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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35049-h.zip b/35049-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..34ced00 --- /dev/null +++ b/35049-h.zip diff --git a/35049-h/35049-h.htm b/35049-h/35049-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..21f1b23 --- /dev/null +++ b/35049-h/35049-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6233 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Spotted Deer, by Elmer Russell Gregor. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.linenum { + position: absolute; + top: auto; + left: 4%; +} /* poetry number */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.sidenote { + width: 20%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 1em; + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; + color: black; + background: #eeeeee; + border: dashed 1px; +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Spotted Deer, by Elmer Gregor + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Spotted Deer + +Author: Elmer Gregor + +Release Date: January 23, 2011 [EBook #35049] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPOTTED DEER *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>SPOTTED DEER</h1> + +<h2>BY ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF "THE WHITE WOLF," "THE WAR TRAIL," "RUNNING FOX," ETC.</h3> + + +<h3>D. APPLETON AND COMPANY<br /> +NEW YORK, 1924, LONDON</h3> + +<h3>COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY<br /> +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</h3> + +<h3>PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"PERHAPS SOME SHAWNEES ARE HIDING OVER THERE."</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. <span class="smcap">The Cry of the Loon</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. <span class="smcap">A Night of Anxiety</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. <span class="smcap">Captured</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. <span class="smcap">A Wily Captive</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. <span class="smcap">The Shawnee Camp</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. <span class="smcap">A Trying Ordeal</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. <span class="smcap">The Mystery Woman</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. <span class="smcap">The Alarm</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. <span class="smcap">Away on the Search</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. <span class="smcap">The Abandoned Canoe</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. <span class="smcap">A Council of War</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. <span class="smcap">On the Trail</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. <span class="smcap">A Strange Ally</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. <span class="smcap">Waiting and Watching</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. <span class="smcap">An Easy Victory</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. <span class="smcap">A Daring Ruse</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. <span class="smcap">Spotted Deer Obtains His Freedom</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. <span class="smcap">Shawnee Treachery</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. <span class="smcap">Surrounded</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. <span class="smcap">A Timely Rescue</span></a><br /><br /> +<a href="#By_ELMER_R_GREGOR">By ELMER R. GREGOR</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SPOTTED DEER</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE CRY OF THE LOON</h3> + + +<p>Spotted Deer was returning to the Delaware village from a hunting +expedition. He was in high spirits for he had been most successful. His +canoe contained the carcass of a fat young buck, a brace of geese and +several grouse. Spotted Deer sang softly to himself. It was a simple +song of thanks to Getanittowit, the Great One.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Listen, Getanittowit, I am singing about you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit has filled my canoe with meat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit has made me a great hunter.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O Getanittowit, I feel good about it.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It was a glorious day in early autumn. The soft balmy air was perfumed +with the invigorating fragrance of the pines. The water sparkled in the +sunshine. A smoky blue haze hung between the hills. The forest blazed +with color. Spotted Deer looked about him with delight. A red-tail hawk +circled slowly above his head. A woodpecker drummed its challenge upon a +dead pine. Spotted Deer smiled at the sound as he recalled an occasion +when his friend Running Fox had used it as a signal to fool his foes. +Lost in reverie, Spotted Deer ceased paddling to watch the great black +and white woodpecker hammering noisily on a bleached limb of the pine. +Having found no evidence of foes in the Delaware hunting grounds, the +young warrior felt secure.</p> + +<p>"Hi, Papaches, you are making a big noise up there," he laughed, as he +shook his bow at the bird.</p> + +<p>The next moment he grew silent and alert. The call of Quiquingus, the +loon, sounded somewhere behind him. Spotted Deer looked anxiously up the +river. There was something about the call which made him suspicious. He +searched the water with great care, but saw nothing of the loon. He +became uneasy. Several disturbing questions rose in his mind. Was the +call false? Was it a signal from his foes? Had he been discovered?</p> + +<p>The latter possibility was alarming as he was more than a day's journey +from the Delaware camp. Spotted Deer was undecided as to just what he +should do. Many moments passed while he watched anxiously for the loon. +The woodpecker had flown. The forest was silent. Spotted Deer hoped that +the cry would be repeated. When he failed to hear it, his suspicions +grew stronger. He wondered if some sharp-eyed scout were watching from +the edge of the forest. The thought made him cautious. He paddled into +the center of the river, where he was a long bow-shot from either shore. +Then for a long time he waited and watched. However, as he neither saw +nor heard anything further of the loon, he finally determined to +continue on his way.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer had gone only a short distance when the call was repeated. +Stopping his canoe, he again searched the water. The mysterious cry +seemed to have come from somewhere along the west shore of the +river—the side on which he had seen the woodpecker. Spotted Deer +examined the shadows with infinite care, but his efforts were futile. +The loon was nowhere in sight. His failure to discover it, and the +significant fact that the call had been repeated when he started down +the river, increased his uneasiness. He was almost convinced that the +cry was counterfeit. Still he wished to be sure. He waited some time, +watching for the conspicuous white breast of Quiquingus, the Laugher.</p> + +<p>"It is not Quiquingus," he declared, at last.</p> + +<p>Having decided that the call was an imitation, Spotted Deer wondered why +the one who had made it had risked disclosing his hiding place. In a +moment the truth flashed through his mind. He believed the call had been +a signal to announce his approach to some one farther down the river. +The thought caused him grave concern. He feared that he had blundered +into a perilous predicament.</p> + +<p>"I must watch out," Spotted Deer murmured, uneasily.</p> + +<p>He permitted the canoe to drift slowly with the water while he meditated +upon a plan of action. Feeling quite certain that he had encountered a +company of his foes, his chief concern was to learn if they had canoes. +In that event, he believed he would be in considerable peril. If, +however, his enemies were hunting through the woods on foot, he believed +there was little to fear while he kept to the middle of the river.</p> + +<p>"I will go ahead," he said.