the tribe who took the 
 c 
 
34 FOOTPRII^TS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 pale-face ; Hay-uta knows not their name, but 
 their looks show it." 
 
 " Then their village can not be far away." 
 
 " We must learn that of a surety for our- 
 selves ; two warriors among them are the same 
 that gave us the wampum and blankets for the 
 pale-face boy." 
 
 " Does my brother make no error ? " asked 
 Deerfoot, surprised to be told they were so 
 close upon the heels of a couple of the very red 
 men whom they scarcely hoped to find. 
 
 But the suspicion that such was the fact 
 caused the Sauk to keep up his scrutiny until 
 no doubt was left. He assured Deerfoot of the 
 truth, adding that the taller was the one who 
 handed over the wampum, and who showed 
 such a willingness to draw the Sauks into a fight 
 without waiting for provocation. 
 
 This was news of moment and raised several 
 questions which the friends discussed while 
 perched in the tree. If two of the original 
 warriors were present, where were the others ? 
 Was it not likely they were out of sight only for 
 the time being ? It seemed probable that the 
 four while journeying toward their own hunting 
 
THE CAMP OF THE STRAIS'GERS. 35 
 
 grounds, had joined a company of friends, 
 with whom they were making the rest of the 
 trip. 
 
 Then followed the question. What of Otto 
 Relstaub f Varied as might be the answers to 
 the question, all the probabilities pointed to 
 his death, and that, too, in the most painful 
 manner ; but it was idle to grope in the field of 
 conjecture. It was for the friends to decide on 
 the means of learning the truth. 
 
 In the hope of getting more knowledge, 
 Deerfoot again climbed to the highest point, 
 and studied the group on the other side of the 
 stream ; but was disappointed, and he and 
 Hay-uta made their way to the ground, where 
 Jack Carleton was told all. 
 
 The eyes of the young Kentnckian expanded, 
 and, when the story was finished, he exclaimed 
 in a guarded voice : 
 
 *' They've got Otto — of course they have." 
 
 The expression of the Shawanoe' s face showed 
 he was not sure of the meaning of his friend, 
 who added : 
 
 ^ ' The whole four that had charge of him are 
 with those fellows, and, if Otto isn't there also 
 
36 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 we may as well give np and go back, for lie is 
 no longer alive." 
 
 Deerfoot made no answer, but Jack was sure 
 he shared the fear with him. 
 
 A discussion of the situation and the difficul- 
 ties before them, led the two warriors to decide 
 on a curious line of action. 
 
 It was agreed that one should cross boldly 
 over and mingle with the strangers, while the 
 other should reconnoitre the camp and learn 
 what he could, without allowing himself to 
 be seen. 
 
 It would be supposed that, inasmuch as Hay- 
 uta was acquainted with two of the Indians, 
 and had parted from them on friendly terms, 
 he would be selected to enter camp, while 
 Deerfoot' s matchless woodcraft would lead to 
 his selection to work outside ; but these situa- 
 tions were reversed. 
 
 Since the strangers had journeyed far to the 
 eastward into the hunting grounds of the Sauks 
 and Osages (probably to the very shore of the 
 great Mississippi), it followed that no surprise 
 should be felt by them to find that some equally 
 inquiring red man had travelled toward the 
 
THE CAMP OF THE STRANGERS. 37 
 
 Rocky Moimtains, with a view of seeing tlie 
 strange land and its people. It was the inten- 
 tion of the young Shawanoe to assume such a 
 part. Should any mishap befall Hay-uta, he 
 would give out that he was engaged on a 
 similar mission, and not knowing he was near 
 friends, he was reconnoitring the party from 
 a safer distance. 
 
 There were several reasons for this reversal 
 of duties, as they may be called, but it is nec- 
 essary to give only one or two. The appearance 
 of Hay-uta among them most likely would raise 
 suspicion that it bore some relation to the 
 captive Otto. The red men, therefore, would 
 be put upon their guard and the difficulty of 
 securing him — if alive — greatly increased. 
 
 But the strongest reason was that Deerfoot 
 would be sure to do better when brought in 
 contact with the Indians. He was greatly the 
 superior of the Sauk in mental gifts, and, Avith 
 his remarkable power of reading sign language, 
 would be sure to extract knowledge that was 
 beyond the reach of Hay-uta. 
 
 Having decided on the course they were to 
 follow, no time was lost in talking over the plan 
 
38 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOKEST. 
 
 agreed upon. Jack Carleton was informed of 
 the particulars by Deerfoot. 
 
 "I suppose it's the best thing to be done, 
 though my opinion don't amount to much in 
 this crowd. What am /to do ? " 
 
 " My brother may sleep," said the Shawanoe, 
 with that slight apx)roach to humor which he 
 sometimes showed. 
 
 ' ' Yes ; I would do a great deal of sleeping ; 
 but go ahead and I'll be on the lookout for 
 you. I don't suppose you can tell when you 
 are likely to get back ? ' ' 
 
 Deerfoot shook his head, but intimated that 
 he hoped to learn all that he sought to know 
 before the coming night should end. 
 
 A few minutes previous to this, Hay-uta had 
 walked down the stream, keeping so far 
 back that he could not be seen by any one on 
 the other side. The Shawanoe took the oppo- 
 site direction, the purpose of each being to act 
 independently, and, in case circumstances 
 brought them together in the presence of the 
 aliens, the agreement was that Sauk and 
 Shawanoe should comport themselves as though 
 they had never met before. 
 
THE CAMP OF THE STRAXGERS. 39 
 
 When the time should come for the scouts, as 
 they may be called, to return to the shore from 
 which they started, they would have no trouble 
 in finding Jack Carleton, with whom it was 
 easy to communicate by means of signals. The 
 most trying task was that of the young Ken- 
 tuckian himself, who was left without any em- 
 ployment for mind or body. 
 
 Deerfoot walked several hundred yards up 
 stream until he had passed a bend, where he 
 swam across. He kept his bow so far above 
 surface that the string was not wetted. 
 
 When he had surveyed himself, as best he 
 could, he walked in the direction of the camp 
 of the hostiles, as he more than suspected they 
 should be classed. Had any one noticed him 
 just then, he would have observed that the 
 Shawanoe walked with a limp, as though suffer- 
 ing from some injury. 
 
 The readers of "IS'ed in the Block House," 
 will recall that Deerfoot once saved his life by 
 feigning lameness, and the youth saw nothing 
 to lose and possibly much to gain by such 
 strategy in the enterprise on which he was 
 engaged. 
 
CHAPTER lY. 
 
 THE Q U A R E E L. 
 
 DEERFOOT was by no means free from 
 misgivings when lie limped from the 
 woods, and, crossing the narrow space that 
 lined the stream, advanced to the camp-fire 
 around which the warriors were lounging. 
 
 Their appearance showed they were doughty 
 fighters, and what Hay-uta had told proved 
 the same thing. But the Shawanoe had no 
 fear that they would rush upon and overwhelm 
 him, and he had been in too many perilous 
 situations to hesitate before any duty. 
 
 The Indians turned their heads and surveyed 
 him as he walked unevenly forward, holding 
 his bow in one hand, and making signs of 
 comity with the other. They showed no sur- 
 prise, for such was not their custom ; but 
 stoical and guarded as they were, Deerfoot 
 could see they felt considerable curiosity, and 
 the fact that he carried a bow instead of a gun 
 
THE QUARREL. 41 
 
 must liave struck them as singular, for he 
 came from the East, where the white men had 
 their settlements, and such weapons were 
 easily obtained. These strange Indians had 
 firearms, though beyond them in the far West 
 were thousands who had never seen a pale- 
 face. 
 
 Deerf oof s friendly salutations were answered 
 in the same spirit, and he shook hands with 
 each of the eleven warriors, who seemed accus- 
 tomed to the civilized fashion. He seated him- 
 self a short distance from the fire, so as to 
 form one of the dozen which encircled it. No 
 food was offered the visitor, but when one of 
 the strangers handed him his long-stemmed 
 pipe, Deerf oot accepted and indulged in several 
 whiffs from the red clay bowl. 
 
 The two warriors whom Hay-uta had pointed 
 out as members of the party that had bought 
 Otto Relstaub from the Sauks, were objects of 
 much interest to the youth. They could not 
 have observed it, but he scanned them closely, 
 and when he sat down, managed to place him- 
 self between them— one being on the right, 
 and the other on the left. 
 
42 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Thus far, hosts and guest had spoken only 
 by signs, but a surprise came to Deerfoot when 
 the warrior on his right addressed him in 
 language which he understood. 
 
 "My brother has journeyed far to visit the 
 hunting grounds of his brothers, the Pawnees." 
 
 The words of the warrior made known the 
 fact that the party belonged to the Pawnee 
 tribe, but the amazing feature of his remark 
 was that it was made in Deerfoot' s own tongue 
 — the Shawanoe. The youth turned like a 
 flash the instant the first word fell upon his 
 ear. He knew well enough that no one around 
 him belonged to that tribe, but well might he 
 wonder where this savage had gained his 
 knowledge of the language of the warlike 
 people on the other side of the Mississippi. 
 
 "My brother speaks with the Shawanoe 
 tongue," said Deerfoot, with no effort to hide 
 his astonishment. 
 
 "When Lone Bear was a child," said the 
 other, as if willing to clear up the mystery, 
 ' ' he was taken across the great river into the 
 hunting grounds of the Shawanoes ; he went 
 with a party of Pawnee hunters, but the 
 
THE QUARREL. 43 
 
 Shawanoes killed them and took young Lone 
 Bear to their lodges." 
 
 ''The Shawanoes are brave," remarked 
 Deerf oot, his eyes kindling with natural pride. 
 
 "Lone Bear staid many moons in the lodges 
 of the Shawanoes, but one night he rose from 
 his sleep, slew the warrior and his squaw, and 
 made haste toward the great river ; he swam 
 across and hunted for many suns till he found 
 his people." 
 
 If this statement was fact, it told a striking 
 story, but Deerf oot doubted its truth. The 
 reason was that, judging from the age of the 
 warrior, the exploit must have taken place 
 when Deerfoot was very young, if not before 
 he was born. The cax)ture of a Pawnee youth 
 and his escape in the manner named, formed 
 an episode so interesting that it would have 
 been spoken of many times during the early 
 boyhood of Deerfoot, who ought to have heard 
 of it, but he was sure that this was the first 
 time the story had fallen on his ears. Deer- 
 foot's sagacity told him that Lone Bear, as he 
 called himself, was the only Pawnee who 
 understood a word of their conversation ; that 
 
44 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 much was evident to the eye. It might be, too, 
 that there was a good deal of truth in the 
 words of the warrior. At any rate, it was 
 easy to test him. 
 
 ^' Did Lone Bear dwell with Allomaug? " 
 
 ^'Allomaug was a brave chief; he was the 
 father of my brother Deerfoot, who is fleeter 
 of foot than the wild buck." 
 
 That settled it. The reader will remember 
 that Allomaug was the parent of the youth, 
 and that he was a noted sachem among the 
 Shawanoes. Lone Bear had told such a 
 straight story that Deerfoot was convinced 
 that he must have dwelt at one time among his 
 peoi^le. 
 
 All this was supplemented by the fact that 
 Deerfoot himself was recognized and addressed 
 by the name he had received from the white 
 people. The young Shawanoe half expected 
 the other to make some reference to the 
 youth's escape from Waughtauk and his re- 
 vengeful warriors, but Lone Bear had no 
 knowledge of that episode, which took place 
 long after his flight from the tribe. Deerfoot 
 was puzzled to know by what means the 
 
THE QUARREL. 45 
 
 warrior identified him, when he was certain 
 he had never seen Lone Bear nntil he sur- 
 veyed him a short time before from the tree- 
 top. 
 
 Deerfoot noticed that during their conversa- 
 tion, the others seemed to listen with as much 
 interest as the American Indians ever allow 
 themselves to show, and Lone Bear, now and 
 then, turned and addressed them in their own 
 tongue. When he did so, he spoke to the 
 whole group and every word was strange to 
 Deerfoot. While the latter could understand 
 a number of dialects used by the tribes west 
 as well as east of the Mississipjii, he knew 
 nothing of that of the Pawnees. 
 
 " Why does Deerfoot wander so far from his 
 hunting grounds ? ' ' asked Lone Bear. 
 
 "Deerfoot has not wandered as far as the 
 Pawnees," was the truthful reply of the 
 Shawanoe. " He once lived beyond the great 
 river, but he lives not there now." 
 
 The Pawnee looked as though he suspected 
 Deerfoot was telling him fiction, but he was 
 too shrewd to express any such thought. 
 
 "W^here are the companions of my 
 
46 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 brother?" was the pointed question of Lone 
 Bear. 
 
 '" Deerfoot is alone and his companion is the 
 Great Spirit." 
 
 The reader will observe that the reply of the 
 Shawanoe partook of the nature of a falsehood, 
 inasmuch as it was accepted by Lone Bear 
 (and such was Deerfoot's purpose), as a de- 
 claration that he had travelled the whole dis- 
 tance alone. Enough has been told to show the 
 extreme conscientiousness of the young Shaw- 
 anoe, and no danger could lead him to recoil 
 from duty. He had imperilled himself many 
 a time from that very motive, but he believed 
 it right to do his best to deceive Lone Bear. 
 In fact, his visit was of itself a piece of decep- 
 tion. 
 
 ''Why does Deerfoot come to the camp of 
 the Pawnees?" continued Lone Bear, as 
 though his guest was on the witness stand. 
 
 "Not many suns ago the Sauk warriors 
 made captives of two pale-faced youths ; one 
 of them has come back to his people, but the 
 other has not. He was a friend of Deerfoot ; 
 he went among the Sauks, but his friend was 
 
THE QUAREEL. 47 
 
 not there ; he was told that he had been bar- 
 tered for wampum and blankets and beads to 
 the Pawnees. Can Lone Bear tell Deerfoot of 
 his friend ? ' ' 
 
 This was coming to the point at once, but it 
 was the wiser course. Deerfoot saw that any- 
 other statement he might make would be 
 doubted, as most probably was the explanation 
 itself. He looked into the face of Lone Bear, 
 so as to study his expression, while answering 
 the question. 
 
 ' ' The words of my brother sound strange to 
 the ears of Lone Bear ; he has not seen his 
 pale-faced friend." 
 
 "Has not Tie seen him \ " immediately asked 
 Deerfoot, pointing to the Pawnee on the other 
 side. 
 
 Lone Bear exchanged words for two or three 
 minutes with the latter, and then replied to 
 the visitor. 
 
 " Eagle-of -the-Rocks has not seen the pale- 
 face friend of my brother ; he and Lone Bear 
 have staid with their Pawnee brothers ; they 
 have met no pale-faces in many moons." 
 
 Here was a direct contradiction of what 
 
48 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Hay-uta had told. It might seem that the 
 Sauk had mistaken the identity of Lone Bear 
 and Eagle-of-the-Eocks, and had there been 
 but one of them in question, it was possible ; 
 but Deerfoot was satisfied that no such error 
 had been made. Hay-uta was positive respect- 
 ing both, and he could not have committed a 
 double error. 
 
 Furthermore, the study of the Pawnee's 
 face convinced Deerfoot that Lone Bear was 
 lying to him, though to ordinary eyes the ex- 
 pression of the warrior' s face was like that of 
 stone. 
 
 Why this falsehood should have been used 
 was beyond the power of the Shawanoe to 
 guess. The band was so far from the settle- 
 ments that they could feel no fear from white 
 men. Nevertheless, Deerfoot was sure that, 
 had Lone Bear chosen, he could have told every 
 thing necessary to know about Otto Relstaub. 
 
 Two answers to the query presented them- 
 selves : the poor lad had either been slain or 
 he had been turned over to the custody of still 
 another party of Indians. As for escape, that 
 was out of the question. 
 
THE QUARREL. 49 
 
 The probability that the Pawnees had put 
 Otto to death occurred to Deerfoot more than 
 once, and while seated on the ground, he had 
 looked for signs that might show what had 
 been done. There were several scalps dangling 
 at the girdles of the warriors, but the hair of 
 each was long, black and wiry, showing that 
 it had been torn from the crown of one of their 
 own race. The yellow tresses of the German 
 lad would have been noticed at once by Deer- 
 foot. 
 
 The latter was angered by the course of 
 Lone Bear, who had told an untruth, without, 
 so far as Deerfoot could see, any proper motive. 
 So sure was the youth on this point, that he 
 did not hesitate to tell the Indian his 
 belief. 
 
 " My brother. Lone Bear, has spoken, but 
 with a double tongue. He and Eagle-of-the- 
 Rocks have seen my pale-faced friend ; they 
 gave the beads and wampum for him ; Deer- 
 foot knows it ; Deerfoot has spoken." 
 
 Lone Bear, like all his race and the most of 
 ours, Avas one of those who looked upon the 
 charge of falsehood (especially if true) as a 
 
50 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 deadly insult. His dull, broad face seemed 
 to crimson beneath its paint, and turning partly 
 toward the daring youth, he grasped the handle 
 of his knife. 
 
 " Dog of a Shawanoe ! Who bade you come 
 to the camp of the Pawnees? Do you think 
 we are squaws who are ill, that we will let a 
 dog bark at our heels without kicking him from 
 our path?" 
 
 Lone Bear talked louder and faster with each 
 word, until w^hen the last passed his lips, he 
 was in a passion. He had faced clear round, 
 so that he glowered upon the youth. He now 
 rose to his feet and Deerfoot, seeing that 
 trouble was at hand, did the same. As he 
 came up, he took care to limp painfully and to 
 stand as though unable to bear any part of his 
 body's weight on the injured leg. 
 
 ' ' Lone Bear is as brave as the fawn that 
 runs to its mother, when it hears the cry of 
 the hound ; he is in the camp of his friends 
 and it makes him brave ; but if he stood 
 alone before Deerfoot, then would his heart 
 tremble and he w^ould ask Deerfoot to spare 
 him ! ' ' 
 
THE QUARREL. 51 
 
 No more exasperating language could be 
 framed than that which Avas uttered by the 
 young Shawanoe. He meant that it should fire 
 Lone Bear and he succeeded, 
 
CHAPTER Y. 
 
 SHAWANOE VS. PAWNEE. 
 
 WHY it was Deerfoot sought a quarrel 
 with the Pawnee can not be made fully 
 clear. I incline to believe that his quick 
 penetration detected signs among the warriors 
 that they did not mean to let him withdraw, 
 when he should seek to do so, and his plan was 
 to use the quarrel as a shield to thwart their 
 purpose. This may seem a strained explana- 
 tion but let us see how it worked. 
 
 It is not impossible that the wonderful young 
 warrior brought about the disturbance in what 
 may be called pure wantonness ; that is, his con- 
 fidence in his own prowess led him to invite a 
 contest, which scarcely any other person would 
 dare seek. 
 
 His last words were the spark to the mag- 
 azine. The knife griped by Lone Bear was 
 snatched from his girdle, and he sprang for- 
 
SHAWANOE VS. PAWNEE. 53 
 
 ward, striking with lightning-like viciousness 
 at the chest of the Shawanoe, who avoided him 
 with half an eifort. 
 
 In dodging the blow, the youth moved back- 
 ward and to one side, so as to bring all the war- 
 riors in front, and to leave open his line of retreat. 
 He had been as quick as Lone Bear to draw his 
 weapon, but he did not counter the blow — 
 that is to an effective extent. He struck his 
 antagonist in the face, but only with the han- 
 dle of the weapon. Perhaps a pugilist would 
 have said that the younger "heeled" the other. 
 
 The stroke was a smart one, and delivered 
 as it was on the nose, intensified, by its indig- 
 nity, the fury of Lone Bear. He lost all self- 
 control, as Deerf oot meant he should do. 
 
 This flurry, as may be supposed, centred the 
 interest of the others upon the two. The quar- 
 rel started as suddenly as it sometimes does 
 among a group of fowl, and, before it was 
 understood, the combatants, with drawn knives 
 were facing each other. Few sights are more 
 entertaining to men than that of a fight. The 
 Pawnees in an instant were on their feet, with 
 eyes fixed on the scene. 
 
54 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 It must be believed that every one of the 
 eleven Pawnees was sure it was out of Deer- 
 foot's power to elude the vengeance of Lone 
 Bear. The only fear of the ten was that he 
 would dispatch the youth so quickly that much 
 of their enjoyment would be lost. When they 
 saw him strike Lone Bear in the face, a general 
 shout of derision went up at the elder antago- 
 nist, for permitting such an outrage. This did 
 not add to the good temper of Lone Bear, who 
 compressed his lips, wdiile his eyes seemed to 
 shoot lightning, as he bounded at Deerfoot, 
 intending to crush him to the earth and to 
 stamp life from him. 
 
 But even though the youth seemed to be 
 lame, he leaped backward and again escaped 
 him. Lone Bear dashed forward, to force him 
 down, but Deerfoot kept limping away just 
 fast enough to continue beyond the reach of 
 his enemy. 
 
 ' ' Lone Bear runs like the fowl that has but 
 one 'ieg,^^ was the odd remark of Deerfoot, who 
 pointed the finger of his left hand at the 
 other's face by way of tantalizing him. 
 
 But the fierce Pawnee was now pursuing so 
 
SHAWAXOE VS. PAWXEE. 55 
 
 swiftly that Deerfoot had to whirl about and 
 run with his face from him. He still limped, 
 though had any one studied his gait, the trick 
 would have been detected ; but the sight 
 of Lone Bear chasing a lame youth and fail- 
 ing to overtake him, did not calm his 
 rage. 
 
 The warrior, however, was fleet, and marvel- 
 ous as was the speed of the young Shawanoe, 
 he was compelled to put forth considerable 
 exertion to keep beyond his reach. His course 
 took him quite close to the edge of the wood, 
 along which he ran, so that, should it become 
 necessary, he could leap among the trees. He 
 watched his pursuer over his shoulder, to pre- 
 vent his coming too close. His plan was to 
 keep just beyond his reach and tempt him to 
 the utmost effort. 
 
 Faster and faster went the fugitive, while 
 the pursuer desperately put forth every effort, 
 maddened beyond expression that the out- 
 stretched hand failed only by a few inches to 
 grasp the flying Deerfoot. The spectators were 
 amused to the last degree. Expecting quite a 
 chase, they ran forward, as persons along shore 
 
56 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 follow a boat race, so as not to lose a phase 
 of the struggle. 
 
 In the depths of his wrath, Lone Bear 
 regained something of his self-command, and 
 called to mind the stories he had heard of the 
 fleetness of the young Shawanoe. That, with 
 the fact that there was no longer the least halt 
 in his gait, told the disadvantage in which the 
 pursuer was placed. 
 
 If he could not reach the Shawanoe with his 
 knife, he could with his tomahawk or his rifle. 
 Hastily thrusting back the knife, he whipped 
 out his tomahawk and raising it over his 
 shoulder, hurled it with might and main at 
 the crown surmounted by the stained eagle 
 feathers and streaming black hair. At that 
 moment, pursuer and fugitive were scarcely 
 ten feet apart. 
 
 But Deerf oot knew what was coming, and the 
 instant the missile left the hand of Lone Bear, 
 he dropped flat on his side, as if smitten by a 
 thunderbolt. The shouting Pawnees, who 
 were some distance behind, sujiposed his skull 
 had been cloven by the fiercely-driven toma- 
 hawk, but it was not so. 
 
SHAWAXOE VS. PATVNEE. 57 
 
 Lone Bear did not see the trick of Deerfoot 
 in time to escape its purpose. The fall was so 
 sudden, that before he could check himself, 
 his moccasin struck the prostrate figure, and 
 he sprawled headlong over him, heels in the 
 air, and with a momentum almost violent 
 enough to cause him to overtake the tomahawk 
 that had sped end over end several rods in 
 advance. 
 
 Before the Pawnee could rise, Deerfoot 
 bounded up, sprang forward, and, iilacing 
 one foot on the head of Lone Bear, leaped 
 high in air and spun around so as to face the 
 party. Brandishing his bow aloft, he emitted 
 a shout of defiance and called out : 
 
 ^' Why do not the Pawnees run ? Is none of 
 their warriors fleet enough to seize Deerfoot 
 when he is lame?" 
 
 The only one of the company who could 
 understand these questions was the slightly 
 stunned Lone Bear, who just then was climb- 
 ing to his feet ; but the gestures and manner 
 of the fugitive told the meaning of the per- 
 formance. 
 
 The young Shawanoe stood still on the edge 
 
58 rOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 of the wood, as if to show his contempt for 
 the Pawnees, who before Lone Bear could 
 recover from his discomfiture, sped forward in 
 pursuit. One of them emitted several whoops, 
 which Deerf oot half suspected were meant as a 
 signal, though of course he could not be sure 
 of their meaning. 
 
 It seemed like tempting fate to stand motion- 
 less, when only a few seconds were required to 
 bring his enemies to the spot, but Deerfoot 
 waited till Lone Bear was erect again, when he 
 called to him, 
 
 ''The heart of Deerfoot is sad because Lone 
 Bear can not run without falling ; let him go 
 to the lodges of the Pawnees and ask the 
 squaws to teach him how to run." 
 
 Lone Bear made no reply, for it is safe to say 
 he could not "do justice to his feelings". 
 Few Indian tongues contain words that 
 answer for expletives, which in one sense was 
 fortunate and in another unfortunate for Lone 
 Bear. 
 
 When several of the pursuers brought their 
 guns to their shoulders, Deerfoot shot like an 
 arrow among the trees and vanished. It was 
 
SIIAAVAXOE VS. PAWXEE. 59 
 
 time to do so, for his enemies were close upon 
 Mm. 
 
 Though the Pawnees had learned of the 
 swiftness of the young Shawanoe, they had no 
 thought of abandoning the attempt to capture 
 him. The flying tresses would make the most 
 tempting of scalps to dangle from the ridge- 
 13ole of the wigwam, and because he could out- 
 run all their warriors was no proof that he 
 could not be overcome by strategy. 
 
 When the fugitive disappeared, the same 
 signal of which I have spoken was repeated, 
 and the Pawnees scattered — that is to say they 
 plunged into the wood at different points : they 
 did not try to overhaul him by direct pursuit. 
 
 Two of the Indians declined to join in the 
 chase, but walked toward Lone Bear, who hav- 
 ing assumed the perpendicular again, was look- 
 ing around, as if uncertain of the best course 
 to pursue. 
 
 The American Indian, as a rule, is melancholy 
 and doesn't enjoy innocent fun as much as he 
 ought, but, as I have sho^vn, there are few or 
 none in which the element of humor is alto- 
 gether wanting. The two of whom I am just 
 
60 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 now speaking, sliook witli laughter, as they 
 saw Lone Bear sprawl over Deerfoot, liis heels 
 flying in air, and their mirth became so great 
 when the young Shawanoe used his crown as a 
 stepping stone, that they paused from weakness. 
 Lone Bear knew nothing of this, and when 
 he saw them approaching, their faces were as 
 long and grave as if on the way to attend the 
 funeral of their dearest friend. Perhaps he 
 expected to receive a little sympathy, but he 
 must have felt some misgiving. 
 
 "Lone Bear runs like the wild buck," was 
 the remark of one of the w^arriors, though the 
 observation itself did not amount to much, nor 
 could the one to whom it was addressed see 
 why it should be made at all. He, therefore, 
 remained silent, feeling as though he would 
 like to rub some of the bruised portions of his 
 body, but too dignified to do so. 
 
 " If the wolf or buffalo crosses the path of 
 Lone Bear, he does not turn aside." 
 
 '' No ; he runs over him." 
 
 Even though he be a warrior, Lone Bear 
 goes over him, as though he were not there." 
 
 The party of the third part began to see the 
 
SHAWAXOE VS. PAWNEE. 61 
 
 drift of these comments, and he glared as 
 though debating which one to slay first. 
 
 '' Lone Bear has a kind heart ; it is like that 
 of the squaw that presses her pappoose to her 
 
 heart." 
 
 ''He is kinder than the squaw, for he lies 
 still and lets the Shawanoe rest his weary foot 
 on his head." 
 
 Lone Bear glowered from one to the other, 
 as they spoke in turn, and kept his hand on 
 his knife at his girdle, as if to warn them they 
 were going too far. They seemed to hold him 
 in little fear, however, and continued their 
 mock sympathy. One walked to where the 
 tomahawk had lain untouched since it left the 
 hand of the Pawnee, and, picking it up, exam^ 
 ined it with much care. 
 
 '^ There is no blood on it," he remarked, as 
 if talking to himself, but making sure he spoke 
 loud enough for the other to hear ; "we were 
 mistaken when we thought it went through the 
 body of the Shawanoe ; the hand of Lone Bear 
 trembles like that of an old man, and he can 
 not drive his tomahawk into the tree which he 
 reaches with his hand." 
 
62 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 The black eyes of the Pawnees sparkled, 
 and they seemed on the point several times of 
 breaking into laughter, but managed to restrain 
 themselves. 
 
 Still resting his hand on his knife, Lone Bear 
 directed his first remark to the last speaker. 
 
 "Let Red Wolf keep his tongue ; he talks 
 like the pappoose." 
 
 Red Wolf, however, did not seem to be 
 alarmed. He glanced into the face of his com- 
 panion and added : 
 
 ' ' Though Red Wolf talks like the pappoose, 
 his heart is not so faint that he lies on the 
 ground, that his enemy may have a soft place 
 where he may rest his moccasin." 
 
 This, beyond question, was a severe remark, 
 and, as the two broke again into laughter. Lone 
 Bear was almost as angry as when he took a 
 header over the body of the Shawanoe ; but 
 the warriors were as brave as he ; without 
 reply, he turned sullenly away, and walked 
 toward the camp fire which he had left a short 
 time before. 
 
CHAPTER YT. 
 
 A DOUBLE FAILURE. 
 
 DEERFOOT the Shawanoe darted among 
 the trees and ran a hundred yards with 
 great swiftness. He seemed to avoid the trunks 
 and limbs with the ease of a bird wiien sail- 
 ing through the tree tops. 
 
 Coming to a halt, he looked around. He 
 had not followed a direct course into the woods, 
 but turning to the right, ran parallel to the 
 open space which bordered the stream. He 
 knew the Paw^nees would do their best, either 
 to capture or kill him. So long as there was a 
 chance of making him prisoner, they would do 
 him no harm, for the pleasure of acting as they 
 chose with such a captive was a hundred fold 
 greater than that which could be caused by 
 his mere death. The American Indian is as 
 fond of enjoying the suffering of another as is 
 his civilized brother. 
 
64 FOOTPEIXTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 The burst of speed in wMcli the youth 
 indulged gave him a position where it would 
 require some searching on the part of the 
 Pawnees to discover him ; but they were at 
 work, as speedily became evident. 
 
 A few seconds only had passed, w^hen he 
 caught sight of several forms flitting among 
 the trees. While they were separated from 
 each other by two or three rods, they w^ere 
 not far off, and their actions show^ed they had 
 observed him at the same moment he detected 
 them. They made no outcry, but, spreading 
 still further apart, acted as if carr}' ing out a 
 plan for surrounding him. 
 
 Deerfoot w^as too wise to presume on his 
 fleetness of foot, and he now broke into a 
 loping trot which was meant to be neither 
 greater nor less than the gait of his iDursuers. 
 Glancing back he saw they were running 
 faster than he, whereupon he increased his 
 speed. 
 
 Suddenly one of them discharged his gun, 
 and a moment later another shot was heard. 
 The first bullet sped wide, but the second 
 cliijped off a dead branch just above the head of 
 
A DOUBLE FAILURE. 6d 
 
 the fugitive. There was no mistake, therefore, 
 as to the purpose of those who fired. 
 
 It was not the first time that Deerfoot had 
 served as a target for the rifle of an enemy, 
 and though never wounded, his sensations 
 were any thing but ]3leasant. Where a good 
 marksman failed, a poor one was liable to suc- 
 ceed : for the most wonderful shots are those 
 made by chance. 
 
 Deerfoot now ran as fast as he dared, Avhere 
 branches and tree trunks were so numerous. 
 Glancing to the rear, as he continually did, he 
 noticed that two of the Pawnees were leadino- 
 in the pursuit. The thought came to him that 
 no better time could be selected for teaching 
 them the superiority of the bow over the rifle. 
 
 As he ran, he drew an arrow from the quiver 
 over his shoulder and fitted it to the string. 
 This was difficult, for the long bow caught in 
 the obstructions around him and compelled 
 him to slacken his pace. Then, like a flash, he 
 leaped partly behind a tree and drew the arrow 
 to a head. 
 
 The Pawnees must have been amazed to 
 discover, while in full pursuit of an enemy, 
 
 E 
 
66 rOOTPRITv^TS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 that lie had vanished as through swallowed by 
 some opening in the earth ; for the action of 
 the fugitive was so sudden that it was not 
 observed. They ran several rods further, dur- 
 ing which Deerfoot made his aim sure. As 
 they had discharged their guns, and had not 
 yet slackened their pace to reload them, he 
 had no fear of being hurt. 
 
 All at once the foremost Pawnee saw^ the long 
 bow, with the gleaming eyes behind the arrow, 
 whose head was supported by the right hand 
 which grasped the middle of the bow. 
 
 ^'Whoof !" he gasped, dropping to the 
 earth as if pierced through the heart. His 
 action saved his life, for a second sooner would 
 have enabled the matchless archer to withhold 
 the shot, which w^as as unerring as human skill 
 could make it. Though the flight of the 
 feather- tipped missile could be traced when the 
 spectator stood on one side of the line, yet the 
 individual who was unfortunate enough to 
 serve as a target, could not detect its approach. 
 
 Just as the leader w^ent down, a quick whiz 
 was heard, and the arrow clove the space over 
 him . Had his companion been in line he woul d 
 
A DOUBLE FAILURE. 67 
 
 have been pierced, but he was just far enough 
 to one side, to be taught a lesson. 
 
 The strongly-driven missile went through the 
 fleshy part of his arm, and sped twenty feet 
 beyond, nipping several branches and twigs 
 before its force was spent. jSTo doubt the 
 American race as a rule is hardy and stoical, 
 but the stricken Pawnee acted like a school- 
 boy. Dropping his gun, he clasped his hand 
 over the wound, and emitted a yell which 
 surpassed every thing in that line that had been 
 heard during the day. 
 
 Even the warrior on the ground called to 
 him to hold his peace, and the wounded Pawnee, 
 awaking perhaps to a sense of the unbecoming 
 figure he was cutting, compressed his thin lips 
 and became silent. 
 
 But the other took good care to reload and 
 prime his ritie before rising, and even then he 
 came up with the utmost slowness, peering 
 toward the tree from which had come the 
 missile. He was not surprised because he saw 
 nothing of the Shawanoe. Having discharged 
 the weapon, it was natural that the latter 
 should shelter himself from the bullet that was 
 
68 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 to be expected in return. Deerfoot (so reasoned 
 the Pawnee), would not dare show himself 
 again ; but therein the warrior made a mis- 
 take. 
 
 The latter slowly came up, his form in a 
 crouching position, his head about four feet 
 above ground, while his eyes were fixed on the 
 tree from behind which had sped the well nigh 
 fatal missile. 
 
 "He will soon show himself," must have 
 been the thought of the Indian, " the bullet 
 can travel faster than the arrow," 
 
 At that moment his companion, who was 
 still clasping his wounded arm, uttered a warn- 
 ing cry. He had discovered the Shawanoe 
 behind another tree, aiming a second arrow at 
 the breast of the leader. 
 
 With incredible dexterity, Deerfoot had run 
 to a trunk fully twenty yards from the one 
 which first sheltered him. He crouched so low 
 and passed so swiftly that he reached the shel- 
 ter before there was a possibility of discovery. 
 It was accident which led the second warrior 
 to detect the long bow, bending almost like a 
 horseshoe, with the arrow aimed at the other. 
 
A DOUBLE FAILUEE. 69 
 
 The latter could not grasp in an instant the 
 full nature of the peril which impended, 
 though, as a matter of course, he knew it must 
 be at the hands of the Shawanoe. He cast one 
 glance around him, and again dropped on his 
 face, but this time the arrow was quicker than 
 he. 
 
 Zijp came the missile straight for the brawny 
 chest which never could have dodged from its 
 path in time to escape ; but, as if fate had 
 determined to interfere, the pointed flint 
 impinged against a tiny branch protruding 
 from the tree nearest the Pawnee, clipping off 
 enough of the tender bark to leave a gleaming 
 white spot, and glanced harmlessly beyond. 
 
 Deerfoot was astonished beyond measure. 
 He had discharged two arrows at the foremost 
 foe, and had failed to harm a hair of him. Such 
 a double failure had never before taken x>lace 
 in his history. 
 
 But the cause was self -manifest. The Indian 
 dodged the flrst, and the twig turned the 
 second aside. All this was natural enough, 
 but the fact which impressed the young Shawa- 
 noe was that it would have taken place in 
 
70 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 neither case had he used a rille. Was it a 
 wise thing, therefore, when months before, he 
 had flung aside his gun and taken up his bow 
 again ? 
 
 Deerfoot had asked himself the same ques- 
 tion more than once since that time, and the 
 doubt had deepened until he could no longer 
 believe he was wise in clinging to his bow and 
 arrow, great as was his skill in their use. 
 
 But a third arrow was quickly drawn, and 
 stepx)ing from behind the tree, so that he stood 
 in full sight, he swung his hand aloft with a 
 defiant shout, and coolly walked away, as 
 though the warriors were too insignificant to 
 be noticed further. 
 
 The wounded Pawnee was so much occupied 
 with his hurt that he was willing the youth 
 should leave the neighborhood without fur- 
 ther molestation from him. Taking care to 
 keep an oak fully a foot in diameter between 
 them, he was content to let him depart in 
 peace. 
 
 Not so with the other, who, waiting only long 
 enough to make sure the back of the youth 
 was toward him, straightened up and brought 
 
A DOUBLE FAILURE. 71 
 
 his rifle to his shoulder. The distance was con- 
 siderable, but he ought to have reached the 
 mark, and probably would have done so, had 
 not a disturbing cause prevented. 
 
 While sighting along the barrel, the startling 
 fact broke upon him that the face of Deerfoot 
 was toward him, and he was in the act of draw- 
 ing a third arrow to the head. He had whirled 
 about almost at the same instant that the 
 Pawnee levelled his gun. To say the least, it 
 was very disconcerting, and, anxious to antici- 
 pate the Shawanoe, the other fired before he 
 could be certain of his aim. The bullet went so 
 wide that Deerfoot heard nothing of its passage 
 among the branches around him. 
 
 Although it looked as if the Shawanoe had 
 the other at his mercy, yet he refrained from 
 discharging the arrow. In fact, his whole 
 action was designed rather to disconcert the 
 Pawnee than to injure him. ISTot only had 
 Deerfoot' s confidence in his bow and arrow 
 weakened, but the two escapes of the Pawnee 
 gave him a half-superstitious belief that it was 
 intended the latter should not be injured. He, 
 therefore, relaxed the string of the bow^, but, 
 
73 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 without replacing the arrow in the quiver, he 
 strode off, continually glancing back to make 
 sure the Pawnee did not use the advantage thus 
 given him. 
 
CHAPTER VIL 
 
 A DISAPPOIXTMEXT. 
 
 TOU will understand that the pursuit of 
 Deerfoot the Shawanoe was not confined 
 to the two Pawnees, whom he thwarted in the 
 manner described. Their superior activity 
 simply brought them to the front and hastened 
 the collision. 
 
 It will be seen, therefore, that the incidents 
 must have taken place in a brief space of time : 
 had it been otherwise, Deerfoot would have 
 been engaged with the entire party. No one 
 could have known that better than he. The 
 whoops, signals and reports of the guns could 
 not fail to tell the whole story, and to cause 
 the Pawnees to converge toward the spot. In 
 fact, when Deerfoot lowered his bow and turned 
 his back for the second time on the warrior, he 
 caught more than one glimpse of other red men 
 hastening thither. 
 
74 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Dangerous as was the situation of the youth, 
 he did not forget another incident which was 
 liable to add to the difficulty of extricating 
 himself. From the moment he began his flight 
 several of the Pawnees gave utterance to shouts 
 which were clearly meant as signals. These 
 had been repeated several times, and Deerfoot 
 could form no suspicion of their full meaning. 
 Had the red men been Shawanoes, Wyandots 
 or almost any tribe whose hunting" grounds 
 were east of the Mississippi, he would have 
 read their purpose as readily as could those for 
 whose ears they were intended. 
 
 The interpretation, however, came sooner 
 than was expected. 
 
 Deerfoot ran a little ways with such swift- 
 ness that he left every one out of sight. Then 
 he slackened his gait, and was going in a leis- 
 urely fashion, when he came upon a narrow 
 creek which ran at right angles to the course 
 he was following. The current was swift and 
 deep, and the breadth too great for him to leap 
 over. 
 
 He saw that if he ran up or down the bank 
 too far, he was likely to place himself in peril 
 
A DISAPPOIXTMEXT. 75 
 
 again. He could have readily swam to the other 
 side, but preferred some other means, and con- 
 cluded to take a minute or two in looking for 
 it. 
 
 A whoop to the left and the rear made known 
 that no time was to be lost. He was about to 
 run in the opposite direction, when he caught 
 sight of the bridge for which he was hunting. 
 A tree growing on the opposite side had fallen 
 directly across, so that the top extended sev- 
 eral yards from the shore. The trunk was long, 
 thin, covered with smooth bark, and with only 
 a few branches near the top, but it was the very 
 thing the fugitive wanted, and, scarcely check- 
 ing his gait, he dashed toward it, heedless of 
 the Pawnees, a number of whom were in sight. 
 
 He slowed his pace when about to step on 
 the support, and placing one foot on the thin 
 bridge, tested it. So far as he could judge it 
 was satisfactory, and, balancing himself, he 
 began walking toward the other shore. Only 
 four steps were taken, when a PaT\Tiee stepped 
 upon the opposite end, and advanced directly 
 toward the Shawanoe. 
 
 It began to look, after all, as though Deer- 
 
76 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 foot had presumed too far on his own prowess, 
 for his enemies were coming fast after him, and 
 now, while treading the delicate structure, he 
 was brought face to face with a warrior as 
 formidable as Lone Bear or Eagle-of-the-Rocks. 
 
 But there was no time to hesitate. The 
 Pawnee had caught the signals from the other 
 side the stream, and hurried forward to inter- 
 cept the enemy making his way in that direc- 
 tion. He advanced far enough from the spread- 
 ing base of the tree to render his foothold firm, 
 when he braced himself with drawn knife, to 
 receive the youth. He had flung his blanket 
 and rifle aside, before stepping on the trunk, 
 so as not to be hindered in his movements. 
 
 His painted face seemed to gleam with exulta- 
 tion, for, if ever a man was justified in believ- 
 ing he had a sure thing it was that Pawnee 
 warrior, and if ever a person made a mistake 
 that Pawnee warrior w^as the individual. 
 
 Instead of turning back Deerf oot drew his 
 knife, and grasped it with his right hand, as 
 though he meant to engage the other in con- 
 flict where both had such unsteady footing. 
 Had the young Shawanoe held such a purpose, 
 
A DISAPPOINTMENT. 77 
 
 however, he would have held the knife with 
 his left hand, but the Pawnee, having never 
 seen him before, could not know that, and he 
 was confident that the slaying of the youth was 
 the easiest task he could undertake. 
 
 Deerfoot not only continued his advance, 
 but broke into a trot composed of short, quick 
 steps, such as a leaper takes when gathering 
 on the edge of a cliff for his final effort. He 
 still held his bow in his left and his knife in 
 his right hand, and tightly closing his lips, 
 looked into the eyes of the Pawnee. 
 
 Just as the latter drew back his weapon with 
 the intention of making the decisive blow, and 
 when two paces only separated the enemies, 
 the Shawanoe dropped his head and drove it 
 with terrific force against the chest of the 
 Pawnee. The latter was carried off the log as 
 completely as if he had been smitten with a 
 battering ram. 
 
 He went over with feet pointing upward, and 
 dropped with a splash into the stream. The 
 blow was so violent indeed that the breath was 
 knocked from him, and he emitted a grunt as 
 he toppled off the support. As he disappeared, 
 
78 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Deerfoot, too, lost his balance, but lie was so 
 close to land, that he leaped clear of the water. 
 Then, as if he thought the Pawnee might need 
 his blanket and rifle, he picked them up and 
 tossed them into the stream after him. 
 
 Incidents followed each other with a rush, 
 and the report of two guns in quick succession 
 reminded the youth that it would not do to 
 linger any longer in the vicinity ; but assured 
 now of the meaning of the signals which he 
 had heard, he scanned the woods in front, as 
 much as he did those in the rear. It was well 
 he did so. 
 
 By calling into play his magnificent fleetness, 
 he rapidly increased the distance between him 
 and his enemies, but was scarcely able to pass 
 beyond their sight, before, to his astonishment, 
 he found he was confronted by two other 
 warriors, coming from the opposite direction. 
 They were doubtless on a hunt when signaled 
 by the large party to intercept an enemy flee- 
 ing from them. 
 
 It began to look to Deerfoot as though he 
 had struck either a settlement of Pawnees, or 
 a very large war party, for, beyond question, 
 
A DISAPPOINTMENT. 79 
 
 the "woods were full of tliem". To have 
 continued straight on would have brought 
 about an encounter with the two, and there 
 was too much risk in that, though from what 
 the reader learned long ago of Deerfoot, it is 
 unnecessary to say that he would not have 
 hesitated to make such a fight, had there been 
 a call to do so. 
 
 Truth to tell, the red men were firing off 
 their guns too rapidly to allow the fugitive to 
 feel comfortable. Thus far, although he had 
 swept his foes from his path, as may be said, 
 he had refrained from slaying any one. He 
 would not take life unless necessary, but he 
 began to doubt whether he had acted wisely 
 in showing mercy. Had he iDierced two or 
 three of his foes through and through, the 
 others would not have been so enthusiastic in 
 pursuing him across stream and through wood. 
 
 At any rate, he decided to be more resolute, 
 und when necessary, drive a shaft ' ' home ' ' . 
 
 The moment he observed the two Pawnees 
 advancing from a point in front, he made 
 another change in his course. This time it 
 was to the right, and again he put forth b, 
 
80 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 burst of speed tlie like of wliicli liis enemies 
 had never seen. He passed in and out among 
 the trees, and through the undergrowth, with 
 such bewildering swiftness, that, though he 
 was within gunshot, neither would risk firing, 
 where it was more difficult to take aim than at 
 the bird darting through the tree tops. 
 
 The last act of the fugitive had, as he be- 
 lieved, thrown all his pursuers w^ell to the rear. 
 When he made the turn, the two whom he last 
 encountered tried to head him off by cutting 
 across, as it may be called, but they relin- 
 quished the effort when they saw how useless 
 it was. 
 
 Thus far, though Deerfoot had been placed 
 in situations of great danger, he had managed 
 to free himself without any effort that could 
 be deemed unusual for him, though it would 
 have been remarkable had it been performed by 
 any one else. But now, when it began to look 
 as if the worst were over, he was made aware 
 that the most serious crisis of all had come. 
 
 At the moment when he began to lessen his 
 speed, simply because the intervening limbs 
 annoyed him, he made the discovery that still 
 
A DISAPPOIXTMEN r. 81 
 
 more of the Pawnees were in front. He caught 
 the glimmer of their dress between the trees 
 scarcely more than a hundred yards in advance, 
 and, instead of one or two, there were at least 
 five who were drawing near. 
 
 These were what may be called strangers, 
 since they and Deerfoot now saw each other 
 for the first time. Had they known the exact 
 circumstances, they would have kept out of 
 sight until the fugitive had run, as may be 
 said, into their arms ; but, like the rest, they 
 were moving toward the camp, in obedience to 
 the signals, keeping a lookout at the same time 
 for the enemy that they knew was somewhere 
 in the neighborhood. The reason they had 
 not put in an earlier appearance was because 
 they were further off than the rest. 
 
 At the moment Deerfoot observed them, he 
 was not far oif from the winding stream over 
 which he had passed on the fallen tree. Like 
 a fiash, he turned about and ran with his own 
 extraordinary fleetness, directly over his own 
 trail. 
 
 It will be seen that the peril of this course 
 reached almost a fatal degree, for the other 
 
82 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 Pawnees could not be far off, and a very 
 brief run would take liim in full siglit of 
 tliem. 
 
 The last comers sliowed more vigor tlian tlie 
 others. The glimpse they caught of the 
 strange warrior dashing tow^ard them, told the 
 w^hole truth. The sight of a man running at 
 full speed wdth a whooping mob a short dis- 
 tance behind, is all the evidence needed to 
 prove he is a fugitive. Besides, when the Paw- 
 nees bore down on Deerfoot they knew far 
 more of the neighborhood than he, and were 
 sure he w^as entraj)i)ed. 
 
 The purpose of the Shawanoe was to put 
 forth his utmost swdftness, hoping to place 
 himself, if only for part of a minute, beyond 
 siglit of his enemies. Though he made the 
 closest kind of calculation, circumstances were 
 against him, and he not only failed to disap- 
 pear from the last two, but, short as was 
 the distance he doubled on his own trail, it 
 took him into the field of vision of the parties 
 whom he had eluded but a few- minutes before. 
 So it came about that he was in full view of a 
 number of enemies, rapidly converging toward 
 
A DISAPPOINTMENT. 83 
 
 him, while a deep, swift stream was flowing 
 across his line of flight. 
 
 The success of the pursuers now looked so 
 certain that their leader emitted several whoops, 
 a couple of which were meant as a command 
 for none to flre : the Shawanoe was cornered 
 and they meant to make him prisoner. 
 
 It need not be said that under the worst con- 
 ditions the capture of the young warrior would 
 have been no easy matter. He could fight like 
 a tiger when driven into corner, and his great 
 quickness availed him against sujDerior 
 strength. He had bounded out of more desper- 
 ate situations than any person of double his 
 years, and, knowing that no mercy was to be 
 expected from the warlike Pawnees, it must 
 have been a strange conjunction of disasters 
 that could compel him to throw \i]} his hands 
 and yield. 
 
 Deerfoot had crossed one stream on his way 
 to the Pawnee camp, and it was no task to 
 swim one of double the width ; but the skillful 
 swimmer can advance only at a slow rate 
 through the water, and, before he could reach 
 the other shore, a half dozen Pawnees would be 
 
84 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 on the bank in the rear, waiting for him to 
 reappear. He was a master of the natatorial 
 art, but he was not amphibious, and soon would 
 have to come to the surface or die. The 
 watchers would be quick to detect him, and 
 their position v/as so much the superior of the 
 fugitive that his capture was inevitable. 
 
 Suddenly Deerfoot seemed to see that there 
 was but the one thing to do ; turning again, he 
 faced the stream which was but a few rods dis- 
 tant, and ran toward it. The undergrowth was 
 abundant, but his head and shoulders were 
 seen, as under the swift doublings of his limbs, 
 they shot forward as if borne on the back of an 
 invisible express engine. 
 
 The thrilling run lasted but a second or two ; 
 then, having reached the margin of the stream, 
 the fugitive was seen to gather himself and 
 rise like a bird on the wing. He had made 
 a prodigious leap toward the other shore. 
 
 The Pawnees uttered several cries of exulta- 
 tion, for no doubt remained of their success. 
 For one instant the figure was suspended in 
 mid air, and then it descended. The pursuers 
 heard the loud splash, and were on the spot 
 
A DISAPPOINTMENT. So 
 
 before the most skillful swimmer could have 
 taken three strokes or forced his body an arm' s 
 length through the water. 
 
 The leading Pawnee saw the ripples made in 
 the swift current by the Shawanoe, whose body 
 was out of sight, for he had not been given 
 time in which to rise. As the current was too 
 powerful to permit any one to swim against it 
 (besides which such an expenditure of strength 
 could gain nothing), it followed that the youth 
 must either come up near the spot where he 
 went down, or some distance below it. 
 
 The supposition would be that, helped by 
 the momentum of his own body, Deerfoot 
 would aim for the other shore. Fearful of 
 attempting to climb the opposite bank with a 
 half dozen standing just behind him with 
 loaded guns, he would try to keep out of sight 
 by thrusting just the point of his nose above 
 the water, so as to gain a breath of the indis- 
 pensable air. 
 
 But two facts rendered this impossible. In 
 the first place, the water was remarkably clear, 
 so that a body only a fractional part of the size 
 of the youth, could not come within a foot of 
 
86 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 the surface without being seen. Besides, the 
 vegetation on the other side did not overhang 
 the current (as it did in one or two instances 
 which perhaps my readers will recall), so noth- 
 ing there could serve to screen such a move- 
 ment. A third obstacle to such strategy may 
 be mentioned : the stream along shore was 
 shallow, while with the two conditions first 
 mentioned in his favor, water to permit the 
 most absolute freedom of movement was indis- 
 pensable. Enough has been said, however, to 
 prove that the feat was beyond the reach even 
 of such a marvel as Deerf oot the Shawanoe. 
 
 The leader of the Pawnees repeated his warn- 
 ing against shooting the fugitive — that is, 
 against killing him. If there seemed to be 
 danger of his getting away, they were to fire so 
 as to disable without slaying him. It would be 
 an easy matter to bring him down without 
 endangering his life. 
 
 As if to shut out all hope for the Shawanoe, 
 three of the warriors who seemed to be wan- 
 dering everywhere through the woods appeared 
 at this moment on the other shore. They were 
 given to understand the situation, and joined 
 
A DISAPPOINTMENT. 87 
 
 the parties that waited for the reapi^earance of 
 the youth, who seemed to have disported him- 
 self like a very demon since coming into that 
 vicinity. 
 
 The Pawnees were so distributed along the 
 bank that the very instant a swimmer should 
 apx^roach the surface from below, he would be 
 observed by several spectators. And thus 
 stood and waited the swarthy warriors for the 
 sight which was never to come to them. 
 
CHAPTER yill. 
 
 THE FLIGHT OF DEEEFOOT. 
 
 N" ONE could know better tlie length of time 
 it is possible for a person to live under 
 water than did the Pawnees w^ho lined the 
 shore of the stream from which they awaited 
 the young Shawanoe to rise and surrender 
 himself. 
 
 At such times the seconds seem long, but in 
 due time they grew into minutes, until one, 
 two, three, four, and fully five had gone by, 
 and still nothing was seen of the Shawanoe, 
 who, they were assured, had leaped into the 
 river. Before this, the w^arriors looked won- 
 deringly at each other, unable to guess what it 
 could all mean. 
 
 Had he bounded across the creek ? Wide as 
 it was, the x)ossibility had been considered 
 from the first, and, when the seconds were well 
 along, the leader called to those on the other 
 
THE FLIGHT OF DEERFOOT. 89 
 
 side to examine the margin for the imprints of 
 the Indian's moccasins. Striking with such 
 force, the dents would be in sight from across 
 the stream. As it was easy to identify the 
 spot where he made the leap, it was equally 
 easy to determine the precise point where the 
 telltale footprints should api^ear. 
 
 But the minute scrutiny of the edge of the 
 creek proved that no moccasin had touched it. 
 And that being the case, the question came 
 back as to what had become of the fugitive. 
 
 " The dog of a Shawanoe is at the bottom," 
 was the natural remark of the leader. ' ' He 
 has gone down, and the Great Spirit is so angry 
 with him that he will not permit him to rise." 
 
 That was a curious explanation of the occur- 
 rence, but it appeared to be about the only one 
 left to the pursuers, who were not fully satis- 
 lied even with that. "We are aware that a per- 
 son who springs into the water, even if he can 
 not swim a stroke, is pretty sure to com^e up 
 once or twice. The Pawnees knew of a verity 
 that the Shawanoe must be an excellent swim- 
 mer, and it certainly was inexplainable if he 
 did not reappear. 
 
90 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOKEST. 
 
 "Did lie leave tlie shore?" asked one of 
 those who had approached from the side to- 
 ward which Deerfoot had sped. 
 
 " AYe saw him run for it as runs the deer," 
 was the reply. 
 
 "But the Shawanoe is like the weasel ; he 
 may have turned aside and sped up or down 
 the stream, with his head bent so low that he 
 could not be seen." 
 
 "The eyes of Wimmoroo were open," said 
 the leader, who, in spite of his assurance, 
 began to feel suspicious that some trick had 
 been played upon them, though, as yet, he 
 couM not define its nature. 
 
 "What did the eyes of Wimmoroo tell 
 him ? ' ' asked the other, showing a Yankee- 
 like persistency in his questions. 
 
 "They showed him the dog of a Shawanoe, 
 as he bounded high in air and strove to reach 
 the other shore." 
 
 "Can Wimmoroo make sure the Shawanoe 
 did not leap in the air and then place his feet 
 on the ground wdiere they were before ? ' ' 
 
 Could it be possible that such a strategy had 
 been used ? He began an examination, two of 
 
THE FLIGHT OF DEERFOOT. 91 
 
 his warriors helping liim. There Avere the 
 footprints of the delicate moccasins in plain 
 sight, showing where he had leaped clear from 
 the ground, but not the faintest impression was 
 visible either to the right or left of the spot. 
 Inasmuch as the fugitive could not have Hed in 
 either direction without leaving a trail, and 
 the closest search failed to show any thing of 
 the kind, the conclusion was inevitable that no 
 such flight had taken place. 
 
 Besides— how came W immoroo to forget it ? — 
 all caught the splash of the body as it dropped 
 in the water. As might be expected witnesses 
 were not wanting to declare they had seen the 
 spray fly upward, and had caught sight of the 
 eagle feathers in the crown of Deerfoot as he 
 swam for the other side. 
 
 All which being so, the question came back 
 again — where could Deerfoot be ? 
 
 It is not often that a group of red men are so 
 at their wit's end as were the Pawnees. They 
 stood looking about them, silent and bewil- 
 dered. Wimmoroo took a sly glance at the tree 
 tops as though he half expected to see the 
 missing Shawanoe perched in the branches. 
 
92 rOOTPRIXTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 But among those red men was one at least 
 with quick intelligence. He was the last to 
 approach the stream from the side toward 
 which Deerf oot leaped. He had not yet spoken, 
 but when told the facts, he glanced here and 
 there, so as to take in all the points, and it was 
 not long before a suspicion of the truth dawned 
 upon him. 
 
 Several facts, which were patent to the others, 
 took connection in his mind. Let me name 
 one or two — Deerfoot possessed a fleetness 
 which no Pawnee could equal ; he was seen to 
 run toward the stream with the utmost speed 
 of which he was capable ; he was observed to 
 make the jump, and the creek itself Avas a lit- 
 tle more than twenty feet in width. The con- 
 clusion, therefore, was certain— he had bounded 
 across. 
 
 The leap, while a great one, was not beyond 
 the attainment of the Pawnee himself, who was 
 studying the question. He was sure that with 
 a running start he could clear the water, 
 though he could do no more. Still there were 
 no footprints on the margin that could have 
 been made by the fugitive ; but, recalling the 
 
THE FLIGHT OF DEEEFOOT. 93 
 
 prodigious activity of the fugitive, tlie Pawnee 
 scrutinized the ground further back. He had 
 done so only a half minute when he discovered 
 the truth. Making it known to the others, they 
 refused for a minute or two to believe him, but 
 the proof was before their eyes and they dis- 
 puted no longer. 
 
 The young Shawanoe, finding that his only 
 escape from the Pawnees, who seemed to spring 
 from the ground all around him, was by plac- 
 ing himself on the other side the creek, turned 
 and made for it, as I have already told, with all 
 the speed he possessed. The stream was of a 
 width varying from twenty to forty feet or 
 more. Where he had crossed it before, it w^as 
 too wide for him to think of leaping. In fact, 
 his hasty search along shore failed to show a 
 spot across which he could jumx3, and he did 
 not expect to do so in the present instance. 
 
 But the extremity of good fortune attended 
 the fleet-footed Deerf oot, who struck one of the 
 narrowest portions. He anticipated falling 
 into the water, quite close to the other side, 
 whence he meant to crawl hastily out and con- 
 tinue his flight. Gathering his muscles, he 
 
94 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 made one of the most terrific efforts of his life, 
 and, rising in air, described a parabola, which 
 carried him fully six feet past the water, strik- 
 ing the ground beyond a clump of bushes. 
 There, as I have said, when the search w^as 
 made, his footprints were seen too plainly to 
 leave any doubt as to the exploit he had per- 
 formed. 
 
 At the instant of alighting, he whirled around, 
 stepped close to the water, and struck it a 
 sharp blow with his long bow\ It w^as his 
 quickness of resource which led him to do this 
 wdthout a second's delay. Well aw^are of the 
 great leap he had made, he caused the splash, 
 so as to lead his pursuers to think he had 
 dropped into the current. It has been shown 
 how he succeeded. 
 
 Crouching low^, so as to keep his body hid- 
 den so far as it was possible to do so, he 
 ran along the stream, sometimes almost on his 
 hands and knees, until a point w^as reached 
 where he was able to straighten up without 
 detection. His keen vision show^ed him the 
 Pawnees advancing from the side on which he 
 had taken refuge, but he easily avoided dis- 
 
THE FLIGHT OF DEERFOOT. 95 
 
 CO very, and had not far to go, when he felt that 
 all danger was over. 
 
 It will be admitted that, from the moment 
 when he entered the Pawnee camp and fell 
 into a dispute with Lone Bear, he had been 
 given little time to rest. It may be said that 
 the sweep of incident kept him on the jump, 
 from the opening to the close. He was given 
 no time to think of Hay-uta nor of Jack Carle- 
 ton, from whom he was separated by still 
 another stream of water, across which he was 
 forced to swim, in order to reach the war party . 
 He had done his utmost to gather some infor- 
 mation respecting Otto Relstaub, for whom the 
 three were searching, but had not picked up 
 the first grain of knowledge. Lone Bear, who 
 could have told him one or two surprising facts 
 respecting the young German lad, sought to 
 mislead him. What his reason was for such a 
 course was beyond the power of Deerfoot to 
 guess. 
 
 It can not be said that the Shawanoe felt any 
 misgivings as to the situation of the two who 
 had come with him. The Sauk was skillful, 
 and would be quick to learn the peril in 
 
96 FOOTPEITs^TS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 wMcli the young warrior liad become involved. 
 Such knowledge would enable him to guard 
 against similar slips himself. 
 
 Convinced that at last he had shaken off his 
 enemies, Deerfoot resumed his moderate pace, 
 while he debated with himself the best course 
 to pursue. 
 
 He was back again on the side of the stream 
 where he had first seen the Pawnees encamped, 
 and doubtless a number of them were scat- 
 tered at different points through the wood. 
 There must have been twenty of them in the 
 neighborhood, for, when summoned by signal, 
 they appeared to come from all points of the 
 compass. But none now was in sight, and who 
 of them all was able to outwit the Shawanoe 
 in woodcraft and cunning ? 
 
 The clothing which had been saturated by 
 his plunge into the larger stream was nearly 
 dry, and an examination showed he had suf- 
 fered no damage in person or property. More 
 than one bullet had been fired at him, but not 
 a hair of his head was harmed. The stained 
 eagle feathers still projected from his crown ; 
 the quiver of arrows rested behind his right 
 
THE FLIGHT OF DEERFOOT. 97 
 
 shoulder ; tlie string of Ms bow was free from 
 moisture ; the red sash around his waist, the 
 fringes of his hunting shirt, his leggings, his 
 moccasins and even the double string of beads 
 around his neck and the golden bracelet which 
 clasped one wrist, showed no evidence of the 
 ordeal through which their owner had so 
 recently passed. Knife, tomahawk and bow 
 were as ready as ever for any emergency which 
 might call for them. 
 
 Deerfoot reflected that, so far as he was con- 
 cerned, the result of his enterprise was a 
 failure — in truth, it was worse than a failure, 
 for, having learned nothing of the fate of Otto, 
 he had put the Pawnees on their guard against 
 giving such information. Lone Bear showed 
 an unwillingness to tell any thing, and now it 
 was to be expected that he and his compan- 
 ions would take care to thwart the wishes 
 of the Shawanoe and what friends he might 
 have. 
 
 The young warrior asked himself whether he 
 must recross the stream and join Jack Carleton 
 with the confession that he had not been able 
 to learn any thing about Otto, and that he saw 
 
 G 
 
98 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 no chance of doing so. He was loth to make 
 such acknowledgment, and he determined not 
 to do so, until after making at least one more 
 attempt to force the truth from some member 
 of the war party. 
 
 The afternoon w^as well advanced when he 
 appeared in the camp of the hostiles, and it 
 would seem that the incidents which took place 
 ought to have carried him close to nightfall. 
 But I must repeat that on account of their hur- 
 ricane-like rush, thev took a small amount of 
 time, and now, when he found himself free of 
 his pursuers, the sun was yet a couple of hours 
 above the horizon. Enough daylight remained 
 for him to do a large amount of Avork, always 
 I)rovided the work presented itself to be 
 done. 
 
 He decided to take another survey of the 
 camp before returning, in the hope that possi- 
 bly some "material" for labor awaited him. 
 A quick survey of his surroundings caused him 
 to locate himself. The camp was not far off, 
 and he began making his way toward it. 
 
 In doing so he did not steal forward with the 
 slow caution which his race generally show 
 
TKE FLIGHT OF DEERFOOT. 99 
 
 when approaching an enemy, but he advanced 
 briskly among the trees, though his motion was 
 as noiseless as that of the shadow of the cloud 
 overhead. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 TWO PAWNEES ARE ASTONISHED. 
 
 AMONG all the chagrined Pawnees, there 
 was none so humiliated as Lone Bear, 
 who had been thrown headlong by the trick of 
 the young Shawanoe dropping in front of him. 
 That was bad enough, but it was made a hun- 
 dred-fold worse when Deerf oot stepped on the 
 crown of his head before he could rise, or pre- 
 vent it. It was Red Wolf who cruelly 
 remarked that the reason for the youth taking 
 that step was that he might have a soft place 
 whereon to rest his moccasin. 
 
 Instead of replying to the chaffings of his two 
 companions. Lone Bear sat on a pile of fagots 
 in the deserted camp, and smoked his pipe in 
 silence. 
 
 Red Wolf and the other Pawnee sat near, 
 but neither lighted his pipe. They had done all 
 
TWO PAWXEES ARE ASTONISHED. 101 
 
 they cared to do in the way of tantalizing their 
 comrade, who had spent a part of his early 
 boyhood among the Shawanoes on the other 
 side of the Mississippi. They saw he was in 
 an ugly mood, and would be likely to light if 
 provoked further. Though they did not hold 
 him in fear, they did not seek a quarrel. 
 Besides, too, they saw the serious side to the 
 business : Deerf oot had already proved that he 
 was a remarkable warrior, for, amid the shoot- 
 ing and firing of guns, which came from the 
 forest beyond, there was heard no signal which 
 told that the daring yoath had been shot or 
 captured. The moment such a result should 
 take place, it would be made known by the 
 exultation whoop from the one fortunate 
 enough to bring it about. 
 
 The question which presented itself to Red 
 Wolf and his companion was, whether it was 
 probable the wonderful Deerfoot was alone. 
 The Pawnees were returning from a long excur- 
 sion eastward, which had led them across and 
 into new hunting grounds, where their pres- 
 ence was sure to arouse enmity whenever dis- 
 covered. On that journey toward the Missis- 
 
102 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOKEST. 
 
 sippi, the Pawnees had come in collision with 
 other parties of red men ; guns had been fired 
 and one or two scalps taken, including one lost. 
 In addition, the in^-aders had destroyed much 
 game, so that abundant ground for complaint 
 rested with the strangers. What more prob- 
 able than that some of those aggrieved tribes 
 had determined on a retaliatory policy, by 
 sending a strong party to chastise the Paw- 
 nees ? 
 
 Before Red Wolf could start a discussion on 
 this question, the one at his side became so in- 
 terested in what was going on deeper in the 
 woods that he sprang to his feet and w^as off 
 like a shot. This left Red Wolf and Lone Bear 
 alone, and the former felt much less dis- 
 position to pick a quarrel than before. 
 
 " Are not the hunting grounds of the Shaw- 
 anoes beyond the Great River ? ' ' asked Red 
 W^olf. 
 
 Lone Bear glared at him, as if doubting the 
 sincerity of the question, but, satisfied a mo- 
 ment later that the inquirer was in quest of 
 truth, he shook off his surliness and answered : 
 
 " Tvro suns' travel beyond the Great River 
 
TWO PAWNEES ARE ASTONISHED. 103 
 
 lie the liunting grounds of the Shawanoes and 
 Wyandots." 
 
 " The Shawanoes are brave warriors ? " 
 
 "Only the Pawnees excel them," was the 
 reply of Lone Bear, who in those words uttered 
 the greatest compliment possible to the warlil^e 
 tribe which did more than any other to give 
 Kentuclvy its baptismal name of the Dark and 
 Bloody Ground. 
 
 " Why is the Shawanoe whom you call Deer- 
 foot journeying toward the hunting grounds of 
 the Pawnees \ ' ' 
 
 This was a pertinent question, which Lone 
 Bear would have been glad to have some one 
 answer for him, but which, as might be 
 expected, he sought to solve without hesita- 
 tion. 
 
 " He has come to look upon the woods and 
 streams and prairies so favored by the Great 
 Spirit, where the bravest warriors, the Paw- 
 nees, are born, and from which they drive all 
 strangers." 
 
 Had Red Wolf chosen, he might have 
 reminded the speaker of the bad taste of this 
 remark, when he had been so recently over- 
 
104 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 thrown and disgraced by one of tlie tribe wliicli 
 lie placed lower in rank than his own ; but 
 Red Wolf was disposed to take a more practi- 
 cal view of matters, and it was natural he 
 should go to the Pawnee who had once lived 
 among the Shawanoes. 
 
 "We saw only one Shawanoe, but there may 
 be more hiding among the trees, and waiting 
 to fire at the Pawnees when they have their 
 eyes closed in slumber." 
 
 ' ' Red Wolf has seen no Shawanoe ! ' ^ 
 exclaimed the other, wrathf ull v. ' ' There has 
 been none here." 
 
 ^ ' Why does Lone Bear speak in riddles ? 
 What is the totem of the young warrior called 
 Deerfoot?" 
 
 " He was a Shawanoe ; his father was Allo- 
 maug the great chief ; but Deerfoot became a 
 pale-face ; he listened to the prating of the 
 missionaries, and turned away from the wig- 
 wams of his people ; he has not consorted with 
 the Shawanoes for years ; they would give a 
 hundred scalps if they could tear his from his 
 crown. If the warriors of the Shawanoes were 
 in the woods," added Lone Bear, with a sweep 
 
TWO PAWNEES ARE ASTONISHED. 105 
 
 of Ms riglit arm, " Deerfoot would not be here, 
 for he is a dog that runs when he hears the call 
 of his masters." 
 
 None could be more aware of the falsity of 
 this than Lone Bear, who, though he left the 
 tribe before Deerfoot did, had heard of his 
 exploits since then, and knew him to be one of 
 the bravest youths that ever lived. And, 
 again, he lost sight of his recent experience 
 with him. 
 
 But when he reminded Red Wolf that the 
 Shawanoe dwelt beyond the Great River, 
 whither the Pawnees had not penetrated, and . 
 that Deerfoot had made known that his errand 
 was to look for the captive pale-face, all fear 
 of his being in the company of a war party was 
 removed. 
 
 However, no matter what explanation was 
 given, it brought forward other questions which 
 could not be explained away. One of these 
 was the natural one, that, if the Pawnees had 
 happened to have the German lad in their 
 custody, by what means did he hope to recover 
 him ? He brought with him nothing in the 
 shape of a ransom, so far as could be seen, and 
 
106 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 it was hard to imagine what other method he 
 expected to employ. 
 
 When Otto was bonght of the Sauks, a pretty 
 fair price was paid for him, and it was not to 
 be expected tliat his purchasers would discount 
 that compensation. The conclusion that the 
 daring Shawanoe relied upon other means, 
 which were not apparent, gave a vague misgiv- 
 ing to Lone Bear and Eed Wolf, as they sat 
 near the camp-fire talking over the stirring 
 incidents of the last half hour. 
 
 Now and then they ceased and listened to 
 the sounds which came from the forest, w^herein 
 the efforts were pushed to make prisoner the 
 young Shaw^anoe, who was dodging hither and 
 thither as if running a gauntlet. The tempta- 
 tion was strong to mingle in the general melee, 
 as it may be called, but the treatment Lone 
 Bear had received at the hands of the Shawanoe 
 filled him with a fear that he had never known 
 before, for there was a tinge of superstition in 
 it^ as appeared in the next remark he made. 
 
 " Deerfoot calls himself a Shawanoe ; he was 
 born with the i:)eople, but when he left them 
 he became an Evil Spirit." 
 
TWO PAWNEES ARE ASTONISPIED. 107 
 
 This was Lone Bear's metliod of saying 
 that the devil bore an active part in the ex- 
 ploits of the youth, an opinion which was 
 shared by Red Wolf. 
 
 ''The Evil One is his friend : if he was not, 
 he would have fallen by the bullets that were 
 aimed at him. Lone Bear would have slain the 
 greatest warrior, wdien he was running before 
 him as Deerfoot ran, but he could not slay 
 Deerfoot, because the Evil One was his friend." 
 
 This was the kind of remark to please Lone 
 Bear, for it implied that the best possible 
 reason existed for his failure ; his enemy was 
 of the supernatural class, and, therefore, 
 beyond the powder of any human being to over- 
 come. 
 
 Lone Bear turned his head toward the w^oods, 
 while he held his lips closed over his pipe-stem. 
 The sharp report of a rifle had reached their 
 ears, and the two Pawnees listened for a minute 
 without moving or speaking. Deerfoot just 
 then was doing w^onders in the way of dodging 
 and running, and the warriors sitting by the 
 camp-fire could almost read the narrative, as 
 you have done from these printed pages. 
 
108 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Red Wolf leaned forward and lighted his pipe 
 from the gloAving coals, and then seated himself 
 a little closer than before to his companion. 
 They were at the end of the fire, as may be said, 
 and so near each other that when they talked 
 and gesticulated their heads almost touched. 
 
 ^'They will not harm the Shawanoe," w^as 
 the truthful remark of Lone Bear, though in 
 his heart he hoped they would bring his reeking 
 scalp into camp. "The Evil One runs at his 
 side, and when the bullet is aimed by the brave 
 Pawnees, he catches it in his hand and holds 
 it that it may not harm the Shawanoe." 
 
 This was an ingenious explanation, for it 
 helped to release the warrior from a ques- 
 tionable situation. Red Wolf, who was sitting 
 cross-legged, like a tailor, sent an enormous 
 puff of smoke over his shoulder, and nodded 
 several times with much vigor, to signify 
 that he indorsed the sentiments of his com- 
 rade. 
 
 "He can not be harmed until the Good Spirit 
 shall drive the Evil One aw^ay ; then the bullet 
 of Lone Bear and the tomahawk of Red Wolf 
 and the knives of the Pawnees shall reach him. 
 
TWO PAWNEES AEE ASTONISHED. 109 
 
 He shall then die as dies the rattlesnake coiled 
 in our path." 
 
 At intervals the two ceased speaking, and, 
 looking toward the wood, listened, but an 
 interval of silence followed. Both began to 
 hope that in spite of the armor they had thrown 
 around the Shawanoe, he had been brought 
 down by some of the Pawnees, who were 
 making such efforts to destroy him. 
 
 It will be remembered that the wood from 
 which Deerf oot had caught sight of the Pawnee 
 war party came down to the edge of the broad 
 stream over which he swam in order to reach 
 them. On their side, the growth of the forest 
 ceased some rods away from the water, so that 
 for a considerable distance, a broad band of 
 open land lined the river. In this cleared space 
 the camp-fire of the Pawnees was burning, and 
 they were grouped around it, with nearly as 
 many warriors at varying distances in the 
 wilderness beyond. When they looked, it was 
 toward the nearest trees, from which they 
 expected almost every moment to see some of 
 their comrades emerge, escorting the prisoner. 
 
 Red Wolf seemed to glow with anger, 
 
110 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 because the Sliawanoe persisted in keeping out 
 of the hands of the Pawnees, who, it may be 
 said, surrounded him. Removing his long- 
 stemmed pipe from between his teeth, he held 
 it poised in his left hand, while he gesticulated 
 with his right. 
 
 "Who are the bravest warriors that hunt 
 through the wilderness and over the prairies ? " 
 he asked, launching out in that vain-glorious 
 boasting, so characteristic of his race: "who 
 drove all other red men before them ? Whose 
 war-whoop makes the pale-faces run to their 
 cabins and hold their doors closed ? Whose 
 shouts cause their enemies to tremble and call 
 on the Great Spirit to protect them ? Who is 
 it that sweeps — " 
 
 A splintering crash broke in upon this series 
 of questions, and the bowl of Eed Wolf's pipe 
 was shattered into a hundred fragments, the 
 atoms flying into the faces of the startled 
 Pawnees, who, accustomed to surj^rises, leaped 
 to their feet and glanced right and left to learn 
 the cause of the astounding occurrence. 
 
 At that instant something like the flitting of 
 a bird's wdng twinkled in front of their eves, 
 
TWO PAWNEES ARE ASTONISHED. Ill 
 
 and t-he quick "chuck" wMch followed 
 showed them an Indian arrow with its head 
 buried in the ground fifty feet beyond, and the 
 feathered point still a-tremble from the force 
 with which it had been driven from the bow. 
 
 Like a flash they looked toward the opposite 
 point, and that which met their gaze was per- 
 haps the most alarming sight they had ever 
 seen. Scarcely a hundred feet away, on the 
 edge of the wood, stood Deerfoot the Shawa- 
 noe. He had already launched two arrows, 
 and, when they caught sight of him, he was 
 standing with a third drawn to the head, and 
 apparently in the very act of letting fly at one 
 of the terrified warriors. 
 
 The American Indian as a rule is not power- 
 ful, and his muscular development is moderate ; 
 but his life accustoms him to quickness of 
 movement, and he generally excels in running 
 and leaping. Any one looking upon Lone Bear 
 and Red Wolf at that moment would have set 
 them down as the champions of their tribe. 
 When they identified the archer and saw that 
 he was on the point of discharging another mis- 
 sile, they made a break for shelter. 
 
112 FOOTPRINTS IN TPIE FOREST. 
 
 Red Wolf headed for tlie river, possibly 
 because he didn't dare to lose the time it would 
 take to turn partly on his feet. He ran as if 
 he meant to make the effort to leap entirely 
 across, or at least to outrun the arrow which he 
 believed was chasing him. 
 
 He hadn't far to go, and it didn't take him 
 long to travel it. A bound, a splash, and he 
 vanished. 
 
 Lone Bear knew he was closer to the wood 
 than to the water, and he was equally deter- 
 mined to attain shelter. In his tremendous 
 effort, he seemed to think he could dodge the 
 shafts that were whizzing through the air in 
 quick succession after him. He bent his head 
 so that he was crouching half way to the 
 ground, and leaped from side to side, ducked 
 and dodged and contorted himself in an inde- 
 scribable fashion. When he bounded among 
 the trees, he must have felt he had made the 
 escape of his life. 
 
 But the third arrow did not leave the bow. 
 Deerfoot had not sought to harm either of the 
 Pawnees, but in obedience to that disposition 
 to humor which he sometimes displayed, he 
 
TWO PAWNEES ARE ASTONISHED. 113 
 
 took pains to fire as close as he could without 
 hitting them. When he saw their dismay, he 
 shook from head to foot with silent laughter. 
 But his mirth was brief. A slight noise 
 caused him to turn his head. There stood two 
 other Indians directly behind him, one with his 
 gun levelled directly at his heart. 
 
 II 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 SAUK AT^D PAWNEE. 
 
 WHEN Hay-uta, the ally of Deerfoot, 
 parted witli liim so that the reconnois- 
 sance of the Pawnee camp could be made sepa- 
 rately, he went down stream — that is, in the 
 direction opposite to that taken by Deerfoot. 
 He moved faster than the Shaw^anoe, and 
 emerged from the river at the moment the other 
 entered it. 
 
 Before this, he had taken another scrutiny 
 of the two warriors, w^hom he had pointed out 
 as members of the party that bought Otto Rel- 
 staub from the Sauks. He thought it unlikely 
 that a mistake could have been made, and the 
 second inspection proved he was right beyond 
 all doubt. 
 
 Without any reason for such belief, Hay-uta 
 concluded there were other Pawnees in the 
 
SAUK AND PAWNEE. 115 
 
 vicinity. The appearance of the camp sug- 
 gested in some way that several were missing. 
 He therefore conducted his movements as 
 though danger threatened him from all points. 
 
 Hay-uta was daring and skillful. He had 
 been engaged on more than one similar enter- 
 prise, with the difference that the camps where 
 he reconnoitered previously were those of bitter 
 enemies. Having met the Pawnees before, on 
 what may be considered neutral if not friendly 
 ground, he would have felt no great misgivings 
 while marching into their camp, without any 
 effort at concealment. 
 
 But, if discovered prowling through the 
 woods, the case would be different. It would 
 be hard to offer any explanation, and, there- 
 fore, it was the more necessary to avoid detec- 
 tion while thus employed. 
 
 The Sauk was as much puzzled as Deerf oot to 
 guess what had become of Otto. Two of the 
 warriors, if not all of them, were able to tell, 
 but Hay-uta could not expect to draw the infor- 
 mation from them. Perhaps Deerfoot might 
 do so. 
 
 There was good ground to fear the poor lad 
 
116 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 had been put out of the way forever, but the 
 Sauk was still more convinced that he was not 
 only alive and well, but was at no great dis- 
 tance from the camp of the Pawnees. 
 
 Instead of going directly toward the latter, 
 as did Deerfoot, the Sauk started out on what 
 may be described as a large circle, inclosing the 
 war party near the river. His action was based 
 on the somewhat curious theory that the 
 Pawnees which he had seen did not compose 
 the main body that would be found grouped 
 somewhere within the woods. It may as well 
 be said that he was mistaken in this supposi- 
 tion, though the reader has learned that a num- 
 ber of Indians were scattered at different 
 points, and it was their rapid convergence 
 which kept Deerfoot on the move. 
 
 Hay-uta had not gone far on the edge of the 
 semi-circle, when the shouts and sounds of fire- 
 arms from that direction of the camp left no 
 doubt that trouble had broken out there. 
 Desirous of learning what it meant, he moved 
 toward the point, but before he went near 
 enough to discover any thing, he detected one 
 of the Pawnees doing the same thing. 
 
SAUK AND PAWNEE. 117 
 
 The warrior was just far enongh in advance 
 for Hay-uta to catch a glimpse of his figure as 
 it twinkled among the trees. He was going on 
 a long, loping trot, which, if not very rapid, was 
 sufficiently so to carry him beyond sight within 
 a few seconds after the Sauk observed him. 
 
 The unexpected turn which events had taken 
 led Hay-uta to stop and question himself as to 
 the right course to follow. His intelligence 
 told him that Deerfoot was fleeing through the 
 woods, with an indefinite number of enemies in 
 pursuit. The Sauk grimly smiled. 
 
 " The Pawnees will overtake the young 
 Shawanoe when they outrun the eagle as he 
 flies among the clouds. The arrow of his own 
 bow is scarce faster than he." 
 
 The confidence of Hay-uta in the prowess of 
 Deerfoot was warranted, as we can not help 
 agreeing, but suspecting the truth, as the Sauk 
 did, we can hardly understand how he believed 
 he would succeed in extricating himself. 
 
 Making sure that no one was in the vicinity 
 the Sauk stood for perhaps fifteen minutes, 
 while he listened closely to the sounds which 
 came from different points in the wood. He 
 
118 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 was able to form a pretty fair idea of what it 
 all meant, though of necessity much was left 
 to conjecture. 
 
 It was the training of Hay-uta, from his 
 earliest youth, which led him to keep his 
 glances flitting here and there in all directions, 
 while using his ears to determine what was 
 going on. Had he not done so, he would have 
 failed to note a suspicious proceeding on his 
 right. 
 
 Although looking toward a different point 
 just then, he detected something which led him 
 to believe that one of the strange warriors was 
 trying to steal close to him. It seemed as if a 
 Pawnee, having discovered the Sauk, was try- 
 ing to get close enough to make the aim of his 
 gun sure. 
 
 The first glance toward that point con- 
 vinced Hay-uta that his enemy was making for 
 the trunk of a tree, less than a hundred yards 
 distant. Its diameter was so great that it 
 would have sheltered two persons at the same 
 time, and it exceeded to such an extent all 
 the others near it, that it was natural for one 
 to seek its protection. 
 
SAUK AND PAWNEE. 119 
 
 The Sauk was sure that the warrior was 
 several rods beyond this tree, toward which he 
 was stealing, while striving to keep the trunk 
 between him and Hay-uta. So long, therefore, 
 as the Sauk remained motionless, the Pawnee 
 would be protected, though there were other 
 trees of less size behind which he could escape 
 should it become necessary. 
 
 It is not to be supposed that the Sauk was 
 stupid enough to stand like a wooden Indian, 
 and allow his enemy every advantage he sought. 
 There were plenty of trunks, also, which he 
 could use as a screen while engaged in a char- 
 acteristic duel with the other Indian; but, 
 instead of doing so, he began striding off 
 towardthe right, keeping his gaze fixed on the 
 larger trunk, and holding his rifle at full cock, 
 so that it could be aimed and fired on an 
 instant's call. At the same time, he swung his 
 right arm about his head, and then struck the 
 left hand over his heart. This was the sign of 
 comity, and the moment it should catch the eye 
 of the Pawnee, he would be sure to recognize 
 it as such, though whether he would accept it 
 remained to be seen. 
 
120 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 The action of the Sauk was so prompt, and 
 apparently so unexpected, that the crouching 
 savage was caught unawares. He was 
 uncovered with great cleverness, and indeed 
 Hay-uta could have "winged" him had he 
 chosen to do so. It was not from lack of 
 inclination that he held his fire, but because 
 prudence demanded it. As it was, he was 
 confident of his ability to anticipate any hostile 
 movement on the part of the other. 
 
 Flanked in this fashion, the Pawnee was 
 equally prompt in reciprocating the gestures 
 of good-will which greeted him. While in the 
 act of straightening up, he imitated the saluta- 
 tions which, though somewhat different from 
 those to which he was accustomed, were too 
 plain in their meaning to be mistaken. 
 
 When two strangers open negotiations by 
 declaring themselves friends, it is natural they 
 should advance and shake hands (provided 
 that manner of salutation is in vogue), and 
 such was the next proceeding of the red 
 men. 
 
 "The heart of Hay-uta bounds with joy 
 when he looks upon the face of his brave 
 
SAUK AND PAWNEE. 121 
 
 brother of the unknown totem," said the 
 Sauk. 
 
 " The Flying Deer, of the Pawnees, would 
 weep till the Great Spirit in sorrow for him 
 called him home, had he been made to wait 
 for this brave warrior, who has journeyed so 
 many suns that he may look upon his face," 
 was the substantial response of the Pawnee. 
 
 All this was very fine, but one drawback 
 remained — neither Indian understood a single 
 syllable uttered by the other, but the beaming 
 expressions scarcely needed literal interpreta- 
 tion. Truth makes it necessary to add that, 
 with all this effusiveness, the warriors distrusted 
 each other. 
 
 Now began a conversation by means of signs, 
 which it would be tedious to give in full. For- 
 tunately for Hay-uta, he was so far removed 
 from the scene of action in which Deerf oot and 
 the others were playing such an active part, 
 that he was quite secure against interruxjtion, 
 unless the fleeing Shawanoe should happen to 
 take a turn in his flight which might bring 
 the swarming pursuers in that direction. 
 
 It was impossible for Hay-uta to know the 
 
122 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 real sentiments of the otlier, but, as a matter 
 of precaution, he sought to draw him further 
 away from the theater of action. The Pawnee 
 must have understood, from the signals which 
 had reached him, that an enemy was making a 
 great stir, and that his own presence was 
 desired. 
 
 Furthermore, as the Sauk was a stranger, 
 the natural supposition would be that he was 
 an ally of the enemy. This could not fail 
 to cause suspicion, but, having just vowed 
 eternal friendship, policy required him to con- 
 ceal his real sentiments. 
 
 On the invitation of the Sauk, the other 
 accompanied him a few rods, during which 
 they conversed as well as they could in panto- 
 mime. While they managed to communicate 
 a great deal, yet the limit was speedily reached. 
 When Hay-uta tried to ask after the missing 
 Otto, the other did not comprehend him, or, 
 if he did, failed to make his sentences clear. In 
 that respect, therefore, the mission of the Sauk 
 Avas as barren of results as was that of Deer- 
 foot. 
 
 The Pawnee had not gone far, when he 
 
SAUK AND PAWNEE. 123 
 
 seemed to awake to the fact that he was doing 
 an imprudent thing. He came to a halt and 
 showed by his manner that he would go no 
 further. Hay-uta could not urge him, and the 
 two, therefore, stood face to face in the depth 
 of the forest, while they talked to each other. 
 