</p> + +<p>The sun had disappeared. Twilight had fallen upon the woods. Long black +shadows swept over the water. The day was far spent. Spotted Deer +watched closely along the edge of the timber. He knew that it would be +easy to blunder past a canoe concealed in the shadows near the shore. +Several times he was deceived by half-submerged trunks of fallen trees +which in the baffling twilight resembled canoes. Then, as he paddled +slowly around an abrupt turn in the river, he suddenly discovered two +canoes crossing directly ahead of him. Each canoe contained two +paddlers. They were a considerable distance away, but as Spotted Deer +was exposed in the center of the river he had little doubt that he had +been seen. The actions of the distant canoemen confirmed his fears. They +had ceased paddling and were looking steadily toward him. In the +meantime the Delaware had turned his canoe into a stretch of quiet water +to avoid drifting toward the strangers. They showed no inclination to +approach, and soon disappeared into the shadows along the west side of +the river.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer suspected a trap. He feared that other canoemen were +concealed along the opposite side of the river. Under those +circumstances it seemed folly to venture ahead before darkness came to +shield him. Then he suddenly realized that it might be equally dangerous +to loiter. He believed that other foes were somewhere behind him, and he +feared that they had canoes. In that event they might sweep around the +river at any moment and he would find himself trapped between his +enemies. The thought was alarming. It roused him to action. He turned +about and paddled slowly up the river. Keeping well within the shadows +from the forest, he soon passed around the turn which hid him from his +foes. At that moment the melancholy wail of Gokhos, the owl, sounded +behind him. He knew at once that it was a signal from the canoemen.</p> + +<p>"I am in danger," Spotted Deer said, softly.</p> + +<p>He feared that the warriors whom he had discovered would follow him, and +that other foes might come down the river in response to the signal. +Aware of his peril, Spotted Deer ceased paddling and stared anxiously +into the shadows. The sunset glow had faded from the sky. The forest was +dark. Night was closing down. However, a narrow trail of daylight still +lingered in the middle of the river. Spotted Deer looked upon it with +misgiving. It was a barrier which he feared to cross.</p> + +<p>Then he again heard the cry of Gokhos, the owl. It still came from down +the river, and seemed no nearer than it was before. Spotted Deer was +perplexed. Had the canoemen failed to follow him? It seemed most +unlikely. He became suspicious. Perhaps his foes were attempting some +clever stratagem to quiet his fears. He wondered if the call had been +sounded to mislead him into believing himself free from pursuit while +his enemies approached cautiously through the shadows. He watched +closely. He wondered why the signals brought no response. What had +become of the concealed scout who had imitated the cry of the loon? +Spotted Deer began to think. Had he been deceived? Had Quiquingus +himself uttered that cry? Spotted Deer scoffed at the idea. He felt sure +that he would have discovered the bird if it had been anywhere within +sight.</p> + +<p>"No, no, it was not Quiquingus," he declared, emphatically.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward he heard the call of Gokhos repeated farther up the +river. His suspicions were confirmed. He realized that he was between +his foes.</p> + +<p>"Quiquingus has changed to Gokhos," he said, soberly. "I must be +cautious."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT OF ANXIETY</h3> + + +<p>As the signals were not repeated, Spotted Deer feared that his foes were +approaching each other with the hope of trapping him between them. He +realized that he must act quickly. For a moment only he studied his +predicament. If he attempted to dash down the river, the odds were +against him. He felt certain that there were two of his foes in each +canoe, and he also knew that the weight of the game in his own canoe +would be a serious handicap to his speed. It seemed folly, therefore, to +attempt an open race for safety. Still, he knew that if he remained upon +the water there would be little chance of avoiding his foes. There +seemed but one thing to do, and that was to hide in the woods until the +canoemen passed. He resolved to try the ruse.</p> + +<p>Night had fallen, and forest and river were cloaked in darkness. Aware +that his foes might have come within bow-shot, Spotted Deer realized +that each moment was precious. Turning toward the shore he maneuvered +the canoe with rare skill. It glided forward as easily and silently as a +drifting leaf until Spotted Deer stopped it at the edge of the bushes. +He tested the depth of the water with his paddle. It was shallow. He +waited a moment or so, listening for a warning of danger. All was still. +Feeling secure, Spotted Deer stepped from the canoe and waded toward the +shore. As he left the water, he again stopped to listen. He heard a +splash a short distance below him. His heart beat wildly. He believed +that his foes were close at hand. There seemed little chance of +concealing the canoe before they found him. He listened in breathless +suspense. In a few moments he heard another splash. This time it gave +him relief. He had recognized it as the signal of Amoch, the beaver, +slapping the water with his great broad tail.</p> + +<p>"Amoch," Spotted Deer murmured, softly.</p> + +<p>He moved cautiously along the edge of the woods until he found an +opening in the undergrowth. Then he drew the bow of the canoe from the +water. Stooping, he seized the fore legs of the buck and dragged it from +the canoe. It was a difficult task as the deer was heavy and Spotted +Deer feared to make a sound. When the buck was safely on the ground, he +drew the canoe into the bushes. Then he crouched behind it to watch and +listen for the approach of his foes.</p> + +<p>If his enemies passed, Spotted Deer planned to launch his canoe and slip +noiselessly down the river. However, he disliked to abandon the deer. It +seemed like presenting it to his foes. The idea irritated him. For an +instant he determined to take it. Then he suddenly realized the folly of +placing himself at a disadvantage.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they will not find it," he told himself, comfortingly.</p> + +<p>At that moment he heard a low, indistinct sound on the water. He +listened. Long, anxious moments passed. The silence was unbroken. +Spotted Deer wondered if he had been deceived. He waited in trying +suspense to learn if his fears were real.</p> + +<p>"There is no one there," he said, finally.</p> + +<p>Then the call of Gokhos, the owl, sounded directly before his hiding +place. It was low, and soft, and querulous, and he realized why it had +seemed so far away when he heard it before. He listened anxiously for +the sound of voices, but the signal was followed by silence. Spotted +Deer watched eagerly for the canoe, but it was hidden in the darkness. +He wondered if it had passed. He listened for the slightest clew, but +heard nothing which would tell him what he wished to know. He waited +impatiently for an answer to the call. Many moments passed before he +heard it. At last it echoed weirdly across the water. Spotted Deer tried +to locate it. He decided that it came from the north. It convinced him +that his foes were searching along both sides of the river.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer tried to guess the identity of the mysterious canoemen. He +believed that they were Mohawks. The thought filled him with alarm. It +suggested disturbing possibilities. They might be scouts moving down the +river to spy upon the Delaware camp. Perhaps a war party was following +close behind them. The idea filled him with gloom. He knew that the +unsuspecting Delawares were totally unprepared for an attack, and he +feared to think what might happen if a strong force of Mohawks should +suddenly appear before the village. The possibility roused him. His +heart filled with a reckless resolve to help his people. He determined +to ignore his own peril, and slip away to warn the Delawares.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I must go," Spotted Deer told himself.</p> + +<p>He listened for further sounds from his foes. As he heard nothing to +arouse his suspicions he determined to begin his perilous journey down +the river. Aware that the slightest sound might betray him, he drew the +canoe toward the water with infinite care. After he had gone a +bow-length he stopped to listen. All was quiet. Spotted Deer felt +encouraged. Slowly, carefully, a bow-length at a time, he dragged the +canoe to the river. When he reached the water he stopped and stared +anxiously into the night. Then he stepped into the canoe, and pushed it +from the shore.</p> + +<p>Once afloat, Spotted Deer believed that he would be safer in the center +of the river. The signals had sounded near the shore, and he felt sure +that his enemies would expect to find him hiding in the heavy shadows +from the forest. The entire river was shrouded in darkness, and Spotted +Deer was unable to see more than a bow-length beyond his canoe. He +paddled slowly, moving his paddle through the water to avoid making the +slightest sound. Realizing that at any moment he might collide with his +foes, he was alert and ready for an emergency.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer had gone several arrow flights when he suddenly heard +voices. They were close by. He stopped his canoe, and attempted to +locate the sounds. The talk had ceased. Spotted Deer wondered if his +foes were as near as they had seemed. He knew that voices might be heard +a long distance over water, and he realized that the sounds might have +come from near the shore. He determined to make sure. His canoe drifted +slowly with the water. He made no effort to stop it. It was an easy and +noiseless way of slipping down he river.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Spotted Deer again caught the low, ominous murmur of +subdued voices. This time he located the sounds. They seemed to be +directly ahead of him. The discovery alarmed him. He stopped his canoe +and turned abruptly from his course. Having performed the maneuver +without a sound, Spotted Deer hoped to pass safely by his foes. He had +taken only a few paddle strokes, however, when he discovered a long, +black object squarely in his path. There was no time to turn. Throwing +all his strength into a quick deep stroke of his paddle, Spotted Deer +crashed bow foremost against the side of a canoe. It immediately +capsized and spilled its astounded occupants into the river. By the time +they rose from beneath the water, the wily young Delaware had +disappeared into the night.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer paddled furiously down the middle of the river. His eyes +twinkled merrily as he heard the angry shouts of the men in the water. +They were calling wildly to their companions. Spotted Deer grew serious +when he heard their appeals answered from various parts of the river. He +suddenly realized that he had encountered a strong force of his enemies. +However, having successfully eluded them he was hopeful of getting away.</p> + +<p>Then he heard the long, piercing shriek of Nianque, the lynx, some +distance farther down the river. The cry had sounded perfectly natural, +and still, under the circumstances, he mistrusted it. He ceased paddling +and listened suspiciously. Precious moments passed. The call was not +repeated. The cries and signals from his foes had stopped. An ominous +hush had settled upon the forest. Spotted Deer feared it. He believed +that the lynx cry had carried a warning.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," he whispered.</p> + +<p>Fearing to loiter, he moved cautiously down the river. He wondered if +crafty scouts were waiting to intercept him. Could he escape them? The +possibility of another collision with his mysterious foes tried his +courage. Still, he believed that his safest plan was to continue on his +way. Night was his ally, and he hoped to pass safely in the darkness. He +felt quite sure that his foes were close behind him. He feared that they +would soon overtake him. The thought made him reckless. He resolved to +continue down the river.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer paddled desperately to keep ahead of his pursuers. He +believed that they would separate and again attempt to trap him between +them. The thought made him wary. He determined to keep in the center of +the river, as he feared that his foes were on both sides of him. His one +chance seemed to be to go ahead. He realized that even that course might +bring him into contact with some lurking foe. The mysterious lynx cry +still lingered in his mind. It depressed him. If it had been a signal, +he felt almost certain that he would find his enemies waiting for him +farther down the river.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Spotted Deer saw his suspicions confirmed. He was +astounded to see the river ahead of him brightly illuminated. On each +shore a great fire was blazing fiercely at the edge of the water. The +light from the flames spread far out over the river. Spotted Deer +realized that it would be impossible to pass without being seen. His +heart filled with despair. He appeared to have run into a trap. There +seemed to be slight chance of escape. He paddled wildly toward the +shore. Sheltered by the darkness, he hoped to elude the foes who had +pursued him down the river. He was within bow-shot of the woods when he +heard the careless splash of a paddle close behind him. Aware that he +had been discovered, Spotted Deer made frantic efforts to reach the +shore. An arrow hummed threateningly above his head. A moment afterward +he heard another arrow strike the water within bow-length of his canoe. +He glanced uneasily over his shoulder. A grim, black shape swept out of +the night. Then his canoe crashed against the shore. A piercing yell +rang across the water. Seizing his weapons, Spotted Deer jumped from the +canoe, and dashed into the woods.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>CAPTURED</h3> + + +<p>Having gained the forest in safety, Spotted Deer stopped for a moment to +listen. He heard signals passing along the river. Then a twig snapped +close beside him. He turned in alarm. At that instant some one sprang +upon him and bore him to the ground. He struggled desperately, but the +shouts of his unknown assailant soon brought assistance, and the young +Delaware was speedily overcome. His arms were twisted behind him and +securely bound, and then he was pulled to his feet and led toward the +river.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer was bewildered by the suddenness of the attack. It was some +moments before he fully realized what had happened. His first thought +was to identify his captors. It was difficult to recognize them in the +darkness. He listened closely to catch their talk. Having been a captive +in the Mohawk camp, he was familiar with the Mohawk dialect. These +mysterious strangers, however, spoke a different tongue. It was evident +that they were not Mohawks. Spotted Deer was astounded by the discovery. +Into whose hands had he fallen? He quickly guessed.</p> + +<p>"Shawnees," he murmured.</p> + +<p>When they reached the river, Spotted Deer was led to a canoe. He seated +himself without protest. It seemed folly to resist. There were three +canoes along the shore. One belonged to Spotted Deer. Two stalwart +paddlers entered the canoe with the Delaware. The warrior who seated +himself in the stern placed his bow and several arrows close beside him. +It was a significant warning which Spotted Deer understood. He saw +several figures moving about at the edge of the water. It was impossible +to count them. Then the canoe was pushed from shore, and Spotted Deer +wondered what fate awaited him. He had little hope.</p> + +<p>As the Shawnees paddled swiftly toward the middle of the river, they +raised a piercing cry that echoed threateningly through the night, and +filled the Delaware with gloomy premonitions. It had barely died away +before it was answered from various parts of the river. Then the cry of +Nianque, the lynx, again sounded through the darkness. A wild chorus of +shouts immediately rose in reply. Spotted Deer looked down the river. +The fires were still burning fiercely. He saw several figures moving +about in the glow. He believed they were waiting for the canoes.</p> + +<p>The Shawnees met in the center of the river. Spotted Deer counted four +canoes. Each held two paddlers. Two canoes were brought alongside of the +one in which he sat, and the Shawnees peered curiously at him. He had +little doubt that they were the warriors whom he had encountered farther +up the river. They exchanged a few words with his guards, but as Spotted +Deer was unfamiliar with the Shawnee dialect he could not understand +them. Then the canoes were turned toward the fire on the west shore of +the river.