 The Sauk asked himself more than once 
 whether, in a hand to hand fight with the other, 
 the struggle being fair on each side, he could 
 vanquish him. The Pawnee was tall, well- 
 formed, athletic, and the knife thrust in the 
 skin-sheath at his girdle looked as if it was 
 longer and keener than the one Hay-uta carried, 
 without sheath at all. The Pawnee was cer- 
 tain to be a formidable antagonist in such a 
 contest, but the Sauk would not have hesitated 
 to assail him, except through fear that others 
 would be brought to the spot. 
 
 No doubt the Pawnee took the measure of 
 the stranger in the same manner, and it is 
 reasonable to conclude that he felt no special 
 fear of him. In fact, the two were like a 
 couple of bull dogs, ready to lly at each other's 
 throat, without once thinking of what the issue 
 was likely to be. 
 
124 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 But while they were holding their conversa- 
 tion, the Sauk carried out a singular thought. 
 He asked himself whether he could not make 
 a friend of the stranger— that is to say, a 
 genuine friend, who would be held to him by 
 gratitude. 
 
 As .to the method by which this was to be 
 attained, even the ingenious mind of the war- 
 rior was unable to determine. All he could do 
 was to seek to keep him company until some 
 way should be open. The coming of any of the 
 Pawnees, who were trooping at the heels of 
 the Shawanoe, would be liable to scatter all 
 such 1^1 ans to the wind. 
 
 The diplomats were doing their best to enter- 
 tain each other, when a most unlooked-for inter- 
 ference took place. 
 
 From where they stood, they were able to 
 locate the clearing by means of a thinness of 
 the trees, a few more rays of daylight pene- 
 trating from that direction. Hay-uta happened 
 to be looking toward that point, when he 
 caught the outline of a figure stealing along 
 the margin of the- opening. 
 
 The sight was so unexpected that the manner 
 
SAUK AND PAWNEE. 125 
 
 of the Sauk betrayed the discovery, the instance 
 being one of those rare ones in which he was 
 caught off his guard. He reproached himself, 
 for the back of his companion was turned 
 toward the other, who was moving as silently 
 as the shadow over the face of a sun-dial. 
 
 The head of the Pawnee turned quickly, and 
 he muttered a soft " — st!" At the same 
 moment he began moving toward the other, 
 with the absolute silence that the trained Indian 
 shows when creeping into a hostile camp, where 
 the rustling of a leaf brings discovery. 
 
 Hay-uta could not but admire the skill of 
 the Indian. At the same time, the action of 
 the Pawnee in moving away from the Sauk, 
 while his eyes were turned from him, thus 
 placing himself at the mercy of Hay-uta, was 
 an appeal to the honor of the latter, which, of 
 itself, was the strongest safeguard of the 
 Pawnee. 
 
 Hay-uta fell in behind him, and the two 
 advanced in their stealthy fashion among the 
 trees for some twenty steps, when they gained 
 full view of the third Indian, whose course was 
 rather peculiar. He had stepped from the 
 
126 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 woods into the clearing, and was standing facing 
 tlie other way, with his attention fixed on 
 something too far off to be seen by the couple 
 that were watching him. 
 
 Hay-uta was astounded almost into betraying 
 himself again when he saw that the Indian was 
 Deerfoot the Shawanoe. He was watching 
 the two Pawnees near the camp-fire, and was 
 in the act of discharging the first arrow which 
 broke the pipe of Red "Wolf and threw him and 
 Lone Bear into such consternation. 
 
 It may have been because the youth carried 
 a bow and arrow, instead of firearms, that the 
 Pawnee thought he was a wanderer from 
 beyond the Rocky Mountains, who had drifted 
 into that section and was now making his way 
 home. Certainly he could have had no suspi- 
 cion of the prowess of the Shawanoe, nor could 
 he have dreamed that he had been the sole 
 cause of the hubbub that had reigned among 
 the Pawnees, and even then was hardly ended. 
 He appeared to believe, however, that he was 
 one of a party who were their enemies, for he 
 signed to Hay-uta that he meant that the 
 stranger should not escape him. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 A EEYEESAL OF SITUATIO]^. 
 
 THE situation was most peculiar for all 
 three concerned. Despite the vigilance 
 and woodcraft of Deerfoot the Shawanoe, he 
 had allowed an enemy to creep up behind him 
 and secure an advantage which could not be 
 overcome. In the common parlance of the 
 West, the Pawnee had the drop on the 
 Shawanoe. 
 
 But Hay-uta the Sauk was too deeply 
 attached to the matchless young warrior to 
 permit harm to befall him. He learned from 
 his companion that it was not his purpose to 
 shoot Deerfoot, but simply to keep him covered 
 with his gun until he surrendered. Hay-uta 
 decided to permit this, because he believed no 
 harm to his friend could result, and he saw 
 the possibility of showing a chivalry toward 
 the Pawnee which might win his friendship. 
 
128 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Having made sure the warrior did not mean 
 to fire, Hay-uta kept a few paces in the back- 
 ground, w^liile the two noiselessly advanced a 
 half-dozen steps or more. It would have been 
 the easiest thing in the world for the Sauk to 
 apprise Deerfoot of his danger ! a slight rust- 
 ling of the leaves was all that was wanted. But 
 it was not done, for, as I have said, Hay-uta was 
 convinced that no immediate danger threatened 
 his friend. 
 
 Sauk and Pawnee stood motionless until 
 Deerfoot was seen to be shaking with silent 
 laughter. The sight of the two warriors running 
 for life from the camp-fire in the open space 
 satisfied the Pawnee that the youth had done 
 his best to kill them, and was amused to see 
 their fright at the moment when they were not 
 in the slightest peril. 
 
 The Pawnee now purposely rustled the 
 leaves with his moccasin. The Shawanoe faced 
 about like a flash. As he did so, Hay-uta, 
 standing just back of the captor, made a ges- 
 ture to his friend. Deerfoot ^' caught on ", and 
 dropped his hands to his side, to signify his 
 surrender. He divined the situation, and, 
 
A REVEESAL OF SITUATION-. 129 
 
 schooled as he was in self-control, it was hard 
 for him to restrain a smile over the thought of 
 the trick played on the Pawnee. Probably no 
 man was ever ' ' fooled " to a more astounding- 
 extent than he was at that moment. 
 
 The only thing feared by Deerfoot was that 
 some of the other Pawnees would soon reach 
 the spot and complicate matters, but, while the 
 apjparent conqueror was sanguine that he com- 
 manded the situation, Deerfoot knew he was 
 master from the first. 
 
 Looking straight at the Pawnee, he slowly 
 said : 
 
 *'My brother the Sauk is wise ; his compan- 
 ion is a Pawnee ; let no harm befall him, for he 
 has done no harm to us ; but other Pawnees 
 may soon be here ; let Hay-uta point his rifle 
 at the Pawnee so that he will turn his gun 
 away from Deerfoot." 
 
 While speaking the Shawanoe kept his eyes 
 fixed on those of the Pawnee, who, of course, 
 supposed the words were addressed to him. 
 He could not catch their meaning, but no 
 doubt believed they referred to the comjDlete- 
 ness of the surrender just made. Had he been 
 
130 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 an aboriginal linguist, liow different would 
 have been his feelings ! 
 
 Having dropped his hands, and spoken his 
 sentences, Deerfoot waited the action of 
 Hay-uta. 
 
 The latter still held the hammer of his rifle at 
 full cock, and he instantly leveled it at the Paw- 
 nee, harshly ordering him to lower his weapon. 
 
 The Pawnee was surprised. I am aware that 
 this is stating it mildly, but so would it 
 be if I used the strongest words at command. 
 He seemed transfixed, and actually was una- 
 ble to stir or even to lower his gun. But 
 the action of his companion told the truth, 
 and it must be believed that he was filled with 
 biting chagrin because he was not acute enough 
 to know that the aliens (one of whom seemed 
 to come from the east and the other from the 
 w^est) were allies. 
 
 However, the tables were turned and no 
 choice was left him. Down came his gun, the 
 hammer was lowered and the stock dropped 
 spitefully to the ground. It was the Shaw- 
 anoe and Sank who now " had the drop " on 
 the Pawnee. 
 
A REVERSAL OF SITUATI0J7. 131 
 
 By way of putting matters in a business-like 
 shape, Deerfoot called to Hay-uta to keep his 
 gun at a level, while he disarmed the prisoner. 
 The Sauk obeyed, and Deerfoot walked quietly 
 forward, and in the most matter-of-fact man- 
 ner drew the knife of the Pawnee from its 
 sheath at his girdle, extracted his tomahawk, 
 and then gently removed the rifle from his 
 nerveless grasp. Distributing the first two 
 weapons about his person, the Shawanoe 
 stepped back several paces, holding his bow 
 in one hand and the gun in the other. 
 
 Supposing Hay-uta had not been present, 
 w^hat would have been the result ? 
 
 I haven't a particle of doubt that the Paw- 
 nee would have been vanquished by Deerfoot. 
 The former could not have stood forever with his 
 gun aimed, and when he lowered it he would 
 have presented an "opening" of which the 
 Shawanoe would have availed himself with the 
 quickness of the lighting stroke. 
 
 While Deerfoot was disarming the sinewy 
 warrior, Hay-uta explained his Avish to show 
 him such consideration as to win his friendship. 
 That being done, probably some way would 
 
132 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 open by whicli lie could be used in tracing Otto 
 Kelstaub. 
 
 ^' My brother is wise," commented Deerfoot, 
 who admired the cleverness of the Sauk, " but 
 let him beware that the Pawnee does not betray 
 him." 
 
 No one would have supposed from the delib- 
 eration of the Shawanoe that he was in fear of 
 any thing, but, if it can be said that he was 
 ever nervous over any thing, such was his con- 
 dition now, through fear of irruption by a part 
 or all of the Pawnee war-party. He felt that 
 the danger increased every moment. 
 
 IN'o time, therefore, was lost. The Pawnee 
 was directed to move on, the course taken 
 being directly away from the camp-fire, and 
 close to the open space between the woods and 
 river. No fault could be found with the prompt- 
 ness displayed by the captive, who strode off 
 as though on his way to a marriage feast. 
 
 It was not necessary to keep a close watch 
 over the prisoner, since the most he could do 
 was to try to run away, and he was not likely 
 to attempt that when two loaded guns almost 
 touched him. 
 
A REVERSAL OF SITUATION. 133 
 
 But the Pawnee did do sometliing, which, 
 under the circumstanceSj was a daring act. 
 
 The procession had proceeded for a hundred 
 feet or so, when he gave utterance to a ringing 
 whoop, which could have been heard a half 
 mile. Deerf oot was astounded, and half raised 
 the gun with the intention of shooting him, but 
 he changed his mind before the weapon reached 
 his shoulder. 
 
 But never did the Shawanoe display quicker 
 readiness of resource than then. The Pawnee 
 acted as though he believed his life would pay 
 for what he had done, for, being a barbarian, 
 he must have felt from the first that no mercy 
 awaited him. Wheeling around, he folded his 
 arms, straightened up and looked defiantly at 
 the Shawanoe, saying plainly by his actions : 
 
 ' ' I am ready ; look and see a warrior 
 die!" 
 
 But Deerfoot did a much wiser thing. Con- 
 vinced that the whoop was a summons for help, 
 he managed to impress the Pawnee with the 
 fact, that the only way to save his life was to 
 send a second signal, the import of which 
 would be that he was in no need of help and 
 
134 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 liad no news to give, but would be glad to 
 receive any tidings his friends possessed. 
 
 It required some vigorous sign language on 
 the part of Deerfoot to bring the Pawnee to 
 his views. One of the most convincing argu- 
 ments, however, was the thunder-cloud on the 
 face of the Shawanoe, and the upraised toma- 
 hawk, poised and ready to be buried in the 
 skull of the captive. 
 
 And so the desired message was sent from 
 the throat of the frightened Pawnee. Deerfoot 
 could not be certain that the cry conveyed the 
 meaning he desired, but he noticed that the 
 modulation of the voice was different and he 
 was almost satisfied on the point. 
 
 As a matter of precaution, he now fell to the 
 rear, directing Hay-utato take care of the 
 captive. He was at liberty to shoot him if he 
 made a break for freedom, and there was little 
 doubt that Hay-uta would do so. 
 
 As for the Shawanoe, he meant to keep watch 
 for the other Pawnees, who were now all behind 
 them. Even if their prisoner had counter- 
 manded his call for help, little time could 
 elapse before Lone Bear and Red Wolf would 
 
A REVEPwSAL OF SITUATION. 135 
 
 make known how recently tliey had seen the 
 dusky demon. Of course they would suppress 
 the part they had x^layed in the proceeding, 
 but w^ould be likely to send a large party after 
 the Shawanoe, as soon as it could be brought 
 together. 
 
 Deerfoot, therefore, dropped a hundred feet 
 to the rear, still carrying the captured gun and 
 his bow, and half disposed to make a compul- 
 sory trade with the Pawnee. He could hardly 
 convince himself, however, that snch a proceed- 
 ing would be pleasing to the Great Sx^irit, and 
 he put the temptation behind him. 
 
 He was on the lookout for the warriors who 
 had shown themselves so plentiful only a short 
 time before. His purpose was to apprise Hay- 
 uta the moment they appeared, when without 
 a second's delay, the two would dash off, leav- 
 ing their prisoner to return to his friends. In 
 the event of such an issue, as it would be im- 
 possible to make a friend of their captive, the 
 Sauk favored sending a bullet through him 
 before parting ; but Deerfoot was so emphatic 
 in protesting against such savagery, that Hay- 
 uta promised to obey him. 
 
136 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Succeeding events left no doubt that the 
 prisoner did precisely as ordered by his captor ; 
 that is to say, he recalled his first signal and 
 notified his comrades that he had no need of 
 their presence. 
 
 When, some minutes later, several of the 
 Pawnees straggled back to camp, they found 
 Red Wolf and Lone Bear awaiting them. The 
 former looked as if he had been put to soak 
 for several days in the river, while Lone Bear 
 was weak from the fright he had received. He 
 did not blush, when he made the statement 
 that the young demon had appeared but a few 
 minutes before on the margin of the wood, 
 accompanied by seven warriors, and that they 
 instantly opened by launching arrow after 
 arrow in the direction of the Pawnees. 
 
 Eed Wolf said that he hastened to the river 
 bank with a view of securing a spot from which 
 to reconnoitre their enemies, but he caught his 
 foot in a root and fell into the water ; that 
 accounted for his moist condition. 
 
 The warrior had hardly reached that point 
 in his narrative, when he perceived that he had 
 gone too far. Indian scouts, when stealing 
 
A REVERSAL OF SITUATIOIST. 137 
 
 along the banks of a stream, are not apt to roll 
 into it and under the surface, either accident- 
 ally or for the fun of the thing. The Pawnee, 
 therefore, told the truth, except that he joined 
 Lone Bear in declaring that their foe was 
 accompanied by seven others, who seemed as 
 eager as he to slay them. 
 
 It would seem that the fact that none of the 
 other Pawnees had discovered any of the 
 seven, would have discredited the statement of 
 Red Wolf and Lone Bear ; but the two were so 
 strenuous in their declaration that it produced 
 the effect desired. Some of the listeners 
 believed there was a large party of enemies at 
 hand, and prudence demanded that their own 
 warriors should be called together and precau- 
 tions taken against surprise. 
 
 It was accordingly so done. 
 
CHAPTER Xli. 
 
 INDIAN HONOR. 
 
 BY this time the sun had reached the rim 
 of the horizon, and the shadows were 
 deej)ening under the trees. Deerfoot dropped 
 further behind the Sauk and Pawnee, the three 
 still pushing w^estward, which was opposite the 
 course that would have been taken to reach the 
 camp-fire. The highly trained senses of the 
 young Shawanoe could hear and see nothing to 
 show that his enemies were near at hand. 
 
 Every minute now lessened the danger, for 
 only a little more obscurity was required to 
 prevent the keenest eyes of an American Indian 
 from detecting the footj)rints in the forest. He 
 concluded that, from some cause or other, the 
 Pawnees had given over the pursuit. 
 
 So soon as Deerfoot was convinced on this 
 point, he hastened to overtake Hay-uta, who 
 
INDIAN HONOR. 139 
 
 was walking almost on the heels of the captive. 
 The latter was not lacking in a certain dignity. 
 He did not shamble along, as though his 
 courage had been driven from his body. He 
 walked erect, with head high, scarcely deign- 
 ing to bend it to avoid an occasional interfer- 
 ing limb. He preferred to flank rather than 
 stoop to such an obstruction. His carriage was 
 so proud indeed that it looked as if he were a 
 conqueror, with his two slaves walking behind 
 him. Not once did he look about, or act as 
 though he suspected the presence of friend or 
 foe. 
 
 This curious procession lasted until the three 
 were nearly a half mile from camp. By that 
 time, night was closing in, and the gloom was 
 such that Deerfoot was persuaded he need give 
 no further thought to the Pawnee war party. 
 
 Hay-uta had acted the part of conductor, 
 without much thought as to the course they 
 were taking. Swerving to the right, they were 
 soon beyond sight of the open space, and for a 
 while the march was through the trackless 
 forest ; but, while the red men deviated very 
 little from the path, the river, like all streams, 
 
140 rOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 took a winding course, and, just at tlie moment 
 that Deerfoot joined the Sauk, the three 
 debouched from the woods and (inasmuch as 
 the open space had dwindled to a mere ribbon) 
 found themselves close to the edge of the 
 stream. There of necessity they halted. 
 
 The Pawnee now glanced over his shoulder 
 and stopped, as if waiting for some command. 
 Receiving none he started along the stream, 
 but was checked by a word from Deerfoot, 
 whose gesture explained what he meant. The 
 warrior paused, and folding his arms con- 
 fronted them with the same calm defiance as 
 before. 
 
 There was something in his demeanor that 
 compelled the admiration of his captors. It 
 proved that whatever the Pawnee might be, he 
 was not a coward, and it recalled to the young 
 Shawanoe, the days when he wandered through 
 the forests and cane brakes of Kentucky, like 
 a raging cat o' mountain in his hatred of the 
 pale-faces. There were depths in the nature of 
 the youth which were rarely sounded ; but now 
 and then he caught glimpses of the possibili- 
 ties within himself which caused him to shrink 
 
INDIAN HONOK. 141 
 
 back, as if from the presence of a super- 
 naturally evil being. 
 
 For the last part of the march the same 
 thought occupied the minds of both Deerfoot 
 and Hay-uta : in what manner could they win 
 the friendship of the captive, and thus open 
 the way to a solution of the mystery respecting 
 Otto Relstaub « 
 
 Now that the journey was over for the pres- 
 ent, the captors consulted together. When 
 Deerfoot called on Hay-uta for the method 
 that had presented itself to him, the Sauk 
 replied that the only thing of which he could 
 think was to make the Pawnee believe that he 
 had but a few moments to live — that there was 
 no possible escape ; and then, when that view 
 was impressed on the prisoner, they would 
 present him with his liberty. 
 
 Such was the plan also of Deerfoot, but 
 when Hay-uta proposed that the Pawnee 
 should be soused into the water and held 
 under the surface until on the point of drown- 
 ing, the Shawanoe shook his head. 
 
 Deerfoot showed a far-seeing mind in the 
 course which he adopted, and to which Hay- 
 
142 rOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 uta assented without fathoming its full pur- 
 pose. The youth felt that the circumstances 
 were such that it was more im]3ortant for the 
 Sauk to figure as a merciful captor than for 
 himself to play that part. 
 
 Deerfoot, it may be said, had proved his 
 ability to take care of himself, where it was 
 possible for a human being to do so. Tlie Sauk 
 was skillful, but in the perilous times close at 
 hand, he was likely to stand in greater need of 
 a friend ' ' at court ' ' than was the Shawanoe. It 
 was this motive which actuated the latter in 
 w^hat he now did. 
 
 ^' Deerfoot will make ready to slay the Paw- 
 nee," said he, " and then Hay-uta will stay his 
 hand." 
 
 . The Sauk nodded to signify he understood 
 the arrangement. 
 
 ' ' Let my brother wait till all is ready ; let 
 him stand still till the Pawnee has no hope : 
 when Deerfoot raises his tomahawk, then shall 
 my brother forbid." 
 
 There was something touching in the dignity 
 of the Pawnee, when he felt that no hope 
 remained to him. He had no blanket, and all 
 
INDIAN HONOR. 143 
 
 his weapons had been removed. He stood per- 
 haps twenty feet, or slightly less, from Deer- 
 foot, in plain sight, though the twilight had 
 given place to that of the moon, which was 
 partly full and shining from a sky in which 
 were a number of drifting clouds. He was only 
 a step or two from the woods, which it would 
 seem offered a temptation too great to be 
 resisted. 
 
 Doubtless some such thought entered his 
 mind, but the Shawanoe never turned his face, 
 and maintained such unremitting watch, that 
 the captive must have felt he was shut in on 
 every side. 
 
 Deerf oot had laid aside his bow and rifle and 
 grasped his tomahawk — that weapon which in 
 his hands was as unerring for a short distance 
 as was the arrow from his bow. On the first 
 motion of his captive toward flight, no matter 
 how quick] y made, the tomahawk would split 
 the skull as if it were a rotten apple. 
 
 The Pawnee made no such attempt. He 
 remained with his fine figure drawn to its full 
 height. The weight of his body supported 
 mainly on his right foot, while the left rested 
 
144 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 lightly a few inclies in front, tlie posture simi- 
 lar to that which a trained athlete would 
 assume when about to leap over a slight 
 obstruction. 
 
 His arms were folded across his chest, his 
 shoulders thrown back, while his eyes were 
 fixed on the face of his captor a short distance 
 away. Once or twice they flitted to the gloomy 
 woods on his left, as though a faint hope flut- 
 tered in his heart that his friends would rush 
 to his relief ; but he knew that if such a thing 
 were possible, it would have been done long 
 before. Night and darkness had shut out all 
 help from them. 
 
 The words between Deerfoot and Hay-uta 
 were few, for the arrangements were so simple 
 that many were not required. Hay-uta 
 stepped back, and Deerfoot gathered himself 
 like a marksman about to fire at a target. 
 
 The slightest incident did not escape the 
 Pawnee. He saw that his last minute was at 
 hand. Without changing his posture or 
 unfolding his arms, he leaned forward and 
 bowed his head, so that the crown was pre- 
 sented to his master, and his eyes, had they 
 
IISTDIAN HONOR. 145 
 
 been open, would have looked directly on the 
 ground. But they were closed, and his atti- 
 tude was that of the devout worshipers in the 
 (congregation who, having risen to their feet 
 and joined in the singing, bow their heads 
 while the minister pronounces his benison. 
 
 The feet of Deerfoot were placed similarly 
 to those of his victim, and his tomahawk was 
 held idly in his left hand, the blade pressing 
 the side of his knee. When necessary it would 
 be raised over and back of his shoulder like a 
 flash of light, and sent crashing into the brain 
 of his victim. 
 
 The stillness became more impressive from a 
 sound which blended with, rather than broke 
 into it ; a low monotone, like the sweeping of 
 the wind over the strings of some rude instru- 
 ment of music, issued from the lips of the 
 Pawnee. It became broken, but at no time 
 lost its distinctive character. It never rose to 
 a high key, and from the beginning to the end, 
 its variation in tone was no more than two 
 notes of the musical scale. Had the volume 
 been less, it would have called to mind the 
 
 crooning of the housewife by her spinning 
 J 
 
146 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 wheel or over tlie cradle of the infant she was 
 lulling to sleep. 
 
 But there was a depth, and a certain sonor- 
 ous resignation in the death-song of the Paw- 
 nee, which rendered it unlike any thing else. 
 The Shawanoe and Sauk had heard it sung 
 more than once, and, accustomed as they were 
 to the most dreadful scenes, they were always 
 relieved when it ended ; it v>^as too much like a 
 despairing refrain from the grave itself. 
 
 Gradually the volume of the Pawnee' s death 
 song deepened. For a time it was as if the 
 voice were swaying from side to side in the 
 struggle to free itself from some weight hold- 
 ing it down and smothering it. The weight 
 was Hung off, when, throwing up his head 
 again, the Pawnee defiantly confronted the 
 Shawanoe. The unspeakably dismal monotone 
 sounded loud and clear as a trumpet blast 
 borne on the wind, which, having blown at 
 angles to the line of sound, suddenly becomes 
 favorable, and throws the notes forward as if 
 on eagles' wings. 
 
 The death song was ended ; the Pawnee had 
 finished his preparation for the leap into the 
 
INDIAN HONOE. 147 
 
 dark, and he calmly awaited the pleasure of 
 his master. 
 
 Instead of whirling his tomahawk aloft, 
 Deerfoot slowly brought it above his head, the 
 blade making a gleaming circle, as it swung 
 over and finally paused, the handle so held that 
 it pointed upward and backward, at an angle 
 of forty-five degrees. He seemed to be gather- 
 ing his muscles for the supreme effort, which 
 should extinguish life in the defiant Pawnee 
 as quickly as if he were smitten by a bolt from 
 heaven. But, before the missile could leave 
 his hand, the Sauk uttered an exclamation, 
 and, having laid aside his gun, strode forward 
 with both hands raised in protest. 
 
 His first two steps were rapid, and then, mak- 
 ing a great bound, he seized the left arm of 
 Deerfoot with both of his hands. The Shawa- 
 noe seemed to struggle fiercely to free himself, 
 and his voice sounded harsh and angry as he 
 ordered the other to step aside and leave him 
 alone. But the Sauk, with no abatement of 
 earnestness, refused, and, for a second or two, 
 the contest was so desperate that the wonder 
 was the prisoner did not make a break for life. 
 
148 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Possibly lie did not understand tlie nature of 
 the struggle until it was over, or it may have 
 been that, having made his preparations for 
 death, he was loth to change the programme. 
 
 But the dispute ended as quickly as it began. 
 The Sauk triumphed, as, judging from the size 
 of the two, he was likely to do in such a wran- 
 gle. The hand of Deerfoot became nerveless 
 and dropped to his side. He stood silent and 
 sullen, as though he had no more interest in 
 the matter. 
 
 Using mild language again, the Pawnee was 
 surprised when the Sauk walked forward, and 
 handed back the rifle, which Deerfoot had taken 
 from him a short time before. The prisoner 
 hesitated a moment as if in doubt, but the 
 manner of Hay-uta was too plain to be mis- 
 taken. He accepted the weapon, giving utter- 
 ance to what was probably meant as an expres- 
 sion of thanks. 
 
 Keturning a few steps, the Sauk picked up 
 the tomahawk and knife from the ground, and 
 advancing once more in front of the Pawnee, 
 presented them to him with the grace of the 
 Crusader. His pleasure in giving was surely 
 
INDIAN HONOR. 149 
 
 equal to that of the Pawnee in receiving 
 them. 
 
 All this time Deerf oot remained like a statue 
 of sullenness, glowering on the two, as though 
 he would have been pleased to tomahawk both 
 actors in the singular drama. 
 
 The Pawnee was quick to catch the purport 
 of his friend in need. He shoved the blade of his 
 knife into the skin-sheath at his girdle ; he 
 thrust the handle of his tomahawk through the 
 same support, but further to one side, as if to 
 balance the other weajDon. Then he grasped 
 his gun near the flint, and was ready for the 
 next step in the proceedings. 
 
 Placing his hand on the prisoner' s shoulder, 
 Hay-uta turned him partly around, so that he 
 faced up stream and in the direction of the 
 camp, where so many of his friends were gath- 
 ered. Pushing him gently forward, he 
 exclaimed in an undertone and in his own lan- 
 guage : 
 
 ''Go!'' 
 
 The Pawnee obeyed, the same dignity mark- 
 ing his movement as when he stood in the pres- 
 ence of death. He strode forward until he 
 
150 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 reached the darkness of the wood, into which 
 he seemed to blend as if a part of the gloom 
 itself. 
 
 When within the shelter, however, he laid 
 aside his courtliness, as it may be called, and 
 used the utmost haste in placing himself beyond 
 danger. 
 
 Having played a part so long, he seemed to 
 "go all to pieces", and dashed under the limbs 
 and among the trunks like a terrified deer. 
 
 This j)anic, however, was soon over, and he 
 came to an abrupt stop when only a short dis- 
 tance away. Standing a second or two, as if 
 in deep thought, he turned, and began steal- 
 ing toward the narrow open space where he 
 had stood a few minutes before, with bowed 
 head, while he chanted his death song. His 
 movement was noiseless, and he speedily 
 peered from among the trees upon the forms of 
 the Shawanoe and Sauk, who were in the act of 
 moving off. They were in plain sight, and the 
 swarthy countenance gleamed, as, carefully 
 mufiling the sound of the hammer, he drew it 
 back and brought the rifle to his shoulder. 
 
 The distance was short and he could not mis- 
 
IXDIAX HONOR. 151 
 
 take his aim. Tliougli his life had just been 
 s^Dared by the couple, he fairly held his breath 
 in his eagerness to take their lives. Could he 
 have done so, he would have waited till they 
 were in range, in order that he might bring 
 both low. 
 
 But only a moment elapsed, after raising his 
 rifle, when he pressed the trigger. 
 
 The dull click of the flint was followed by a 
 whirring flash, as the powder vanished in a 
 white puS, but there was no report. Deerfoot, 
 Avhile carrying the weapon, had quietly with- 
 drawn the charge, leaving the priming, how- 
 ever, in the pan. He knew just how far it is 
 safe to trust the average American Indian. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE TWINKLE OF A CAMP-FIEE. 
 
 SLIGHT as was the noise made by the flash- 
 ing of the powder, Deerfoot not only 
 heard it, but knew what it meant. He was so 
 angered that he bounded back among the trees 
 like a tiger leaping upon the hunter that has 
 wounded him. He grasped his knife and 
 sought the treacherous Pawnee, with a fierce- 
 ness that seemed could not be denied. 
 
 Hay-uta stepped softly in the other direc- 
 tion, where he was under the shadow of the 
 trees, and waited for events to develop before 
 doing any thing further. 
 
 In the depth of the woods where the vegeta- 
 tion was dense, the darkness was impenetrable. 
 Keen as were the eyes of the Shawanoe, they 
 were not those of the owl or cat, and his enemy 
 was wise enough to remain still. So long as 
 he did so, he was in no danger. 
 
THE TWINKLE OF A CAMP-FIRE. 153 
 
 Had Deerfoot been able to find tlie traitor, 
 he would have made short work with him, but 
 suspecting what he was doing, or rather what 
 he was not doing, he did not tarry. He with- 
 drew so cautiously that no straggling ray of 
 moonlight could fall on his figure, as he moved 
 among the trees. Rejoining the Sauk, they 
 passed down stream. 
 
 They had not gone far when they stopped 
 near the edge of the water. There was none 
 of the band on the open space on which the 
 Pawnee camp-fire had been kindled a half 
 mile or so above, so they were covered by all 
 the shelter they could wish. 
 
 From the moment of turning their backs for 
 the last time on the Pawnee who had sought 
 to shoot one of them, the Shawanoe and Sauk 
 had not spoken a word. They understood 
 each other too well to need conversation ; but, 
 remembering the click of the flint lock and 
 the useless flash of the powder, they made 
 sure that no chance was given for a second 
 attempt. 
 
 The Pawnee, who understood why he failed 
 to bring down one of them, was wise enough 
 
154 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 to withdraw and make liis way back to the 
 camp-fire, pondering on the road the explana- 
 tion which he would add to the store of extra- 
 ordinary narratives related by his comrades, 
 who had been brought in contact with the 
 young Shawanoe. 
 
 The sky was cloudy and the light of the 
 moon treacherous and uncertain. Sometimes 
 the surface of the swiftly floAving river in front 
 was lighted up, and the shadowy line of wood on 
 the other shore stood out clear, and again it 
 seemed to recede, when the face of the moon 
 was obscured. 
 
 It was not far to the other bank, and the 
 Indian friends expected to swim across, as 
 they had done scores of times under similar 
 circumstances. Fully two hours had passed 
 since they left young Jack Carleton. During 
 that period not the slightest sign was received 
 from him, and he might have been dead or a 
 thousand miles distant, for all that indicated 
 the contrary. 
 
 And yet, it is not to be supposed that either 
 the Sauk or Shawanoe felt any concern for the 
 lad. They had seen no hostiles on that side of 
 
THE TWIXKLE OF A CAMP-FIEE. 155 
 
 the stream ; besides, the experience of Jack 
 ought to have kept him from any possible 
 harm. 
 
 But the understanding was that the three 
 were to come together at nightfall, or as soon 
 thereafter as possible. Consequently, Jack 
 would be looking for them. 
 
 Deerfoot and Hay-uta stood by the margin 
 of the wood, listening and looking. The soft 
 murmur of the forest and the ripple of the 
 current, as it twisted around some gnarled 
 root along shore or struck against the dipping 
 branch of a tree overhanging the water, were 
 the sounds which first fell on their ears. But 
 a moment later the wailing scream of a panther 
 came from the depths of the wilderness, 
 answered a moment after by a similar cry from 
 a point a mile away. 
 
 As if the night was to be given no rest, a 
 husky whistle, like that which a locomotive 
 sends faintly through many miles of fog and 
 damp, reached their ears. Deerfoot and Hay- 
 uta recognized it as a signal from one of the 
 Pawnees who were so numerous in the neigh- 
 borhood. It came from a point near where 
 
156 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Deerfoot had caught his first sight of the 
 group around the camp-fire. 
 
 But the friends were in a section where they 
 had never been before, and were playing battle- 
 dore and shuttlecock with a warlike tribe of 
 whom they knew nothing. It was impossible, 
 therefore, for them to understand the meaning 
 of the signal, for whose response they listened 
 with close attention. 
 
 They were astonished that no answer was 
 returned. They would have heard it had there 
 been any, but for several minutes the stillness 
 was unbroken. It was as if one of the Paw- 
 nees had called to another who was too distant 
 to be reached, and consequently no response 
 could be sent. 
 
 Bat the next interruption was the report of 
 a gun, sounding startlingly distinct on the 
 quiet air. That, so far as could be judged, 
 came from near the spot whither was sent the 
 first signal. 
 
 The Sauk and Shawanoe waited further, 
 but nothing was heard that threw the least 
 light on the plans or doings of the warriors with 
 whom Deerfoot had had such a sharp brush. 
 
THE TWI^^KLE OF A CAMP-FIRE. 157 
 
 " My brotlier has learned nauglit of tlie pale- 
 face?" remarked the Shawanoe, inquiringly, 
 when his companion had related the experi- 
 ence through which he passed, after their 
 separation during the afternoon. 
 
 ' ' The lips of the Pawnees are shut to the 
 Sauk," replied Hay-uta, alluding to the 
 tongue of the red men, which was unintelli- 
 gible to him. 
 
 Their lips are shut to Deerfoot, but Lone 
 Bear speaks the words which Deerfoot can 
 understand." 
 
 ^' What were his words to my brother!" 
 asked Hay-uta. 
 
 *'He says he and Red Wolf have never 
 looked upon the pale face." 
 
 "Lone Bear and Eed Wolf speak lies I" 
 exclaimed the Sauk with more feeling than 
 would be expected. "What does Deerfoot 
 think?" he asked, as if his opinion was a 
 matter of vital importance. 
 
 "Deerfoot believes the word of Hay-uta; 
 he told Lone Bear, while looking in his eyes, 
 that his tongue was double and his heart 
 was full of lies ; Lone Bear rushed upon 
 
158 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Deerfoot and sought to slay him for his 
 words." 
 
 This reply was gratifying to Hay-uta, who 
 held the young Shawanoe that had vanquished 
 him with such brilliancy, in higher esteem 
 than any one else in the world. He was silent, 
 as if unable to express his feelings, and the 
 Shawanoe continued : 
 
 " Hay-uta has talked with the Great Spirit ; 
 he has listened to the words of the kind 
 Father who looks down from the moon behind 
 the clouds ; the whisperings of the Great Spirit 
 have been sweet in his ears ; Hay-uta could 
 not speak with a double tongue, when he 
 thinks of his goodness." 
 
 As the Sauk replied, he looked upward at 
 the sky. The ragged cloud which a moment 
 before was passing across the face of the 
 moon, glided off, and the soft light shone full 
 upon the coppery countenance that glowed 
 with a feeling, such as only a close communion 
 with God stirs in the recesses of the heart. 
 
 * ' Hay-uta has heard the voice of the Great 
 Spirit," said the Sauk, speaking in low tones, 
 ^' but his words were whispers and Hay-uta 
 
THE TWINKLE OF A CAMP-FIPwE. 159 
 
 did not hear them all, and sometimes he could 
 not hear aright." 
 
 This confession that the mists had not cleared 
 from before the Sauk's vision did not surprise 
 Deerf oot, for his own gropings after light were 
 too distinct for him ever to forget the winding 
 path over which he trod. 
 
 ^' The Great Spirit never sleeps," replied 
 Deerfoot, in a voice almost as low as his com- 
 panion's ; "he listens for the words of his 
 children and his ear is a^lways open ; he will 
 hear Hay-uta, if he calls upon him and speaks 
 and acts so that when the Great Spirit looks 
 down he will smile." 
 
 ' ' Hay-uta will talk with the Great Spirit, so 
 that the whispers which he now hears shall 
 become so loud that Hay-uta can not mistake 
 them." 
 
 Deerfoot added a few words of encourage- 
 ment, and then, having paused long enough on 
 the shore, they addressed themselves to the 
 duty before them. 
 
 This was simply to cross to the other side, 
 so as to rejoin Jack Carleton. As there was 
 but the one means of passing over, it was idle 
 
160 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 to hesitate. Tlie Sliawanoe stepped carefully 
 a few paces, when the water reached his arm- 
 pits, and he began swimming. He did so, 
 holding his bow above the surface with one 
 hand, so as to protect the string from moisture. 
 This was one of the disadvantages of that 
 weapon, though the rifle was not free from a 
 similar inconvenience ; but Hay-uta fastened it 
 to his back, so that the muzzle projected above 
 his head and the water could not run into the 
 barrel. Sometimes he used a cork-like piece of 
 wood to keep the load from wetting, and again 
 he took no precautions, but drew the charge 
 after leaving the stream. Even with all the 
 care that could be taken, the clumsy hammer 
 and flint let down in the pan often failed to 
 protect the powder. 
 
 But both were splendid swimmers, and, 
 though the current was powerful, they 
 advanced with steady, even strokes until their 
 feet touched bottom, when they walked out on 
 the opposite side. There the shore was similar 
 to the one just left, so that when their moc- 
 casins pressed dry land again, they stood in 
 the shadow of the overhanging trees, millions 
 
THE TWIXKLE OF A CAMP-FIRE. 161 
 
 of wliicli, at that day, covered the vast western 
 wilderness. 
 
 Their course had been such that (supposing 
 Jack Carleton remained near the spot where 
 the parting took place), it was now necessary 
 to make their way for some distance up the 
 stream. As there was reason to believe that 
 the broad, swift current interposed between 
 them and the hostiles, Deerfoot and Hay-uta 
 looked back at the land just left behind. 
 
 The view was so similar to what has 
 already been described, that no more words 
 are needed. The clouds were still floating in 
 front of the moon, and quaint shadows moved 
 across the river, forest and openings, but the 
 searching vision failed to show the twinkle of 
 any camp-fire, nor could the keen eyes of the 
 Shawanoe catch the faintest glimpse of any 
 shadowy figures stealing along shore. 
 
 Though it was the mild season, the night 
 was quite cool, and it will be remembered that 
 neither carried his blanket with him. Most 
 persons would have shivered with discomfort, 
 but the American Indian is educated to the 
 severest exposure and inured to sudden changes 
 
 K 
 
162 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 of temperature. It would liave been more 
 pleasant liad they been arrayed in dry clothing 
 rather than in their clinging garments, yet 
 neither acted as if he cared for the difference. 
 They were moving along the river bank in 
 their usual guarded manner, when both came 
 to an abrupt stop ; they had caught the twinkle 
 of a camp-fire among the trees just ahead. 
 
CHAPTER Xiy. 
 i:n" the tree-top. 
 
 WHEN Deerfoot and Hay-nta parted com- 
 pany with Jack Carleton, lie feared lie 
 had several hours on his hands without any 
 means of employing mind or body. The active 
 operations of the campaign, so to speak, were 
 in charge of the Sauk and Shawanoe division, 
 while the young Kentuckian in reserve had 
 little prospect of being called upon to take 
 part in the engagement. 
 
 But Jack, it will be noted, was almost oppo- 
 site the open ground, whereon burned the 
 Pawnee camp-fire, and, by using care, he could 
 hold it under inspection as long as he chose. 
 He had his choice of peeping from the trees 
 and undergrowth along shore, or of climbing 
 the tree from whose top the Shawanoe and 
 Sauk gained their first knowledge of the Paw- 
 
164 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 nees. Nearly every one would have stayed on 
 the ground, but in obedience to a whim, the 
 lad climbed to the perch where his friends 
 held themselves a short time before. He car- 
 ried his gun with him, for though it would 
 have been much more convenient to leave it 
 below, the act would have been apiece of remiss- 
 ness unpardonable in his situation. When, 
 however, he was half-way to the top, he care- 
 fully shelved it among some branches, where 
 it could not fall. He continued to climb until 
 the limbs bent with his weight. Cautious at 
 all times. Jack then softly pushed aside the 
 branches in front of his face and found he was 
 looking directly across and down upon the 
 Pawnee encampment. 
 
 At the moment of doing so, a slight incident 
 caused him some uneasiness. Among the group 
 on which he gazed with such interest, he 
 observed a warrior standing on the other side 
 of the fire, rifle in hand, with his face turned 
 toward the young Kentuckian. Not only that, 
 but he seemed to be watching Jack himself. 
 So startling was his appearance, that the youth 
 shrank back, allowing the vegetation to close 
 
IN THE TPwEE-TOP. 165 
 
 in front of his face. This was done with a cer- 
 tain abruptness, which (if he was right in his 
 suspicion), was unfortunate, since the action 
 would be the more noticeable to the Pawnee. 
 Then Jack stealthily parted the leaves and 
 peered out again. 
 
 The warrior was motionless, the stock of his 
 gun on the ground, while his right hand lightly 
 clasped the barrel, his left thumb inserted at 
 his girdle, close to the handle of his knife, 
 much after the fashion of some of us who use 
 the arm holes of our vests for that pur]Dose. 
 
 The distance, slight as it was, prevented 
 Jack Carleton from verifying or disproving his 
 suspicion. The painted face was turned 
 directly toward him and held stationary, as is 
 often the case when a person is trying to 
 identify some sound which faintly reaches his 
 ear. Had he been gazing straight at the lad, 
 he would have appeared just as he did when 
 stealthily viewed by the youth. 
 
 ' ' I wonder whether that rascal is looking at 
 me," said Jack to himself, when he peeped 
 timidly out the second time; '^they're as 
 sharp-eyed as owls, but he never could have 
 
166 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 thought of any one in this perch, if he hadn' t 
 accidentally looked at the spot. I'm afraid it 
 would mix things for Hay-uta and Deer- 
 foot, if any of them should get a sight of 
 me." 
 
 He was reminded of the experience of him- 
 self and Otto Relstaub when, some weeks 
 before, they were made captives by the Sauks, 
 within a short distance of Martinsville. At 
 that time, one or two of the warriors, while 
 the boys were watching them, walked away 
 from the camp in such an off-hand manner, 
 that neither dreamed their real purpose was to 
 pass to the rear of the prowlers and make them 
 prisoners. 
 
 "I'll keep my eyes on him," was the wise 
 conclusion of Jack, "and if he starts ott in 
 the woods, I'll slide down this tree and make a 
 change of base in short order." 
 
 To the great relief of Jack the warrior did 
 not maintain his impressive pose, nor did he 
 do what was dreaded and half expected. One 
 of the red men addressed him and he imme- 
 diately gave attention. 
 
 "It was only an accident," was the conclu- 
 
IN THE TREE-TOP. 167 
 
 sion of tlie youth ; "lie couldn't have seen me 
 — helloa!" 
 
 Jack had full warrant for his excitement, 
 for, at that moment, who should walk into his 
 field of vision but Deerfoot, the young Shawa- 
 
 noe. 
 
 He advanced from the wood as I have already 
 described, and saluting the astonished Pawnees 
 with a certain stateliness, opened the conversa- 
 tion. He was not long in discovering that Lone 
 Bear was the only one with whom he could 
 converse intelligently, and the two, as you 
 remember, were soon seated beside each other. 
 It was Lone Bear who, at the first glance, 
 Jack Carleton thought was looking at him. 
 