</p> + +<p>As they moved slowly down the river the Shawnees began to sing. Spotted +Deer felt sure it was a boastful recital of their recent exploit. Then, +as they drew nearer the fire, he saw a canoe crossing from the east side +of the river. It, too, held two paddlers. They apparently were eager to +be present when the captive was brought in, for they were paddling at +top speed.</p> + +<p>When the canoes entered the illuminated stretch of water, Spotted Deer +found an opportunity to study his foes. He examined the warrior in the +stern of the canoe. Although apparently of middle age he appeared +vigorous and active, and his deep chest and wide, sloping shoulders +denoted endurance and strength. His face was stern and sullen, and his +eyes flashed threateningly into the steady, unflinching eyes of his +captive. There was earth on his leggings and a long red scratch down his +arm, and Spotted Deer believed he was the one with whom he had fought. +There was something about him that suggested power, and the Delaware +felt sure that he was a leader.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the other canoes had come nearer, and Spotted Deer saw +the paddlers at close range. There were six. Four were young men, and +the others were mature warriors who seemed about the age of the Shawnee +who faced him in the canoe. While Spotted Deer was examining his foes, +they were equally occupied in staring at him. There were two in +particular who glared fiercely into his face, and threatened him. He had +little doubt that they were the warriors whom he had thrown into the +river. As Spotted Deer turned his head, one of them struck him with the +paddle. They laughed derisively as the enraged Delaware faced them with +flashing eyes. Angered by Spotted Deer's boldness, the Shawnee again +raised his paddle, but the warrior in the stern of the canoe spoke +sharply and the blow was withheld.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the canoes reached the shore. Four Shawnees awaited +them. As the warrior stepped from the bow of the canoe the other Shawnee +motioned for Spotted Deer to follow him. The Delaware was immediately +surrounded by his foes. They crowded closely about him, jeering and +threatening, and scowling fiercely into his face. Spotted Deer showed no +fear. He faced them with a calm courage that compelled respect. The +Shawnees quickly realized that their youthful prisoner was a bold and +seasoned warrior.</p> + +<p>The older of the two warriors who had shared the canoe with Spotted Deer +seemed to be in authority. He appeared to be the leader of the company. +He confronted Spotted Deer and studied him with great care. The others +watched in silence. Spotted Deer took equal pains to examine his foe. +Thus for some moments captor and captive stared at each other. They +offered a striking contrast—the Shawnee stalwart and mature, a seasoned +veteran of the war trail; the Delaware agile and youthful, and equally +familiar with the privations and perils of the warrior. The same +indomitable courage flashed in the eyes of both. Each saw it and +realized its significance. Spotted Deer read cruelty and hatred in the +glance of his captor. The Shawnee saw fearlessness and defiance in the +eyes of his captive.</p> + +<p>At last the Shawnee turned and addressed his companions. His tone was +sarcastic as he pointed toward the Delaware, and the Shawnees laughed +mockingly. Spotted Deer felt the hot fighting blood surge to his brain. +He was filled with sudden and intense hatred for this haughty foe who +seemed to regard him with contempt. However, the wily young warrior was +far too crafty to betray his feelings. Aware that the Shawnees would be +quick to read the slightest trace of emotion, he feigned a stolid +indifference that baffled them.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer was led nearer the fire, and ordered by signs to seat +himself upon the ground. Two Shawnees sat beside him. They held +tomahawks and made it plain that they were eager for an opportunity to +use them. The rest of the company stood a short distance off, staring at +the fire. The leader seemed annoyed. Spotted Deer believed he was +impatient with the men who had illuminated the river. At his command two +of his companions hastened into the woods. In a few moments they +returned carrying long saplings with which they scattered the blazing +logs and rolled them into the water.</p> + +<p>When the fire had been destroyed, the Shawnees carried a number of +embers into the woods, and made a small fire behind the shelter of a +large rock. The blaze on the opposite side of the river was left to burn +out. Spotted Deer believed it was a clever maneuver to deceive any +enemies who might happen to be in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>The night was well advanced, and the Shawnees made preparations to +sleep. Spotted Deer watched them with interest. He wondered what they +would do with him. For the moment, at least, there seemed little chance +of escape, and still he realized that an unexpected opportunity might +offer itself. His hope was destroyed when two of his foes came forward +and bound his feet. Then the Shawnees gathered about him, and lay down +to sleep.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer was helpless and miserable. The Shawnees had taken his +robe, and he suffered from the cold. The rawhide thongs with which he +was bound cut into his wrists and ankles, and interfered with +circulation. It was impossible to sleep. He stared gloomily at a star +that twinkled through an opening in the dense black canopy of tree tops. +His lips moved silently in a petition to Getanittowit, the Great One.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer lay motionless until he felt sure that the Shawnees were +asleep. Then he strained to loosen the thongs about his wrists. The +effort only increased his agony. He waited a few moments; and then he +tried to move his feet. The attempt was equally futile. He had been +cruelly and skillfully bound, and he realized that it was folly to +attempt to free himself.</p> + +<p>Aware that only daylight might bring relief, Spotted Deer longed for the +night to pass. Each moment increased his suffering, but he bore it with +the stolid fortitude which he had inherited from his people, and fixed +his thoughts upon the Shawnees. There were twelve in the party and he +believed that they were hunters. The thought gave him comfort. His fears +for his people subsided. He believed that they were in little peril from +the small company of Shawnees. In fact he was greatly astounded at their +boldness in venturing so far into the Delaware hunting grounds. He was +also perplexed to explain the canoes. The Shawnees lived along another +large river a number of days' travel to the westward, and Spotted Deer +could scarcely believe that they had carried the canoes through the +wilderness. They were usually encountered hunting through the woods on +foot whenever they ventured into Delaware territory. Spotted Deer +thought about it for some time. Then an interesting possibility suddenly +entered his mind. He believed that the Shawnees had come from the north, +and it was possible that they had taken the canoes from the Mohawks. In +that event he had little doubt that they would either destroy them or +carry them to the Shawnee camp as trophies. Then another possibility +suggested itself. Perhaps the crafty Shawnees would leave the canoes +along the river to deceive the Delawares into believing that their hated +foes, the Mohawks, had invaded the Delaware hunting grounds. The thought +disturbed him. He feared that the stratagem might confuse his friends, +and lead them on a false trail.</p> + +<p>At that moment his thoughts were diverted by the barking of a fox on the +opposite side of the river. Spotted Deer listened closely. He wondered +if it was a signal. Had Delaware hunters discovered the fires? His heart +bounded at the thought. The Shawnees had awakened. Spotted Deer heard +them talking. He turned his head, and saw the warriors beside him +sitting erect. They, too, apparently were listening. The silence +continued some time. Then the quick, husky yaps of the fox again sounded +across the river. The Shawnees were silent. Spotted Deer felt that they +were watching him. He lay motionless.