 The dread that the boy felt, when first left 
 alone, that time would hang heavily on his 
 hands was gone. He knew the Shawanoe well 
 enough to feel certain that he would keep 
 things moving. 
 
 And so he did. I will not repeat the story 
 of Deerfoot' s experience, which partook more 
 of a comedy than of a tragedy. The young 
 Kentuckian held his breath when Lone Bear 
 drew his knife and rushed upon the Shawanoe, 
 
168 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 and his excitement was almost irrestrainable 
 as the latter began dancing backward with his 
 infuriated assailant plunging and striking at 
 him. When the Pawnee sprawled, with his 
 feet kicking the air, Jack forgot where he was 
 and laughed with delight. 
 
 "Hurrah for Deerfoot ! " he called; ''the 
 whole crowd ain't enough for you ! you are 
 worth all of them ! ' ' 
 
 The Pawnees were on their feet hurrying 
 toward the combatants, and scarcely less ex- 
 cited than the young Kentuckian perched in the 
 tree-top. But, stirring as was the incident, it 
 was very brief. With the exceptions already 
 made known, the red men dashed into the 
 woods in hot pursuit of the fugitive. 
 
 ' ' Deerfoot against the world ! ' ' exclaimed 
 Jack, jerking off his cap, as though he was 
 about to fling it toward the clouds, but he 
 restrained himself and the cheer which could not 
 be locked between his lips was so impeded in 
 its escape that it reached no ears on the other 
 side the river. 
 
 "Deerfoot beats the beaters," he added, 
 bringing his feelings under control; "I don't 
 
IN THE TREE-TOP. 169 
 
 believe there ever was such a fellow ; it must 
 be that Providence intends him for some work, 
 and like Washington he can not be killed until 
 that work is done." 
 
 Jack had made a similar remark to his 
 mother, when they were talking about the 
 Shawanoe some weeks previous, and he now 
 recalled with a shudder her comment, to the 
 effect that the slightest of causes would bring 
 death to him just as quickly as to any one else, 
 and, sooner or later, he must succumb to the 
 inevitable. It seemed not unlikely that the 
 prowess of the young Shawanoe was an element 
 of peril to him, since he relied too much upon 
 it. 
 
 But the youth had eluded the hostiles, when 
 they seemed about to overwhelm him, and 
 Jack was confident now that he had the cover 
 of the woods, where he was at home, that he 
 could laugh his enemies to scorn. The reports 
 of guns, however, which reached his ears, 
 could not but produce a disquieting effect, 
 which the lad felt for a long time afterward. 
 
 ' ' I wonder whether any one could have 
 heard me," he muttered some minutes later, 
 
170 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 when his nerves became calmer. ''I forgot 
 myself, as the Indians themselves did, but I 
 guess no one noticed it." 
 
 That prudence which should never leave the 
 frontiersman, suggested that lie ought to 
 descend the tree, and seek some other place 
 of hiding. Unfortunately, he decided to stay 
 for awhile where he was. 
 
 There was much to occupy his attention, and 
 keep alive his interest ; for the discomfited 
 Lone Bear and his mock sympathizers were in 
 plain sight, and the gesticulations were so 
 clear that it seemed to Jack he could com- 
 prehend the words spoken. 
 
 But the most stirring scenes lose in time 
 their interest, and, despite the situation of 
 Jack Carleton, it was not long before his 
 thoughts reverted to Otto Relstaub. 
 
 " Poor fellow," he muttered, "it does seem 
 as if every thing went wrong with him ; I 
 have no father, but if I had, he could love me 
 no more than mother. With Otto, however, 
 it is a thousand fold worse, for he is treated 
 as if he were an intruder in his own home. He 
 has been abused, almost starved, and, to crown 
 
IN THE TREE-TOP. 171 
 
 nil, sent into the woods to look for a horse 
 that was lost a long time before, and of which 
 there remains not the faintest footprint. I 
 wonder whether they will ever grieve for 
 Otto if we go back and tell them he is 
 dead?" 
 
 When Jack pondered over the cause which 
 led his friend to leave home, he could not express 
 his feelings. To him there was something 
 incomprehensible in the brutality of the par- 
 ents toward their only child. He was tempted 
 to believe it was all a great mistake. 
 
 But second thought showed there was no 
 error, and he asked himself whether there was 
 any ground to hope that the German lad was 
 alive, and, if so, whether he could be 
 restored to his friends. 
 
 The fact that Otto was not among the group 
 on the other side of the stream, added to the 
 misgiving. Hay-uta had made known that he 
 recognized members of the strange party of 
 Indians to whom the boy was sold. If they 
 had kept their captive, where else could he be 
 except with them ? 
 
 Every thing points to his death," was the 
 
 n 
 
172 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 sad conclusion of Jack ; "it isn't likely tliey 
 would trade him off to some one else.'' 
 
 Indeed, to believe suck a thing would be to 
 give the captive an unreasonable value as a 
 circulating medium ; it was far more likely 
 that, finding his presence a burden, his captors 
 had settled it in the most natural manner that 
 presented itself. 
 
 A still darker side to the picture caused 
 Jack to shudder. If the captors of Otto 
 Relstaub had put him to death, was it by a 
 quick taking off, or had he been subjected to 
 torture ? Alas, that Jack Carleton was forced 
 to answer the query as he most dreaded. 
 
 ** But, if he is dead," he added, with a sigh, 
 " he perished long ago, and it can make no 
 difference now to him ; but I ain't ready to 
 give up all hope and I won't do so, so long 
 as Deerfoot holds on." 
 
 Forcing the distressing subject from his mind, 
 the youth compelled himself to give attention 
 to what could be seen on the other side of the 
 river. Lone Bear and Red Wolf were seated 
 by the camp-fire, talking together, as has been 
 told elsewhere, but the rest of the hostiles 
 
IN THE TREE-TOP. 173 
 
 were out of sight. Jack naturally wondered 
 the cause of the sudden quarrel that had sprung 
 up between Deerfoot and the warrior who fig- 
 ured so ridiculously in it, but he could only 
 await the return of the Shawanoe to hear the 
 explanation. 
 
 The excitement of the lad boiled over again, 
 when, with eyes reaming up and down the 
 open space, he caught sight of his old friend, 
 standing, bow in hand, on the edge of the 
 wood. His pose showed he was making ready 
 to give attention to the unsuspicious hos- 
 tiles. 
 
 "I wonder whether he means to send an 
 arrow through one, and follow it up with a 
 second through another, before he can get out 
 of their way. It may be that Deerfoot isn't as 
 chivalrous as he pretends to be ; give him a 
 chance, and, if he thinks no one sees him, he 
 will swing his tomahawk and use his knife 
 right and left. " 
 
 But we know that Jack did his friend an 
 injustice, as speedily became apparent, when 
 none of the arrows which sped from the large 
 bow harmed either of the Pawnees. Their 
 
174 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 frantic llight and the laughter of Deerfoot 
 proved that he had done precisely what he set 
 out to do ; he had given the couple a shock 
 which they were not likely to forget for many 
 a day. 
 
 The occurrence was so amusing that Jack 
 parted the branches in front of his face and 
 waved his hat to Deerfoot. If the latter 
 saw the act of forgetfulness, he was so dis- 
 pleased that he paid no attention to it. When 
 he vanished from sight in the wood behind him, 
 he gave no responsive salute to that of his 
 enthusiastic young friend. 
 
CHAPTER Xy. 
 
 AN UXEXPECTED CALL. 
 
 THREE separate times Jack Carleton noticed 
 a peculiar jar of the tree in which lie 
 was perched. He felt no alarm, but some curi- 
 osity to know the cause. 
 
 Peering downward between the limbs, he 
 could see nothing to explain the occurrence. 
 The first time he concluded it was imagi- 
 nation, but when it was repeated twice he knew 
 there was "something in it". Still, as the 
 most careful search failed to reveal the cause, 
 he was at a loss to explain it. His first thought 
 was that some animal might be chafing his 
 body against the trunk, but that was unlikely, 
 because no creature was visible. Then, 
 when he noticed there was enough air stir- 
 ring to cause a gentle swaying of the branches, 
 he concluded that the disturbance was due to 
 the friction of some of the limbs against 
 
176 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 others. The theory was more ingenious than 
 reasonable, but was accepted in lieu of a better 
 one, and once more the lad fixed his eyes on 
 the open space across the stream. 
 
 The other Pawnees had not put in an appear- 
 ance, and before they did so, the young gentle- 
 man in the tree-top found he had something on 
 hand which required his whole attention. 
 
 A fourth time a jar went through the trunk 
 from base, to summit, and the disturbance was 
 more marked than before. 
 
 '' There must be some animal down there — " 
 
 Jack Carleton grasped a limb above him, 
 leaned far over and peered among the branches 
 below, but his examination was not finished 
 when he saw the hand of an Indian warrior 
 reach around the trunk, at a point half way 
 between the top and the base, and grasp the 
 rifle which the young Kentuckian had 
 skewered between several sup]_3orts. The 
 stock caught slightly, and, while disengaging 
 it, the savage brought his head into view. 
 
 He wore no scalp-lock, as was the fashion 
 among many tribes, but the long, coarse hair 
 dangled about his shoulders, and yellow. 
 
AN UNEXPECTED CALL. 177 
 
 crimson and blue paint were mixed in that on 
 his crown. There were no feathers, however, 
 such as Deerfoot was fond of displaying, and 
 the body was covered with a thin shirt of 
 deerskin above the waist. 
 
 The Indian must have glanced aloft from the 
 ground and taken in the situation at once. 
 He had climbed with great care, and, when he 
 stopped, was slightly below the point were 
 rested the rifle of the youth. Had the latter 
 taken the alarm, when he felt the first jar, he 
 could have scrambled down and secured his 
 gun ahead of the Indian. It would have been 
 a stirring race between them, but as I have 
 shown, the first knowledge of the truth came 
 to Jack when he descried the extended arm 
 and saw the coppery fingers in the very act of 
 closing about his property. 
 
 Inasmuch as the dusky thief was forced to 
 reach upward to seize the weapon, his face was 
 lifted enough for the lad to gain a partial view 
 of his countenance. It was similar to many he 
 had seen among the Sauks and elsewhere. 
 The forehead was broad at the base and nar- 
 row at the top (which was close to the fore- 
 
178 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 head) and very retreating. The protuberant 
 temi^les, small eyes, heavy nose, wide mouth 
 and retreating chin — the whole smeared with 
 daubs of paint, such as soiled the horsehair- 
 like covering of his head, rendered the features 
 the most repulsive on Avhich the lad had ever 
 looked. He certainly had never beheld a more 
 unwelcome visitor. 
 
 Having secured the property of the lad, the 
 warrior now threw his head further back, and 
 looked directly up at him. The face, ugly as 
 it was, appeared the worse because of the grin 
 that split it in twain and displayed the white 
 teeth which gleamed like those of a ravenous 
 beast. The expression and action said as 
 j)lainly as could the words themselves : 
 
 ^'It's no use, young gentleman ; you may as 
 Wellcome down." 
 
 The Indian did not speak, and his frightful 
 smile gradually relaxed until his mouth 
 assumed its normal width. Then, holding the 
 captured rifle in one hand, he began descend- 
 ing. Jack Carleton remained astride of the 
 upper limb, watching the warrior, who went 
 down with the nimbleness of a monkey. 
 
AN UNEXPECTED CALL. 179 
 
 Viewed from above, the sight was odd. He 
 seemed to see nothing but a mass of dangling 
 hair and an indefinite number of arms and legs 
 which were sawing back and forth, and moving 
 up and down, while the body to which they 
 were attached, remained stationary. The illu- 
 sion, however, was dispelled, wdien the Indian 
 made a slight leap and landed on the ground. 
 
 Immediately he turned, and standing close 
 to the trunk (the better to see among the 
 limbs), fixed his eyes on Jack Carleton, and 
 solemnly beckoned with his arm for him to 
 descend. 
 
 '' My gracious ! " thought the latter, " I don't 
 believe there's any help for it. Ah, if Deerfoot 
 only knew ! ' ' 
 
 It occurred to the youth that possibly the 
 Shawanoe could be reached by signal. He 
 hastily drew aside the leaves and looked 
 toward the spot where he saw him but a short 
 time before. But the scene had changed. 
 Deerfoot was gone, and the Pawnees w^ere 
 swarming back to camp, a number listening 
 with rapt attention to the monumental yarns 
 which Lone Bear and Eed Wolf were pouring 
 
180 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 into the ears of their credulous listeners, 
 whose experience having been what it was, 
 prepared them to believe almost any thing. 
 
 " No help from there^^' concluded the youth 
 with a sigh, as he let the leaves come together 
 and shut out his view of the other shore ; " I 
 wonder what this warrior will do with me ; I 
 suppose he will run me over to the rest, and 
 they'll even up matters by taking their ven- 
 geance on me — helloa! there's no need of 
 tliat!'' 
 
 Looking downward. Jack saw that his captor 
 was no longer beckoning for him to descend. 
 Like the old farmer, who, finding there was no 
 virtue in grass, resorted to stones, the Indian 
 had substituted the gun, and held it pointed 
 at the youngster, who was slow in moving from 
 his lofty perch. 
 
 There was no call to fire ; the youth grasped 
 the situation at once and began lowering him- 
 self with great promptness. While doing so, 
 he occasionally took a peep between his feet, 
 and each time saw the warrior standing erect 
 and following his movements with the gun, as 
 a hunter does when aiming at a gyrating bird. 
 
Jack Carleton axd the Ixdiax [p. 180). 
 
AN UNEXPECTED CALL. 181 
 
 "Iliope I'm giving satisfaction,'- muttered 
 Jack, who felt the cold perspiration breaking 
 out all over his body ; " if he isn't satisfied, Til 
 let go and drop. I wish I could do it, so as to 
 fall on his head and break his neck." When 
 almost to the ground. Jack w^as relieved to 
 observe the red man lower his weapon. He 
 heard the click of the lock, as he let the flint 
 down in place. It was a vast relief from sus- 
 pense, but it maybe doubted whether, after all, 
 Jack's danger was any less than before. 
 Whatever sinister thoughts were in the mind 
 of the red man remained when the young 
 Kentuckian stood before him an unresisting 
 prisoner. 
 
 I need not say that while Jack Carleton was 
 descending the tree he thought hard and fast. 
 He was in a situation of the gravest peril, and 
 there was no human arm on which he could 
 rely for help. His hot Kentucky blood was 
 aroused, and he resolved that if his captor 
 offered him harm or indignity, he would give 
 him the hottest fight of which he was capable. 
 The youth still had his knife and he meant to 
 keep it. AVhile coming down the tree, he 
 
182 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 quietly shoved it inside of his coat where it 
 could not be seen, but was available for instant 
 use. 
 
 He feared the warrior had several comrades 
 with him, but was relieved to find that such 
 was not the case. 
 
 ' ' He must have seen me from the other 
 side," was the conclusion of the youth, "and 
 slipped across without my noticing him, just 
 as those Sauks got behind Otto and me when 
 we never dreamed of danger. He ain't the 
 Indian that was looking at me ; I suppose that 
 one who tumbled over Deerfoot told this dog, 
 and here he is." 
 
 Dropping the stock of the captured rifle on 
 the ground, the red skin grasped the barrel 
 near the muzzle, standing in an easy attitude, 
 with the weight of his body resting on one foot, 
 and looked into the eyes of Jack Carleton, 
 as if trying to read the secrets of his breast. 
 
 The youth was almost as tall as his captor, 
 and he returned the scrutiny. He did not 
 assume any defiant manner, for he was far 
 from wishing to exasperate him who was master 
 of the situation. 
 
AX UNEXPECTED CALL. 183 
 
 ''I tliiuk I could give him a pretty good 
 tussle," was the conclusion of Jack, ^'and 
 whenever he chooses to sail in, I am ready, 
 but I wish things were nearer even between 
 us." 
 
 It was noticeable that the only rifle in sight 
 was the one belonging to the prisoner. It 
 seemed incredible that the warrior should have 
 left camp without the indispensable weapon, 
 though, if he had brought it away, it was now 
 invisible. 
 
 But, in addition to the stolen x)iece, he car- 
 ried the tomahawk and knife at his girdle, and 
 there could be no question that he was an 
 adept in their use. 
 
 When Jack looked down from his place in 
 the tree -top on the countenance of his captor, 
 he perceived a curious distortion, which was 
 now explained. At some time in his history 
 the Indian had received a slash across the face, 
 which clove the bone and cartilage of the nose 
 and laid one of the cheeks open. The cicatrice, 
 combined Avith the natural ugliness of the 
 features, and the greasy ochre and paint, 
 daubed and smeared over the skin, rendered 
 
184 FOOTPRIIN^TS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 tlie countenance of the warrior as friglitful as 
 can be conceived. 
 
 But Jack Carleton had met too many hideous 
 Indians to be disturbed by their appearance. 
 It was the action of this one in w^hich he felt 
 interest. 
 
 It was a noteworthy feature of the young 
 Kentuckian's capture, that he was angered by 
 the evidence that the Indian had brought no 
 gun with him. Such a course implied that the 
 youth was held in light regard, and not 
 deemed the equal of a warrior in a hand-to- 
 hand struggle. 
 
 "They think I am nothing but a boy," he 
 thought, " and so they sent a warrior so horri- 
 ble of face that they hope he will scare me out 
 of my wits ; at any rate, they don't believe it 
 worth while for him to bring a gun ; may be 
 he'll regret that before he is through." 
 
 Having scrutinized the captive from head to 
 foot, the captor seemed to be satisfied. With- 
 out attempting any words, he beckoned as 
 before for Jack to follow him. The gesture 
 was made at the moment the warrior turned 
 and began walking over the course par- 
 
AN UNEXPECTED CALL. 185 
 
 allel to the river and leading toward its 
 moutli. 
 
 The action placed Jack behind his master, 
 instead of in front, and it could not but suggest 
 several desperate expedients to him, who was 
 resolved not to allow himself to be taken across 
 the river. He had witnessed enough from his 
 elevated lookout to convince him that the 
 stream on his right was his Rubicon ; if ho 
 once passed tJiat^ there would be no return. 
 
CHAPTER XYI. 
 
 A STARTLING COT^CLUSIOlSr. 
 
 TACK CARLETON stealthily pressed his 
 left hand against his breast ; his knife 
 was where he conld whip it out when wanted. 
 
 Why couldn't he draw it, and leaping for- 
 ward, bury it in the side of his captor before 
 he could save himself ? 
 
 "It will be a dreadful thing," he reflected, 
 compressing his lips, ' ' but it is the only chance 
 I have; TUtry it!'' 
 
 He began insinuating his hand under his coat, 
 and groped for the only weapon on which he 
 could now rely. In his eagerness he stepped 
 more softly and slightly crouched, as one is 
 apt to do at such a time. 
 
 It may have been that his caj^tor took the 
 lead for a short distance with a view of tempt- 
 ing him to make some such demonstration ; 
 but more than likely, the excessive caution of 
 
A STARTLING COi!^CLUSION. 187 
 
 the lad betrayed him ; for, before he could draw 
 his knife, the face was turned, and stepx)ing 
 aside, he motioned Jack to assume the leader- 
 ship — that is, under his direction. 
 
 The captive did not think it wise to refuse, 
 but moved promptly to the front and continued 
 the march in the same direction they had fol- 
 lowed from the first. 
 
 ^' I wonder whether he is deaf and dumb," 
 said Jack to himself ; "he acts just as though 
 he had no use of his tongue. AYell, I don't 
 know as it will make any difference, for I can't 
 understand a word he says, and it isn't likely 
 he knows any thing about English. But these 
 redskins have a way of talking with their hands, 
 heads and shoulders which almost any one can 
 comprehend." 
 
 The change of positions caused Jack Carleton 
 a new uneasiness. Having made ready for an 
 attack on the Indian in front, it was only 
 natural that he should suspect his captor 
 would take the same course toward him. As 
 indifferently as he could, the youth again slid 
 his right hand under his coat, until it grasped 
 the bone-handle of his huntino: knife. He held 
 
188 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 it firmly, and listened closely for the first move- 
 ment which would betray the other's intention. 
 
 But the youth erred as to the immediate pur- 
 pose of the warrior. He strode along in his 
 deliberate way, stepping in the footprints of his 
 captive, so as neither to recede from nor 
 approach him. Less than ten feet intervened 
 between the two. 
 
 The couple were so near the river, that, wiien 
 not able to catch a glimpse of its shining sur- 
 face, it was located by the sparseness of the 
 trees. Jack was so anxious to avoid the stream, 
 that he began bearing to the left, hoping the 
 individual behind him would not notice the 
 deviation, but the lad was unwise to think such 
 a thing possible. 
 
 The result of this weak piece of strategy was 
 the proof that the red man was the owner of 
 a voice. 
 
 '' Waooff' 
 
 The sound resembled the cough of a wild 
 beast, and startled Jack. Glancing around, he 
 saw the eyes of the warrior snapping, while his 
 right arm was extended, and the finger point- 
 ing toward the river. 
 
A STAKTLIXG CONCLUSION. 189 
 
 <( 
 
 All right," responded tlie lad, as thougli 
 glad to be reminded of his forge tfulness ; "we 
 won't quarrel over the matter." 
 
 Jack, however, was too prudent to make an 
 abrupt turn, which would bring him to the 
 shore before going more than several rods. His 
 divergence was jperceptible, though the angle 
 was obtuse. 
 
 The prisoner was astonished and mystified by 
 what followed, and it may be said that he 
 never fully understood its meaning. 
 
 "The rascal has proven that he has the use 
 of his tongue — that's certain. I don't like the 
 idea of keeping in front of him and leading the 
 way to the river's edge. When we reach that, 
 he can call to the others and bring over alL he 
 wants to help him — that is, if he feels he needs 
 the help, which isn' t likely. I' 11 keep on till 
 we are close to the river, and then I'll make a 
 fight." 
 
 AVhen only a few yards separated him from 
 the river, the warrior emitted an exclamation 
 precisely like that which first arrested the foot- 
 steps of the youth. He stopped, as before, and 
 awaited the will of his captor. The latter ad- 
 
190 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 vanced to tlie front, and, while the other stood 
 still, the Indian made his way to the water's 
 margin, parted the bushes and looked out. 
 
 The feature of the movement was its caution. 
 The redskin acted as if his whole care w^as to 
 escape being seen by any on the other side. 
 Why he wished to do so was beyond the power 
 of the youth to guess. 
 
 '' They are his friends, and I should think he 
 would want to let them know of his success." 
 
 The warrior stood fully two minutes leaning 
 over the water, one hand grasping the gun and 
 the other holding the undergrowth apart, while 
 his eyes roved up and down, as if searching for 
 that which he expected and yet dreaded to find. 
 He was but a brief distance below the camp of 
 the Pawnees, who were in sight. The sun had 
 set and twilight was creeping through the 
 wood and over the river. Soon objects would 
 become indistinct ; but, for a few minutes at 
 least, it would be to the warrior as if the sun 
 were in the sky. 
 
 The view was unsatisfactory, for he drew 
 back, allowing the bushes to come together, 
 and muttered some impatient expression. 
 
A STARTLING C0:N^CLUSI0N. 191 
 
 Looking angrily at Jack, lie extended Ms arm 
 and finger so as to point away from the stream, 
 and signified by gesture that the youth was to 
 take that course. 
 
 ''Nothing will suit me better," was the 
 thought of the latter, as he obeyed ; "I don't 
 understand what the mischief you are driving 
 at, but I am glad to get as far as I can from 
 the river. ' ' 
 
 As nearly as Jack could judge, this odd 
 march lasted until he had tramped a hundred 
 yards, when it was terminated by another 
 emphatic " Waooff^'' 
 
 They were in the woods, where the trees were 
 close and there was little undergrowth. So far 
 as could be seen, the nearest water was the 
 river, but the captor showed that his purpose 
 was to go into camp, as may be said, for a time 
 at least. He broke off some dead limbs, threw 
 them on the ground at the base of a large oak, 
 and motioned to the captive to do the same. 
 Jack's previous experience had taught him 
 that the wisest course, under such circum- 
 stances, is promptly to obey, and he sprang to 
 work with such vigor that it did not take him 
 
192 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST.' 
 
 long to collect a large pile. As he always car- 
 ried a flint and steel with him, he hoped to con- 
 ciliate his captor to a slight extent by starting 
 the fire, though the latter had also a stone in 
 hand, from which, it is probable, he would 
 have extracted fire with but little trouble. He 
 stood still and watched the lad. 
 
 It was many years before such a thing as a 
 lucifer match was known, and our ancestors 
 acquired a deftness in igniting a flame from the 
 simple contrivance named, which leads us to 
 doubt whether they gained a great advantage 
 when they threw it aside for the modern inven- 
 tion. 
 
 With the help of dried leaves, small dead 
 twigs, and the swift blows of the steel across 
 the face of the flint, a spark speedily darted to 
 the combustible material and stuck there. 
 Jack did not use the rag soaked in chemicals, 
 which was common among the settlers, but 
 caught the fire from the direct source, as it 
 may be called. The tiny twist of flame was 
 fanned and nursed by gently blowing until, in 
 a brief space, a big fire was roaring, and scorch- 
 ing the shaggy bark of the oak. 
 
A STARTLING CONCLUSIOiS^. 193 
 
 It was impossible to tell from the looks of the 
 Indian whether he was pleased or not. He 
 stood a few paces off, watching the operation, 
 and, when the fire was well under way, sat 
 down cross-legged like a Turk, where he could 
 feel the warmth, though, as I have stated in 
 another place, the weather was not cold. 
 
 It was now growing dark. The shadows 
 were on every hand, and the trunks of the trees 
 looked grim and ghostly, as revealed by the 
 fire, which Jack continually fed, until the cir- 
 cle of illumination was several rods in extent. 
 
 '' I would give a good deal to know what he 
 is thinking about," said the lad to himself, 
 furtively watching the face on the other side 
 of the fire; '' something seems to have gone 
 wrong with him, though why he should want 
 to keep his movements from his friends across 
 the river is more than I can guess ; may be he 
 has had a quarrel ; they have taken his gun 
 and set him adrift." 
 
 This theory, however, did not sound reason- 
 able, and the lad was unsatisfied ; whatever 
 the cause of the redskin' s erratic conduct, his 
 captive could not explain it. 
 
 M 
 
194 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 For a half hour the warrior was as mute and 
 motionless as the oak against which the fire 
 had been kindled. All that time, he sat six or 
 eight feet from the flames and about the same 
 distance from the captive. The fire, the Indian 
 and the youth, each formed the corner. of a tri- 
 angle. He who was master of the situation 
 retained his Turk-like pose, the captured gun 
 between his arms and knees and his small eyes 
 fixed on the flames, which the industry of the 
 prisoner never allowed to grow less. 
 
 Strange musings must have stirred within the 
 bronzed skull, but it is useless to speculate, 
 since we have no more means of knowing their 
 nature than had Jack Carleton, who w^ondered 
 and guessed without satisfying himself. 
 
 But one thing was certain : whatever the 
 thoughts of the warrior, they were of a dis- 
 turbing nature. Jack could not mistake the 
 scowl which wrinkled the brow, w^hile now and 
 then an evil light shone in the eyes. 
 
 '• He doesn't think of supper, or, if he does, 
 he knows there is no way of getting any thing 
 to eat. He must make up his mind pretty soon 
 what he intends to do with me. If he decides 
 
A STARTLIXG CONCLUSION. 195 
 
 to stay here all niglit, I know I shan't close my 
 eyes for a single second." 
 
 But the test did not come, and it can not be 
 known, therefore, what the result would have 
 been. The Indian seemed to rouse all at once 
 to a sense of the situation, probably conclud- 
 ing that he was wasting time by indulging in 
 such musings. His awaking was characteristic. 
 He sprang to his feet, threw his gun aside, and 
 placed his hand on the knife at his girdle. As 
 he did so, his countenance flamed with ferocity, 
 and the meaning of the look he bent on Jack 
 Carleton could not be misjudged. 
 
 *' It has been decided that mine shall be the 
 same fate as that of poor Otto," was the 
 thought of Jack, who displayed genuine Ken- 
 tucky pluck in facing the peril. 
 
 He was only a second or two behind the 
 warrior in bounding to his feet, and as he 
 came up he whipped out his hunting knife 
 from under his coat, and confronted his foe. 
 The latter probably was unaware until then 
 that his captive had a weapon about him, for 
 otherwise he would have deprived him of it at 
 the muzzle of the rifle ; but surely it would 
 
196 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 seem lie had no cause to fear the youth, who 
 could not have been his equal in strength, 
 activity or skill in handling such a weapon, 
 though much his superior in courage. 
 
 Jack Carleton was as self-possessed as if he 
 were awaiting a friendly wrestling bout with 
 Otto Relstaub, though he knew that the 
 assault meant death to one, and the chances 
 were against himself. 
 
 " He will bound like a dog at me," was the 
 thought of Jack, w^ho, after the manner of a 
 skillful boxer, kept his eye fixed on that of 
 his foe, in the hope of reading his purpose ; 
 " and I will make believe I am bewildered by 
 his style of attack (and may be I will be), but 
 I'll jump to one side, as he comes, and, with 
 the help of heaven, will show what a Ken- 
 tucky boy can do when cornered." 
 
 Just then Jack Carleton smiled, and right 
 good cause had he for doing so. 
 
CHAPTER XYIL 
 
 OTHER ARRIVALS. 
 
 THE Indian warrior was the picture of 
 ferocity, as lie crouched a few steps 
 away, and, with his fingers griping the handle 
 of his knife, slowly drew it from the skin 
 sheath at his girdle. The end of his abstrac- 
 tion was the resolution to slay his captive then 
 and there. 
 
 But, as the plucky youth faced the fierce 
 red man and looked him in the eye, he saw 
 another form rising to view in his field of 
 vision. It was that of a warrior who slowly 
 appeared behind the first, as if lifted upward 
 from the ground, and peeped over his shoulder 
 into the face of Jack Carleton. So perfect was 
 the silence which marked the extraordinary 
 manifestation, that it was like the shadow 
 made by the firelight itself. 
 
 Just beyond and a little to one side of the sec- 
 
198 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 ond form, a tliird came to view, dimly revealed 
 by the lesser lireliglit, but with a stillness of 
 movement as absolute as that of the other. 
 Had it been otherwise, the redskin would have 
 discovered their approach. 
 
 The third Indian, indistinctly shown in the 
 yelJow glow, was recognized by Jack as the 
 Sauk Hay-uta ; the second was Deerfoot the 
 Shawanoe. The latter smiled in his shadowy 
 way, and shook one finger as a warning to his 
 friend not to betray the presence of himself 
 and companion. 
 
 Looking in the face of his foe, as though 
 addressing him, the lad said : 
 
 "It's all right ; the next time I wish you 
 would not be so slow in getting here ; if you'll 
 keep still, I'll give this rascal a tussle that he 
 don't expect." 
 
 The warrior must have thought it strange to 
 be addressed in that fashion, and he must 
 have noticed, too, the smile and flitting glances 
 of his victim, but he could not have suspected 
 the meaning of either, or he would have faced 
 the other way. 
 
 With a partially suppressed shout, he 
 
OTHER ARRIVALS. 199 
 
 stooped, as if gathering his muscles, and then, 
 like a lion on the edge of a chasm, he made a 
 terrific bound at the captive. 
 
 But he didn't reach him. A quick blow of 
 the upraised arm sent his knife spinning in the 
 darkness, and a dexterous flirt of Deerfoot's 
 moccasin in front of the foot of the Indian, 
 flung him headlong, after the manner of a 
 beginner taking a header from his bicycle. 
 His discomfiture was more complete than that 
 of Lone Bear while pursuing the Shawanoe, 
 for not only was he thrown forward with great 
 violence, but (as was the case with Hay-uta, 
 when he attacked Deerfoot), the knife was 
 knocked from his grasp, by a blow so cleverly 
 given that it seemed to have fractured his 
 forearm. 
 
 Using mild language again, it might be said 
 that the warrior was suri)rised. Whatever the 
 cause of his overthrow, he could not mistake 
 its meaning ; it notified him that he ought to 
 leave the spot without any tarrying. For- 
 tunately, he had enough sense to do so. 
 Despite the stinging pain in his arm, he scram- 
 bled to his feet, glanced over his shoulder, and 
 
200 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 seeing two strange Indians, darted off like a 
 deer, vanishing among the trees with a sudden- 
 ness which, it is safe to say, he never equaled 
 before or afterward. 
 
 "What a good fellow you would be to 
 figure in a story!" exclaimed the delighted 
 Jack Carleton, wringing the hand of Deerfoot, 
 and feeling as though he would like to fling 
 his arms around his neck and embrace him. 
 
 The Shawanoe evidently was in good spirits, 
 for his even Avhite teeth showed betw^een his 
 lips, and his handsome black eyes sparkled in 
 the firelight. He enjoyed the figure the 
 Indian cut when charging upon his captive. 
 
 "My brother speaks words which Deerfoot 
 does not know." 
 
 "What I mean to say is, that you have such 
 a way of turning up when you're wanted 
 very bad, that you're just the scamp to figure 
 in a lot of story books ; I wonder whether 
 some simpleton won't undertake to use you 
 that way. The only trouble will be that if he 
 invents yarns about you, he'll make a fizzle of 
 it, and, if he tells the truth, he will hardly be 
 believed ; but," added the youth, as if the 
 
OTHER ARRIVALS. 201 
 
 mantle of prophecy had fallen on him, "it 
 will depend a good deal on who it is that writes 
 your life. Like enough it will be some fellow 
 who won't be credited, no matter what he says 
 —so he will be apt to pile it on." 
 
 Although Deerf oot possessed a good knowl- 
 edge of the English language, he failed to 
 understand his young friend, and awaited his 
 explanation. 
 
 Meanwhile Hay-uta came forward and shook 
 hands with Jack, muttering a w^ord or two in 
 broken English, expressive of his pleasure 
 over his good fortune. 
 
 "What I meant to say," added the lad, 
 turning again to Deerf oot, " is, that you've got 
 such a habit of dropping down on your friends 
 when they are in trouble, that some day it will 
 be put in a book, just as your Bible is 
 printed." 
 
 "Put Deerf oot in a book!" repeated the 
 young Shawanoe, blushing like a school-girl ; 
 "he who will do that will be a fool ! " 
 
 " Like enough," replied Jack, with a laugh ; 
 " but all the same, he will come along one of 
 these days, long after you and I are dead." 
 
202 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 " How will he know any tiling of Deerfoot ? " 
 asked the young warrior, with a dismay as great 
 as that of other parties since then who, con- 
 templating sach a calamity, have burned their 
 private letters and papers ; " if Deerfoot is dead, 
 who shall tell him any thing about him ? " 
 
 "Why, my dear fellow," laughed his young 
 friend; "don't you know that Ned Preston, 
 Wild Blossom Brown, and all the folks over in 
 Kentucky who know you, will tell their friends 
 and children what you have done ; and here on 
 this side the river it will be the same; till some 
 time it will all be gathered together and put in 
 a book that will be read by hundreds and thou- 
 sands of people not born ? ' ' 
 
 Deerfoot showed by his expression that he 
 did not fully understand the meaning of his 
 young friend, or, if he did, he believed he was 
 jesting. The idea of him ever figuring on the 
 printed page could not be credited. He smiled 
 and shook his head, as though he wished to 
 talk of something else. 
 
 The young Shawanoe, as a matter of course, 
 was the director of all the movements of the 
 little party, and he now said that it was best 
 
OTHER ARRIVALS. 203 
 
 to leave the spot and spend the night some- 
 where else. The Indian to whom they had 
 given such a scare might steal back, when he 
 judged the three were asleep and take revenge. 
 
 "He hasn't any gun," remarked Jack, who 
 had picked up his own weapon which the other 
 left behind him, " so he can't shoot us." 
 
 ' ' He has a tomahawk and knife — them he 
 would use, though he had a riiie as good as 
 Hay-uta's." 
 
 "How was it, Deerfoot, that that Indian was 
 roaming through the woods on this side of the 
 river, without a gun ? ' ' 
 
 The Shawanoe shook his head to signify he 
 did not know : it was, to say the least, a cur- 
 ious incident. 
 
 " I thought possibly he was a stranger to the 
 war party across the river ; he acted as though 
 he was afraid they would see him." 
 
 " He is a Pawnee," observed Deerfoot, who 
 had gained a view of him, " and is one of their 
 best warriors." 
 
 * ' Why, then, should he act as he did ? You 
 must have some explanation even though you 
 can't be sure." 
 
204 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 " He was a passionate warrior ; lie may not 
 have been right there,'''' said Deerf oot, touching 
 his finger to his forehead ; ' ' perhaps he was so 
 evil the Great Spirit placed darkness where 
 there was light." 
 
 " But when an Indian is unfortunate enough 
 to be unbalanced in mind, the others become 
 more kind to him than before ; he would have 
 no need to be afraid of them." 
 
 The Shawanoe reminded Jack that the 
 stranger might hold the rest of his peojDle in 
 mortal fear, without having cause for doing so. 
 
 The Kentuckian was inclined to accept this 
 exi)lanation, and he told how curiously the 
 other had acted from the beginning, and espe- 
 cially into what a reverie he sank while sitting 
 near the fire. 
 
 But when Jack Carleton had convinced him- 
 self on this point, Deerfoot chose to express 
 doubt. To him it seemed more probable that 
 the Indian had had a quarrel with his tribe, or 
 had committed some offense for which he was 
 proscribed. It was not unlikely that one feat- 
 ure of his punishment was that he should go 
 forth into the wilderness without firearms. 
 
OTHER ARRIVALS. 205 
 
 When lie sat by the camp-fire, he was doubt- 
 less meditating over the wrongs he had suf- 
 fered, and when his passion flamed out, he 
 sprang to his feet to kill the youth who had 
 done him no wrong. 
 
 *' I know one thing," said Jack, compressing 
 his lips and shaking his head, ''I wouldn't 
 have stood still and allowed him to work his 
 pleasure with his knife ; I almost wish you 
 had let him come on." 
 
 The Shawano e gravely dissented. 
 
 " My brother is brave, but he could not pre- 
 vail against the fierce Pawmee ; he might have 
 saved his own life, but his wounds would have 
 hurt ; now he has no wounds." 
 
 " May be you're right, Deerfoot ; you know 
 more about the woods in one minute than I'll 
 ever know in a lifetime ; so I'll drop the sub- 
 ject," 
 
 Jack asked his friend about the experience 
 of himself and Hay-uta on the other side the 
 stream, and Deerfoot gave a summary of what 
 had befallen them. When he recalled the 
 overthrow of Lone Bear the first time, and 
 afterward of him and Red Wolf, he laughed 
 
206 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 with a heartiness which brought a smile to the 
 faces of Jack and Hay-uta. The sight of Red 
 Wolf as he plunged into the river, his head 
 down and feet pointed toward the sky seemed 
 to delight the young warrior, who shook with 
 silent laughter. 
 
 The Shawanoe never displayed his wood- 
 craft in a more marked degree than at the 
 moment he was telling his story and enjoying 
 the picture he drew. While he seemed to be 
 lost in mirth, Jack Carle ton noticed, what he 
 had seen before, his eyes flitted hither and 
 thither, and occasionally behind him, and, 
 between his words and laughter, he listened 
 with an intentness that would have noted the 
 falling of a leaf. Subtle would that foe have 
 had to be in order to steal up to those who 
 seemed to be thinking of every thing except 
 personal danger. 
 
 Jack Carleton had learned that neither of his 
 friends had gained any tidings of Otto Rel- 
 staub. At the fount where the Shawanoe 
 expected to receive knowledge, he was shut 
 out as though by an iron door. Not a word, 
 hint or look had given them so much as a glim- 
 mer of light. 
 
./ 
 
 OTHER ARRIVALS. 207 
 
 It was certain, however, that Deerfoot held 
 some theory of his own to explain this phase 
 of the diflaculty which confronted them, and no 
 one could travel so close to truth as he ; but 
 when asked his opinion, he would not give it. 
 He shook his head to signify that he preferred 
 to hold his peace on the matter, and Jack knew 
 him too well to press him. 
 
 Hay-uta was impatient to leave the place, 
 for it was manifest he did not like the spot. 
 Nothing seemed more likely than that the war- 
 rior whom they had used so ill would do his 
 utmost to revenge himself. It is as much a 
 part of Indian nature to "get even " with an 
 enemy, as it is the rule and guide of multitudes 
 of those around us, who see nothing inconsis- 
 tent between the spirit of the Christianity they 
 profess and the revengeful disposition shown 
 toward those who, .in some way or other, have 
 given them olfense. 
 
CHAPTER XYIIL 
 
 WITH THE RIVER BETWEEN. 
 
 THE spot lixed ux)on by the Sliawanoe was 
 fully a third of a mile from the camj)- 
 fire kindled by the strange Indian. It was in 
 a hollow, through which ran a small stream of 
 water, and where the undergrowth and vegeta- 
 tion were so dense that the flames which were 
 started would not have attracted notice five 
 rods away. 
 
 You will remember that it was just such a 
 place as was a favorite with Deerfoot. It had 
 attracted his notice during the day, while they 
 were pushing westward, and it was an easy 
 matter for him to lead the others back to it 
 when the darkness among the trees was almost 
 impenetrable. 
 
 Several facts, more or less pleasant, im- 
 pressed Jack Carleton. One was that their 
 
WITH THE EIVER BETWEEN. 209 
 
 camp was so secure from discovery that all 
 three could sleep without misgiving. Their 
 tramp through the wood had been conducted 
 with such stealth that it was impossible for 
 any one to have seen them, and of course it was 
 beyond the power of an enemy to trail them 
 except by the aid of daylight. 
 
 A fact less pleasant, was the absence of pro- 
 visions. It was a goodly number of hours since 
 they had eaten, and the Kentuckian possessed 
 an appetite such as young gentlemen of his 
 age, who spend much of their time out doors, 
 invariably own. It must not be supposed that 
 either the Sauk or Shawanoe were deficient in 
 that respect, but they were used to privation, 
 and seemed to feel no discomfort. Jack Carle- 
 ton was sure that Deerf oot often went without 
 food when he could have secured it, for no 
 other purpose than that of retaining mastery 
 over himself. 
 
 " I suppose it is a good way," muttered the 
 discontented youth, stretching himself out for 
 the night, ' ' but it don' t agree with my consti- 
 tution. They needn't think they're going to 
 make me whine," he added, with grim resolu- 
 
210 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 tion. "I'll starve before I'll ask them for any 
 thing to eat." 
 
 He became interested in his companions, 
 however, and, as is the rule, when the usual 
 hour for eating passed his hunger grew less. 
 
 Deerfoot leaned his long bow against the 
 trunk of the nearest tree, his quiver lying at 
 the base, and assumed an indolent attitude, his 
 face toward the fire. The upper part of his 
 body was supported on his left elbow, which 
 held his Bible so that the firelight fell upon 
 the i)rinted page. The print was small, the 
 light bad, and it came from the wrong direction, 
 but the strong vision of the young Shawanoe 
 read it as easily as if under the glare of the 
 noonday sun. 
 
 Half way to the opposite side of the fire 
 was stretched the Sauk, his posture precisely 
 the same as that of Deerfoot, except that he 
 rested on his right elbow. Their feet, there- 
 fore, were turned toward each other. His eyes 
 were fixed on the face of the Shawanoe, who 
 was reading the marvellous volume, and shaping 
 its words into the tongue which Hay-uta could 
 ^:jnderstand. Eliot, the Indian apostle, trans- 
 
WITH THE RIVER BETWEEN. 211 
 
 lated the whole Bible, and Ms work was one of 
 the most striking ever done by man, but he 
 put into the American tongue tliose truths into 
 which he had been trained and with which he 
 had been familiar for years — the character of 
 the labor was immeasurably changed when the 
 interpretation was made by an Indian to one 
 of his own race. 
 
 Deerfoot, as he had done before, would read 
 a verse or two in a low tone to himself, and 
 then, looking across to his companion, explain 
 as best he could their meaning. IS'ow and 
 then Hay-uta asked something, and occasion- 
 ally Deerfoot faintly smiled as he answered. 
 
 The Kentuckian watched the Shawanoe with 
 as much interest as did the Sauk, and, though 
 his emotions were different, his wonder and 
 admiration were fully as great. 
 