</p> + +<p>After the call had ceased, Spotted Deer heard some one passing in the +darkness. He believed that scouts had gone to the river to watch. He +feared that they might discover a company of Delawares. In that event he +had little hope for his life. He felt sure the Shawnees would kill him +as a precaution against being betrayed into the hands of their foes. He +waited in trying suspense to learn the outcome of the reconnaissance.</p> + +<p>It seemed a very long time before Spotted Deer finally heard sounds +which led him to suspect that the scouts had returned. He believed they +had learned something important. The Shawnees were talking excitedly. In +a few moments they drew close about him. He wondered if they had +discovered his people, and intended to kill him. For an instant he had a +reckless impulse to cry out and betray them. At that moment, however, +one of the Shawnees stooped and released Spotted Deer's ankles. The +Delaware took hope. He decided to remain silent. Then he was lifted to +his feet. For a moment he was unable to stand. A sharp command from the +leader of the company roused him to the effort. A moment afterward he +was led away toward the west.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>A WILY CAPTIVE</h3> + + +<p>The Shawnees moved through the woods in silence. They had abandoned the +canoes. Spotted Deer felt certain that they had been alarmed, and were +making a stealthy retreat under cover of the night. He wondered if the +Delawares had discovered them. The possibility excited him. He began to +form reckless plans for escaping if his people should overtake the +Shawnees.</p> + +<p>Then he suddenly realized that it might have been the Mohawks who had +been discovered along the river. In that event he believed he was in +equal peril with his captors. Once overtaken by those fierce foes from +the north, Spotted Deer feared that the little company would be speedily +annihilated. For him, however, death would be preferable to falling into +the hands of the Mohawks. Having escaped from their village, with his +friend Running Fox who had carried away a priceless medicine trophy, and +then killed their famous chief, Standing Wolf, Spotted Deer knew only +too well the punishment that would be inflicted upon him. If, therefore, +the Mohawks were on the trail of the Shawnees he was as eager as his +captors to elude them.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer traveled through the woods with great discomfort. Unable to +use his arms, he was powerless to protect himself from contact with tree +trunks and undergrowth. A guard led him through the darkness, but made +no attempt to save him from the stinging blows from branches which were +released by the warriors in advance. Several times Spotted Deer barely +escaped having his eyes destroyed. Once he stumbled over a log and fell +headlong into the undergrowth. His guard seized the opportunity to +attack him. Regaining his feet the hot-tempered young Delaware turned +savagely upon his foe, but the Shawnee swept his hand to his +knife-sheath and Spotted Deer realized the folly of resistance. At that +instant he recognized his assailant as the leader of the company. The +discovery increased his hatred for that arrogant foe.</p> + +<p>At daylight the Shawnees halted beside a stream. Spotted Deer counted +them. There were only eight. He believed that the missing warriors had +remained behind to watch their foes. He wondered if their comrades had +stopped to wait for them. He finally decided that they expected the +scouts to overtake them at that spot.</p> + +<p>As the Shawnees loitered beside the stream, they produced rations of +dried meat, and ate heartily. One of the warriors beside him held a bone +before Spotted Deer, and laughed contemptuously. The Delaware ignored +the taunt. He realized that a display of temper would only invite +further affronts. The Shawnees were keeping a sharp watch upon him. +Despite his helplessness they seemed to be suspicious and fearful that +he might attempt to escape. Spotted Deer had hoped that, when darkness +passed, they might free his arms, but they showed no intention of +releasing him. He suffered intensely, but gave no sign. His agony was +forgotten as he fixed his mind on plans for escape.</p> + +<p>Then, as he sat watching his captors, he suddenly heard the notes of +Gulukochsun, the wild turkey. The experienced young hunter instantly +recognized the call as a counterfeit. He realized at once that it was a +signal. The Shawnees showed interest. They listened in silence until the +call was repeated. Then two warriors disappeared into the woods. Spotted +Deer believed they had gone to meet the scouts from the river. It was +not long before the latter appeared. There were two. Four warriors still +were missing.</p> + +<p>The scouts were engaged in conversation with the leader of the company. +The Shawnees gathered about them to listen. One, however, remained +beside the Delaware. His captors seemed determined to take every +precaution against his escape. Spotted Deer would have given much to +know what they were saying. His guard seemed equally curious. They +talked in low tones, however, and the Shawnee appeared unable to catch +their words. His face betrayed his impatience. He evidently disliked the +task to which he had been assigned. He began to grumble threateningly at +Spotted Deer. The latter treated him with scornful indifference.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer felt certain that the scouts had brought word of +considerable importance. The Shawnees gave unmistakable evidence of it. +They were talking soberly and shaking their heads. Spotted Deer +continued to watch them. He believed that enemies had been discovered +along the river. "Were they Delawares or Mohawks?" The question caused +him great suspense. If the Shawnees had stolen Mohawk canoes and left +them at the river, he feared that his people would be deceived. In that +event there seemed little hope for him. Having experienced the +discomforts and perils of captivity in the Mohawk camp, Spotted Deer +feared that similar trials awaited him at the Shawnee village. For a +moment the idea shook his nerve. Then he drove it from his mind with the +assurance that his people would come to his aid in time to save him.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the Shawnees had ceased talking, and appeared ready to +resume their journey. They showed no great haste, however, and Spotted +Deer believed they had little fear of being overtaken. Their +indifference made him doubt that they had encountered the Delawares. He +was certain that the latter would never permit them to withdraw without +a fight. It seemed probable, therefore, that the Mohawks had come down +the river to recover the canoes. For a moment the thought filled him +with fear for the safety of his people. Then he realized that a small +force of Mohawk scouts would be unlikely to loiter near the stronghold +of their foes. Spotted Deer believed that once in possession of their +canoes they would lose little time in withdrawing from the Delaware +hunting grounds.</p> + +<p>As the Shawnees were crossing the stream the call of the wild gobbler +again echoed through the woods. One of the scouts immediately replied. +Then the Shawnees waited. In a few moments four warriors appeared. The +company was now complete, and the leader gave the word to advance. +Spotted Deer was placed between two warriors near the head of the party. +He suffered greatly, for his arms were cramped and numb, and the rawhide +had cut far into his swollen wrists. Pride, however, enabled him to +conceal his agony from his foes.</p> + +<p>Toward the end of the day the Shawnees stopped at a spring in the bottom +of a wooded ravine. It was evident that they planned to remain there for +the night. Spotted Deer grew weak at heart as he thought of the long +hours of agony before him. It was gradually sapping his strength. His +one fear was that he might collapse. The thought enraged him. He would +rather die than appear weak before his foes.</p> + +<p>Just before dark, however, the Shawnee leader freed the wrists of his +captive. Then he offered him a generous portion of dried meat. Spotted +Deer was unable to take it. His arms were powerless. The Shawnee laughed +cruelly at the plight of his foe. He threw the meat upon the ground, and +walked away. Spotted Deer turned his back upon it. Then for some time he +was unmolested.</p> + +<p>It was not long, however, before the Shawnees again bound his arms and +feet. This time they drew the rawhide even tighter than before in the +hope of forcing an appeal from the courageous young captive. Spotted +Deer remained silent. Only the threatening flash of his eyes gave +warning of the fierce emotions raging in his heart. When his foes had +rendered him powerless, he faced the Shawnee leader and laughed +scornfully.</p> + +<p>As the Shawnees failed to make a fire, Spotted Deer believed that they +feared pursuit. The thought kept him alert. He determined to be ready if +his tribesmen should attempt to rescue him. When he was finally forced +to lie down in the midst of his foes, he endured his discomfort with a +calm fortitude that astonished them. The night was cold and frosty, and +a piercing north wind swept through the ravine. The Shawnees wriggled +far down into their robes. Spotted Deer, however, was without shelter. +The cold soon overcame him. Violent chills swept through him. Sharp, +darting pains passed along his limbs. It seemed as if his arms were +being twisted from his body. Each moment intensified his agony. There +was no way to obtain relief. The night seemed endless. He prayed to +Getanittowit to send daylight.</p> + +<p>Then Spotted Deer heard something which roused him from his misery. +Soft, stealthy footfalls sounded close at hand. He raised himself to +listen. At that moment an arm was thrown about his neck, and he was +dragged to the ground. A hand was clapped across his mouth, and he felt +a knee against his chest. Completely bewildered, Spotted Deer wondered +what had happened. He heard the Shawnees whispering excitedly. He +believed that they had been overtaken by their enemies, and feared that +he would betray them. Had the Delawares come? Spotted Deer listened for +the familiar war cry. He feared that it might be the signal for his +death. The Shawnees had become silent. They were listening and watching +to interpret the peril which seemed to threaten them. Many moments +passed. The footfalls had ceased. Spotted Deer wondered if the Delawares +were preparing to rush upon their foes. Then he realized that it might +be the Mohawks. The possibility filled him with alarm. He was not afraid +to die, but he weakened at the thought of falling into their hands.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the suspense was ended. A loud, startled snort +sounded through the darkness, and then something bounded away through +the undergrowth. The Delaware and the Shawnees both understood. It was +Achtu, the deer. The Shawnees laughed nervously. The warrior removed +himself from Spotted Deer. There was no longer need for caution. The +crisis had passed.</p> + +<p>At daylight the Shawnees freed Spotted Deer from his bonds. They gave +unmistakable warning that an attempt to escape would end in death. The +Delaware, however, was too miserable to make the effort. It was a long +time before he could use either his arms or his legs. When he had +somewhat recovered, the Shawnees gave him meat. He ate it, for he was +weak and hungry. Besides, he wished to prolong the interval of freedom. +Meanwhile he searched his brain for a way to outwit his foes. His +predicament seemed hopeless.</p> + +<p>At sunrise the Shawnees resumed their way toward the west. Spotted Deer +was astounded when they left him the freedom of his arms. A great hope +rose in his heart. He believed that he might be able to leave clews +which would lead his friends to his rescue. The Shawnees had taken his +weapons but had left his empty knife-sheath attached to his belt. +Spotted Deer found an opportunity to free it without attracting the +attention of his foes. A few moments later he dropped it beside the +trail. He knew that if his friend Running Fox should find it, he would +recognize it at once. Then as he accompanied his captors through the +woods he made every effort to leave a plain trail. Several times he +appeared to stumble, and each time he cleverly overturned a stone with +his foot and broke or bent the bush or limb which he had seized for +support. His clumsiness brought angry protests from his guards but they +apparently failed to detect the stratagem. Thus throughout the day the +wily young Delaware left signs which he hoped his friends might +eventually find and follow.</p> + +<p>That night the Shawnees seemed more bold. They made a fire, and appeared +to be in high spirits. Spotted Deer believed that they were within a +day's journey of their village. He missed several warriors and he felt +sure that they had gone ahead to announce their exploit in the Shawnee +camp. The thought sobered and depressed him. After they had given him +meat, the Shawnees again bound his wrists and feet. However, they +permitted him to lie close to the fire and the warmth gave him some +comfort.</p> + +<p>The following day the Shawnees advanced through the woods with far less +caution. They talked and laughed and sang, and it was evident that their +recent anxiety had passed. Spotted Deer felt sure that they were +approaching their village. The thought made him reckless. Although he +was closely guarded, his arms were free, and he determined to seize the +slightest opportunity for an attempt to escape. He believed that his +foes might grow less vigilant as they drew nearer the Shawnee camp, and +he hoped to catch them off their guard. He became as alert and watchful +as a lynx, ready at any moment to dash into the forest. Before he could +act upon the reckless impulse, however, the Shawnees suddenly appeared +to have guessed his intentions. They stopped him, and bound his arms +behind his back.</p> + +<p>For an instant only, Spotted Deer betrayed his anger in his face. Then +as his foes began to laugh and jeer he recovered himself. His heart, +however, was heavy with despair. It seemed as if his last hope had +vanished. He believed that his crafty captors had taken the precaution +to render him powerless against the attacks which might be made upon him +as he entered the Shawnee village.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE SHAWNEE CAMP</h3> + + +<p>At midday the Shawnees climbed to the top of a high pine-clad ridge, and +Spotted Deer looked down upon a great river. Close beside it, on a +grassy flat, was the Shawnee village. It was composed of many bark huts, +and inclosed on three sides by a high log stockade. The front was open +to the river. As the Shawnees had stopped to rest, Spotted Deer had an +opportunity to study the camp. He viewed it with stirring emotions. Once +inside the log barricade, he wondered what fate awaited him. He saw many +people moving about at the edge of the village, and passing from lodge +to lodge. Several canoes were on the river. Smoke rose from the camp.</p> + +<p>Then one of the Shawnees uttered a piercing whoop that echoed shrilly +across the valley. It roused the camp. People ran from the lodges and +assembled in the center of the village. Their upturned faces made it +plain that they were gazing toward the top of the ridge. The heavy +timber concealed the Shawnees and their captive. The Shawnee called +again, and a great shout rose from the camp. Then the dogs barked +furiously.</p> + +<p>The Shawnees began to descend toward the river. The western side of the +ridge was steep and rough, and Spotted Deer was greatly handicapped. He +found it difficult to remain on his feet. The Shawnees were following a +narrow, precipitous trail, and there were places where the free use of +both arms was almost a necessity. The Shawnees, however, showed no +concern for the safety of their captive. At a number of steep places, he +lost his footing and slid several bow-lengths before he regained his +balance. At other spots the trail shrank to a mere foothold across the +face of precipitous ledges where a false step meant severe injury or +even death. Spotted Deer astounded his captors with his calm nerve and +marvelous agility. More than once they expected to see him hesitate at +some particularly perilous part of the trail. He never wavered, however, +and made his way over places where the Shawnees were compelled to steady +themselves with their hands.</p> + +<p>"The Delaware is like Tschinque, the mountain cat," they told one +another.</p> + +<p>When they finally emerged from the timber at the level of the river, +they were instantly discovered from the camp. Their appearance threw the +village into a commotion. The entire tribe seemed to have rushed out to +see them. Men, women and children assembled beyond the stockade. They +united their voices in a wild bedlam of sound that might have filled a +less courageous captive with terror. Spotted Deer, however, showed no +fear. His experience on the war trail, and his adventure in the Mohawk +camp, had taught him what to expect in the unfortunate circumstances in +which he found himself. He was prepared, therefore, to accept +discomfort, torture and death with the unshakeable courage which his +people demanded of their warriors.