 " He is the most remarkable Indian that 
 ever lived, ^' was the thought which stirred the 
 heart of Jack Carleton, as it had done many a 
 time before ; ' ' Hay-uta is in the prime of life, 
 larger, stronger, and he has always been a 
 fighter ; he did his best to kill Deerfoot, 
 but he was vanquished as though he was only 
 
212 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 a child. A short time ago they were 
 striking at each other like a couple of wild 
 cats, and now they are talking about the One 
 who taught men to forgive their enemies ; they 
 would die for each other. It' s no use, ' ' added 
 Jack, shutting his lips tight and shaking his 
 head, as was his habit, when doubt was removed, 
 ^' there is something in that religion which can 
 tame a little fury like Deerfoot was, and make 
 savages as gentle as lambs." 
 
 By and by the senses of the youth began to 
 dull, and drowsiness crept over him. The last 
 recollection was the figures of the two Indians 
 stretched out in front of the camp-fire, one 
 reading and the other listening with rapt atten- 
 tion. The hum and murmur of voices was in 
 his ears when slumber gently closed his eye- 
 lids. 
 
 His awaking was pleasant. The sun was 
 above the horizon, the sky was clear and the 
 air was balmy. The warm season was at hand, 
 but it had not fully set in, and, under the shade 
 of the towering trees, the coolness was delight- 
 ful. Birds were singing and the brightness 
 and cheerfulness which pervaded nature every 
 
WITH THE EIVER BETWEEX. 213 
 
 where was like that which makes us fling our 
 hats in air and shout for joy. 
 
 Jack appreciated all this, but there was some- 
 thing else which filled his being with more 
 eager delight. The air was laden with the odor 
 of broiling fish, and if there is any thing more 
 fragrant to the senses of a hungry person, I 
 have never been able to learn what it is. 
 
 Leaving the sleeper where he lay on his 
 blanket by the fire, Hay-uta and Deerfoot had 
 stolen out to the river, from which it required 
 but a few minutes to coax a number of tooth- 
 some fish. These were cleaned, spitted, and 
 broiled over the coals raked from the camp-fire. 
 
 The Shawanoe had travelled with the Ken- 
 tuckian long enough to gauge his appetite 
 accurately, and thus it came about that when 
 Jack Carleton ceased eating, he had all that he 
 wished, and in reply to the question of Deer- 
 foot, said he was ready to go through the day 
 without any thing more. 
 
 "Deerfoot," said the youth, placing his 
 hand on his shoulder, and looking him 
 earnestly in the eye, "where is Otto Rel- 
 staub?" 
 
214 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 The Shawanoe gave him a reproving glance, 
 as he answered : 
 
 " Deerfoot does not know ; the Great Spirit 
 has not told him." 
 
 ' ' I understand well enough that none knows 
 or can know where the poor fellow is, nor 
 whether he is alive or dead ; but you have done 
 a good deal of hunting, and, though you found 
 out nothing yesterday, yet you have formed 
 some theory ; what I want to know, therefore, 
 is your belief." 
 
 Deerf oot began examining his bow, as if to 
 assure himself it was ready for some use which 
 he seemed to think was close at hand. He 
 gave no answer to the question, and acted as 
 though he had not heard it. Determined that 
 he should not have such an excuse, Jack 
 repeated his inquiry with more directness 
 than before. 
 
 The young Shawanoe could not ignore him. 
 Pausing a moment in his inspection of his 
 weapon, he looked gravely at his young friend 
 and shook his head. Whether he meant to 
 imply that he knew nothing, had no theory, or 
 believed that Otto was beyond the reach of help, 
 
WITH THE RIVER BETWEEIT. 215 
 
 was left to Jack himself to decide. The action 
 of Deerfoot, however, proved that he had not 
 yet despaired of the missing youth ; for, with- 
 out any hesitancy, he announced that they 
 would make their way to the river again, and 
 crossing over, continue their search on the 
 other shore. 
 
 ''There's some comfort in tJiat^'^ was the 
 conclusion of Jack; "so long as he believes 
 a chance remains, so long shall I not de- 
 spair." 
 
 The fact that Deerfoot meant to take his 
 friend with him, looked as though he had 
 decided to push the search a long ways beyond 
 the river. Jack succeeded at last in drawing 
 from him his belief that Otto was not in the 
 custody of the party with whom they had had 
 the difficulty the day previous. That, however, 
 was not an important admission, for the young 
 Kentuckian had come to the same belief long 
 before, and it did not help clear up the 
 mystery as to the whereabouts of the missing 
 boy. Deerfoot went somewhat further, and 
 expressed the hope, rather than the belief, that 
 Otto was alive. When Jack asked him whether 
 
216 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 it was not likely he had been transferred to the 
 custody of other parties, the Shawanoe again 
 shook his head, as he did when the same thing 
 was said before. 
 
 There could be no doubt that he had a theory 
 of his own which he did not make Ivnown even 
 to Hay-uta. Jack could not extract the least 
 hint, nor could he guess what it was, (and I 
 can not forbear saying, just here, that, though 
 the Shawanoe was far from knowing the whole 
 truth, he suspected a part of it, as will appear 
 all in due time). 
 
 The spot where the three had encamped was 
 about a furlong from the river, and to the 
 latter all three made their way without special 
 care or haste. Jack Carleton felt compli 
 mented that Deerfoot meant he should bear 
 them company in the renewal of the effort to 
 find Otto Relstaub. 
 
 But a disappointment was at hand. When 
 they reached the stream, Deerfoot would not 
 cross until after a careful reconnoissance. He 
 had approached the river at a point above 
 where the Pawnees held camp the evening 
 before. He meant that if the passage was 
 
WITH THE RIVEE BETWEEN. 217 
 
 effected, it slionld be without risk of discovery 
 from their enemies. 
 
 It must be admitted that the situation was a 
 peculiar one in more than one resi)ect. First 
 of all, there was no reason to believe the Paw- 
 nees were aware that the two strange Indians 
 who created such a turm.oil had recrossed the 
 river, nor was it known that the hostiles them- 
 selves were in the neighborhood. Besides, the 
 warrior who made Jack prisoner the evening 
 previous was playing a singular part in the 
 proceedings. There was no telling where he 
 was at that moment, nor when he would turn 
 up again. Added to this, w^as the absolute 
 ignorance about Otto Relstaub. If they could 
 have gained some inkling of the disposition 
 made of him (for there could be no doubt that 
 the warriors identified by the Sauk knew all 
 about it), the hunt could be forced to a conclu- 
 sion, one way or the other, within a few hours. 
 
 Directing Hay-uta and Jack Carleton to 
 remain for the present where they were, the 
 Shawanoe said he would swim over and examine 
 the vicinity, before allowing his friends to Join 
 him in the final search for the lad. This was 
 
218 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 such a radical change of purpose that Jack 
 was impatient. He did not hesitate to ask for 
 an explanation ; but he quickly learned that 
 impatience, anger or dictation availed nothing 
 with the young Shawanoe. He was afraid of 
 no one, and if he chose to keep his thoughts 
 to himself, it mattered naught whether it gave 
 pleasure or offense to others. 
 
 Before attempting the passage, Deerfoot 
 ranged up and down the stream for a considera- 
 ble distance, scrutinizing the belt of open land 
 on the other shore, and the woods beyond. 
 Not a vestige of the Pawnees was to be seen. 
 Then he climbed a tree, and from the top 
 looked off over the country for a space of 
 many miles. He hoped to detect the faint 
 stains left in the atmosphere by the camp-fire 
 of the hostiles, but he was disappointed in that 
 also. Had he not learned the contrary the 
 previous night, he could have believed that he 
 was the first human being whose feet had ever 
 pressed that solitude. 
 
 The Shawanoe was too subtle a woodman to 
 forget any point of the compass. It was not 
 impossible that the Pawnees, angered by the 
 
WITH THE EIYEE BETWEEN. 219 
 
 indignities and the disappointments they had 
 suffered at the hands of the young warrior and 
 his companions, had tried toiiankthem. They 
 were not all cowards, and though some of 
 them looked upon the phenomenal youth as an 
 evil spirit, there were others who must have 
 known him as he was, and who were eager for 
 the chance to bring him low by means of their 
 rifles. 
 
CHAPTER XrX. 
 
 JACK AND HAY-UTA. 
 
 DEERFOOT'S survey of the opposite 
 shore was ended ; but whether it 
 was satisfactory to himself or not, could 
 be learned only by questioning him. Jack 
 Carleton took good care not to do that. He 
 had never seen the young Shawanoe so reserved, 
 and having once been denied the knowledge 
 he sought, he left his friend to work in his 
 own way. 
 
 It looked to Jack as if the Shawanoe was 
 seeking to wrap more mystery than usual 
 around himself, for when he came back to his 
 friends, he took off his quiver of arrows and 
 placed it and his bow in their charge, thus 
 showing his purpose to leave them behind in 
 the business in which he was about to engage. 
 It certainly was inconvenient to swim the river 
 
JACK AND HAY-UTA. 221 
 
 with them, and, in spite of the care and skill 
 of the owner, it was impossible to reach land 
 with bow and arrows in the best condition. 
 Furthermore, they rendered him too con- 
 spicuous. Xo doubt some of the Pawnees 
 were near at hand, even though no signs were 
 discovered, and if the Shawanoe carried his 
 weapons, his venture was likely to be defeated 
 at the beginning. 
 
 "Let my brother open his eyes," said he, 
 after a few words with the Sauk, which, of 
 course, were not intelligible to Jack Carleton, 
 " the Pawnees are not far." 
 
 ' ' I will do my best to guard against surprise, ' ' 
 replied the young Kentuckian, "and with Hay- 
 uta as my friend, I am sure we shall take care 
 of ourselves." 
 
 "Deerfoot cannot say when he will come 
 back," added the warrior, looking toward 
 the river, as though expecting to catch 
 sight of some clew among the leaves and 
 branches, " but he hopes to be with his friend 
 before the sun is overhead." 
 
 This was the only farewell uttered by the 
 Shawanoe, who walked to the undergrowth 
 
222 FOOTPRINTS IK THE FOREST. 
 
 which lined the shore and overhung the water. 
 He entered the latter like a diving-bell, w^hose 
 enormous w^eight causes it to sink silently and 
 swiftly to the bottom. 
 
 "Hay-uta, let's watch him," said Jack, 
 moving carefully to the margin of the river, 
 from which they could peer out without detec- 
 tion. The Sauk could comprehend the action 
 of the boy, though not his words, and I am 
 warranted in saying that his curiosity was 
 equal to that of his companion, when he gazed 
 through the leafy interstices upon the river. 
 
 The Shawanoe now gave an example of his 
 amazing skill in the water, such as Jack Carle- 
 ton had never seen before. He remembered the 
 dexterity which he displayed in towing the canoe 
 across the Mississippi, with Jack and Otto 
 in it, and with the Indians along shore blazing 
 away with their rifles ; he had seen the youth 
 disport himself in a w^ay that no one else could 
 equal, but on none of these occasions were his 
 achievements so extraordinary as when he let 
 himself into the river, passed under the surface, 
 and vanished from sight. 
 
 Jack Carleton had heard of his exploit in 
 
JACK AND HAY-UTA. 223 
 
 sinking to the bottom of the Ohio in a large 
 iron kettle let over the side of the flatboat, and 
 of his swimming to shore behind the canoe in 
 which sat Tecumseh, but it now looked to him 
 as if he were passing the entire distance — more 
 than a hundred yards — beneath the surface. 
 
 *' That can not be," said the lad to himself, 
 when he reflected on the time it must take to 
 proceed that far ; " no human being can hold 
 his breath long enough to go more than half 
 the distance, and I don' t believe he can go even 
 that far." 
 
 There was scarcely a zephyr stirring, so that 
 the rapidly flowing river was without wavelet 
 or disturbance. As none of us is amphibious, . 
 the most skillful swimmer must seek the air 
 at brief intervals, and, knowing where the 
 Shawanoe had entered. Jack fixed on the point 
 in the river where he would be likely to rise. 
 He knew that, of course, Avhen he did so it 
 would be only his nose which would appear. 
 Anyone on the shore w^ould not suspect the 
 meaning of such appearance unless previous 
 knowledge had awakened expectation, but the 
 closest scrutiny of Jack failed to see the slight- 
 
224 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 est ripple, sucli as would have been made by 
 the dropping of a pebble into the river. The 
 lad was right, beyond all question, when he 
 concluded that, wherever Deerfoot came up 
 for air, it was a long ways from the spot on 
 which he had hxed his attention. 
 
 Glancing at Hay-uta bending forward at his 
 side, he observed that his scrutiny of the 
 stream was as close as his own. He had, in fact, 
 made the same guess as the pale-face youth, 
 but with a more profound belief in the pro- 
 digious capacity of the Shawanoe, he fixed 
 upon a point further down stream and closer 
 to the other bank for his reappearance; but the 
 seconds lengthened into minutes and nothing 
 was seen. The wing of the flitting insect, had 
 it glanced against the surface, would have 
 caused a crinkle or two which the watchful 
 eyes of the Sauk would have detected, but as 
 it was, his vision, roaming back and forth, and 
 here and there over the calm surface, saw no 
 sign that any thing of the kind had taken 
 place. 
 
 At the moment of greatest wonderment, both 
 watchers were startled by the leap of a small 
 
JACK AND HAY-UTA. 225 
 
 fish, which sprang a foot or two into the air, 
 flashing like silver in the sunlight, and then 
 fell back. The first belief of the spectators 
 was that this was their friend, but the truth 
 was immediately apparent. 
 
 Jack Carleton was on the point of giving up, 
 when the Sauk touched his arm and uttered an 
 exclamation. He was pointing to the other 
 shore, his extended finger indicating a tree 
 which grew out almost horizontally over the 
 river, for a distance of eight or ten feet and 
 then curved upward like the runner of a 
 sleigh. 
 
 As he looked he saw Deerfoot in the act of 
 drawing himself out of the water. With one 
 hand he raised himself ux)on the twisted trunk, 
 along which he crept into the wood beyond, 
 never making the least salutation to his friends, 
 who he might have known were watching for 
 him. 
 
 < ' By gracious ! ' ' exclaimed Jack. ' ' He swam 
 the whole distance under water I he can beat a 
 fish!" 
 
 It is not to be supposed that Deerfoot accom- 
 plished this feat, for it was beyond the range of 
 o 
 
226 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 liiiman attainment : but he did swim the dis- 
 tance with only a single rise — if such it may 
 be termed — when the tip of his nose gently 
 came up long enough to empty his lungs of 
 their hot air, and take in another draught of 
 the life-giving element. That he should do 
 this under the eyes, as may be said, of two 
 watchers, without their detection, was not the 
 least remarkable part of his performance. 
 
 Jack would have given much had he and 
 Hay-uta possessed the power of talking to each 
 other. The Indian was one of the best war- 
 riors of his tribe, and had formed a peculiar 
 affection for the young Shawanoe. More than 
 likely he held some well-founded suspicions of 
 the real reason which led Deerfoot to make his 
 curious trip across the river, and between the 
 two the truth might be brought out. 
 
 Deerf oot having disappeared, it was idle to 
 watch the river any longer, and the two with- 
 drew a step or two and sat on the ground, 
 there to await the Shav>ranoe. 
 
 " I don't suppose I shall have time to teach 
 him the English language," thought Jack, sur- 
 veying his companion, who lolled on the ground 
 
JACK AND HAY-UTA. 227 
 
 as though he meant to put in an hour or two 
 of sleep ; ' ' and I' m sure he won' t be able to 
 make much headway with me. I spent some 
 weeks visiting the Sauks (that is on their invi- 
 tation), and never was able to get hold of more 
 than a dozen or so of their outlandish words, 
 but there isn't one of them that can be turned 
 to account just now. So I'll wait till Deerfoot 
 tells the story for himself." 
 
 Probably twenty minutes had gone by, when 
 the stillness was broken by the report of a gun. 
 It was from the other shore, and sounded so 
 faint that it must have been fully half a mile 
 inland. Hay-uta started up, and looking 
 sharply at Jack, raised his hand for him to 
 keep silent. No need of that, for the youth 
 was listening as well as he. In the course of a 
 few minutes Hay-uta rose and went to the 
 river shore, where he stayed some time, peer- 
 ing out over the surface, but he came back 
 without having seen any thing unusual, nor did 
 the two hear another sound of a gun. 
 
 '' It would be strange," thought Jack Carle- 
 ton, *4f that rifle killed Deerfoot ; the tiniest 
 bullet, if rightly aimed, will do it, and great 
 
228 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 as is his skill it can not protect him against 
 treachery. As mother says, his time will come 
 sooner or later, but none of us can tell when, 
 anymore than we can name the hour appointed 
 for us to die." 
 
 Except for the slight disturbance named, the 
 Sauk would have fallen into slumber, but all 
 such disposition was now gone. Seating him- 
 self on the ground, he began examining the 
 bow and arrows which had been left in their 
 charge. Finding it somewhat awkward to do 
 so while in the sitting position, he rose to his 
 feet, and Jack placed himself at his side as if 
 to give help, should it be needed. 
 
 Perhaps it should be said that Jack Carleton 
 knew one or two interesting facts regarding 
 Deerfoot not yet known to the reader. In the 
 first place, the Shawanoe was the owner of at 
 least two bows, nearly as long as himself and 
 possessing tremendous power. That which 
 the Sauk held in charge was of mountain ash, 
 made in the usual fashion, the cord being com- 
 posed of deer sinew, woven as fine and almost as 
 strong as steel wire. The center-piece was 
 round and had been polished hard and smooth 
 
JACK AXD HAY-UTA. 229 
 
 by the friction of the Shawanoe' s right hand, 
 which had grasped it so many times. The 
 entire bow had been stained a dark cherry 
 color, its proportions being so symmetrical 
 that it would have been admired by any 
 one. 
 
 When picked from the ground the bow was 
 unstrung. Hay-uta carefully bent it over and 
 slipped the noose in place on the notched end. 
 Then, after examining one of the feather- 
 tipped arrows, he fitted it in place and looked 
 around for some target at which to discharge 
 it. 
 
 Jack motioned to him to wait a moment 
 while he furnished the mark desired. Run- 
 ning toward the most open part of the wood, 
 he broke a branch and hung his cap on the 
 stump, the distance being perhaps twenty yards. 
 Jack would have made it greater, but for the 
 interference of the vegetation. 
 
 The Sauk looked at the target a minute or 
 two, then at the bow, and fitting the end of 
 the arrow against the string, he slowly raised 
 the weapon and took aim. Jack stepped back 
 
230 FOOTPRINTS IX THE FOREST. 
 
 eiglit or ten feet, so as to be out of danger, and 
 watched the result. 
 
 "I don't believe he can hit it, but like 
 enough he will skewer my cap, which I ain't 
 anxious to have done." 
 
 The Sauk held the bow slanting in front of 
 him, just as he had seen the owner do, and he 
 took long and careful aim. He formed a strik- 
 ing figure, his j)ose being graceful and correct. 
 Unlike the Shawanoe, he was right-handed, as 
 was Jack. His left foot was a little in advance 
 of the right, the toe of the moccasin pointed in 
 the same direction as the arrow, while the 
 right foot was turned slightly outward. The 
 left hand grasped the bow in the middle, while 
 (as most beginners do) he clasped the end of the 
 arrow against the string, between the thumb 
 and forefinger. His body was erect and well- 
 balanced, the head thrust a little forward, the 
 left eye closed, and the right ranging along the 
 line of the arrow as though it were the barrel of 
 his rifle. 
 
 Slowly he drew back the string until his 
 right hand was beside his cheek. He had seen 
 Deerfoot many a time hold his right arm rigid, 
 
JACK AXD HAY-UTA. 231 
 
 wliile the other pulled the string back of his 
 head, but Hay-iita was surprised to find the 
 tension so great that he could not draw it 
 another inch. Holding it thus a second or two, 
 he let fly. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 UNCONGENIAL NEIGHBOES. 
 
 JACK CARLETONfixedhiseyesonMscap, 
 wondering liow near tlie Sauk could come to 
 it. Feeling some misgiving, lie took several more 
 steps backward, until he was fully five yards 
 from the x^endant headgear. 
 
 Twang went the bow-string, and the next 
 instant something flashed so close to the eyes 
 of the youth that he winked and flirted his head 
 backward. The arrow had missed his nose by 
 less than an inch ! 
 
 *' Well, that's the greatest shooting I ever 
 saw ! ' ' exclaimed Jack, when he turned and 
 saw where the missile, after clipping some 
 leaves near at hand, had fallen to the ground. 
 ' ' Hold on ! " he called, with a gesture which 
 the Sauk understood, ' ' if you are going to try 
 it again, aim at me ; then I'll be safe." 
 
 Hay-uta was as much astonished as he — so 
 
UXCOXGEXIAL XEIGHBORS. 233 
 
 much so, indeed, that he stood staring, neither 
 smiling nor making any move to launch another 
 shaft. Jack ran and picked np the arrow that 
 had been discharged, for the quiver was not 
 full and Deerfoot had none to throw away. 
 
 When the youth rejoined the warrior, the 
 latter handed him the bow, as though glad to 
 be relieved of it, but seeing he had done no 
 harm, he made a successful attempt to grin. 
 
 " Hay-uta, you are not to be blamed because 
 you ain't half as handsome nor smart as other 
 folks ; it is no fault of yours if nature made 
 you a fool ; you are entitled to pity ; but if you 
 want to learn something about handling a bow 
 just study m?/ style." 
 
 The reason Jack Carleton talked in this fash- 
 ion was because he knew the one whom he 
 addressed could not understand a word of what 
 was said. ISTevertheless, Hay-uta looked upon 
 his actions with interest ; for, feeling assured 
 that the shot could not be as bad as his, the 
 chances were that it would be much better. 
 
 Conscious of what was expected of him, the 
 young Kentuckian (who could not repress a 
 smile over the performance of the Sauk), did 
 
234 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 liis utmost to make a sliot wliicli would com- 
 mand tlie admiration of the only spectator with 
 whom he was favored. 
 
 ''I'm in a peculiar situation," reflected the 
 youth, as he fitted the same arrow to the string, 
 '• for I am to try to hit a target which I don't 
 want to hit. I don't suppose there's much 
 danger, but I would like to beatHay-uta." 
 
 The latter walked to the stump of the limb 
 on which hung the cap, but he showed his wis- 
 dom by dodging behind the trunk of a tree large 
 enough ^ to shield his body. Jack laughed 
 when he observed him peeping timidly from 
 behind this cover. 
 
 "I'll point a little to one side of my cap," 
 reflected the youth, " and if I elevate my aim a 
 little, as Deerfoot does, I ought to come pretty 
 near it." 
 
 His manner of discharging the bow was simi- 
 lar to that of the Sauk. He slowly drew back 
 his right hand, whose thumb and forefinger 
 inclosed the arrow and string, until his strength 
 was at the highest tension, when he let go. 
 
 The aim could not have been improved, for 
 it was a "bull's eye " . The flint-pointed shaft 
 
UXCOXGEXIAL XEIGIIBORS. 235 
 
 tore its way through the top of the cap, which 
 was carried off its support and dropped to the 
 ground with the feathered part of the missile 
 sticking in the air. 
 
 Hay-uta ran from behind the tree, picked up 
 the target with the head of the arrow tangled 
 in it, and held up the two in view of the young 
 Kentuckian, who viewed them with dismay. 
 
 " Great Csesar ! " he exclaimed, ''I believe 
 I've ruined my cap ! " 
 
 But as that which had been done could not 
 be undone, he put on the best face possible. 
 He waved his hand and nodded his head, as 
 though he was not unduly proud over his own 
 success. 
 
 "That's the way I always manage those 
 things," he said, loftily, "put it up again." 
 
 The Sauk saw what he meant and replaced 
 the cap, from which he first drew the destruc- 
 tive arrow, with a good deal of recklessness as it 
 seemed to the owner, who plainly caught the 
 gleam of daylight through the top, when it 
 slightly oscillated for a moment on its perch. 
 
 " I don't suppose another shot will hurt it 
 much, so I'll send this one right in the track of 
 
236 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOKEST. 
 
 the first ; then Hay-nta will know that my 
 skill is next to Deerfoot's, and it won't be neces- 
 sary to do any more shooting with this plagued 
 bow." 
 
 The second missile was launched with more 
 care than the first, Jack doing his very best to 
 make a center shot ; but the result was astound- 
 ing : the arrow impinged against the tree 
 behind which the Sauk had shrunk, chipped 
 away a piece of the bark, and sl^ipped off at a 
 sharjD angle, just as did the glancing missile 
 which slew the ancient king of England, when 
 hunting in the forest. 
 
 It looked to the amateiir as if Hay-uta, when 
 he thrust his face from behind the trunk was 
 grinning to an extent that endangered his ears. 
 Nothing could have been more eloquent than 
 his gesture, when he pointed to the untouched 
 cap, then at the tree from which the bark had 
 been chipped, and then with a still more over- 
 whelming smile indicated the spot where the 
 erratic arrow lay at rest. 
 
 Jack Carleton flung the bow to the ground 
 (as if it were to blame for his miserable work), 
 but he could not help laughing when the Sauk 
 
unco:n'GENIAl neighbors. 237 
 
 brought back cap and arrows, and gravely 
 handed them to him. 
 
 *'If there was any chance of my hitting the 
 mark," said the youth to himself, "I might 
 lead him to believe I missed it on purpose, but 
 likely enough my third shot would be wilder 
 than the second, so I' 11 resign my commission." 
 
 A brief examination of his cap showed that 
 the shaft had inflicted a ragged rent, but when 
 the strong material was pushed and doubled 
 together, a good deal of the air was prevented 
 from entering through the opening. The 
 arrows were replaced in the quiver, the bow 
 unstrung, and the two "shook themselves 
 together", as the expression goes. 
 
 The forenoon was well along and the air prom- 
 ised to be warmer than on the previous day, 
 though, where the shade was so abundant, it 
 could not be oppressive. 
 
 It was not likely that any thing would be 
 seen of Deerf oot until he chose to present him- 
 self to them, but, as if in obedience to the same 
 impulse, the two moved toward the river bank, 
 which was close at hand. 
 Jack allowed the Sauk to keep in advance, 
 
238 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 for he did not mean to make any observation 
 for himself. They were only a few paces apart 
 when the lad caught the gleam of water among 
 the trees in front and stopped, while the war- 
 rior stepped to the edge with the guarded step 
 he always used at such times. While the sur- 
 face of the river was partially visible when 
 looking through the limbs, yet the undergrowth 
 almost shut off the view if one stepped down 
 the sloping bank. Just as he had done many 
 times before, the Sauk reached his right hand 
 forward and parted the vegetation, so as to 
 clear the way in front. 
 
 A glance was enough ; near the middle of the 
 river and almost opposite where they stood 
 was an Indian canoe containing six Pawnees, 
 two of whom were paddling the boat straight 
 for the bank on which the Sauk and young 
 Kentuckian had been practicing archery. 
 
 Jack Carleton saw that his friend had made 
 some discovery, and he stepped quickly to his 
 side. He did not heed the warning gesture of 
 Hay-uta, and it took only a few seconds to 
 learn the whole truth. Both moved back, 
 allowing the leaves to close again. The Sauk 
 
UNCONGENIAL NEIGHBORS. 239 
 
 then lay flat on his face and the lad did the 
 same ; in that posture neither could be detected 
 by any parties on the river. 
 
 It was noteworthy that, although the Paw- 
 nees were using no special caution in crossing 
 the river, and though they were but a few rods 
 distant, yet the swinging of their paddles and 
 the advance of the canoe were so noiseless that 
 Hay-uta and Jack only discovered them, us 
 may be said, by accident. 
 
 Without taking time to consider the signifi- 
 cance of the proceeding, the friends on shore 
 must needs use great care to avoid a danger- 
 ous complication. If the Pawnees should learn 
 where they were, the chances were ten to one 
 that they would either kill or capture both. 
 
 There was good ground, however, to hope 
 that delicate as was the situation of our friends 
 they were likely to escape. Although nearly 
 opposite to the Sauk, when he first saw the 
 party, and heading as they were for the spot 
 where he stood, yet the swift current carried the 
 boat downward, so that it w^as sure to land a 
 distance below. The footprints made by Jack 
 Carleton, Hay-uta and Deerfoot did not lie in 
 
240 rOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 that direction, and, therefore, the peril was at 
 its minimum, unless some impulse should lead 
 the Pawnees to turn and move up stream. It 
 remained to be seen whether that would be 
 the case. 
 
 The two, therefore, lay still, listening and 
 peering into the shrubbery and undergrowth 
 which grew between them and the margin of 
 the river. The straining ear was able to catch 
 the faint sound of a ripple against the prow of 
 the heavy laden canoe, and once or twice the 
 dip of the paddle was heard. Then the Paw- 
 nee who was the leader said something in the 
 guttural voice peculiar to his race, and one of 
 his warriors answered. 
 
 All this was a relief to the couple, for it was 
 proof that no one in the canoe suspected the 
 truth, they had no thought that two of the 
 parties whom, most probably, they were seek- 
 ing, were anywhere near them. 
 
 The soft rippling sound which occasionally 
 came to the watchers showed that the canoe 
 was drifting with the current and that it would 
 land at a point fully fifty feet below. Hay-uta 
 and Jack ventured to raise their heads a few 
 
UlS^CO^fGEXIAL NEIGHBOES. 241 
 
 inches, and, as they did so, caught a glimpse 
 of the boat and its occupants, as it ran sharply 
 against the bank and the warriors began step- 
 ping out. 
 
 This was a critical moment, and lowering 
 their heads, they pressed the ground as closely 
 as they could. Jack half wished that some 
 car of Juggernaut might roll over them, so as 
 to flatten them still more. 
 
 The grunting of voices was plainly heard, 
 while the Indians stood clpse to the boat and 
 discussed some question. Had Jack and his 
 comjpanion raised their heads, as they did a 
 few minutes before, they would have seen 
 every one of them. The Sauk did elevate his 
 nose, just enough to gain an indistinct view of 
 the nearest Pawnee, but the youthful Kentuck- 
 ian lay with his ear against the ground. Soft 
 as were the footfalls of their enemies, the sound 
 reached him through the better conducting 
 medium of the earth. 
 
 " Suppose the Pa^vnees do come this way — 
 what then?" 
 
 This was the question which presented itself 
 
 to the youth, and which, naturally enough, 
 p 
 
242 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOPwEST. 
 
 caused him misgiving, for, beyond all doubt, 
 the peril was critical. If the Pawnees moved 
 up stream, nothing could save the two from 
 discovery, and it then would be two against 
 six — all brave and well armed. The former 
 could make no stand before a force three times 
 as strong as tliej, and their situation could 
 scarcely be improved by flight. Grave as was 
 the crisis, it was rendered still graver by the 
 fact that Jack and Hay-uta could not talk to 
 each other. At such a time, a perfect under- 
 standing must exist between the members of 
 the weaker force, and I have shown that in the 
 present instance, that was impossible. 
 
 '•Ah, if Deerfoot were only here," was the 
 prayer that trembled on Jack Carleton' s lips 
 more than once, while he lay on the ground lis- 
 tening to the grumble of voices so close at hand. 
 
 *'It was queer on his part any way," added 
 the youth, following the line of thought forced 
 upon him ; '^justwhenwe need him the most 
 he is gone ; the Sauk is a good fellow, but he 
 can't compare with Deerfoot. Helloa ! " he 
 muttered, noticing a movement on the i3art of 
 Hay-uta, " something is up." 
 
CHAPTER XXL 
 
 JACK CAELETOX MAKES A MOVE O:^ HIS OWJ?" 
 
 ACCOUJ^T. 
 
 yACK CARLETOX thought himself war- 
 O ranted in imitating the action of Hay-nta, 
 though he did not raise his head as high as he. 
 The result was odd. He ATas able to look 
 between the bases of the trunks and smaller 
 bushes, so that he saw a number of moccasins, 
 without being able to discern the bodies to 
 which they belonged. He observed three or 
 four pairs, and the fringes of the leggings to 
 the knees. The Pawnees were walking, but 
 their feet looked as if they were simply raised 
 and put down again, without advancing or 
 retreating. Inasmuch, however, as they soon 
 disappeared, it was clear they were taking the 
 right course— that is, for the best interests of 
 our friends. 
 
244 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST, 
 
 Tlie Sank, with the upper half of his body 
 erect, watched the warriors, antil they could 
 be seen no longer, when he uttered an expres- 
 sion of relief, for both he and Jack realized that 
 their escape— if it should prove to be such — 
 was one of the narrowest possible. It is diffi- 
 cult to conceive how, in the event of discovery, 
 they could have saved themselves from the 
 
 Pawnees. 
 But the presence of the latter on that side of 
 
 the river, was of importance to the Sauk and 
 
 Jack Carleton, and waslikelytocomx)licatethe 
 
 situation. This would be especially true, if 
 
 Deerfoot knew nothing about it. He having 
 
 set out on some errand of his own, might have 
 
 been led to a point which prevented him from 
 
 discovering the canoe. 
 
 At any rate, the Sauk felt the necessity of 
 keeping an eye on the hostiles. He motioned 
 to the lad to stay where he was, retaining his 
 own gun and Deerfoot' s bow, while he looked 
 after their enemies. Jack nodded his head, 
 and the warrior moved away. 
 
 From his position, prone on the earth, the 
 youth was able to follow him with his eyes for 
 
JACK MAKES A MOVE. 245 
 
 some distance. The sight was curious, as he 
 dodged from tree to tree, his body bent over 
 like a centenarian under the weight of his 
 multitudinous years. 
 
 Nothing could have been done with more 
 exquisite skill, and, when he too passed from 
 sight, the one left behind knew that the 
 Pawnees would steal no march upon them. 
 
 "Let me see," said he, his spirits rising as 
 the situation improved, "I've got plenty of 
 ammunition for my rifle, and besides that, here 
 are Deerf oof s bow and arrows. If I had a fort, 
 like that which sheltered Otto and me on the 
 other side the Mississippi, I might stand a 
 siege. There would be one good thing," he 
 added, as he surveyed the aboriginal wea^pon ; 
 "when I fired this off, none of the Indians 
 would know which one it was to hit— it cer- 
 tainly wouldn't be the one I aimed at, and I 
 couldn't guess for myself." 
 
 Rising to his feet, he scrutinized every part 
 of the wood, but there were no signs of the 
 Pawnees, who, it was more than probable, had 
 passed down the river shore and away from the 
 vicinity. 
 
246 FOOTPEIl^TS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 ' ' Now we liave done a good deal of tramping 
 back and forth," reflected the yonth, "and 
 those redskins are so sharp that the chances are 
 ten to one they will come upon our footprints. 
 It won't do to sit here all day until some of 
 them tumble over me." 
 
 It was clear to Jack that the hostiles had 
 started out on what was likely to be an extended 
 reconnoissance, and, therefore, were sure to be 
 gone a considerable while. As the canoe lay 
 only a short distance off, he passed through the 
 wood and undergrowth until he reached the spot 
 w^here it was drawn only a few inches wp the 
 bank. 
 
 He surveyed it with natural curiosity, though 
 he had seen many similar ones further to the 
 east. It was about fifteen feet long, made of 
 bark, sewed together, and the cracks filled with 
 gum. The ends were curved over, so there was 
 no difference between them, and each was orna- 
 mented wdth paintings which composed a 
 symphony in black, red and yellow. 
 
 Two long paddles lay lengthwise in the boat. 
 They were double — that is, the handle was in 
 the middle, the ends being dipped alternately 
 
JACK MAKES A MOVE. 247 
 
 by whomsoever was propelling tlie craft. Jack 
 looked behind him several times, before resting 
 his hand on the gunwale. Something else 
 which lay at the further end interested him, 
 but he could not make it out at once. Leaning 
 forward, he reached it with his bow, and then 
 observed that it was a scalp. The barbarous 
 trophy, by some unusual accident, had dropped 
 unnoticed from the belt of one of the Pawnees, 
 for it is not to be believed that he would have 
 left such a prized souvenir behind him, no 
 matter on what duty engaged. 
 
 The ragged patch of skin that had been torn 
 from the crown of some vanquished foe w^as 
 three or four inches in diameter, and the tuft 
 of hair was long, black and coarse. Whoever 
 had succumbed and borne the outrage, one 
 thing was certain — he was not a (Caucasian, 
 but belonged to the same race as his con- 
 queror. 
 
 Jack, who had seen such trophies many 
 times, raked this one still closer and picked it 
 up. The dryness of the skin showed that sev- 
 eral weeks had passed since it was taken. 
 More than likely it was the accompaniment of 
 
248 FOOTPEINTS IIS" THE FOREST. 
 
 some figlit that took place while the Pawnees 
 were pushing their explorations toward the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 ' ' Wouldn' t that be a pretty thing for me to 
 carry % " remarked the youth, placing the hand 
 which heldit against his waist, as though it were 
 a watch charm which he was holding in place 
 for the admiration of others. "If I should 
 walk back to Martinsville, and stride up and 
 down between the houses, wouldn't the folks 
 open their eyes ? and wouldn't mother conclude 
 that her Jack was doing well \ ' ' 
 
 In order the better to examine the scaliD, the 
 lad had laid down his gun and the quiver and 
 bow within the canoe, where they could be 
 caught up if wanted. He was too prudent to 
 hold his position, with the possibility of the 
 Pawnees reaj)pearing, without continually 
 glancing around in quest of them. Aware, too, 
 that his footprints were likely to be discovered, 
 he would not have aj)proaclied the canoe, had 
 it not been for a well-formed purpose of turning 
 the boat to his own advantage. 
 
 " The Pawnees have come over the river to 
 raise the mischief with us, so it will only be 
 
a 
 
 < 
 
 "A 
 
 O 
 
 < 
 
 O 
 
 t-5 
 
JACK MAKES A MOVE. 249 
 
 fair if I do what I can to reciprocate. I'm sure 
 that when they come back, this canoe will 
 either be missing, or it will have to run into 
 port for repairs." 
 
 A shiver as if from an electric shock darted 
 from the croT^Ti of Jack' s head to his feet, for 
 at that instant, he heard a slight sound as if 
 made by a person clearing his throat. Look- 
 ing up, he saw one of the Pawnee warriors, 
 twenty yards distant, walking toward him. 
 He held his rifle in one hand, and was mov- 
 ing slowly with his eyes fixed on the ground 
 just in front of him. His manner left no 
 doubt that he was the owner of the scalp in the 
 canoe, and that, having missed it, he was walk- 
 ing back over his own trail, while he searched 
 every foot of ground for the trophy. He had 
 not seen the young Kentuckian, and had no 
 suspicion that he Avas in the vicinity. Discov- 
 ery, however, must come within the next few 
 seconds, for the nearest shelter was too far off 
 to be of avail. The sight of the pale-face 
 skurrying to cover, would be sure to bring a 
 bullet from the Pawnee's gun, or he would sum- 
 mon his comrades to the spot, by one of those 
 
250 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 wlioops wMcli were heard so many times tlie 
 previous day. 
 
 There was but one thing to do — shoot at 
 the Pawnee and run. Jack bent over to pick 
 up his gun, but in his panic grasped Deerf oof s 
 bow by mistake. Fortunately, it was strung, 
 and it took only a second or two to lit an 
 arrow in place. Pointing it at the ax3proach- 
 ing Indian, he put forth his utmost strength 
 to draw it to a head. 
 
 Before he could do so the Pawnee was within 
 ten yards — close enough for him to discover 
 some movement in his field of vision even 
 though his gaze still rested on the ground. 
 He stopped as if on the edge of a precipice, and 
 looking up, saw a pale-face holding a formid- 
 able bow, with the arrow pointing at his 
 breast. 
 
 This particular Pawnee was Red Wolf, who 
 had been driven almost out of his senses 
 when Deerfoot launched the shafts at him 
 and Lone Bear, as they sat by the deserted 
 five. The figure on which he gazed was not the 
 terrible Shawanoe, but the bow and the arm 
 which slowly drew back the string and 
 
JACK MAKES A MOVE. 251 
 
 arrow were more than enough. He whirled 
 like a flash and was off, bounding from right 
 to left, as do the Digger Indians of the west 
 when seeking to disconcert the aim of an 
 enemy. 
 
 ''Confound you!" muttered the archer, 
 "since you are so afraid, I'll give you cause 
 to be ; I'll bury this arrow in your back, so 
 that you may take it home in place of the 
 scalp." 
 
 Whiz ! went the shaft, with all the power 
 he could throw into his arm, and with the best 
 possible aim. It is enough to say that it did 
 not come within ten feet of hitting the fugi- 
 tive. 
 
 The incident showed that it would not be safe 
 for the lad to stay where he was for another 
 minute. Without stopping to consider the con- 
 sequences, he shoved off the canoe, stepped into 
 it, and, seizing the paddle, began guiding it down 
 the stream. As he did so, he kept it as close 
 as he could to the shore, where the likelihood 
 of discovery was much less than further out in 
 the stream. 
 
 Meanwhile, Red Wolf awoke to the fact that 
 
252 FOOTPRIISTTS IN" THE FOREST. 
 
 he owned a good voice, and that one of the 
 enemies for whom he and the rest of the Paw- 
 nees were hunting, was much nearer than 
 was supposed. He emitted a screeching yell, 
 enough to startle all who heard it, and, looking 
 around and seeing nothing of the white archer, 
 he stopped and again signalled for the rest to 
 hasten while it was yet time. 
 
 The echoes were heard lingering among the 
 arches of the woods, when a footfall fell on his 
 ear. Turning his head, he observed another 
 warrior, but the first glimpse revealed the 
 startling fact that he belonged to a tribe not 
 only different from that of the Shawanoe, but 
 from the Pawnees. There could be no mistake 
 as to his sentiments, for the moment he dis- 
 cerned Red Wolf, he brought his gun to his 
 shoulder The Pawnee made an attempt to 
 leap behind the nearest tree, but before he 
 could do so, Hay-uta, the Sauk, pulled the 
 trigger. There was no miss that time : the 
 career of Red Wolf ended then and there. 
 
 "There's been too much mercy shown the 
 Pawnees," probably thought Hay-uta, as he 
 ran forward to tear the scalp from the head of 
 
JACK MAKES A MOVE. 253 
 
 his vanquislied foe. Reaching the inanimate 
 body, he caught the long hair, whipped out 
 his knife, and was pressing the crown with the 
 point, when he uttered an exclamation, 
 dropped the horsehair-like locks, shoved his 
 knife back in place, and ran from the spot. 
 
 That which upset Hay-uta' s balance for the 
 moment, was the sudden recollection that he 
 was a Christian Indian instead of a heathen. 
 One of the cardinal truths which Deerf oot had 
 impressed on him, w^as that he should use no 
 unnecessary cruelty toward his enemies ; that 
 he should refrain from the barbarous practice 
 of taking the scalp of a fallen foe. 
 
 The Sauk halted a few minutes until he could 
 reload his gun, for, like all frontiersmen, he 
 appreciated the need of having a loaded w^eapon 
 always at command. Then he resumed his flight 
 toward the point where he had left his young 
 pale-face friend. This carried him so close to 
 the canoe that he saw it in the act of moving 
 from the shore, and recognized the figure of 
 Jack within it. Suspecting what it meant, he 
 hurried thither, and was observed by the lad at 
 the moment he dipped the paddle in the cur- 
 
254 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 rent. He reversed the movement, and imme- 
 diately after, the Sauk stepped within and 
 took the second paddle. 
 The youth laid his down, saying : 
 " You understand this business better than 
 I, and I won't mix things by trying to paddle 
 in one direction while you work in another." 
 
 In turning over to Hay-uta the charge of the 
 canoe. Jack did the wisest thing he could do, 
 and he pleased his companion, on whom, it may 
 be said, for the time the welfare of both 
 rested. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 A CLUE AT LAST. 
 
 IVTO good reason could be thought of why 
 -i-N Jack and the Sauk should remain in the 
 canoe. In fact, they would have shown more 
 prudence had they remained where they were 
 when the Pawnees disembarked and walked out 
 of sight in the woods ; or, if they felt the need 
 of changing their quarters, they ought to have 
 gone as far as they could from their foes, 
 instead of following them and inviting more 
 peril. 
 
 The training of the American Indian makes 
 him treacherous, subtle and full of resources. 
 The desire to ' ' get ahead ' ' of, or to outwit a 
 rival is natural to us all, and is one of the most 
 characteristic traits of the red men. It was 
 that prompting, more than any thing else, 
 which led Hay-uta to leave the youth behind, 
 while he trailed the PaAvnees into the forest. 
 