</p> + +<p>As his captors led him toward the village they began to sing, and +Spotted Deer knew that they were giving a boastful recital of their +exploit. In the meantime a company of men and boys were hurrying forward +to meet them. They were followed by a large pack of dogs. The Shawnee +leader stationed himself beside the captive. Spotted Deer was astonished +when he was addressed in his own dialect.</p> + +<p>"Delaware, we have brought you to our village," the Shawnee told him. +"Our people are waiting for you. They are very mad. Perhaps they will +kill you."</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer received the threat in silence. The Shawnee studied him +closely. He was angered by the scornful smile of the Delaware.</p> + +<p>"Have my people frightened away your words?" he demanded, sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"I see many dogs," replied Spotted Deer. "A Delaware is not afraid of +dogs."</p> + +<p>For an instant the Shawnee seemed about to attack him, but at that +moment they were surrounded by the company from the village. The +Shawnees pushed and jostled wildly in their efforts to reach the +prisoner. His captors, however, held them off. The leader called out in +commanding tones, and the Shawnees fell back. They seemed frantic with +excitement, and Spotted Deer knew that they would show little mercy.</p> + +<p>As they moved toward the camp, some of the boys began to taunt and jeer +and throw stones and sticks. The dogs, too, were snarling and snapping +and skulking between the Shawnees to reach the stranger. One +particularly ugly-looking brute rushed forward and attempted to fasten +its fangs in Spotted Deer's leg. He kicked savagely and it slunk away.</p> + +<p>Once at the edge of the camp, Spotted Deer was made the object of a +vicious attack. His guards were swept aside, and men, women and children +rushed upon him and began to beat him. For some moments he believed he +would be killed. Then some one called out loudly from the village, and +the attack suddenly ceased.</p> + +<p>Three warriors were walking slowly toward the crowd of Shawnees. It was +evident at once that they were persons of importance. As they +approached, Spotted Deer studied them with great interest. Two were +robust men of middle age, and the third seemed considerably older. He +wore a bearskin robe, and carried a tomahawk. Spotted Deer believed he +was the one who had called out. He wondered if it was the war chief of +the Shawnees.</p> + +<p>As the three warriors advanced, the Shawnees separated to permit them to +reach the prisoner. Spotted Deer had been badly battered by his foes, +and the Shawnees laughed indifferently as they saw the evidence of his +punishment. There was a bold challenge in his glance, however, that +compelled their respect. It was apparent that the youthful warrior had +little fear of them. For some moments they studied him in silence. Then +the oldest warrior turned and addressed the great company of Shawnees. +When he ceased speaking, they entered the village.</p> + +<p>The Delaware was taken to the center of the camp. He presented a +striking appearance as he walked between his guards with his head erect +and his eyes flashing defiance at his jeering foes. He was led to a +large bark lodge, and pushed through the doorway.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer found himself in a good-sized room which was occupied by an +old woman, who was busily engaged poking the embers of a small fire. His +guards had followed him into the lodge, and at sight of the three +intruders the old woman began to scold furiously. Then she suddenly +noticed that Spotted Deer was a stranger. She rose, and tottered forward +to look at him. In a moment she turned, and questioned her tribesmen. +When they replied, her aged face flamed with hate. She rushed at Spotted +Deer like some horrible witch who was about to shrivel him with the heat +of her wrath. Cackling fiendishly, she thrust her bony, talon-like hands +at his eyes. He avoided her, and then sprang forward so menacingly that +she drew back shrieking in terror. Then the Shawnees ordered her from +the lodge. She turned at the doorway and shook her clenched hand at the +captive. A moment afterward they heard her haranguing the crowd that had +assembled outside. Spotted Deer believed that she might prove to be a +crafty and dangerous foe.</p> + +<p>In the meantime one of the Shawnees had motioned for the prisoner to +seat himself upon the wide platform of poles that extended along the +side of the room. Then they bound his ankles, and withdrew.</p> + +<p>Left to himself, Spotted Deer began to study the lodge. It was similar +in plan and structure to the Delaware lodges. The walls and roof were +made of slabs of bark fitted between two rows of poles, and held in +place by splints and ropes made of twisted strands of bark. Each slab +was punctured at the ends and securely tied in position with bark +fibers. The roof, which was somewhat arched, was braced with many small +poles and had an opening in the center as an exit for the smoke from the +camp fire. The lodge was about five bow-lengths wide and four +bow-lengths long. A wide platform of poles extended along each side of +the room. The floor was packed earth. There was a shallow fire pit in +the center. The lodge was without furnishings, and appeared deserted. +Spotted Deer wondered how the old woman had chanced to be there. As +there was nothing to indicate that she had been cooking, he believed +that she had entered the lodge to burn incense and conduct some +mysterious medicine rite. The thought stirred his imagination. He +realized that she might be one of the strange Medicine Women. In that +event he feared that she might exert a powerful influence against him.</p> + +<p>His meditations were interrupted by a noisy commotion outside. He heard +people talking excitedly before the entrance to the lodge. He wondered +if the Shawnees were about to attack him. Then, above the confused +clamor, he recognized the shrill cackling voice of the mysterious old +woman. It was evident that she was still talking against him. A few +moments later he saw her peering into the lodge. Many faces appeared +behind her. She pointed a long, crooked finger at Spotted Deer, and +launched forth into a violent tirade. Her face wore a diabolical +expression. She appeared beside herself with rage. Spotted Deer believed +she would lead the Shawnees into the lodge to kill him. He was at a loss +to understand why the vicious old creature showed such animosity toward +him. However, neither she nor the people with her attempted to enter the +lodge. In a few moments they withdrew, and Spotted Deer heard them +moving toward another part of the camp.</p> + +<p>He was left alone until the end of the day. Then the robe was raised +from the doorway and several warriors entered the lodge. One was the +haughty leader whom Spotted Deer had learned to hate. An old woman +followed behind them. She carried a portion of roasted meat and a wooden +bowl. For a moment Spotted Deer mistook her for the violent creature who +had annoyed him. As she came nearer, he was relieved to learn that she +was not that ill-tempered individual. She placed the meat and a bowl of +water beside him and hurried away. Then one of the warriors freed him. +Spotted Deer again found his arms powerless.</p> + +<p>"Come, Delaware, eat some meat so that you will be strong when we come +to kill you," the Shawnee leader said, threateningly.</p> + +<p>"A Delaware is always strong," Spotted Deer replied, boastfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, we will see about it," laughed the Shawnee. "There is an old +woman out there who is talking bad against you. She is a Mystery Woman. +No one knows how she came here. She has been here a long time. She has +done some big things. My people will listen to her words. She says the +Delawares killed her people. Her heart is black against you. She wants +to see you die. It is good."</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer remained silent. The threat made little impression upon +him. He had already anticipated the fate which the Shawnee prophesied.</p> + +<p>"Well, how do you feel about it?" inquired the Shawnee.