256 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 But the deatli-sliriek of Ked Wolf was sure 
 to bring his comrades to the spot withiii the 
 space of one or two minutes ; they would 
 quickly read the particulars of the story, and 
 the footprints of the Sauk would be traced to 
 the river's edge, where their arrival was inevi- 
 table within an almost equally brief space of 
 time. 
 
 Should Hay-uta head for the opposite bank, 
 and whirl the paddle with might and main, he 
 and his companion would be riddled with bullets 
 before they could pass beyond range of the 
 Indians on shore. There really Avas but one 
 thing to do, and that was done off-hand and 
 without hesitation. 
 
 The canoe, under the silent but powerful 
 strokes of the Sauk, and with its light load, 
 skimmed over the surface like a swallow. Hay- 
 uta ran as close in as he could, without allow- 
 ing the overhanging limbs to obstruct his speed. 
 Twenty rods were passed in this manner, when 
 he turned the head of the boat toward shore, 
 refraining, however, from letting it run against 
 it. One bound carried him out, and Jack was 
 at his heels. Then a gentle shove sent it 
 
A CLUE AT LAST. 257 
 
 beyond tlie dri]3ping branches, where it was 
 under full control of the current, and it 
 resumed its downward flight, though in the 
 bewildered fashion which showed it; was under 
 the control of no one. 
 
 It was fortunate for our friends that the 
 margin of the stream was fringed with so much 
 vegetation, as it afforded the best kind of a 
 hiding place. Without entering the water, they 
 crouched into the smallest possible space. Jack 
 wondering whether their good fortune would 
 still bear them com^Dany. 
 
 A wailing cry sounded a brief distance above, 
 and the lad needed not the grimace and gesture 
 of the Sauk to know that the Pawnees had dis- 
 covered the body of Eed AVolf and the theft 
 of the boat. Within the following minute the 
 tread of hurrying moccasins was heard, and 
 they passed within a few feet of where the two 
 lay, not daring even to look up. That was all 
 well enough, but when another cry made 
 known they had found the craft, the real peril 
 of the two mav be said to have be^'un. 
 
 Jack Carleton knew as well as if it had 
 
 taken place under his own eyes, that one of 
 o 
 
2o8 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 tlie Pa'vvnees was making liis way througli the 
 water to the boat, whose gunwale was grasped, 
 and by which it was drawn back to land. This 
 took place about as far below our friends as the 
 point from which they started the canoe was 
 above them. If the Pawnees should retrace 
 the ground, carefully beating the bushes for 
 "game ", they would be sure to drive it out. 
 
 Jack found the care of the bow of Deerfoot 
 quite a burden. It was continually in his way, 
 and was of no help at all. Seeing his embar- 
 rassment, the Sauk took it in charge, while the 
 youth suspended the quiver over his shoulder. 
 
 The Pawnees did not make the search that 
 was dreaded, and it is not difficult to guess the 
 reason. They had just lost one of their num- 
 ber, and, though there seemed to be only two 
 foes near them, yet they must have suspected 
 there were more. These strangers could do ter- 
 rific fighting, as they had proven, and the five 
 Pawnees preferred to await the arrival of re-en- 
 forcements, which would soon come from the 
 other side. In truth, a study of the events 
 which followed, as well of those which pre- 
 ceded, shows good reason to believe the curious 
 
A CLUE AT LAST. 259 
 
 coincidence that the Pawnees were as ignorant 
 of the reappearance of the Shaw^anoe on the 
 other bank, as he was of the passage of the 
 river by the half dozen hostiles in their canoe. 
 
 But the report of the rifle, the death-shriek, 
 and the shouts of the Pawnees, had given Deer- 
 foot an inkling of the truth, before he was able 
 to learn all by investigation on his own part. 
 Still it was a most annoying interference with 
 a daring scheme he had set on foot, and which 
 was in danger of being overthrown altogether. 
 The brow of the youth wrinkled with imi3a- 
 tience, for he knew that all this skirmishing 
 could have been saved to his friends, had they 
 used care ; but at the moment he was most dis- 
 couraged, events took an unexpected turn in 
 his favor. 
 
 Meanwhile Jack Carleton and Hay-uta did 
 not stir for several minutes, but, as they 
 listened, it seemed to the youth that their ene- 
 mies required not to come very nigh, in order 
 to locate them by the tumultuous throbbing of 
 his heart. He was sure the brief silence which 
 followed was occupied by the Pawnees in look- 
 ing for them, but, as I have shown in another 
 
260 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 place, lie erred. The rippling of water caused 
 both to turn their heads, and, through the 
 interlacing vegetation behind, they caught a 
 glimpse of the canoe and its five occupants, 
 heading toward the other side. The Sauk 
 softly insinuated his hand between the leaves, 
 so as to give a better view (though he ran much 
 risk), and Jack ventured to peep forth. 
 
 The Pawnees, as our friends believed, had 
 gone back for re-enforcements. Possibly a score, 
 more or less, of warriors would be transferred 
 to the shore they had left, and then the cam- 
 paign w^ould open in earnest. 
 
 Hay-uta could not close his ear to the whis- 
 pering of prudence ; clearly their duty was to 
 leave the spot before their enemies could come 
 back. Bravery, skill, and cunning, when allied 
 to common sense, would permit no other course. 
 
 Throwing off, therefore, the extreme caution 
 they had exercised, they rose to their feet, 
 and the Sauk led the way to the river bank. 
 They did not forget the care which a frontiers- 
 man ahvays shows when treading the wilder- 
 ness, but the tension of their nerves w^as re- 
 laxed, and Jack felt some of the jauntiness 
 
A CLUE AT LAST. 261 
 
 that was his during the first day he spent with 
 Deerfoot in the hunt for Otto Relstaub. ; 
 
 It did not seem necessary to go far, and i 
 scarcely a furlong was passed when the Sauk 
 selected a spot from which they could watch 
 the river without exx)osing themselves to 
 detection by any one on the further shore. If 
 the Pawnees should return, as our friends 
 were confident they would do, it was not likely 
 they would delay long. It was an easy matter 
 to summon all their warriors, and such as could 
 not be accommodated in the canoe, could swim 
 beside it. 
 
 At the moment that the Sauk secured a 
 safe point from which to look out, Jack 
 Carleton made the most im^Dortant discovery 
 that had come to the knowledge of any one 
 of the three since starting on their journey. 
 
 Something on the ground just ahead and a 
 little to one side of Hay-uta, caught his eye. 
 The Sauk did not see it, and the boy did not 
 suspect it was of any account. It was in obe- 
 dience rather to a whim than to any reasoning 
 impulse that he stepped aside and picked up 
 the object. 
 
262 FOOTPRIIS^TS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 * ' Great Csesar ! " he exclaimed. " It' s Otto' s 
 cap ! " 
 
 For a moment Jack stood transfixed, with 
 the article held at arm' s length, while the Sauk 
 stared in turn, as if he thought the youth was 
 beside himself. 
 
 But the lad was too familiar with that head- 
 gear to be mistaken. He turned it over and 
 over, held it close to his face and scrutinized 
 every particle of it ; it was the same peaked hat 
 which poor Otto had worn so long, and it was 
 on his head when he and Jack — both captives 
 — parted company weeks before. 
 
 How long the hat had lain where it was 
 picked up, could not be told. Its make was 
 such that, while the owner had w^orn it several 
 years, it was still good for an indefinite time 
 longer. A day or a month of exposure would 
 make little difference in its appearance. 
 
 When Jack had recovered from his amaze- 
 ment, he and Hay-uta examined the immediate 
 vicinity. The action of the youth, and the 
 emotion he displayed, told the story to the 
 Sauk, who did not fail also to see the value 
 of the clue that had fallen into their hands. 
 
A CLUE AT LAST. 
 
 263 
 
 Ten feet from where the cap was found lay a 
 small decayed tree. It had probably been 
 blown down during some gale. The sugges- 
 tion presented itself that Otto Relstaub was 
 sitting on this support, when he either flung 
 the hat from him, or some one else did so. 
 That which the friends wished to find now ' 
 was the footprints left by the lad when he 
 went away : they would tell the story as noth- 
 ing else could. 
 
 If the missing boy had gone within the pre- 
 ceding two or three days, the keen vision of 
 the Sauk could see and follow the trail. Rec- 
 ognizing his immeasurably superior skill. Jack 
 remained seated on the tree and nodded to 
 Hay-uta to push his search. 
 
 The warrior did every thing he could, step- 
 ping as lightly as a fawn, his shoulders bending 
 low, while he scrutinized the leaves with a 
 minuteness which would have detected a pin 
 lying on top of them. A faint trail leading 
 through the wilderness is sometimes plainer a 
 few steps distant than it is beneath one's own 
 feet. The disturbance of the vegetation, the 
 rumpling of the leaves resulting in the turning 
 
264 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 of the under side toward tlie sun, and those 
 trifling disarrangements wMcli you or I would 
 never notice, can be identified by what may be 
 called an off-hand scrutiny, possibly on the 
 same principle that a careless glance at Pleia- 
 des will reveal each of the seven stars, when, if 
 the gaze is fixed on the matchless group, one 
 of them modestly shrinks from view. 
 
 There was no artifice known to the aborigi- 
 nal brain which was not called into use by the 
 Sauk warrior. He stepped with the utmost 
 care, so as to disturb the leaves as little 
 as possible. First of all, he gave his 
 attention to the space between the log and the 
 river. That was short, and its examination 
 required but a brief time. Hay-uta seemed to 
 suspect that the trail would be found to lead 
 toward the stream, but he was disai3pointed, 
 as not the slightest trace was discovered. I 
 may as well say that though the scrutiny was 
 continued for half an hour, and embraced a 
 complete circle around the spot where the hat 
 was found, it resulted in no success at all. 
 The conclusion was inevitable — so long a time 
 had passed since it was thrown to the ground, 
 
A CLUE AT LAST. 265 
 
 that every vestige of the footprints had been 
 obliterated. 
 
 Finally Hay-uta straightened up, and, look- 
 ing in the expectant face of Jack, shook his 
 head. " I was afraid of it," said the boy, " so 
 many days have passed since he lost it, that 
 nothing is left but to guess how it all came 
 about — and though I've done all the thinking 
 I know how, I am done." 
 
 Such was the fact. How it was that Otto 
 Relstaub had come to leave his hat lying there 
 on the leaves was beyond the power of Jack 
 Carleton to tell. It could hardly be that he 
 had done so voluntarily, for it was impossible 
 to conceive of a reason for it, and the proba- 
 bility that some one else was the cause, only 
 intensified those misgivings which, in a greater 
 or less degree, had tormented the young Ken- 
 tuckian from the hour he started to hunt for 
 his missing friend. 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 KECROSSIKG THE RIVER. 
 
 DURING the time occupied in the scrutiny 
 of the surroundings, Jack Carleton for- 
 got all about the river for which they had set out 
 to watch for the returning Pawnees. Though 
 the Sauk most likely kept it in mind, yet he 
 was so occupied that he gave it no attention. 
 NoAv, that he was relieved, however, he 
 advanced the few yards required, and took a 
 survey of the river as it swept past. 
 
 It so happened that he was just in time, for 
 the canoe which had caused such a stir earlier 
 in the day was returning. It was two hundred 
 yards up stream, and was loaded to its utmost 
 capacity with Indian warriors. There were 
 fully a dozen, and the craft was sunk to its 
 gunwales — so much so indeed that the two 
 who were handling the paddles were forced to 
 use care to escape swamping. 
 
EECROSSINa THE EIVER. 267 
 
 The Sauk thought that probably other 
 Indians were swimming alongside or behind 
 the craft, but a brief study of the water con- 
 vinced him that such was not the case : all the 
 Pawnees who were coming over to push the 
 campaign were in the boat. It would seem 
 that a dozen brave and well armed warriors 
 were sufficient to combat the force on the other 
 
 side. 
 
 Hay-uta stood watching the river with such 
 quietness that Jack, who was still sitting on 
 the prostrate tree, never suspected he had 
 discovered any thing, until he turned about 
 and signified by signs that the craft and its 
 occupants had landed some distance above. 
 
 I need not say that all this time the lad was 
 longing for the return of Deerfoot, the 
 Shawanoe. If any one could penetrate the 
 mystery which shut them in at every step, he 
 was the one to do it. None could have 
 attained a point nearer perfection than he, so 
 far as woodcraft was concerned. 
 
 "But what can we do?" was the question 
 which presented itself to the youth ; "if the 
 faintest footprints showed on the ground, the 
 
268 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Sauk would have discovered them, and if they 
 ain't there, Deerfoot can tell no more than we 
 know. 
 
 ' ' I wonder what in the name of all that' s 
 sensible he meant by crossing the river, and 
 leaving his bow and arrows in my charge. If I 
 owned such an arrangement the first thing I 
 would do would be to fling it into the river. 
 Whatever plan he had in mind when he swam 
 over, must have been a blunder which is likely 
 to upset every thing." 
 
 The knowledge that the Pawnees had landed 
 on the same shore where were the Sauk and 
 Jack Carleton required attention on their part, 
 for if their enemies decided to search for the 
 marauders who, after slaying Red Wolf, had 
 run off with their canoe, it would not do for 
 the parties to remain idle. 
 
 In making their way to the spot where they 
 were now resting, our friends had taken much 
 pains to hide their footprints, and it would be 
 a hard matter for the Pawnees to trace them. 
 In fact, Hay-uta felt little fear of it. 
 
 While he and Jack busied themselves in the 
 manner described, Deerfoot had not been idle. 
 
EECROSSING THE RIVER. 269 
 
 He swam the river, as you liave been told, and 
 reached the other shore, without awakening 
 suspicion on the part of the Pawnees. After 
 emerging from the water, he set about locating 
 the war party, for the first step in his scheme 
 required that to be done. His expectation was 
 that the company were gathered near some 
 point not far removed from the camp-fire of 
 the night before. 
 
 A scout through the woods, however, showed 
 he was mistaken. He found what seemed to 
 be half the party grouped around a new fire, 
 where there was evidence that most of the 
 previous night had been spent. Breakfast was 
 over, and a number were smoking pipes. The 
 experienced eye of the Shawanoe told him 
 there was no purpose just then of moving 
 away. The Pawnee villages were still far to 
 the north-west, but the warriors were in the 
 comfortable condition of those travellers who 
 are at liberty to spend as much time as they 
 choose on the road. It mattered little to them 
 whether they were a week early or a month 
 
 late. 
 
 Had any one observed the countenance of 
 
270 rooTPEiNTS iint the foeest. 
 
 tlie young Shawanoe while he was studying 
 the group around the camp-fire, he would have 
 seen that he was deeply interested in one 
 warrior, who was standing with arms folded, 
 and leaning lazily against a tree, smoking a 
 long-stemmed pipe. It was his old acquaint- 
 ance Lone Bear, and it was clear that, what- 
 ever the plan of the Shawanoe, it assigned a 
 prominent place in it to that individual. 
 
 Without affecting any secrecy in the matter, 
 I may as well say that the scheme of Deerfoot 
 was as simple as difficult. He could converse 
 readily with the Pawnee, Lone Bear ; the latter 
 knew the fate of Otto Relstaub ; he had lied 
 when asked for information ; Deerfoot resolved 
 to compel him, if possible, to tell the truth. 
 
 The project at first seems absurd, for it may 
 well be asked by what possible means could 
 Deerfoot hope to extract reliable information 
 from the rogue. It would never do to venture 
 among the war party for that purpose, for the 
 previous experience of the Shawanoe showed 
 how he was hated, and the situation had not 
 improved since then. 
 
 Deerfoot hoped to separate Lone Bear from 
 
EECROSSING THE RIVER. 271 
 
 the rest of tlie comiDany, so as to have him 
 alone to "operate" upon; but that would 
 require strategy more delicate and skillful than 
 that by which the hunter detaches a choice bull 
 from a herd of bison, until he has him where 
 he wants him. 
 
 Enough has been told to show in what terror 
 the Shawanoe was held by Lone Bear, who 
 believed he was under the special patronage of 
 the Evil One. Should he encounter the dreaded 
 warrior alone in the woods, more than likely 
 he would succumb without a blow. 
 
 But the Pawnee was among his own people, 
 and it looked as if he meant to stay there for 
 an indefinite time to come. As nothing could 
 be done so long as he had company, the one 
 and all important problem which faced Deer- 
 foot at the beginning, was how he was to draw 
 the w^arrior away to a safe point in the 
 w^ood. 
 
 There really was no means of doing so. Deer- 
 foot could conjure up no strategy which, when 
 launched against a party of Indians, would 
 produce the desired effect upon a single mem- 
 ber, leaving the others unaw^are of w^hat was 
 
272 FOOTPRIXTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 going on. He had asked the Great Spirit to 
 open the way, and he was prepared to wait, 
 with the stoical patience of his race, for the 
 '' moving of tlie waters ". 
 
 Lone Bear smol^ed his pii^e with the placid 
 enjoyment of an ancient Hollander, while the 
 Shawanoe surveyed his painted and sodden 
 features with peculiar interest. Red Wolf and 
 several warriors, with whom he had become 
 familiar, were missing, but the presence of one 
 party caused surprise. The redskin who had 
 held Jack Carleton prisoner for a short time 
 the evening before was among the group, also 
 smoking his pipe with as much i^leasure as 
 Lone Bear himself. He did not seem to attract 
 any attention, and was as much at home as any 
 of them. 
 
 His case was a singular one, but Deerfoot 
 concluded that he had had some quarrel with 
 the members of the company. He had prob- 
 ably killed his antagonist, and had fled with- 
 out stopping to catch up his gun. After his 
 experience on the other side of the stream, he 
 had opened negotiations at long range with 
 the company, and, finding them ready to 
 
RECROSSING THE RIVER. 273 
 
 receive him, liad passed over and joined 
 them. 
 
 Suddenly Lone Bear stood upright, like a 
 man who recalls a forgotten engagement. He 
 took his pipe from his mouth and stared around 
 in the woods, as if looking for some one. 
 Deerfoot's heart fluttered with the hope that 
 he meant to start oif alone. 
 
 At this moment, the battle on the other side 
 of the river opened. The whoops, report of a 
 gun and cries caused much excitement among 
 the Pawnees. All of them sprang to their feet 
 and looked toward the river (too far off to be 
 seen), as if they expected to learn by observa- 
 tion the meaning of the hubbub. 
 
 The Shawanoe frowned with impatience, for, 
 as has been stated, it looked as if the impru- 
 dence of his friends across the stream would 
 destroy the purpose which had brought him to 
 the vicinity of the Pawnee camp. The proba- 
 bilities indicated great danger, so far as Hay- 
 uta and Jack were concerned, and Deerfoot 
 was on the point of rejoining them, when he 
 decided to wait. Whatever their peril, the end 
 was likely to come before he could reach them. 
 
274 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 The sound of the turmoil borne to the war 
 party in camp soon ceased, and a long silence 
 followed. Two of them walked toward the 
 river, and a third sauntered in another direc- 
 tion — all apparently in pursuit of information. 
 Deerfoot's eyes sparkled. Ah, if that third 
 man had only been Lone Bear ! 
 
 The warrior on w^hom the young Indian had 
 his attention fixed, however, seemed to be 
 partial to his former attitude, and, still pufiing 
 his pipe, he leaned once more against the tree, 
 as if lost in meditation. 
 
 By and by the red men from the other side 
 came over in the canoe, and, as may be sup- 
 posed, they had a stirring story to tell. Deer- 
 foot Avatched them from his concealment, but 
 heard notliing from which he could gain any 
 information. 
 
 Am_ong the dozen selected to make the return 
 in the canoe was Lone Bear. Suspecting their 
 intention, Deerfoot kept his eye on them until 
 the craft left the shore. 
 
 It was then he ' ' grasped the situation ' ' . 
 The Sauk and his young companion had taken 
 care of themselves in spite of the large party 
 
EECROSSING THE EIVEE. 275 
 
 of enemies ; they had stirred the wrath of the 
 Pawnees to that point that they had secured 
 re-enforcements to go back and crush the 
 daring foes. 
 
 All this proved that it would not do for 
 Deerfoot to linger after the departure of the 
 party, especially as the one in which he was 
 particularly interested was in the canoe. 
 
 The boat, laden so deeply with painted valor, 
 reached the shore only a few minutes in 
 advance of the Shawanoe, who, with his usual 
 skill, avoided detection by friend or foe. The 
 point where he landed was above that which 
 the canoe touched, for he tried to approach as 
 nearly as he could the spot where he had left 
 Ms two friends. He quickly learned they were 
 not there, and then moved down the stream 
 parallel to its course, keeping near enough to 
 observe it all the way. 
 
 It will be noticed that this took him close to 
 the Pawnees, who were also searching for Hay- 
 uta and Jack Carleton. In one sense, the 
 larger body was between two fires, but in no 
 danger. The shape of affairs was singular. 
 The Pawnees were hunting for the Sauk and 
 
276 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 his companion, while Deerfoot, their friend, 
 was also looking for them, but doing it in the 
 wake of their enemies. The difficulty of Deer- 
 foot was increased by the fact that whatever 
 signal he sent to his friends, would have to be 
 thrown over the heads of their enemies. 
 
 But the Shawanoe addressed himself to the 
 task with his usual coolness and confidence. 
 When he caught sight of the warriors, moving 
 along the bank of the river in no particular 
 order, he fell in, and " joined the procession," 
 as may be said. It is not to be supposed that 
 the Pawnees had struck at once the trail of 
 those who took so much pains to keep out of 
 their way, but the loose manner in which they 
 were following them indicated that they sus- 
 pected, rather than knew, the course taken by 
 the fugitives. 
 
 When this had continued some minutes, the 
 Shawanoe aj)peared to feel the necessity of 
 reaching some understanding with his friends, 
 despite the great risk incurred. He therefore 
 emitted the soft, bird-like signal, which he 
 knew would be recognized if it reached them. 
 
 Indeed, there could be no mistake in that 
 
EECROSSING THE RIVER. 277 
 
 respect. The trouble lay in the fact that it 
 would also be heard by enemies, who, if they 
 did not know, would be quite sure to suspect 
 its purport. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 A SUMMONS AND A SUERENDER. 
 
 THE ear of the American Indian, like his 
 eye, is trained to wonderful fineness, and 
 the faint, tremulous note, which seemed to float 
 from among the tree tops, stirred the sus- 
 picions of the Pawnees. They stopped in their 
 straggling pursuit, and showed such interest 
 that Deerfoot was compelled, for safety's sake, 
 to steal further to the rear. If they should 
 locate the point whence the call was sent, it 
 would be advisable for him to move still further 
 away. 
 
 But the result of the signal, if disappointing 
 in one or two respects (for it brought no response 
 from his friends), was gratifying from another 
 point of view. It was apparent that the call of 
 the Shawanoe produced uneasiness among the 
 Pawnees. It showed that, while they were hunt- 
 
A SU.AIMOXS AND A SURREXDEE. 279 
 
 ing for their enemies in one direction, one of 
 them, at least, was in another place. It 
 must have deepened the old fear that a large 
 number of foes was in the neighborhood, maneu- 
 vering on the outer part of the circle which 
 inclosed the Pawnees. Enormous advantage 
 was thus placed at the command of the 
 strangers, and the situation of the warriors bore 
 a suggestive similarity to that of the hunter 
 who, while hunting the tiger, discovered that 
 the tiger was hunting him. 
 
 Deerfoot did not withdraw so far that he 
 lost his surveillance of the Pawnees. He 
 smiled in his faint way, when he noticed their 
 glances toward different points of the compass, 
 and saw them gather for consultation. 
 
 They stood thus only a few moments, when 
 a singular movement followed. Three of the 
 Pawnees took each a different direction through 
 the wood, while the main body continued its 
 advance in a more stealthy manner than before. 
 Their line was along the river and close to it, 
 which looked as if they were following the trail 
 of the Sauk and Jack Carleton. Whether or 
 not such was the fact could not be determined 
 
280 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 by Deerf oot, since the footprints of the Paw- 
 nees, covering the same course, hid those of 
 the two in advance. 
 
 In fact Deerfoot did not care, for, if the 
 Sauk and Jack Carleton knew no better than to 
 allow a party of hostiles to overhaul them in 
 the wilderness, they deserved the consequences ; 
 but cool and collected as was the young Shaw- 
 anoe, his heart gave a quick throb when he 
 noticed the other movements which I have 
 named. 
 
 One of the dusky scouts took a south-west- 
 erly course, another went almost due south, 
 while the third faced the south-east, the paths 
 of the three diverging like so many spokes of a 
 wheel. The course of the last named, if per- 
 sisted in, would take him within a hundred 
 feet of the tree behind which the Shawanoe 
 screened himself. 
 
 What rendered this prospect more gratify- 
 ing was the fact that this Pawnee was Lone 
 Bear, the very warrior whom the Shawanoe 
 was so eager to detach from the main party, 
 so as to gain the chance to ' ' operate ' ' on him ; 
 the opportunity he sought was thrust into his 
 
A SUMMONS AND A SURREXDER. 281 
 
 hands so unexpectedly that he believed it was 
 in answer to his prayer. 
 
 It would seem that Deerfoot ought not to 
 have found any difficulty in manipulating 
 matters to suit himself, but his situation was 
 exceptionally delicate ; for, above every thing 
 else, it was necessary that he should not be dis- 
 covered, or have his presence suspected. It 
 would seem, however, that the signal should 
 have given the clue. 
 
 Lone Bear had started on a scout, and, recall- 
 ing his experience on the other side of the 
 river, he was sure to put forth all the cunning 
 of his nature to escape any surprise from his 
 enemies. He was alert, and glanced from side to 
 side, and indeed in all directions, while 
 advancing on a slow, loping trot. It was easy 
 enough to avoid discovery from him, but, in 
 moving round the trunk of the tree (so as to inter- 
 pose it as a guard), there came a time when the 
 Shawanoe was likely to be seen by the main 
 party, which was not only close, but showed 
 no hurry to move on. 
 
 This danger was avoided by Deerfoot with 
 characteristic deftness. He lay flat on his face, 
 
282 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 in wMch posture lie could not be detected by 
 any one a dozen yards away, and skillfully 
 shifted his position until the back of Lone 
 Bear was toward him. Peering around the 
 trunk, he kept his eyes on the Pawnee until the 
 intervening trees and vegetation shut him from 
 sight. Then Deerf oot rose to his feet, and took 
 his trail like a blood-hound. 
 
 The Shawanoe felt the battle was won. There 
 could be no doubt that Lone Bear had started 
 on the same errand as the other two— that of 
 scouting through the neighborhood for the 
 main party of Pawnees. Deerfoot might have 
 wondered that he should do so, after the wild 
 panic into which he had been thrown by him, 
 but like enough he felt the need of some such 
 action in order to repair his damaged reputation. 
 It Avas not impossible that he volunteered for 
 the perilous duty. 
 
 But having taken such a step, it must not be 
 supposed that Lone Bear forgot the perils to 
 which he would be exx)osed. His vigilance was 
 unremitting, and it need not be said that he 
 looked well to the rear. 
 
 In a few minutes the pursuer and his uncon- 
 
A SUMMONS AXD A SUREE^'DER. 283 
 
 scious fugitive were beyond danger of discov- 
 ery from the main party, and there was little 
 fear of Lone Bear escaping Deerfoot. He 
 had his trail and was sure to run him down. 
 
 The Pawnee scout followed an almost direct 
 course for twenty rods, when he stopped, and, 
 standing erect, slowly turned his head and 
 body, using eyes, and ears for all they were 
 worth. He seemed to be satisfied with what 
 he failed to discover, and advanced at a slower 
 gait in the direction of the river, displaying 
 the same vigilance sho^vn from the first. 
 
 The distance between Lone Bear and his 
 friends was great enoiigh to suit the purpose of 
 Deerfoot, who now began to manoeuvre with a 
 view of getting near his man without the latter 
 suspecting it. Great as were the cunning and 
 woodcraft of the Shawanoe, it is difficult to 
 believe such an exploit possible, in view of the 
 watchfulness of the Pawnee. He was scouting 
 against his enemies, and to suppose he would 
 permit one toai3i)roach him unobserved is to 
 declare him a stupid Indian — which he was 
 far from being. 
 
 But a guarded pursuit and study of his 
 
284 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 actions, made it clear what liis line of conduct 
 was to be, and like tlie most successful of wood- 
 men, Deerfoot in adopting a certain policy 
 anticipated tlie action of his adversary. 
 
 The latter had not proceeded far in the direc- 
 tion of the river when he again stopped, and, 
 standing motionless, looked and listened, just 
 as he had done many a time when stealing 
 through the country of an enemy, and just as 
 he did years before when lleeing for so many 
 miles through the wilderness to escape the 
 Shawanoes. 
 
 For aught that he saw, the Pawnee might 
 have been the only living person wdthin a thou- 
 sand miles of the lonely spot. Looking aloft 
 at the arching trunks, the branching boughs, 
 and the spread of the leafy roof, he saw no sign 
 of life, except a gray squirrel, which, running 
 lightly along the shaggy bark of a huge limb, 
 whisked out of sight in the wealth of vegeta- 
 tion beyond. Here and there patches of blue 
 sky could be detected, with the white flecks of 
 clouds drifting past, but neither the ground nor 
 the trees nor the air showed aught else. Not 
 even a bird, sailing high overhead, flitted to 
 
A SUMMO]N'S AT^D A SURRENDER. 285 
 
 sight, and the leaves below were rustled by no 
 step of bear or deer or smaller animal. 
 
 But such might be the case, with a score of 
 red men prowling near at hand. They would 
 flit hither and thither like so many phantoms, 
 and all the acuteness the Pawnee possessed was 
 needed to elude the traps they were likely to 
 set for his feet. He seemed to believe he was 
 alone, and, resuming his noiseless advance, he 
 did not stop until the listening ear detected the 
 soft flow of the stream, and the daylight 
 between the trees showed the river close at 
 hand. 
 
 Again, having satisfied himself, he moved for- 
 ward until he caught the gleam of water. The 
 same form of scrutiny which has been described 
 was repeated, after which Lone Bear faced down 
 stream and hurried toward the main party fully 
 a half mile distant. 
 
 The course of the Pawnee may be described 
 as similar to that of starting from the hub of a 
 wheel, following one of the spokes to the tire, 
 and after travelling some distance along that, 
 returning to the hub by another spoke. Lone 
 Bear had gone to the limit of his tramp, and 
 
286 rooTPEiNTS in the foeest. 
 
 as the other scouts had taken the same course 
 through different portions of the wood, it will 
 be seen that the neighborhood was sure to be 
 thoroughly examined. 
 
 Lone Bear must have concluded that, wher- 
 ever their enemies had located, they were not 
 within his bailiwick, for, having faced to the 
 westward, he dropped into his loping trot, 
 which, in the case of many Indians, appeared 
 to be more natural than the ordinary walking 
 gait. 
 
 It is not impossible that when the darkeyes of 
 the warrior rested on the large trunk of a white 
 oak almost in his path, he reflected what 
 a capital armor it would make against an 
 enemy. At any rate, whether he thought of it 
 or not, he made the discovery in the most 
 astounding manner. 
 
 Less than a dozen steps intervened between 
 him and the dark, corrugated bark of the 
 towering wood king, and he was surveying it 
 with a curious expression, when Deerfoot, the 
 Shawanoe, stepped from behind it, and with his 
 tomahawk raised over his head, faced the 
 Pawnee. 
 
A SUMMONS AND A SURRENDER. 287 
 
 ' ' Let Lone Bear stand still and make no out- 
 cry, and Deerfoot will not harm him ; let him 
 disobey, and the Shawanoe shall split the skull 
 of the Pawnee before he can utter a cry." 
 
 The previous experience of Lone Bear had 
 taught him that it was lost time to argue the 
 question ; indeed, no choice remained but to 
 accept the situation, and he did so with a cer- 
 tain meekness which was not without its effect 
 on the Shawanoe. , 
 
 * ' Deerfoot is the greatest hunter of the Shaw- 
 anoes, and the Pawnee bows his head before 
 him." 
 
 As he spoke, Lone Bear surprised the other 
 by the completeness of his submission, doing 
 that which was unexpected to his conqueror. 
 The rifle which he was holding in his right 
 hand, when summoned to surrender, was thrown 
 on the ground ; then the tomahawk was flung 
 from the girdle, the knife from the sheath, and 
 all three lay beside each other on the leaves. 
 Not only that, but Lone Bear moved three 
 steps backward and signified to the Shawanoe 
 that he was at liberty to come forward and take 
 them without molestation from him. 
 
288 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 u 
 
 Let my brother, Lone Bear, listen," said 
 Deerf oot, lowering the left hand which held the 
 tomahawk aloft and resting it against his hip, 
 where it could be used the instant needed ; 
 "let the words of Deerf oot be heeded, and it 
 shall be well with Lone Bear ; his rifle and 
 tomahawk and knife shall be given to him, and 
 his brothers, the Pawnees, shall never know he 
 was vanquished by Deerf oot." 
 
 This was promising a great deal, and the 
 Pawnee looked questioningly at the other, 
 though it could be seen that he placed much 
 reliance on his pledges. 
 
 ' ' The ears of Lone Bear are oj)en ; he hears 
 the words of the great Deerf oot ; his words 
 reach his heart ; what is it my brother, the 
 mighty Shawanoe, would say to him?" 
 
 It must have been that Lone Bear had some 
 suspicion of the business of Deerfoot, though 
 it was impossible for him to know his full pur- 
 pose before Deerfoot made it known. 
 
 " My brother will be wise if he heeds the 
 words of Deerfoot ; he will please the Great 
 Spirit, for Deerfoot asks him to sDeak only 
 with a single tongue." 
 
A SUMMONS AND A SURRENDER. 289 
 
 ' ' Lone Bear will speak with a single tongue. ' ' 
 ''Then," said Deerfoot, "he will make 
 
 known the truth of the pale-faced boy for whom 
 
 the heart of Deerfoot mourns." 
 
CHAPTER XXY. 
 
 lo:n^e beae's revelation. 
 
 WITHOUT hesitating a moment, the Paw- 
 nee made answer : 
 
 ^ ' Lone Bear speaks with a single tongue ; 
 he can not tell where the pale-faced warrior 
 is." 
 
 It might have been supposed that the Indian 
 was trying to mislead Deerfoot, but the latter 
 saw his meaning and understood that it w^as 
 his anxiety to tell the truth which caused him 
 to make answer as he did. 
 
 ^ ' How many suns ago did the Pawnee part 
 with the pale-face ? " 
 
 Lone Bear showed he was thinking. His 
 brow wrinkled and he seemed to be looking at 
 something a mile behind the Shawanoe. Then 
 he began counting on his lingers, like a child 
 solving some problem in addition. Seeing that 
 Deerfoot was watching him, he held up his 
 
LoxE bear's revelation. 291 
 
 left hand, with his fingers spread apart, and 
 touched them one after the other with the fore- 
 finger of the right, until he had checked off 
 four, thereby indicating that four days or 
 suns had elapsed since he had seen Otto Rel- 
 staub. 
 
 "What tribe bought him from the Paw- 
 nees?" 
 
 " The pale-face went with no warriors." 
 
 " With whom did he go ? " 
 
 "The pale-face was in the woods alone." 
 
 This was astonishing information, for it 
 implied that Otto, like Jack, had managed to 
 escape from his captors ; such, however, was 
 not the case. 
 
 Deerfoot repressed all sign of deep interest 
 as he plied Lone Bear with questions. 
 
 "Did the pale-face run away when the skies 
 were dark, or was it when the sun was in the 
 sky?" 
 
 "The sun was so high that when Lone Bear 
 walked in the clearing it cast no shadow," 
 replied the Pawnee, thereby signifying that 
 Otto Relstaub disappeared at high noon. As 
 it was clear that even the acute Deerfoot did 
 
292 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 not grasp the full story, Lone Bear attested , 
 his sincerity by adding : 
 
 "The youth whose face was pale became 
 ill ; he could not walk ; the Pawnees lingered 
 hours, hunting and fishing ; but his face was 
 white like the snow ; he tried to rise, but fell 
 down like a pappoose when its eyes first look 
 on the day. Red Wolf raised his tomahawk 
 to slay him, but Lone Bear stayed his arm. 
 The Pawnees marched on and the pale-face lay 
 on the leaves, white and ready to die." 
 
 There at last was the practical solution of the 
 mystery. The Pawnees had not bartered off 
 Otto with any other tribe, but were journeying 
 homeward with him when he fell ill. His cap- 
 tors had tarried near him for a time, but instead 
 of recovering he had grown weaker, until one 
 of the Indians proposed to end the trouble by 
 sinking his tomahawk in his brain. He had 
 been prevented from doing so, and then the 
 warriors had quietly moved on, leaving the 
 poor youth to die alone unattended in the wil- 
 derness. 
 
 But had he in reality perished ? That was 
 the question which was to be answered, but in 
 
LONE bear's REVELATIOT^. 293 
 
 order to do so, it was necessary for Deerf oot to 
 gain all the information he could from Lone 
 Bear, who, in fact, was the only one that could 
 give it. He therefore j)lied him with ques- 
 tions, until nothing more was left to tell. His 
 revelation was pitiful indeed. 
 
 Without any sense of the pathetic side of 
 the narrative, Lone Bear repeated his account 
 of how, while they were moving at a leisurely 
 pace, Otto fell ill. It haxDpened to be late in 
 the afternoon, and as the spot was favorable, 
 the company went into camp. The poor fel- 
 low lay ill all night, and on the morrow was so 
 pale and weak, that his captors believed he 
 could not live many hours. Still they stayed 
 in the neighborhood until noon, when they 
 abandoned him to his fate. Believing he would 
 not survive more than a few hours. Lone Bear 
 and another warrior placed his gun beside 
 him, covered most of his body with leaves, laid 
 his hat over his face, and composed his limbs, 
 as if for the grave. Otto seemed about to die, 
 and showed no interest in the last sad rites, his 
 eyes being closed when they departed. 
 
 Having obtained these particulars, Deerfoot 
 
294 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 learned another surprising fact — tlie point 
 where Otto was abandoned to die, instead of 
 being a long distance to the east, was full three 
 days' journey in the opposite direction. That 
 is to say, the Pawnees, after parting with the 
 lad, had doubled on their own trail and were 
 now the distance named from where it was sup- 
 posed he had died. 
 
 The cause for this retrogression was the love 
 of migratory life which is characteristic of the 
 American race. The Pawnee villages, as I 
 have stated, lay a long ways to the north-west, 
 but among the party that had been on the long 
 tramp, was a strong minority in favor of mov- 
 ing their town to the neighborhood of the river 
 across which we have seen friends and foes 
 pass so frequently. It abounded with game, 
 had plenty of water, numerous fish, and its 
 surface was undulating enough to suit their 
 fancy. All this, no doubt, could be found in 
 other places nearer home, but the stretch of 
 open land which followed one side of the 
 stream for a considerable distance, it may be 
 said, was the deciding inducement. It was the 
 ideal of a site for an aboriginal metropolis, for 
 
LONE beae's revelation. 295 
 
 there was just enough land to put nncler culti- 
 vation to meet their simple wants. 
 
 The attractions of the locality formed the 
 principal theme of discussion, until, when three 
 days' journey from the river, the minority had 
 become the majority, and it was decided to 
 return and make a more thorough examination 
 of the neighborhood. They were thus engaged, 
 in their lazy fashion, when Deerfoot, Hay-uta 
 and Jack Carleton overtook them, and the inci- 
 dents already told followed. 
 
 By the time all this became known, the 
 young Shawanoe felt that Lone Bear had noth- 
 ing more to tell him. Otto Relstaub, if alive, 
 was to be searched for many miles further 
 toward the Rocky Mountains, though, if he 
 was as ill as was represented, he must have 
 succumbed long before. 
 
 While Deerfoot had no thought of breaking 
 his pledge to the Pawnee, he was too prudent to 
 trust him . Should he hand him back his wea- 
 pons he might not attempt to injure the youth, 
 but he would tell his comrades enough to lead 
 them to do their utmost to thwart the purpose 
 of Deerfoot and his friends. 
 
296 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 a 
 
 Let my brotlier listen," said the Shawanoe, 
 stepping closer to liim, as if to make his words 
 more impressive. " When the sun is yonder," 
 pointing to the horizon, "Lone Bear will come 
 to this tree ; he will look on the ground, and 
 will draw the leaves aside ; when he does so he 
 will find his rifle, his knife and his tomahawk ; 
 his brothers shall never know they have been 
 touched by Deerfoot ! " 
 
 There was a certain chivalry in this proceed- 
 ing, for it gave to Lone Bear the means of 
 rejoining his friends without the humiliating 
 confession he would be obliged to make if he 
 appeared unarmed ; for he could invent no fic- 
 tion that would wholly conceal the truth. All 
 that remained to do was to keep out of sight 
 until sunset, Avhen he could make his way to 
 the spot, recover his weapons and go back with 
 a story of the long reconnoissance that had 
 held him away much longer than w^as antici- 
 pated. 
 
 Lone Bear thanked his conqueror for the 
 regard shown him, and the Shawanoe strode off 
 toward the main body of hostiles. He made 
 no change in the route, until beyond sight of 
 
LONE beak's revelation. 297 
 
 the Pawnee. Then he turned to the left, his 
 course being part of the circumference of a large 
 circle, until it brought him to the westward, 
 or, as may be expressed, to the rear of the sin- 
 gle enemy. He now approached the large tree 
 which had served him so well. As he exx^ected, 
 Lone Bear was not in sight. 
 
 Deerfoot smiled as he stepped to the spot, 
 and, bending over, laid the captured weapons 
 on the ground and covered them with leaves, 
 so as not to attract the notice of any one pass- 
 ing near. That done, he withdrew, the faint 
 smile still playing around his mouth. 
 
 Having promised Lone Bear that his weap- 
 ons should be given back to him in payment 
 for his story (which the Shawanoe was satisfied 
 was true), the conscientious young warrior 
 would not allow any thing to prevent the ful- 
 fillment of his pledge ; but he expected that 
 when sunset came he would be many miles 
 away, and it would be a grievous inconvenience 
 to return. Much, therefore, was to be gained 
 by this course. Again, Lone Bear, having no 
 thought that his property would be given up 
 by the Shawanoe before the time he had set, 
 
298 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 would not be likely to go near the tree until tlie 
 close of the day. Then, when he was armed 
 again, it would be too late for him to work 
 Deerfoot ill. Possibly, however, he might take 
 it into his head to return earlier ; but the 
 Shawanoe cared very little if he did, for even 
 then he felt there was little, if any, cause for 
 fear. 
 
 That which Deerfoot now wished to do was 
 to proceed westward with all sj)eed. He had 
 learned from Lone Bear a description of the 
 camp where Otto was left, so that he was con- 
 fident he could find it with little trouble. 
 Although considerable time had passed, yet 
 when such a party moved through the wilder- 
 ness they left a trail which could be followed 
 a long time. Deerfoot was confident he and 
 his friends could reach the spot in a couple of 
 days, but his plan was that he should press on 
 alone, leaving Hay-uta and Jack Carleton to 
 follow at a pace more suitable to them. By 
 putting forth his amazing speed, he knew that 
 the three days' journey of the Pawnees could 
 be covered between the rising and setting of a 
 single sun. 
 
LONE bear's eeyelatiox. 299 
 
 Had lie been alone, he would have crossed 
 the river at once, and by the time night was 
 closing in w^onld have been many miles on his 
 way ; but the first step was to rejoin the Sauk 
 and his young friend. A perfect under- 
 standing must exist between him and them, 
 and that could be done only by an inter- 
 view. 
 
 Furthermore, though a quiet seemed to hang 
 over wood and river, it could not be doubted 
 that Hay-uta and Jack were in much personal 
 danger. They were on the same side of the 
 stream with the hostiles who were hunting for 
 them, and it would be no trifling matter to 
 extricate themselves. 
 
 And again. Lone Bear would be sure to giv^e 
 a '^ pointer" to the rest of the warriors, by 
 which they would suspect that the purpose of 
 the little party was to push on and hunt for 
 the boy that had been left alone to die in the 
 woods. Thus, while Hay-uta and Jack were 
 following their friend, the Pawnees would be 
 trailing them and another curious complication 
 of affairs was likely to result. 
 
 Deerfoot had seen enough, while along the 
 
300 rOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 river, to satisfy liim that his friends were 
 further down the stream than the hostiles 
 whom they were seeking to avoid. His first 
 step, therefore, was to circle to the left, so as 
 to pass around the spot where he had seen 
 them gather near their canoe. On his way, he 
 discovered one of the scouts prowling through 
 the wood ; he easily avoided him and took 
 care that his own presence was not sus- 
 pected. 
 
 At the proper moment he emitted the signal, 
 which in case the Sauk was listening, would be 
 understood by him. It required great care, 
 for more than likely some shrewd Pawnee 
 would catch it up and turn it to account, as has 
 been done times innumerable under similar cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 There was no response, and Deerfoot did not 
 repeat it until he had gone some distance 
 further. Then the whistle was emitted in the 
 same guarded manner, and almost immediately 
 brought its reply. Fearful that the latter came 
 from a foe, Deerfoot kept his position, and, 
 with all his senses alert, indulged in some 
 variations which were answered as only 
 
LONE bear's eevelation. 301 
 
 Hay-uta could answer tliem. All doubt being 
 gone, Deerfoot now advanced unhesitatingly, 
 and a minute or two later was with his 
 friends. 
 
CHAPTER XXYI. 
 
 AN INTEEESTING QUESTION. 
 
 THE faces of the Sauk and Jack Caiieton 
 lightened up, when Deerfoot appeared, 
 and warningly raised his finger for them to 
 remain quiet. That he did not mean they were 
 in imminent peril was shown when he said, as 
 he took each hand in turn : 
 
 ' ' Deerfoot is glad to look upon his broth- 
 ers/' 
 
 " And we needn't tell you how glad we are 
 to see you, old fellow," responded Jack, modu- 
 lating his voice to the same low key as that of 
 the Shawanoe ; ^ ' you were gone so long that 
 we began to think we would have to hunt you 
 up. Here, take these blamed things," he 
 added, passing the bow and quiver to their 
 owner ; " I never was so glad so get rid of any 
 thing." 
 
 The lad had shoved the hat of Otto Relstaub 
 
AX IXTERESTIXG QUESTIOX. 303 
 
 under his coat, where he meant to keep it from 
 the sight of the Shawanoe until after hearing 
 his story. The young warrior, convinced that 
 no Indians were near, and that it would require 
 an hour and probably more for the Pawnees to 
 trace the little party, conversed freely. 
 
 The narrative, as may well be supposed, was 
 one of transcendent interest to Jack Carleton, 
 for it was the first definite knowledge obtained 
 of his missing friend. The heart of the listener 
 was filled with pitying sorrow when he learned 
 how Otto had been left to die alone in the wil- 
 derness. Tears filled his eyes, his voice trem- 
 bled, and he said : 
 
 ' ' We know now that he was living a few 
 days ago, but what hope is there that he has 
 lasted this long ? I am afraid that the most we 
 can do is to give him burial — and we haven't 
 the means to do even that very well." 
 
 The three seated themselves on the fallen 
 tree near which the hat was found, and talked 
 as freely as though no hostile was within a 
 hundred leagues of them. The Sauk had little 
 to say, a few words between him and Deerfoot 
 being sufficient. Then, as if to allow them to 
 
304 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 talk unreservedly (tliougii, of course, he could 
 not understand any thing «aid), he walked a 
 short distance away. He was just far enough 
 removed to be visible to the two friends. His 
 purpose was to mount guard while they con- 
 versed, though there was little need, for Deer 
 foot could never forget his vigilance. 
 
 When the touching story was ended, Jack 
 looked at his friend and asked : 
 
 ^' Do you think he is dead ?" 
 
 The young Shawanoe nodded his head. 
 
 *' The Pawnees saw he was very ill ; his face 
 was like snow ; he was weak ; they laid his 
 gun beside him and covered him with leaves." 
 
 ^'Why didn't they take the gun? It was 
 worth a good deal, and the Indians hold such 
 things in high value." 
 
 "When the Pawnees bury a warrior, they 
 bury his weapons with him ; they were afraid 
 to take the gun ; they covered his face with 
 his hat ' ' 
 
 ''Are you sure of that ?" broke in Jack. 
 " Such were the words of Lone Bear, who 
 spoke with a single tongue." 
 
 If they left Otto three days' journey away. 
 
 a 
 
AX IXTERESTIXG QUESTIOX. 305 
 
 with his hat lying on his face, I should like to 
 know how it conies to be here,'''' 
 
 And Jack drew the article from under his 
 coat, and handed it to Deerfoot. The latter 
 did not conceal his astonishment, for he iden- 
 tified Otto' s property at once. He asked his 
 friend for the particulars, and received them. 
 
 Deerfoot' s theory was overturned by this 
 discovery, and it was beyond his power to 
 explain the presence of the hat so far away 
 from where the owner had been abandoned. It 
 would be supposed that the discovery would 
 throw discredit on the story told by Lone 
 Bear, inasmuch as the two seemed irreconcil- 
 able ; but such was not the case. Deerfoot 
 did not doubt Lone Bear' s words, and I make 
 free to say just here, that subsequent discov- 
 eries proved that the vanquished Pawnee had 
 not deviated from the truth in the first partic- 
 ular. 
 
 The active brain of the young Shawanoe 
 grappled with the puzzling problem, and he 
 was still unable to solve it, when the faint 
 report of a gun was borne to the ears of himself 
 and friends. It was so faint, indeed, that 
 
306 FOOTPRITs^TS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Jack Carleton just caught tlie sound, but it was 
 as distinct to the warrior as if fired within a 
 hundred yards. 
 
 I am aware that it sounds incredible when I 
 state that the single report of the rifle, far 
 away in the wilderness, as it was softly borne 
 through the miles of intervening space, told 
 the whole story to Deerfoot the Shawanoe ; it 
 solved the mystery ; it made clear that which 
 was hidden ; he no longer saw through a glass 
 darkly ; the history of Otto Kelstaub was as 
 plain as if it had fallen from his own lips. 
 
 I repeat that it will seem incredible to the 
 reader that such a thing could be true, but 
 I shall soon make plain how it all came about. 
 
 The sound of the gun was from a point due 
 south. Deerfoot having fixed it clearly in his 
 mind, said something in a low voice to the 
 Sauk, who had turned his head and was look- 
 ing as if he expected some summons. Then, 
 rising to his feet, he addressed Jack : 
 
 ^'The night will soon come; we must make 
 haste." 
 
 "Ain't you going to search the ground for 
 Otto's trail?" asked Jack, who had hoped 
 
AX INTERESTING QUESTIOX. 307 
 
 that the powerful eyes of Deerfoot would 
 reveal to him that which was hidden from the 
 Sauk. 
 
 "There is no trail here," replied the Shaw- 
 anoe, glancing at the ground, and walking 
 away with a stride which seemed reckless, 
 when it is remembered that the Pawnees were 
 not far off. In fact, the course of the three 
 took them close to the war party who were so 
 clamorous for their scalps ; but the task of 
 flanking a company of hostiles was not difficult 
 to Deerfoot. He let his friends know when 
 the situation was delicate, and each used . the 
 utmost circumspection ; but the young leader 
 deviated so far to one side that he soon placed 
 them in the rear. 
 
 Nearly half the day remained, and there was 
 time to cover a great deal of ground. Deerfoot 
 did not break into that loping trot which he 
 could maintain from sunrise to sunset, but his 
 strides were so long and rapid that Jack was 
 on the point more than once of being forced 
 into a run. 
 
 The Shawanoe so shaped his course that he 
 passed the tree near which he had placed the 
 
308 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 rifle, tomahawk, and knife of Lone Bear. A 
 glance showed him they were still there, and 
 he smiled in his shadowy way, but held his 
 peace. He did not tell his friends the story, 
 knowing the panic-stricken Pawnee would not 
 reclaim his weapons until the hour fixed — sun- 
 set. 
 
 Jack Carleton was well aware, from the 
 manner of Deerfoot, that he was carrying out 
 some theory of his own, though the boy failed 
 to connect it with that far-away report of a 
 rifle. He was far from suspecting the surpris- 
 ing truth. JN'othing would have pleased him 
 more than to have had the Shawanoe explain 
 what line of policy he had adopted, but T have 
 shown long ago that Deerfoot was inclined to 
 keep such matters to himself until their truth 
 or falsity was established. Jack knew better 
 than to seek to draw any thing from him, and, 
 since he was equally reserved toward Hay-uta, 
 the young Kentuckian could not feel that he 
 had any ground for impatience. 
 
 As they advanced, the ground became 
 broken and rocky. Travelling was difficult — 
 that is, to Jack Carleton — who bruised himself 
 
AX INTERESTING QUESTION. 309 
 
 several times in liis efforts to hold liis own. 
 He was on the point of protesting, when Deer- 
 foot halted. 
 
 Hay-uta showed some signs of the severe 
 strain to which he had been subjected. His 
 chest rose and sank faster than usual, and his 
 dusky countenance was slightly flushed. 
 Jack's face was aglow ; he breathed hard and 
 fast, and felt as though he would like to sit 
 down and rest a few hours. But Deerfoot was 
 as unruffled as if he had walked only a mile 
 or two at a leisurely pace. 
 
 And yet a crisis was at hand. There was 
 something in the eyes and face of the Shaw- 
 anoe which showed a consciousness that they 
 were near the end : within the following few 
 hours it would come. 
 
 Deerfoot pointed to a ridge a short distance 
 to the south. The top was rocky and precip- 
 itous, and the trees and vegetation were so 
 scarce that the rugged baldness could be seen 
 a long ways through the woods. 
 
 " The Sauk will hunt from tliere to titer e,'' 
 said the Shawanoe, indicating a spot a quarter 
 of a mile to the south, and pointing by the 
 
310 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 svveep of liis arm to another almost opposite 
 where tliey stood. ' ' Deerf oot will hunt from 
 there to tliere^^^ he added, marking out a simi- 
 lar, though more extensive field, in the other 
 direction. 
 
 ^ ' And what am 7 to do T ' asked Jack, half 
 amused and just a little provoked at what he 
 knew was coming. 
 
 ^'My brother's legs are weary; they want 
 rest ; let him sit down and wait till Deerf oot 
 and Hay-uta come back to him." 
 
 " The same old dodge ! " exclaimed the lad. 
 ^' I would give a good deal if some one would 
 explain why in the mischief I was brought 
 along with this party anyhow. ' ' 
 
 ' ' My brother is gentle-hearted ; his voice is 
 soft as that of the papjpoose when it laughs in 
 its mother's eyes ; his face is beautiful ; the 
 hearts of Hay-uta and Deerf oot are sad, but 
 when they look into the face of their brother 
 their hearts become light and they feel 
 strong." 
 
 This was the most extensive joke in the way 
 of a remark that Deerfoot had ever been 
 known to originate. Jack Carleton saw his 
 
AN IXTEPwESTIXG QUESTIOX. 311 
 
 slight smile and the twinkle of his black eyes, 
 and knew he was quizzing him. Assuming a 
 seriousness which deceived no one, the doughty 
 Kentuckian deliberately leaned his gun against 
 the nearest tree, pretended to roll up his 
 sleeves, spat on his hands, rubbed them 
 together and clenched them and advanced 
 threateningly upon the Shawanoe. The latter 
 feigned alarm, and, ducking his head, as if to 
 dodge the threatened blow, ran away so swiftly 
 that before Jack could take more than half 
 a dozen steps in pursuit, he was out of sight. 
 
 Hay-uta could not be considered handsome, 
 but the smile which lighted up his features made 
 them interesting, to say the least. When he 
 grinned, he did so to the extent of his ability, 
 which was considerable in that direction. 
 
 But the Sauk had been assigned to an 
 important duty, and the Shawanoe having 
 departed, he did not linger. He waved a 
 parting salute to Jack Carleton, who, a few^ 
 minutes later, found himself alone, much the 
 same as he had been left when Shawanoe and 
 Sauk crossed the river to reconnoitre the 
 Pawnee camp. 
 
o 
 
 12 FOOTPKINTS IN" THE FOREST. 
 
 " There's one tiling certain," lie said to him- 
 self, recalling the parallelism, "whatever hap- 
 IDens, I won't be caught as I was then; I'm 
 not going to climb a tree, and I mean to hold 
 fast to my gun ; but we have come so far from 
 the river that we must be a long way from 
 that party of Pawnees, unless," he reflected, 
 glancing to the rear, "they have struck our 
 trail and have followed hard after us." 
 
 The possibility of such danger was not 
 great, but Jack Carleton changed his position 
 to one where he could keep a better lookout, 
 with less danger of discovery. He was sure 
 his friends would not be absent a long time, 
 and he meant to avoid embarrassing their 
 action. 
 
 " It was the sound of that gun which led 
 Deerf oot to come all this way. I wonder what 
 it can mean." 
 
 Jack had got this far in his meditation, when 
 he heard a footfall near him, and, just as 
 he turned his head, a familiar voice called 
 out : 
 
 ' ^Helloa, 87iaclc, isli dot you f ' ' 
 
CHAPTER XXYII. 
 
 A STRAXGE STORY. 
 
 THE amazement of Jack Carleton, when he 
 recognized the figure before him, was 
 beyond description. It was Otto Relstaub — 
 the same honest German lad from whom he 
 parted weeks previous when the two were cap- 
 tives in the hands of the wandering Sauks, tlie 
 divisions of which took such different direc- 
 tions. It was the same lad — the only notice- 
 able difference being that he was bareheaded 
 and his garments were much frayed and torn. 
 He held his gun in his right hand, the stock 
 resting on the ground, while he looked with a 
 half- inquiring expression, as if doubting the 
 identity of the young Kentuckian who had 
 come such a distance to help restore him to his 
 friends. But a second stare satisfied both, and 
 rushing toward each other, they shook hands, 
 laughed and cried for very joy, their expres- 
 
814 FOOTPRIXTS IX THE FOEEST. 
 
 sions disjointed and only clear in their evidence 
 of tlie delight which overflowed in their 
 hearts. 
 
 " Oh, I forgot ! " exclaimed Jack, drawing 
 Otto's hat from under his coat and slapping it 
 on the yellow crown of his friend; "here's 
 something which belongs to you." 
 
 "Vere did you got him?" asked Otto, 
 taking it from his head and inspecting it. "I 
 never dinks I would sees him agin." 
 
 Jack gave the particulars which the reader 
 learned long ago, adding an account of the 
 efforts made by Deerfoot and, the Sauk to trace 
 him, and of the despair all felt when they were 
 told the captive had been left to die alone in 
 the woods. 
 
 " I never expected to meet you again," said 
 Jack, ''and I couldn't understand why it was 
 Deerfoot had any hope." 
 
 " 'Cause he Tcnoioed,'^^ was the truthful 
 remark. 
 
 "But what was the matter with you ? You 
 must have got well in a hurry." 
 
 Otto threw back his head and laughed in his 
 old-fashioned, hearty style, adding : 
 
A STRAXGE STORY. 315 
 
 " Do yon dinks I vos very sick ? " 
 And tlien the lad told liis strange story, 
 whicli perhaps yon wonld prefer to hear in a 
 little better accent than that of the narrator. 
 
 The statement made to Deerfoot by Lone Bear 
 only a few honrs before was shown to be accu- 
 rate in every particular by the narrative of Otto 
 himself, but it had a phase which neither Lone 
 Bear nor any of his comrades suspected. 
 
 The Sauks who wandered away from their 
 fellows, taking Otto along as their prisoner, 
 met the Pawnees, who, as the reader well 
 knows, were a long ways from home. Otto was 
 bartered to them, and his captors continued 
 toward their village, many days' journey to the 
 north and west. They went at a moderate pace, 
 stopping and hunting by the way and making 
 themselves familiar with the country, with a 
 view of removing their lodges thither, provided 
 they could find a satisfactory place. 
 
 They were many hours on this dismal tramp 
 when Otto asked himself whether it would not 
 be as well to give up all thought of returning 
 home, and of becoming one of the people into 
 whose hands he had fallen. The hardship 
 
316 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 imposed by liis parents impelled liim to such a 
 course, and, more than once, he decided not to 
 make any effort to leave the Pawnees, even if a 
 good opportunity offered. Had it not been 
 for Jack Carleton and his kind mother he 
 probably would have become an adopted Paw- 
 nee. 
 
 But, as the distance between him and his 
 humble cabin in far away Martinsville in- 
 creased, a feeling of homesickness crept over 
 him until he w^as utterly miserable. He finally 
 reached the resolve that he would never rest 
 until he w^as back again in the log cabin near 
 the banks of the Mississippi ; no matter how 
 oppressive his lot, it was home^ and that was 
 preferable to a gilded palace. 
 
 The prisoner in the dungeon finds no diffi- 
 culty in making up his mind to leave ; the 
 insurmountable task is to carry out his inten- 
 tion ; and the days and nights passed without 
 the first glimmer of hope appearing in the sky 
 of Otto Relstaub. 
 
 Several times he saw chances which he 
 believed would enable him to get aAvay, but he 
 feared the inevitable pursuit. He was so many 
 
A STRAXGE STORY 
 
 317 
 
 miles from home that the most laborious tramp- 
 ing would be required for many days, even if 
 able to proceed in a direct line. 
 
 It was this dread which prevented such an 
 attempt on the part of Otto, while his home- 
 sickness increased until his appetite vanished 
 and his looks were woe-begone. While in this 
 pitiful condition the poor fellow asked himself 
 whether he could not feign illness to such a 
 degree that his captors would abandon him to 
 
 die. 
 
 The probabilities pointed the other way. In 
 the first place the Pawnees were quite certain 
 to perceive the sham, and, in case they were 
 deceived, they were likely to tomahawk Otto 
 so as to end the annoyance. These two con- 
 siderations kept him plodding along with the 
 party, which, fortunately for him, progressed 
 
 slowly. 
 
 But while the youth's physical condition was 
 not bad enough to deceive the Indians, he 
 became desperate, and determined to take the 
 first opportunity that presented itself . Within 
 an hour he found a chance to pilfer some 
 tobacco belonging to Lone Bear. He did so 
 
318 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 with such care that he was not suspected. 
 Straightway he swallowed it, and I need not 
 say that it was unnecessary for Otto to pre- 
 tend he was ill ; he was never in such a state 
 of collapse in his life. 
 
 His deathly paleness convinced the Pawnees 
 that their captive was at death' s door. They 
 urged him to walk, but he could not, and they 
 stayed in camp longer than was intended, in 
 the hope that the patient would rally. 
 
 Otto showed a good deal of pluck when, 
 finding himself recovering, he resolutely swal- 
 lowed some more of the poisonous weed and 
 soon became so i^rostrated that he really 
 believed his last hour was at hand. He was in 
 great danger, for the nicotine threatened the 
 seat of life, and Otto lost interest in every 
 thing, feeling that it would be a relief to per- 
 ish and end his misery. 
 
 This was his condition when the Pawnees 
 formed the opinion that he could not live more 
 than an hour or two at the most. Accordingly, 
 they covered him with leaves, laid his hat over 
 his face, and, placing his gun beside him, went 
 ojff. The youth lay hovering, as it seemed, 
 
A STRANGE STORY. 319 
 
 between life and death. While in that condi- 
 tion, he detected a footfall near him. He was 
 able to turn his head, but could not move 
 his body. He recognized Red Wolf, who was 
 standing a few steps away, knife in hand. He 
 had returned to take the scalp of the dying 
 lad, and would have done so, had not Lone 
 Bear, coming from another direction, inter- 
 fered. By some argument he led the other to 
 change his mind, and both walked away. 
 
 From that moment reaction set in, and Otto 
 rallied fast. It was beginning to grow dark, 
 and he was soon shut in by impenetrable gloom. 
 Fearful that Red Wolf or some one else would 
 steal upon him in the night, he crept deeper 
 into the wood, where he knew he could not be 
 found when the sun w^as not shining. 
 
 Although his rugged system rapidly threw 
 off the nicotine poisoning, he was weak and 
 dizzy. He gained a few hours sleep before 
 morning, but was awake at the earliest streak- 
 ings of light and started on his return. 
 
 Otto Relstaub's previous experience in the 
 woods now served him well. He discovered 
 that the war party, instead of continuing west- 
 
820 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 ward, were retrograding and doubling on tlieir 
 own trail. He suspected the true reason — tliey 
 were prospecting for a new site for their vil- 
 lages. He had judged from their actions that 
 something of the kind was in tlieir thoughts. 
 
 As the course of the lad lay in the same 
 direction, he wisely chose to deviate until he 
 was far off their trail, so as to avoid any risk 
 of them. 
 
 Otto's deliverance from captivity was sin- 
 gular indeed, but he was too wise to consider 
 it complete until certain that such was the 
 case. He feared that Red Wolf or some of his 
 comrades would return to the spot where he 
 had been abandoned ; and, discovering the 
 trick, instantly pursue him. 
 
 He therefore devoted many hours to elab- 
 orate efforts to obliterate his own trail, or to 
 shape it so that even a bloodhound could not 
 track him. He crossed all the streams he 
 could, wading long distances through the 
 water where the depth was too great to permit 
 his footprints to be seen. When he finally 
 emerged, he often did so on the same side 
 which he entered, perhax)s repeating his man- 
 
A STRA^'GE STORY 321 
 
 oeuvre once or twice before leaving the stream 
 by the opj)osite bank. 
 
 This played havoc with Otto's garments, 
 which were torn and injured until it looked 
 doubtful whether they would last him through 
 his journey. Sometimes, while walking where 
 the water was only a little above his knees, he 
 would abruptly step into that which was six 
 or eight feet deep, but he always reached 
 bottom. 
 
 During the first day, when the vigorous 
 system of the fugitive demanded food, and he 
 saw the chance of bringing down a wild turkey 
 which trotted swiftly across his path, he 
 refrained through fear that the report of his 
 gun would betray him. He ate a few berries 
 that seemed to have lived over from the pre- 
 ceding winter (the season being rather early for 
 any thing of the kind to have grown since), 
 chewed some tender buds, and lying down at 
 night, thanked heaven he felt so well. 
 
 Reaching the bank of the river across which 
 his friends had passed several times, he felt 
 the opportunity for which he longed had come. 
 
 With much labor, he succeeded in con- 
 
322 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 structing a raft sufficiently buoyant to float 
 liim without resting any part of Ms body in 
 the water. Pushing this out into the stream, 
 he drifted fully three miles, gradually working 
 the support toward the further shore. 
 
 " Dere," he exclaimed, when he stepped out 
 on land, " dey won't find my tracks if dey 
 don't look all summer." 
 
 This was the fact, so far as trailing the 
 fugitive from the spot where he was abandoned, 
 but it so happened that the course of the raft 
 down stream carried him into the very section 
 where his late captors were hunting back and 
 forth. The wonder w^as that he was not dis- 
 covered, for there must have been times w^hen 
 his enemies were on each side the river, and he 
 Avas floating directly between them — and that, 
 too, when the sun was shining. 
 
 He was so tired that he lay dow^n beside a 
 fallen tree and slept until near nightfall. Even 
 then he was aroused by the report of a gun so 
 near him that he started up and rushed off in 
 such haste that he left his hat behind him. 
 Soon another rifle was discharged so close that 
 he believed he was surrounded by foes. He 
 
A STRAXGE STORY. 323 
 
 had missed liis hat, but dared not go back after 
 it, the last gun seeming to have been fired from 
 a point near it. All he strove to do was to get 
 as far from the spot as he could in the least 
 time possible. A strong wind, accompanied 
 by some rain, followed and hastened his foot- 
 steps. 
 
 It certainly was remarkable that the fugi- 
 tive's presence so near a number of the hostiles 
 was not discovered, but there is no reason to 
 believe that any such suspicion entered their 
 minds, or that they dreamed of the trick played 
 on them by the captive when he seemed to be 
 lying at the point of death. 
 
 Otto pressed on, until once more he felt 
 he had the best ground for believing he would 
 elude his enemies ; but he was famishing for 
 food, and when in the moment of temptation, 
 a dozen wild turkeys trotted by him in the 
 woods, he fell and let fly at the plumpest, 
 which also fell. 
 
CHAPTER XXYIIL 
 
 A STARTLING INTERRUPTION. 
 
 WHEN Deerfoot, the Shawanoe, first saw 
 the recovered hat of Otto Relstaiib, and 
 tried hard to guess how it came to be left where 
 Jack Carleton found it, he recalled the words 
 of Lone Bear to the effect that it was placed 
 over the face of the boy who was deserted 
 three days' journey away in the woods. The 
 conclusion was natural that the hat had been 
 carried the intervening distance by the boy 
 himself, who must have recovered from the 
 severe illness that brought him low. 
 
 At the very moment the young warrior was 
 beginning to suspect the truth about the 
 youth's illness, the faint report of a rifle came 
 to his ears. Necessarily there could be nothing 
 in the sound of the gun which could identify 
 it, but Deerfoot was sure it was fired by Otto, 
 
A STARTLING IXTERRUPTIOX. 325 
 
 who was eitlier defending himself against some 
 danger or was after his dinner. 
 
 Whatever the immediate cause, the Shawanoe 
 felt that haste was necessary to reach the fugi- 
 tive, who was likely to be sought by the Paw- 
 nees, who also must have heard the report of 
 his rille. He therefore started on the pursuit, 
 as it may be called, with the Sauk and Jack 
 Carleton at his heels. 
 
 That marvelous delicacy of hearing, which 
 was one of the characteristics of Deerfoot, 
 enabled him not only to assure himself of the 
 precise direction of the sound, but to fix the 
 point whence it came. Gaining sight of the 
 ridge, he was convinced that the lad who fired 
 it was in that vicinity. He therefore pointed 
 out the portion which was to be examined by 
 the Sauk, while he reserved a similar area to be 
 gone over by himself — the difference being that 
 he was confident of finding Otto, provided he 
 had not moved far from the spot where he 
 stood when he discharged his gun. 
 
 On the way thither, the Shawanoe glanced 
 right and left in search of the trail, but as an 
 intervening storm had obliterated it, and Deer- 
 
326 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 foot went in a direct line, he of course failed to 
 find it. 
 
 Otto Relstaub's woodcraft enabled him to 
 travel intelligently through the wilderness. 
 The second storm overtook him just before 
 reaching the rocky ridge, and he was fortunate 
 to find shelter in a slight cave from the driving 
 rain. Despite the peril from which he had just 
 escaped, he determined to stay where he was 
 until, so to speak, he could recruit. The wild 
 turkeys, of which I have spoken, were abundant 
 in the neighborhood, and he had no difliculty 
 in killing one when he wanted it. He did so, 
 on first reaching the vicinity, and the last one 
 was brought down at the moment Deerf oot was 
 studying the vexing problem as to what had 
 become of their young German friend. 
 
 The Shawanoe was approaching the truth 
 when, as I have said, the report solved the mys- 
 tery, and, while hurrying through the woods 
 with Jack and the Sauk, he was almost posi- 
 tive that they would find the lad for whom 
 they had sought so long in vain. He did not 
 believe, of course, that Otto had entirely feigned 
 the sickness which was the means of saving 
 
A STARTLING INTERRUPTION. 327 
 
 his life, for the story of Lone Bear forbade 
 that. He did suspect, however, that the cap- 
 tive had been taken ill and probably made it 
 appear worse than was the case, and that, when 
 left alone, he rapidly recovered and took advan- 
 tage of the surprising chance thus given 
 him in perfect innocence by the Pawnees. 
 What struck Deerfoot as singular was that 
 the Indians should have been so deceived, and 
 that none of them returned afterward — except- 
 ing Red Wolf and Lone Bear — to learn whether 
 he had perished. Most likely they went over 
 their trail once more on their homeward jour- 
 ney. That of necessity must have been so long 
 after the abandonment of the lad, that (leaving 
 out of account the doing of Otto's friends) the 
 Pawnees would not make the effort to hunt 
 again for the fugitive whose long start put him 
 beyond danger of recapture. 
 
 When Otto Relstaub had finished his story. 
 Jack's eyes sparkled and he again grasped the 
 hand of his friend. 
 
 "It is the most wonderful experience of 
 which I have ever heard. I thought my escape 
 from the Sauks was remarkable, and so it was, 
 
328 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 but it can't compare with yours. I never knew 
 of the Indians being fooled in that manner ; 
 but show me wdiere you have spent the last 
 day or two." 
 
 ' ' It ishn' t as fine as your cabin dot is home in 
 Martinsville, but it ish de best dot I can find." 
 
 '' You're mighty lucky to find any thing," 
 was the remark of Jack Carleton, following his 
 young friend tow^ard the rocky ridge which had 
 attracted the notice of the Shawanoe some 
 time before. 
 
 " I wonder whether Deerfoot will find it ?" 
 said he, musing over the strange experience 
 of his friend ; "I suppose you have left plenty 
 of footprints wdiicli he is likely to see and which 
 will guide him to the right spot." 
 
 " I vos going to leave dis place to-nights or 
 to-morrow mornings," said Otto, quite proud 
 of the part he was acting as guide of his old 
 friend, "but dinks dot I stays till I feels like 
 being better." 
 
 Before Otto Relstaub could finish his remark, 
 the crack of two rifles cut short his words. At 
 the same moment the whistling bullets and the 
 w^ar whoops left no doubt of the explanation. 
 
A STARTLING IXTERRUPTIOX. 329 
 
 Several Pawnees had been prowling along their 
 trail, when the sight of the boys moving away 
 led them to believe they had taken the alarm 
 and were trying to escape. Firing hastily, they 
 broke into a run, with less than a hundred yards 
 separating pursuer and pursued. 
 
 '' Fly, Otto ! " called his companion ; '• if 
 you can run, now is the time ; they're on our 
 heels!" 
 
 As the German lad knew the right course, 
 he was obliged to take the lead, while Jack 
 Carleton was behind him. The latter was 
 much the fleeter of foot, and it made him des- 
 perate to observe what seemed the sluggish 
 movements of his guide. 
 
 "Hurry ! " he added, pushing him forward; 
 '' they will be on us in a minute and then it's 
 all up I" 
 
 " Yaw ; I ish doing petter as nefer I couldn't 
 does," replied Otto, who in his excitement 
 dropped back into his crooked words and 
 sentences. 
 
 *' You ain't half trying, I've seen you do 
 twice as well. " 
 
 Yaw ; but I dinks — " 
 
 u 
 
330 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 The catastrophe came. Like the immortal 
 John Smith, Otto was so busy with his eyes 
 that he had no oj^portunity to watch where his 
 feet led him. He sjDrawled forward on his 
 hands and Ivnees, and Jacli Carleton narrowly 
 missed going headlong over him. The situa- 
 tion was too critical to laugh, and Otto, 
 thoroughly scared, was up again in an instant, 
 plunging forward with unabated ardor. 
 
 The Pawnees lost no time, and the peril was 
 of the most imminent nature. But having 
 regained his feet, Otto dashed forward with 
 the utmost speed he could command, so that 
 tlie frightened Jack could not find fault with 
 his tardiness. 
 
 The leader was following no beaten path or 
 clearly marked trail, but was heading toward a 
 point half way up the ridge, where a mass of 
 rocks rose higher than any others near them, 
 and among which the boy had found a refuge 
 from the storm that drove him thither — a storm 
 which it may be necessary to say, was so local 
 in its character, that Deerfoot and his friends, 
 who were not far off, saw nothing of the ele- 
 mental disturbance. 
 
A STAETLIXG IXTERRUPTIOX. 331 
 
 The Pawnees, who were seeking to surround 
 the boys at the moment they started, came 
 from different points, all converging so as to 
 shut in the fugitives, as they would have done 
 had a little more time been given them. As it 
 was, when Jack and Otto faced the rocks, their 
 enemies in their rear, one or two were uncom- 
 fortably close. 
 
 Indeed, there was one fierce warrior nigh 
 enough to inter^Dose across the path of the 
 fugitives. Otto had taken a dozen steps or so 
 after climbing to his feet, when the savage, 
 brandishing his tomahawk in one hand while 
 he grasped his gun in the other, shouted con- 
 tinually some exclamation which was clearly a 
 command to halt, but which, it need not be 
 said, was disobeyed. 
 
 Quick to see that he was wasting his breath 
 the red man, with a coux)le of bounds, placed 
 himself so directly in front of Otto that the 
 latter could not pass him without turning to 
 one side. 
 
 " There's no use of fooling with that fellow," 
 was the conclusion of Jack Carleton, raising 
 the hammer of his gun, without slackening his 
 
332 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 speed ; but before lie could bring the weapon 
 to Ills shoulder, Otto stopped short, throwing 
 up his gun at the same moment, and let drive 
 at the warrior, who could not have had any sus- 
 picion that he was in danger until the red 
 tongue shot from the muzzle almost in his face, 
 and then scarce time was given him to know 
 what was coming when his interest in earthly- 
 things ceased. 
 
 With an ear-splitting screech, he flung up both 
 arms, the gun and tomahawk flying several feet 
 in the air from the spasmodic movement, and 
 he went forward on his face, head and shoulders 
 being thrown so far back that his chest struck 
 the ground first, chin and forehead following 
 like the rockers of a chair. 
 
 ''Well done!" called out Jack. "Push 
 ahead and we shall be safe." 
 
 Suddenly Otto slackened and turned about 
 wdth a blanched face. 
 
 ' ' Mein gracious ! I dinks I hef got de wrong 
 road!" 
 
 Jack was in despair ; then he was angered. 
 
 " Go on ; go somewhere ; don't stop here ! " 
 he said. 
 
A STARTLING INTERRUPTION. 333 
 
 And he almost slioved Mm off Ms feet in Ms 
 desperate impatience. 
 
 *' Yosn't dotfooney ? " said Otto, breaking 
 into another desperate run ; " it is the road 
 arter all." 
 
 Not only at that moment, but for some time 
 previous, it must have been in the power of the 
 Pawnees to bring down both boys by shots from 
 their guns. The intervening space was so brief, 
 that all could not have missed, and when Otto 
 made his last dash for safety, Jack Carleton 
 was in such a direct line behind him, that a 
 single well-aimed bullet would have laid both 
 low ; but the Indians, confident there was no 
 escape for the boys, determined to make both 
 prisoners. 
 
 Deerfoot, the Shawanoe, always referred to 
 the action of the red men at that time as almost 
 unexplainable. They must have known that 
 the youths had friends close by, and that one 
 of them was the young warrior whom they 
 believed to be in league with the Evil One. The 
 footprints which had guided them through the 
 forest told that fact. There were only four 
 Pawnees (one of whom was the warrior whom 
 
334 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 Deerf oot and Hay-nta held a prisoner the night 
 before, and then allowed to go), and as the 
 number of fugitives, if such they may be 
 called, was the same, the advantage certainly 
 could not be claimed by the hostiles. What 
 common sense directed was for them to shoot 
 the boys, and then withdraw, at least until 
 re-enforcements arrived. Their failure to do so 
 was a piece of shortsightedness which neither 
 the Shawanoe nor Sauk understood. 
 
 The respite gained by the quick shot of Otto 
 Eelstaub was provident ; it threw every one of 
 their pursuers behind them, and the redoubled 
 efforts of the lads carried them swiftly over the 
 remaining space. 
 
 " Here we ish ! " exclaimed the panting 
 Otto, almost falling again. 
 
 " Where ? " demanded the terrified friend ; 
 *' I don't see anything like the cave you told 
 me about." 
 
 " It ish de pest dot we have," replied the 
 German lad, noticing the disappointment of 
 his companion. 
 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 A FIGHT AND A RETEEAT. 
 
 THAT whicli Otto had called a cave proved 
 really no cave at all. Up the winding 
 ascent the fugitives sped, until opposite a lip or 
 shelf, which projected from the rocks on their 
 left. It extended forward three or four feet, 
 rudely slox)ing away like the f orepiece of a cap, 
 but the concavity below was less than half that 
 depth. Jack expected to find a retreat ten or 
 fifteen feet deep. As it was, there was barely 
 room to screen themselves from the flying bul- 
 lets, and had the rain been driven from the 
 opposite direction when Otto first sought refuge 
 there it would have given no protection 
 at all. 
 
 Jack was half disposed to continue his flight 
 over the ridge, but fearful of the greater peril 
 to which they would be exposed, and alarmed 
 
336 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 by tlie knowledge that their enemies were 
 almost on their heels, he darted to the left, and 
 stood with his back against the rocky wall, 
 grasping his loaded and cocked rifle, ready to . 
 fire on appearance of the pursuers. Otto did 
 the same, and. taking a position beside him, 
 began reloading his weapon. 
 
 The hostiles did not stop, but hastened np 
 the rough gorge, and in a twinkling the foremost 
 dashed into sight. Quick as Jack was in bring- 
 ing his gun to his shoulder, some one else antic- 
 ipated him. The red man bounded high in 
 air, with the inevitable death shriek, and went 
 over backward, his body pierced clean through 
 with an arrow driven with resistless force 
 from the bow of Deerfoot, the Shawanoe. 
 
 This checked the rush of the other two, who 
 found, what they ought to have known before, 
 that the ''Evil One" was on hand. They 
 turned and ran at break-neck speed down the 
 slope, vanishing with a swiftness that rendered 
 it almost impossible for Deerfoot to bring down 
 either of them had he been so disposed. Rapid 
 as was their charge up the slope, their descent 
 was a great deal more rapid. 
 
A FIGHT AXD A RETREAT. 337 
 
 Directly behind the arrow came Deerfoot, 
 landing in the presence of the youths with such 
 suddenness that Jack half raised his gun 
 under the belief that he was an enemy. 
 
 Otto was so startled that he spilled the pow- 
 der he was pouring into the barrel of his rifle, 
 and the young Shawanoe smiled and said : 
 
 "My brother is not glad to see Deerfoot." 
 
 "I ishn't ! you shust waits till I gotsdisgun 
 loaded." 
 
 Working rapidly, he soon had the charge 
 rammed home and the weapon primed for 
 action. Then, leaning it against the wall, he 
 impulsively threw his arms around the neck of 
 the Shawanoe and kissed him on the cheek. 
 
 Jack Carleton was horrified, supposing the 
 young warrior would be offended, but he 
 smiled in a way which showed he was pleased 
 with the honest fellow, who was not ashamed 
 to show the affection he felt. 
 
 During the brief moments spent in pleasant 
 interchange, Deerfoot was never quiet. His 
 eyes were continually flitting hither and 
 thither, and he glanced right and left, as 
 though expecting some person or the occur- 
 
338 FOOTPRITs^TS IX THE FOEEST. 
 
 rence of some event. The fact was, that, 
 although the Indians who made the rash attack 
 had lied, the Shawanoe was by no means satis- 
 fied. He reflected, that while only the four 
 warriors had been seen, it was more than likely 
 that others were within call. 
 
 There was no good reason for tarrying on the 
 slope, and, as soon as Otto had finished load- 
 ing his gun, Deerfoot signified they were to 
 leave. For a brief spell nothing was to be 
 feared from the panic-smitten Indians, but the 
 Shawanoe glanced furtively down the gorge 
 before leaving the partial shelter of the excava- 
 tion in the rocks. Then they moved hastily to 
 the top of the ridge, where a stop was made 
 until all could take a survey of the surround- 
 ing country. This was an important matter, 
 and Deerfoot did it in his usual thorough 
 fashion, his eyes taking in the whole hori- 
 zon. 
 
 The elevation of the ridge, and the sparse 
 vegetation on the crest, gave the Shawanoe the 
 best kind of an observatory, and he gained an 
 extensive knowledge of the vast expanse of 
 surrounding country. 
 
A FIGHT AND A RETREAT. 339 
 
 Looking toward the south-east, the three saw 
 a somewhat similar ridge, though less in extent. 
 It seemed more than ten miles distant, and the 
 attention with which Deerfoot regarded it 
 showed that he was meditating some scheme in 
 connection with it. It took him but a minute 
 or two to form a conclusion. Then he scrutin- 
 ized the territory in the opposite direction. 
 Toward that point he was looking for enemies : 
 it was there the Pawnee party was in camp or 
 hunting back and forth. 
 
 Deerfoot was able to trace the river, on the 
 other shore of which had been kindled the 
 camp-fire of the Pawnees, but he could discover 
 nothing of the warriors themselves. More than 
 likely some of them identified the little party 
 on the slope, and took good care to keep them- 
 selves out of sight. 
 
 Both Jack and Otto wondered at the absence 
 of Hay-uta, the Sauk. He had been absent 
 much longer than Deerfoot, and the report of 
 guns and shouts of the Pawnees must have 
 told him the same story which brought the 
 Shawanoe in such haste to the spot. 
 
 Once more Deerfoot faced the distant ridge 
 
340 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 in the soutli-east. Pointing toward it, he 
 said : 
 
 ^' Let my brothers make haste thither, and 
 wait for the coming of Deerfoot." 
 
 "What's the matter now?" asked Jack; 
 " why don't you go with us ? " 
 
 ''The Pawnees are on our trail; they will 
 follow fast; my brothers must make haste 
 w^hile Hay-uta and Deerfoot tarry." 
 
 A few words made clear the plan of Deer- 
 foot. The Pawnees, like all their race, were 
 extremely revengeful in their disposition, and 
 they would never consent that the four intrud- 
 ers should be allowed to go back without 
 punishment. They had slain several of their 
 warriors, without receiving any injury in 
 return. What though the Evil One, in the 
 guise of a young Shawanoe, had charge of the 
 little party, neither he nor they were invulner- 
 able, and the well-aimed bullet must be more 
 effective than the arrow of the matchless 
 archer Deerfoot. 
 
 An additional incentive to pursuit lay in the 
 fact that the Pawnees had learned of the trick 
 that Otto Relstaub played on them. His pres- 
 
A FIGHT AND A RETREAT. 341 
 
 ence in his own flesh and blood was evidence 
 that could not be disputed. These and other 
 considerations, which it is not necessary to give 
 in detail, convinced Deerfoot that a sharp pur- 
 suit would be made by the hostiles. Such a 
 pursuit would be pushed at a pace which 
 neither of the pale-faced youths could equal ; 
 they were certain to be overtaken unless skill- 
 ful strategy was employed. 
 
 The Shawanoe, therefore, directed the boys 
 to make for the ridge which he pointed out in 
 the south-east. He told them to use all haste 
 and reach it at the earliest possible moment. 
 It was probable they could not do so before 
 dark, but he impressed upon them the duty of 
 making no halt until their arrival there. If 
 darkness overtook them while several miles 
 away in the woods, they must push on. Both, 
 and especially the young Kentuckian, had had 
 enough experience 'to know how to maintain a 
 straight course when the sun was not shining. 
 
 Deerfoot expected to join them before day- 
 light, but in the event of his failing to do so, 
 they were forbidden to wait for him. At the 
 earliest dawn, they were to press their flight, 
 
842 FOOTPRINTS ITT THE FOREST. 
 
 and keep it up to the utmost limit until night- 
 fall. If by that time no further molestation 
 resulted, they might consider all danger ended, 
 so far as that particular party of Pawnees was 
 concerned. 
 
 Deerfoot instructed the two friends to resort 
 to every expedient to hide their trail. When 
 they reached a stream, they w^ere never to cress 
 it by a direct line, but, if possible, wade a con- 
 siderable distance before stepping out on the 
 other bank. If they should find their path 
 crossed by any thing in the nature of a river, 
 they were to make a raft and float a long dis- 
 tance with the current, before resting their feet 
 again on dry land. 
 
 It followed, as a matter of course, that all 
 this strategy designed to throw the hostiles off 
 the trail, ought to be equally effective against 
 Sauk and Shawanoe ; but the latter made 
 necessary provisions against going astray. He 
 had a clear understanding with Jack as to the 
 distance he was to follow a small stream before 
 leaving it on the other side, and, in case a 
 river was reached, it was agreed that the youths 
 were to drift downw^ard a half mile. Then, 
 
A FIGHT AXD A RETREAT. 343 
 
 when they emerged, a sign was to be left in the 
 shape of a brolven limb, dipping in the current. 
 Such evidence would be detected at once by the 
 Shawanoe from the opposite side of the bank 
 — that is, if he had the daylight to assist him, 
 and he could easily arrange that. 
 
 The sagacity of Deerf oot enabled him to pro- 
 vide against almost every contingency, and the 
 time which he took in making such provision 
 was but a fraction of that which I have con- 
 sumed in the telling. Within three minutes 
 after he directed them what they were to do, 
 they were traveling down the slope, with their 
 faces toward the distant ridge, and their 
 feet carrying them rapidly in that direc- 
 tion. 
 
 Each of the boys understood the scheme of 
 Deerfoot, and lost no time in speculating 
 over its final issue. In fact the rule of invari- 
 able success seemed to apply so forcibly to 
 every thing which he undertook that I am war- 
 ranted in saying that neither felt any fear when 
 he left the ridge and plunged into the forest 
 stretching so many miles beyond. 
 
 "You have never seen Hay-uta,'' said Jack, 
 
344 FOOTPEINTS IX THE FOREST. 
 
 after they had walked some ways, the Ken- 
 tuckian taking the lead. 
 
 ''N'o," replied Otto, walking faster than was 
 his custom. 
 
 '' He is a Sauk, and one of the ^ye who went 
 off with you w^hen we parted from each other. ' ' 
 
 "Den I dinks I seen him," was the natural 
 remark of the grinning German. 
 
 ' ' Of course you have seen him very often, as 
 he has seen you, but you never heard his name 
 Hay-uta, and won't recognize him from any 
 description I give you." 
 
 "Why not ? " queried his companion. 
 
 ' ' It seems to me," replied Jack with a laugh, 
 ' ' that all negro babies and all Indian warriors 
 look so much alike that no one can describe 
 the difference. I have seen a great many 
 Sauks, but it Avas hard work to tell them apart 
 when they were a little w^ays off. Some of 
 them were so hideous that they could be iden- 
 tified by their appearance, as others could by 
 the scars on their features or the particular 
 style they had of painting their faces." 
 
 Otto naturally wanted to knoAv how it was 
 that a Sauk had come to be the ally of a 
 
A FIGHT AND A RETREAT. 345 
 
 Shawanoe, and why, when Hay-uta was any 
 thing but a friend of Otto, he should travel so 
 far and run into so much danger for the sake 
 of rescuing him. 
 
 You and I know the explanation, and so it is 
 not required that I should repeat the story of 
 Hay-uta' s encounter with Deerfoot in the 
 depths of the wilderness, when the Shawanoe 
 vanquished the warrior, overcoming not only 
 his physical prowess but his hatred, and how 
 the words fitly spoken at that time had proven 
 to be seed sowed on good ground which was 
 already springing up and bearing fruit. 
 
 The boys became so interested in the subject 
 that they involuntarily slackened their gait, 
 while they discussed the incident and recalled 
 the gentle reproofs which Deerfoot had given 
 them more than once. It is at such times that 
 we feel the prickings of conscience, and both 
 Otto and Jack asked themselves the question : 
 If this American Indian, born and nursed as a 
 heathen, was so quick to grasp the Word, what 
 excuse shall we offer in the last day when God 
 shall demand of us why, with a hundred fold 
 more light, we persisted in rejecting him ? 
 
CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 A SUEPEISING DISCOVERY. 
 
 " T'\T'^^'^ ^^ ^^^ suppose Deerfoot once 
 VV asked me?" said Jack Carleton, 
 stopping short and staring in the face of his 
 friend, who answered with native innocence, 
 
 "If you vasn't ashamed mit yourself, 'cause 
 you didn't know more apout de woods ? " 
 
 ' ' He handed me some cold water in a cup 
 w^hich he made of oak leaves, and when I 
 thanked him he smiled in that way of his 
 which shows his beautiful teeth, and asked me 
 whether I always thanked exery 'body who 
 handed me any thing like that, or who did me 
 a favor ; I told him that I would consider 
 myself rude if I failed to do so. Then smiling 
 a little more, he came for me ! ' Who gives 
 you the sunlight ? ' he asked ; ' who makes the 
 moon and stars to light your feet at night ? 
 who gave you your good mother, your health, 
 your food and drink, your clothes, your life ? 
 
A SURPRISING DISCOVERY. 347 
 
 Do you thank Him when you lie down at night, 
 and when you rise in the morning, and through 
 the day ? ' 
 
 " I tell you, Otto," continued Jack, " I stood 
 dumb ; he has reproved us both and made us 
 feel thoughtful, but I never had any thing that 
 went home like tliat. I have thought of it a 
 hundred times since then, and that night when 
 I lay down I prayed harder than ever before, 
 and something told me that my prayers went 
 higher, and that He who never turns away His 
 ear was pleased. I didn' t say any thing to Deer- 
 foot, but you know, young as we are, that in run- 
 ning back as far as our memories will carry us 
 there are some words and little occurrences that 
 stick by us forever. It is so with that question 
 which was asked me by an American Indian in 
 the deep woods just as night was closing in 
 about us ; his questions will cling to me if Hive 
 a hundred years." 
 
 "Inefer heard him speak just dot way," 
 said Otto, who was in as serious a mood as his 
 companion, "but he said a good many dings to 
 me and sometimes to both of us which I forgets 
 nefer — nefer — nefer ! When he left me and the 
 
348 rooTPRiT^TS in the forest. 
 
 Injins was as cruel almost as fader and moder, 
 I dinks a good deal apouts dem ; when I was a 
 layin' by de lire and not knowin' weder dey 
 wouldn't kill me, den I dinks apout dem again 
 and prays hard ; when I swallers de tobacco 
 and feels as if I was dead, den I prays agin to 
 Him and He makes me well and prings me 
 owet all right ; arter this I nefer forgets to 
 prays to Him." 
 
 There could be no misjudging the sincerity 
 of Otto. Jack heard nothing in his quaint 
 accent which could cause him to smile. In 
 truth he was equally thoughtful. 
 
 "Most people are willing to call on God 
 when they are in trouble or they think death is 
 close," was the truthful remark of the young 
 Kentuckian, "but it seems to me He must 
 despise a person who forgets all about Him 
 when the danger goes by. I think if I was 
 ashamed to profess Him before others, He 
 ought to be ashamed of me when I came to die 
 and called out in my distress." 
 
 The conversation continued in this vein, 
 until both awoke to the fact that they were 
 violating the orders of Deerfoot, by loitering 
 
A SURPRISIXG DISCOVEEY. 349 
 
 on the road ; they had allowed valuable time 
 to pass unimproved — that is according to one 
 view, but in another sense it could not have 
 been better used. 
 
 As if to make amends for their f orgetf ulness, 
 it was agreed they should cease talking for the 
 time, and break into a moderate trot, which 
 both could maintain for half an hour or more 
 without much fatigue. Jack took the lead, 
 and keeping the right direction, he struck the 
 pace which resembled that of Deerfoot, though 
 it was not so rapid nor could he maintain it for 
 a tenth of the time the Shawanoe could run 
 without becoming tired. 
 
 The wood as a general thing was favorable, 
 though the occasional undergrowth cropping 
 out of boulders and rocks compelled some 
 deviation and delayed their advance. No 
 water appeared until they had gone several 
 miles. Then it was that they found them- 
 selves alongside a stream of crystalline clear- 
 ness. It was not very broad nor swift, though 
 quite deep. Standing on one shore, the bottom 
 could be distinctly seen clean to the other side. 
 The bed was mainly a reddish clay, and here 
 
350 rOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 and there a few pebbles and large stones, but 
 there was no difficulty in following with the 
 eye the beautiful concave until the deepest 
 portion in the middle was reached, and with 
 the same line of beauty it arose to the land 
 beyond. 
 
 " Otto, let's have a swim ! " called out Jack 
 Carleton, after admiring the stream for several 
 minutes. 
 
 What youngster could withstand such tempt- 
 ation ? The afternoon was w^arm, and though 
 rather early in the season, the water itself 
 could not have been more inviting. The only 
 answer Otto Relstaub made was to begin dis- 
 robing as fast as he could. Then it became a 
 race between him and Jack as to who should 
 be the first. The Kentuckian was only a few 
 seconds in advance, and both frolicked and 
 disported themselves like a couple of urchins 
 Avho know they are doing something which they 
 should not do. 
 
 Deerfoot had ordered them to push on and 
 not to rest until they reached the ridge many 
 miles beyond, where he hoped to join them. 
 He would not be pleased if he should learn in 
 
A SURPEISING DISCOVERY. 351 
 
 what manner his wishes had been disre- 
 garded. 
 
 The boys dived and swam hither and thither, 
 splashing each other and reveling in the very 
 luxury of enjoyment. It will be understood 
 how a couple of persons so placed as were 
 they found such a bath not only a luxury but 
 a necessity. Men who spend days and weeks 
 in tramping through the w^oods, without a 
 change of clothing, can not preserve the most 
 presentable toilet, and the washing of clothing, 
 which at other times was done by those at 
 home, was looked after to a greater or less 
 degree by him who was many miles away. 
 
 But, on the other hand, the garments worn 
 by woodmen were far different from the fashion 
 of to-day. They were tough and enduring, 
 and the coarse texture next to the skin pre- 
 served its good appearance much longer than 
 does the finer linen we wear. Often Jack 
 Carleton had washed his, and frolicked in the 
 water or lolled on the bank until it was given 
 time to dry in the sun. He and Otto did not 
 do so now, because their consciences would not 
 permit them to linger long enough. As any 
 
352 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 wading they miglit do would leave their foot- 
 prints in plain sight on the bed of the stream, 
 they tried to satisfy their sense of duty by 
 placing their garments and weapons on a light 
 raft, and swimming behind it while it floated 
 down stream. In this way they left no trace 
 of whither they had gone, and a bloodhound 
 would have been baffled in attemptingpursuit. 
 
 The only mishap of this novel voyage was 
 that while making it, the gan of Otto rolled 
 off and went like a stone to the bottom, but 
 the clearness of the current revealed where it 
 lay, ten feet deep, and it was easy to dive and 
 recover it. 
 
 When at last they emerged, a long distance 
 below the point of entrance, a branch was bent 
 and broken as Deerfoot had told them to do 
 in case they crossed a river, and donning 
 their garments, they turned the light raft 
 adrift, and resumed their journey toward the 
 ridge which still lay a long distance away. 
 
 By this time the sun was well down in the 
 sky, and it was clear that if the elevation was 
 to be reached before going into camp, several 
 miles would have to be travelled by night, 
 
A SURPRISIXG DISCOVERY. 353 
 
 when the moon would give them scant light 
 indeed ; but both had done a good deal of that 
 kind of traveling, and the prospect caused no 
 uneasiness. The sight of some game or any 
 thing which could be utilized as food would 
 have been most w^elceme to the hungry lads. 
 
 Lest it may strike my reader that both were 
 showing a degree of recklessness inconsistent 
 with their training and character, it should be 
 said that they kept their ears open for sounds 
 from the rear. It was not considered possible 
 for the Pawnees to press the pursuit with any 
 vigor without the discharge of more than one 
 firearm. The instant such report reached the 
 youths, such tardiness would end. 
 
 That report came just before the sun sank 
 from sight. Faint but distant as it floated to 
 them from across the miles of w^ilderness, it 
 told (like the sound of Otto's gun when heard 
 by Deerfoot) an important truth ; the Pawnees 
 were on the southern side of the further ridge, 
 and were pushing the i3ursuit of the boys with 
 a persistency that left no doubt of their earn- 
 estness. 
 
 "I dinks we petter goes fast," said Otto, 
 
354 FOOTPRINTS IX THE FOREST. 
 
 breaking into a trot, which Jack imitated in 
 order to prevent himself from falling behind. 
 They kept it up until the gathering darkness 
 forced them to moderate their pace. A couple 
 of miles still remained to be passed over, but 
 their training rendered that an easy matter, 
 and, but for the craving hunger, there would 
 have been little choice between that and stop- 
 ping short where they were. 
 
 The boys were relieved over one fact : they 
 had come upon no broad stream or river. 
 Indeed, they had seen but the one stream 
 which proved such a means of enjoyment to 
 them, and the configuration of the country 
 rendered it unlikely that they would meet any 
 thing of the kind, until after passing the ridge 
 w^here they expected to go into camp. 
 
 Another source of relief was the certainty 
 that their long swim down the stream would be 
 an obstacle to pursuit by their enemies. They 
 would be compelled to make search before the 
 trail could be recovered, and that would take 
 till the rising of the morrow's sun. 
 
 And thus it was that, while hurrying on, 
 they were shut in by darkness, and progress 
 
A STARTLING DISCOVERY. 355 
 
 became difficult. Even had the moon been at 
 its full, the dense shadows under the trees 
 would have rendered the sense of touch more 
 useful than that of sight, but, as it was, they 
 were making good progress when Jack, who 
 still kept a slight lead, exclaimed in an under- 
 tone : 
 
 "By gracious, Otto, there's a light ahead ! 
 What can it mean ? ' ' 
 
 "It means dot some wood ish burning, I 
 dinks." 
 
 Of one thing the boys were convinced — 
 whoever had kindled the camp-fire was not a 
 Pawnee. JS'one of them could have reached 
 such a position in advance of the fugitives, 
 and the villages of the tribe were so far to the 
 north-west that no other beside the main party 
 were in the neighborhood. 
 
 "Deerfoot told us that we must not camp 
 this side of that ridge," added Jack, " so we'll 
 keep on until we find out who our neighbors 
 
 are." 
 
 This was an easy matter, since no effort had 
 been made to hide the light of the fire, which 
 was visible a long distance away. As is the 
 
356 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 case at such times, it appeared to be closer 
 than it was, both the lads expressing disap- 
 pointment that it seemed to recede, like the 
 ignis fatuus, as they walked toward it. 
 
 But when at last our friends halted within a 
 few rods, they were amazed to see but a single 
 warrior in camp. It required some manceuvring 
 to make certain on the point, but the fact 
 was not only demonstrated, but the equally 
 astonishing truth was established that the war- 
 rior belonged to the Sauk nation. 
 
 Both lads were so familiar with that peoj)le 
 that it was scarcely possible to err. In spite 
 of what Jack Carleton had said about the simi- 
 larity in appearance of all Indian warriors, 
 there were peculiarities of dress and looks 
 which identiiied them. More than that, the 
 young Kentuckian recalled this one, whom he 
 had seen during his own captivity among that 
 people. He was one of the wildest revellers at 
 the feast described in " Campfire and Wig- 
 wam", though generally he was reserved. 
 What drew Jack toward him was the recollec- 
 tion that no one in the village showed more 
 consideration toward him than did he who sat 
 
A STARTLING DISCOVERY. 357 
 
 on the blanket smoking Ms pipe and looking 
 into the fire, as if in deep reverie. He had 
 interfered several times when the prisoner was 
 threatened with violence, and was so consistent, 
 indeed, in his chivalry, that when Jack had 
 assured himself the Sauk was alone, he walked 
 forward with Otto at his heels, and offered his 
 hand. 
 
 The red man showed no surprise, though he 
 must have been astonished to meet the white 
 youths so many miles from their own home. 
 He rose to his feet, without any appearance of 
 haste, shook hands with both, muttering some- 
 thing which was doubtless meant as a wel- 
 come. Jack managed to speak a few words 
 in the Sauk language, but, for practical 
 purposes, they might as well have remained 
 unspoken. 
 
 But several facts were extracted from the 
 Indian which added to the joleasure of the 
 visitors. The Sauk was alone, he had not 
 seen any Indians for several days, and he had 
 some meat left from that which he had rudely 
 broiled for his own meal. When I say he 
 placed this at the disposal of the guests, it 
 
358 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 need not be added that in a short time there 
 was none of it left. 
 
 The reason why the Sauk had fixed on that 
 spot for his camp was that a tiny spring bub- 
 bled from under some rocks near at hand. 
 The bowl like cavity, in which it collected 
 before rippling away among the gnarled roots 
 of the trees, held enough to afford all they 
 could wish. The added moisture of this 
 spring, as is often the case, nourished a vigor- 
 ous growth of succulent green grass, which 
 was also turned to good account. 
 
 Just as the boys finished eating, they were 
 startled by the whinney and stamp of a horse 
 near them. They looked inquiringly at the 
 Sauk, who smiled and nodded in a fashion 
 which showed that the animal belonged to 
 him. Instead of travelling* the long distance 
 on foot, as did our friends, he had ridden a 
 horse, which had been cropping the grass close 
 at hand when the boys came up. The latter' s 
 reconnoissance of the camp before presenting 
 themselves failed to show the presence of the 
 animal. 
 
 Observing the interest of the boys, the Sauk 
 
A STARTLING DISCOVERY. 359 
 
 picked up a brand from the camp-fire, swung 
 it over his head until it was fanned into a 
 vigorous flame, and then motioned them to 
 follow him, while he showed his steed, of 
 which he was very proud. 
 
 The horse snulfed and displayed some timid- 
 ity when the flame w^as brought near him, but 
 a few words from his master quieted him, and 
 he stood still while the three w^alked around 
 and admired his points. The boys said noth- 
 ing until they were through. Then Jack, with 
 the firelight lighting up his face, looked at 
 Otto, who laughed and nodded his head. 
 
 The two had discovered the fact that the 
 horse before them belonged to Otto Relstaub, 
 and was the one for which the poor lad had 
 hunted in vain so long and which, therefore, 
 was the cause of all the misfortunes that had 
 befallen him and Jack Carleton. 
 
CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 A FATAL FAILURE. 
 
 DEERFOOT the Sliawanoe made known 
 only a few of tlie tlioiiglits whicli 
 troubled him, when he hurried Jack Carleton 
 and Otto Relstaub forward with orders to 
 make no tarrying (except to cover their foot- 
 prints), until they should reach the distant 
 ridge, where, as I have stated, he hoped to join 
 them. 
 
 But the conviction had come upon him that 
 afternoon, that the crisis of the long hunt was 
 at hand, and that success or failure, absolute 
 and entire, was near. It will be admitted that 
 they had been in situations of apparently 
 much greater danger, but there was "some- 
 thing in the air" which foretold stirring 
 events. 
 
 While he said nothing of the absence of 
 
A FATAL FAILURE. 361 
 
 Hay-uta the Sauk, he was uneasy over it. His 
 own delay was meant to be as mucli in his 
 interest as in that of the boys. If it should 
 prove that the Sauk needed the help of Deer- 
 foot, the latter wished to be free to give it, 
 and that could not be done so long as the care 
 of the boys was on his hands. When they 
 were out of the way, nothing could interfere 
 with the marvelous woodcraft of the young 
 Shawanoe. 
 
 The first point which Deerfoot established, 
 so far as it was possible to do so, was that the 
 four Pawnees, with whom they had come in 
 collision, were the only ones who had reached 
 the neighborhood. The others were near the 
 river, where they were first seen by our friends. 
 The Shawanoe interpreted the reason of this 
 state of affairs to be that, brave as the Paw- 
 nees were, the majority were unwilling to pur- 
 sue their enemies further. They had eagerly 
 crossed the river to engage in the fight, but, 
 learning that the Evil One and two com- 
 panions were moving toward their distant 
 hunting grounds, as though indifferent to pur- 
 suit, they came to the conclusion that they 
 
362 FOOTPRIIS'TS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 had had enough of the business, and refused 
 to go further. 
 
 But among the party were four, who either 
 were braver, or were impelled by a more ran- 
 corous hatred, for, as we have learned, they 
 pressed toward the ridge, overtook the fugi- 
 tives, and X3aid the jjenalty of their rashness 
 by losing two of their number. The other 
 couple fled in wild haste down the slope, and 
 one of them never paused until he rejoined his 
 comrades, to whom he told his terrifying tale. 
 The fourth stojDped when he had run a short 
 distance, and, after a brief rest, began making 
 his way back to the ridge again. 
 
 It probably occurred to him that, since their 
 enemies would not believe it possible for any 
 of the Pawnees to return so soon, then 
 was the opportunity to do eifective work, and 
 to get safely away. Accordingly he made his 
 way with great care through the woods to the 
 ridge, from which he had just fled in such 
 mortal fear. 
 
 The return of this Pawnee (who was the one 
 held captive by Deerfoot and Hay-uta the 
 night before), was executed with such skill, 
 
A FATAL FAILURE. 363 
 
 that the Shawanoe learned nothing of it. He 
 believed none of the hostiles was near, though 
 he acted as though he suspected the contrary. 
 
 Deerfoot now devoted himself to finding 
 Hay-uta. He emitted several signals, such as 
 the two were accustomed to use, and he was 
 disturbed because they brought no reply. 
 Knowing the territory given his friend, he 
 decided to make search through it. Possibly 
 some accident had befallen him and he needed 
 help. 
 
 Fortunately Deerfoot had not hunted long 
 when he was more successful than he expected 
 to be. He caught sight of Hay uta, who was 
 sitting on the ground with his back against a 
 rock, his arms folded, and his gaze fixed on the 
 western horizon, toward which the sun was 
 sinking. His fine rifle was leaning against the 
 rock beside him, and his other weapons were 
 in place. 
 
 The position of Deerfoot was such that he 
 had a view of the face of the Sauk, and it took 
 him but a moment to understand the meaning 
 of the action, or, rather, want of action on the 
 part of his dusky friend. Many days before 
 
364 rooTPRixTS in the forest. 
 
 Deerfoot had spoken strange words to the Sauk 
 whom he vanquished ; they were words that 
 lingered in his memory, and finally sent him 
 in quest of the youth, that he might learn 
 more of their wondrous meaning. He had 
 sought and had obtained that knowledge, and 
 its length and breadth and depth were so infi- 
 nite, that at times it mastered the warrior, who 
 gave himself up to meditation until he lost con- 
 sciousness of every thing else. 
 
 Deerfoot was half tempted to smile when he 
 reflected that the vigilant Sauk, while engaged 
 on a delicate duty, had forgotten all about it, 
 even to the personal danger involved. Reflect- 
 ing on the new and divine revelation, he had sat 
 down where he believed he was not likely to 
 be disturbed, and given himself wholly up to 
 the sacred joy of the hour. 
 
 While he sat thus guns were fired, shouts 
 were uttered, and signals were sent out that 
 were intended for his ear alone, but he was no 
 more conscious of them, than if he had been 
 wrapped in slumber a hundred miles distant. 
 No statue in bronze could have been more 
 immovable than he. 
 
A FATAL FAILURE. 36o 
 
 Viewing the countenance of tlie Sauk, 
 Deerfoot noticed the radiant light which 
 seemed to glow through every feature, and 
 which told of the great peace that was brood- 
 ing in his heart. 
 
 blessed hope ! as free to the beggar at 
 the gate as to the master within the palace ; to 
 the sinking mariner, as to the sceptered king ; 
 to the savage in the depths of his own soli- 
 tudes, as to those who listen to the silver 
 chimes of magnificent churches ; thou art 
 free to every man, woman and child, and to 
 the uttermost islands of the sea ! Beneficent 
 Father ! thine ear is ever open, and thine 
 hand is ever stretched forth to save the perish- 
 ing everywhere ! 
 
 Deerfoot stood lower down the slope, where 
 he instinctively screened himself behind a 
 tree. He was watching the face of his friend, 
 when he became aware that another individual 
 was similarly employed. 
 
 Still lower down the slope, and about the 
 same distance from Hay-uta as was Deerfoot, 
 a Pawnee warrior, who was creeping along 
 noiselessly, rose to the upright position. He 
 
366 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 was bent so low at first that Deerf oot failed to 
 see him ; but when he straightened up behind 
 the trunk of a tree, the Shawanoe shrank back 
 a few inches, so as to hide himself. Then he 
 watched the Pawnee, who was less than a hun- 
 dred feet distant. 
 
 The first sight showed Deerfoot that he was 
 the warrior whom he and Hay-uta captured 
 the night before, and who was given his liberty 
 by them. More properly it was given to him 
 by Hay-uta, who, you remember, played the 
 part of Pocahontas to Captain John Smith. 
 The whole thing was a scheme of the Sauk, 
 who hoped thereby to make a "friend at 
 court ' ' , and to secure an ally who would give 
 them help in their quest for Otto Relstaub. 
 
 The Pawnee, therefore, saw before him the 
 party who, he must have believed, saved his 
 life, when the captive was in such despair 
 that he sang his death-song, and bowed his head 
 to receive the crashing blow of the upraised 
 tomahawk. Common gratitude would have 
 bound the Pawnee to his preserver for life. 
 
 The red man must have been puzzled when 
 he observed the abstraction of the warrior, but 
 
A FATAL FAILURE. 367 
 
 without losing time in studying the question, 
 he cocked his rifle and slowly brought it to his 
 shoulder, keeping his eyes fixed on the 
 warrior up the ridge, whose arms were still 
 folded, and who was gazing vacantly in the 
 direction of the setting sun. There could be 
 no mistake about it : the Pawnee meant to 
 slay the Sauk. 
 
 But while the treacherous wretch was mak- 
 ing his preparations, Deerf oot, with silent dex- 
 terity, fitted an arrow to the string of his bow. 
 The Pawnee was within easy range, and, 
 before the latter could bring his gun to a level, 
 the Shawanoe with his unerring left hand drew 
 back the string of his weapon. The sight of 
 the hostile seeking the life of the Sauk who 
 had befriended him, stirred the heart of Deer- 
 foot to a fury which he rarely felt. He had 
 seen ingratitude before, but rarely was he 
 moved as by the sight before him. 
 
 Confident of his aim, he meant to drive the 
 shaft \yith such force, that, unless stopped by 
 some bone, it would pass clean through and 
 beyond the body of the Pawnee, who, uncon- 
 scious of his own peril, made his preparations 
 
368 FOOTPRINTS IX THE FOREST. 
 
 with a deliberation which showed an ahnost 
 inconceivable depth of hatred. 
 
 *' Dog of the Pawnee ! " muttered the Shaw- 
 anoe ; " you shall have no time to chant your 
 death song this time ! " 
 
 The arrow was drawn almost to a head, but 
 in his anger Deerfoot give it a quick pull, as 
 expressive of the fierceness of his wrath. As 
 he did so, a sharp, splitting sound was heard, 
 and the center of his closed -pulm felt as if 
 pierced by a hundred needles. 
 
 The bow which had never failed him before 
 had splintered in the middle, and the poised 
 arrow dropped to the ground, its nerveless 
 point falling between the moccasins of the 
 astounded Deerfoot, who realized the full effect 
 of the awful accident. 
 
CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 THE PRAYER OF HAY-UTA IS THE PRAYER OF 
 
 DEERFOOT. 
 
 DEERFOOT knew the extent of the mishap 
 the instant it took place. There was no 
 means at command for repairing it, but, in the 
 hope of arousing Hay-uta and disconcerting 
 the aim of the Pawnee, he bounded from 
 the tree, giving utterance to the most terrific 
 shout of which he was capable, and dashed 
 toward the traitor. He had flung aside his 
 useless bow and hela his tomahawk in his 
 left hand. 
 
 He failed in both his intentions, though 
 possibly he might have succeeded had a few 
 seconds more been at his service. The fright- 
 ful cry did arouse the Sauk, but it hardly 
 passed the li^Ds of the Shawanoe when the gun 
 of their enemy was fired, and Hay-uta, leaping 
 halfway to his feet, fell back mortally wounded, 
 
 X 
 
370 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 The Pawnee saw the raging Shawanoe rushing 
 toward him like a flaming meteor. Knowing 
 what it meant lie dropped his gun and grasped 
 his tomahawk, ready to fight the man who threat- 
 ened his life only a short time before. The 
 weapon was drawn but half way from his 
 girdle, when, without checking his speed, 
 Deerfoot sent his hatchet as though fired from 
 the mouth of a cannon. The Pawnee could 
 not have seen it coming when his skull was 
 cloven in twain, and, with a half-suppressed 
 shriek, he went to the earth, every spark of life 
 driven from his body. 
 
 Deerfoot stood for a moment, panting and 
 glaring at the miscreant whom he had brought 
 low. Then without speaking or seeking to 
 recover his tomahawk, he turned and walked 
 toward the Sauk, knowing it was too late to 
 help him. 
 
 A long time before when the rifle on which 
 the young warrior relied flashed in the pan, he 
 flung the weapon into the Ohio, and returned 
 to his loved bow and arrow ; but the failure in 
 the former case could not be comxmred with 
 that of the present ; the bow had given out in 
 
THE PRAYER OF HAY-UTA. 371 
 
 the most disastrous manner that can be 
 imagined. 
 
 Deerfoot never shrank from any duty, no 
 matter how trying to his feelings. He supposed 
 that Hay-uta was dead, but when he looked 
 at him, he saw that he was sitting as before 
 with his back against the rock, his arms folded, 
 while he was gazing at the western sky as if 
 lost in pleasant meditation ; but the deathly 
 pallor visible through his paint, showed he 
 had but a short time to live. 
 
 Deerfoot hastened his steps, and Hay-uta 
 turned his eyes with a smile and feebly 
 extended his hand. The Shawanoe eagerly 
 took it and kneeled on one knee. 
 
 ' ' Why does my brother the brave Hay-uta 
 smile ? " he asked, in a voice as low as that of 
 a mother. 
 
 " Hay-uta was looking at the clouds in the 
 sky and he saw the face of the Great Spirit 
 that Deerfoot told him about." 
 
 " Was the Great Spirit pleased ? " 
 
 "He smiled and showed he loved Hay-uta, 
 — who sees him again," added the dying war- 
 rior, turning his gaze toward the billowy clouds, 
 
372 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 tinted with gold in the rays of the declining 
 sun. " He smiles and is waiting for me." 
 
 A divine joy suffused the heart of the Shaw- 
 anoe, when he not only heard these w^ords, but 
 noted the expression which illuminated the 
 countenance of the Sauk, who had but a few 
 more minutes to live. 
 
 And while stirred by such emotions, there 
 were other matters which Deerfoot could not 
 forget. True, he had slain the only Pawnee 
 near, but he could not feel sure that all 
 danger from that source was gone. Others 
 might be draw^n to the spot, within a brief 
 period, and he cast a searching glance on his 
 surroundings, to make certain he was not taken 
 unaw^ares. Had a half dozen hostiles burst 
 upon the scene, the Shawanoe would not have 
 deserted Hay-uta, so long as breath remained 
 in his body. 
 
 There w^as hope for a moment on the part of 
 Deerfoot that his friend might not be mortally 
 hurt, but such hope vanished almost as soon as 
 it came. The w^ound was in the breast ; it bled 
 slightl5^ but the eye of the Shawanoe (aside 
 from the appearance of the Sauk), showed the 
 
THE PRAYER OF HAY-UTA. 873 
 
 poor fellow was beyond tlie power of liuman 
 help. 
 
 "The heart of Deerfoot is glad," said the 
 Shawanoe, still resting on one knee, and hold- 
 ing the hand of Hay-uta, while he looked kindly 
 into his face. ' ' Deerfoot had drawn his bow, 
 and would have driven his arrow through the 
 heart of the dog of a Pawnee, but the bow 
 broke and the arrow fell at the feet of Deer- 
 foot.'^ 
 
 This statement seemed to recall Hay-uta to 
 his situation ; he compressed his thin lips, as 
 if forcing back a moan, and his free hand groped 
 at his side in feeble quest of something. Before 
 Deerfoot could divine his purpose, he grasped 
 his handsome gun, leaning against the rock, 
 and made as if to pass it to Deerfoot. The lat- 
 ter was obliged to help him, and resting the 
 stock on the ground, he leaned the muzzle 
 toward the other, and awaited his words. 
 
 " Had that been in the hand of Deerfoot, then 
 Hay-uta had not died." 
 
 "My brother speaks with a single tongue, 
 as he always did," replied the Shawanoe, in a 
 sad voice ; " the bow is broken." 
 
374 FOOTPKINTS IN THE FOEEST. 
 
 "Let my brother use it no more ; let Mm 
 take tlie rifle which he now grasps." 
 
 " It shall be done as my brother wishes." 
 
 "The heart of Hay-uta rejoices; let my 
 brother take the powder-horn and bullet-pouch 
 of Hay-uta." 
 
 With great gentleness, Deerfoot slipped the 
 string of the Sauk's powder-horn over his neck, 
 unfastened the bullet-pouch, and placed them 
 and the proffered tomahawk about his own 
 person. Before doing so, he detached his 
 quiver and flung it from him. The Sauk 
 watched his actions with more interest than 
 would be supposed, and his pale face showed 
 that he was pleased with the change. 
 
 "My brother was given skill with the bow, 
 but his skill is as great with the gun. and it 
 will not fail him when he points it at the deer 
 or at his enemy." 
 
 " It is the Great Spirit who guides the arrow 
 and bullet," was the response of the Shawanoe. 
 " Deerfoot will use the bow no more ; he will 
 keep the rifle and tomahawk his brother Hay-uta 
 gave him. He will think of Hay-uta and the 
 gun will be better in the hands than the bow." 
 
THE PRAYER OF HAY-UTA. 375 
 
 ''Then Deerfoot will be greater than any 
 hunter in the west," was the remark of his 
 friend, and that he was a true prophet will be 
 shown by the incidents in which the Shawanoe 
 was soon called to take part. 
 
 The young warrior had no wish to hear the 
 deserved compliments at such a time, for he 
 saw that only a few more words could fall from 
 the lips of the Sauk. Still holding the hand 
 tenderly in his own, he asked in a gentler 
 voice : 
 
 "Does my brother see the face of the Great 
 Spirit now ? " 
 
 The eyes that were growing dull', brightened 
 again, and were fixed on the tinted horizon as 
 though he saw the countenance of his Heavenly 
 Father (and who dare say he did not ?), with 
 as much distinctness as he discerned that of 
 the Shawanoe kneeling before him. 
 
 "I see Him. He stands now with His side 
 toward me; one foot is forward, and He is 
 leaning over as if He is about to take a step. 
 He reaches His hand toward me ; He is only 
 waiting till I place my hand in His." Then, 
 fixing with an effort his gaze on the Shawa- 
 
376 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 noe, Hay-uta, whose mind began to wander, 
 said : 
 
 "The Great Spirit looks toward Deerfoot ; 
 He waits to hear him speak." 
 
 The Saulc became silent, and Deerfoot prayed 
 for a few minutes with the touching faith of 
 childhood. When he was nearly done, he 
 unconsciously dropped into his own tongue. 
 
 ^ ' The prayer of Deerfoot to the Great Spirit is 
 that He will take the hand of Hay-uta, which 
 reaches upward to Him and lead him into the 
 hunting grounds, beyond the clouds and sun 
 and stars. The prayer of Hay-uta is the prayer 
 of Deerfoot." 
 
 Having finished, the Shawanoe ceased and 
 looked into the face of the Sauk, awaiting 
 what further request he might make. The 
 calm, triumphant expression which lit up the 
 features, led him to expect a movement of the 
 lips, but it needed only a second glance to dis- 
 cover that Hay-uta the Sauk was dead. 
 
 Deerfoot looked closely at him, and then, 
 rising to his feet, scanned the surrounding soli- 
 tude. While Hay-uta had seated himself where 
 he gained an unobstructed view of the sky, he 
 
THE PRAYER OF HAY-UTA. 377 
 
 was not at the top of the ridge, nor was he 
 liable to be discovered by any enemies at a 
 distance. It was a fatal mischance which 
 brought the treacherous Pawnee that way. 
 
 From where Deerf oot stood, he could see the 
 feet and leggings of the fallen Pawnee, who 
 lay flat on his back as though looking at the 
 sky ; but no living person was in sight. 
 
 The Shawanoe waited a brief while, debating 
 with himself as to his duty toward his dead 
 friend. While he was without the means of 
 burying him, he could place the body in some 
 less conspicuous position, yet he took a 
 different course. 
 
 Before the limbs of the dead warrior were 
 given time to stiffen, Deerfoot adjusted them 
 as they were when he first discovered him sunk 
 in meditation. The body was made to sit 
 erect, the back supported by the rock behind 
 it ; the feet were extended in a natural position, 
 and the arms folded across the massive chest. 
 The partly-open eyes seemed still to rest on 
 the western horizon, behind which the sun had 
 set. Though Indian superstition would have 
 caused the body to face the other way, to greet 
 
378 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 tlie rising sun, Deerfoot had no wisli to change 
 the x)osture ; for Hay-uta died not as dies the 
 heathen, but as passes away the Christian. 
 
 It would have been hard for any one ventur- 
 ing from the woods, and catching sight of the 
 body for the first time, to believe the spark of 
 life had fled. 
 
 The Shawanoe viewed the striking figure, and 
 felt that he had done the most fitting thing. 
 Looking up at the darkened sky he asked the 
 Great Spirit to jorotect the body from molesta- 
 tion by wild man or beast, and then, with a 
 faint sigh, he turned away, and passing over 
 the ridge, hastened toward the rendezvous, 
 where Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub had 
 been told to await his coming. 
 
 Months afterward, a party of trappers 
 penetrating further than usual to the westward, 
 came upon the skeleton of an Indian warrior, 
 seated on the ground with his arms folded, and 
 back resting against a rock behind him. They 
 supposed he had been killed and then placed in 
 that posture, but we know they were not 
 altogether right in their belief. 
 
 Having turned his back for the last time on 
 
THE PRAYER OF HAY-UTA. 379 
 
 Hay-uta, the Shawanoe hurried toward the 
 ridge where he expected to rejoin his friends. 
 It was too darlv to follow any tr^il, and indeed 
 there was no call to do so. Had nothing 
 interfered, he knew the neighborhood of the 
 spot where he would find the boys, and he 
 hastened toward it. Even if he went some- 
 what astray, it would be no difficult matter to 
 open communication with them. 
 
 The stream in which Jack and Otto had such 
 rare sport scarcely checked the iDrogress of the 
 Shawanoe, but when a short while after, he 
 caught the glimpse of a camp-fire on the slope 
 of the ridge, he was displeased ; for it showed a 
 degree of recklessness in them that he could 
 not excuse. If they chose to encamp there, 
 they ought to have known better than to turn 
 it into a beacon light to guide the hostiles for 
 miles around. 
 
 With an expresson of displeasure, Deerfoot 
 hastened his footsteps, and reached camp 
 sooner than he or his young friends anticipated. 
 It can be understood that the surprise was 
 great on the part of all. 
 
CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 CONCLUSIOIN'. 
 
 IT was a surprising discovery for Jack Carle- 
 ton and Otto Relstaub when they learned 
 that the solitary Sauk warrior who welcomed 
 them to his camp, had in his possession the 
 horse belonging to the German lad, for which 
 they had sought so long in vain. 
 
 ''Mine gracious!" exclaimed Otto, when 
 they seated themselves again by the fire ; " if 
 we gots him, won't it be shust too good ! " 
 
 ''Then I suppose your father and mother 
 will be satisfied." 
 
 " Yaw — but holds on ! " he added, looking 
 down at his clothing ; " I have torn my trow- 
 sers shust a little, and dot will gif dem de 
 oxcuse to whip me." 
 
 "No ; they will be too glad to get the colt 
 back to mind such a small thing as that ; but 
 isn' t it one of the strangest things in the world 
 
CONCLUSIOX. 381 
 
 that this Sauk slioiild find and bring him all 
 the way through the woods and across streams 
 and prairies to this point, and then that we 
 should come upon him." 
 
 ^^It peats everydings," replied Otto ; ^'but 
 he can't told us how he didn't do it." 
 
 "No; we shall have to wait till Deerfoot 
 comes ; he can talk the Sauk tongue and it 
 won't take him long to find out the whole 
 story." 
 
 The boys felt so little misgiving about entrust- 
 ing themselves to the care of the stranger, that 
 when they began to feel drowsy they stretched 
 out on the blanket, with their backs against 
 each other, and went to sleej^. 
 
 An hour later, just as the Sauk was on the 
 point of also turning in for the night, Deer - 
 foot made his appearance. His coming was a 
 surprise to the warrior, and at first caused 
 him some alarm, but, so soon as he learned 
 who he was, his feelings underwent a change, 
 for, truth to tell, the Shawanoe was the very 
 one whom the Sauk had come so many miles 
 to meet. 
 
 The story of the Sauk was impressive. He 
 
382 FOOTPEINTS IN THE FOKEST. 
 
 was the brother of Hay-uta, and on the return 
 of the latter to his home, he told of his encoun- 
 ter with Deerfoot, and dwelt on the extra- 
 ordinary words of his conqueror. He, too, 
 had heard something similar from the mission- 
 aries, whom he had seen at different posts in 
 the West, but like most of his people he w^as 
 indifferent to their arguments. 
 
 But the "sermon" j)reached by Deerfoot, 
 through his kindred, got hold of the Sauk, and 
 would not let go. He affected to despise the 
 words, but he could not drive them from him. 
 Some time afterward Hay-uta told his brother 
 he must hunt up the friendly Shawanoe, and 
 learn more of the Great Spirit whom he told 
 him about. He asked him to bear him com- 
 Xjany, but the Sauk declined, just as all of us 
 are prone to rebel against the better prompt- 
 ings of our nature. 
 
 The time soon came however when he started 
 to hunt, not only for Hay-uta, but for Deerfoot 
 also. Of necessity his search for awhile was a 
 blind one, but while threading his way through 
 the woods he found the horse of Otto Relstaub 
 cropping the grass on a slight stretch of prairie. 
 
coxcLusiox. 383 
 
 Some curious fortune had given him his liberty 
 and led him into that section. 
 
 The brother was so prompt in following Hay- 
 uta, that he kept to his trail long after the 
 latter had found Deerfoot and Jack Carleton, 
 but a peculiar shame- facedness held him back 
 from joining them. Once or twice he resolved 
 to overtake them, but each time he shrank 
 back, and finally lingered so long that he lost 
 the trail altogether. 
 
 But that restless longing for the great light, 
 of which he had only the dim glimmerings, 
 kept his face turned westward, while he hoped 
 and yet dreaded to meet the young Shawanoe, 
 who, unsuspected by himself, was the cause of 
 his strange discontent. 
 
 The meeting took place in the manner 
 already told. It was Deerfoot who found the 
 Sauk instead of the Sauk who found him. In 
 a tender, sympathetic voice the ShaAvanoe gave 
 the other the particulars of his brother's death, 
 making clear to him that when he crossed the 
 dark river it was to enter the hunting grounds 
 of the true Great Spirit, who beckoned him 
 thither. The Sauk showed no grief over the 
 
384 FOOTPRINTS IN THE FOREST. 
 
 loss of liis kindred, tliougli lie mourned him 
 with an emotion that was a singular mixture 
 of sadness and pleasure. He seemed more 
 interested in the story which Deerfoot told 
 him about the One who died that all men 
 might live, and whose approving smile 
 could be won by whomsoever would do His 
 will. 
 
 The two warriors lay a long time by the 
 camp-fire, which was replenished several times, 
 while the Shawanoe read from his Bible and 
 discoursed of the momentous truths contained 
 therein, and the listener questioned and 
 answered, and appropriated the revelations 
 thus made to him. Deerfoot, the Shawanoe, 
 sowed good seed on that evening a iong time 
 ago ; but the full fruitage thereof shall never 
 be known until the last great day, for which 
 all others were made. 
 
 When the Sauk learned that the horse which 
 he had found astray in the wilderness belonged 
 to one of the sleeping boys, he said it should 
 be returned to him on the morrow. Deerfoot 
 encouraged him by replying that such action 
 would always please the Great Spirit, who 
 
CONCLUSION. 385 
 
 knew the tlioughts, words and deeds of every 
 person that lived. 
 
 While the boys were sleeping, and when the 
 gray light of morning was creeping over the 
 forest, Deerfoot scouted through the country 
 surrounding them. As he anticipated, he 
 found no sign of enemies. The Pawnees had 
 been handled so roughly that they made no 
 further attempt to molest the little party that 
 seemed to them to be under the special care of 
 the Evil One. 
 
 Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub were per- 
 mitted to sleep until breakfast was ready ; 
 then, when aroused, they were in high spirits 
 over the prospect before them. The young 
 Kentuckian, however, was saddened by the 
 tidings of the death of Hay-uta, the brother of 
 the Sauk who had befriended him. 
 
 Otto was informed that the lost colt was his 
 l^roperty again, and all that he had to do was 
 to prevent him from wandering beyond his 
 reach, since no such good fortune was likely 
 to repeat itself. 
 
 Three days later the Sauk bade them good- 
 by, his course to his village rendering a 
 
 Y 
 
386 FOOTPRINTS IN" THE FOEEST. 
 
 divergence necessary. When in siglit of the 
 humble cabins of Martinsville, Deerfoot x)arted 
 from Jack and Otto, expressing the hope that 
 he would soon meet them again ; when urged 
 to visit his friends in the settlement he shook 
 his head, making a reply which was not fully 
 understood. 
 
 ' ' Deerf oot must hasten ; he is wanted by 
 others ; he has no time to lose." 
 
 Then flirting the gun given him by Hay-uta 
 over his head, he added with a smile : 
 
 *' Deerf oot uses the bow and arrows no more ; 
 the rifle is his weapon." 
 
 Waving them farewell again, he soon 
 vanished from sight in the forest, and they 
 saw him no more. 
 
 I need not tell you of the welcome Jack 
 Carleton received from his mother and friends. 
 He promised his anxious parent that he would 
 never leave her again, and his pledge was not 
 broken. 
 
 Perhaps the long absence of Otto softened 
 his father and mother' s hearts, or it may have 
 been the return of the lost colt moved them 
 to greater kindness. Be that as it may, hence- 
 
CONCLUSION. 387 
 
 forward all went smootMy in the Relstaub 
 household, and the hardships and sufferings 
 of Otto, so far as his parents were concerned, 
 were ended forever. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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