</p> + +<p>The Delaware refused to reply. He was endeavoring to secure the meat and +water before his foe became impatient and took them away. After several +torturing attempts, he succeeded. The Shawnees jested laughingly. He +knew they were rejoicing at his discomfort. He strove heroically to +conceal it, but his arms were stiff and swollen and he found great +difficulty in raising the food to his month.</p> + +<p>"You are a young man, but we will make you old," laughed the Shawnee. +"Your arms are already too weak to pull the bow. See how you shake! Are +you frightened?"</p> + +<p>Sharp words rushed to the lips of Spotted Deer but he kept them back. He +realized that an outburst of anger would invite a fresh attack from his +foes. As he was completely in their power, he believed it would be folly +to antagonize them. He smothered the fierce emotions that raged in his +heart, and remained calm. When he had eaten the meat the Shawnees bound +his arms, and passed out of the lodge.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer immediately began to think about the Mystery Woman. He +wondered if she possessed the strange powers which the Delawares +credited to the Medicine People. He had been taught to regard those +mysterious people with superstitious fear. The thought that the strange +old woman might be one of them caused him considerable uneasiness. +Having incurred her hostility, he wondered if she would cast some evil +spell upon him. The credulous young Delaware started at the possibility.</p> + +<p>As the long day finally came to an end, Spotted Deer wondered if he +would be left unguarded through the night. He heard people laughing and +singing in various parts of the camp, and smelled the smoke from their +fires. A narrow streak of light showed at the doorway of the lodge. He +believed the Shawnees were eating the evening meal. A short time +afterward he heard the dogs snarling and fighting over the bones which +had been thrown to them.</p> + +<p>Then some one went through the camp crying out in a loud voice. Spotted +Deer knew that it was a courier calling the people to assemble for some +particular event. He heard them passing the lodge. The streak of light +at the side of the doorway grew wider. It was evident that a large fire +had been lighted close by. He heard the crackle of the flames. Soon +afterward some one began to speak. Spotted Deer listened closely. He +felt quite certain that he recognized the voice of the Shawnee leader. +He talked some time, and when he finished speaking, a great shout went +up from the company. His words seemed to have found approval. Spotted +Deer wondered if he had been the subject of his discourse. Other +speakers followed. Then, after a short interval of silence, the shrill +voice of the Mystery Woman echoed through the camp. It filled Spotted +Deer with a vague, superstitious fear. She spoke in a wild, hysterical +manner, and it was not long before he heard sounds which led him to +believe that she was rousing the Shawnees against him. When she finally +subsided, the night rang with their shouts. Spotted Deer was filled with +gloomy premonitions of impending disaster.</p> + +<p>When the tumult finally ceased, the night was far spent. Then some one +entered the lodge. Spotted Deer stared anxiously toward the doorway. The +impenetrable darkness concealed his visitor. The latter approached +without making a sound. In a few moments Spotted Deer felt a hand upon +his shoulder. It passed down his arm and stopped at his wrists. Having +made sure that the binding was secure, his unseen foe then examined the +thongs about his ankles. Then he withdrew as noiselessly as he had +approached. Spotted Deer wondered if he had gone out. Some time +afterward he thought he heard a sigh near the doorway of the lodge. He +believed some one was on guard.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A TRYING ORDEAL</h3> + + +<p>At dawn Spotted Deer looked anxiously about the lodge, hoping to see the +mysterious visitor who had entered during the night. He had disappeared. +The Delaware was alone.</p> + +<p>The camp was astir with the usual daylight activities. Spotted Deer +recognized familiar sounds. People were calling from the lodges. +Children were running about in play. The women were breaking sticks for +the fires. He heard the crackle of freshly kindled wood. Smoke drifted +into the lodge. Soon afterward he smelled the tantalizing odor of +roasting meat. It roused his appetite. He wondered if the Shawnees would +bring food.</p> + +<p>It was not long before a warrior and an old woman entered the lodge. The +warrior carried his tomahawk and the old woman brought meat and water. +The Shawnee unbound the Delaware in grim silence. Then he motioned for +the woman to place the meat and water beside the captive. He seated +himself to wait while Spotted Deer ate. The old woman stood watching +him. The Shawnee pointed toward the door and she hurried out.</p> + +<p>It was some time before Spotted Deer could use his arms. The Shawnee +showed no impatience. He seemed content to enjoy the discomfort of his +foe. He was a young man, not much older than the Delaware. His face was +stern and cruel, and his eyes were bold and piercing. He was sinewy and +well formed, and looked as if he might be a dangerous adversary. He +waited silently until Spotted Deer had finished eating, and then he +bound him. Then he called the old woman who came and took away the bowl. +The Shawnee followed her from the lodge.</p> + +<p>As he was not further disturbed, Spotted Deer began to consider his +chances. He wondered if the Shawnees intended to kill him. He had little +doubt of it. The Mystery Woman wished to see him die, and the Shawnee +leader had declared that his people would listen to her words. Spotted +Deer had slight hope of being spared. He knew the hatred which the +Shawnees had for the Delawares and he believed he would be made the +victim of their vengeance. Still he had passed safely through many +perilous days of captivity among the fierce Mohawks, and the thought +gave him courage. If the Shawnees delayed his execution, he believed his +friends might discover his plight in time to rescue him. He relied +particularly upon his friend Running Fox, a famous young warrior who was +the son of the great Delaware war chief, Black Panther. The lads had +shared many perilous adventures and each had implicit confidence in the +loyalty and ability of the other. Spotted Deer felt sure that, once +alarmed at his absence, Running Fox would make desperate efforts to find +him. If he finally learned of Spotted Deer's predicament, the latter +knew that nothing but death would prevent him from extricating him from +his difficulty.</p> + +<p>"Running Fox will come," he assured himself.</p> + +<p>Then he suddenly realized that, even if his friends should find his +trail, they might arrive too late to save him. The thought sobered him. +He feared that if the Shawnees planned to kill him they would carry out +their intention with little delay. They, too, might anticipate an +attempt by the Delawares to rescue him. He realized that the coming +night might bring his death. For an instant the idea startled him. Then +he drove it from his thoughts, and made an earnest appeal to +Getanittowit, the Great One.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, see what has happened to me;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">See, Getanittowit, the Shawnees have caught me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great Getanittowit, take pity on me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, tell my people about it;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, bring them here to help me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great Getanittowit, take pity on me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>He had barely finished his petition when the Shawnee leader entered the +lodge. For some moments he stood before Spotted Deer in silence. He +stared steadily into his eyes, and the Delaware met his glance without +flinching. Then the Shawnee began to speak.</p> + +<p>"Delaware, I have come to tell you that you must die," he said.</p> + +<p>He paused to note the effect of his words. Spotted Deer showed no +emotion. He waited calmly for the Shawnee to continue. It was some +moments before the latter spoke.</p> + +<p>"Many bad things will happen to you," he said, finally. "Pretty soon we +will see if you are brave enough to go through with it. I do not believe +you are brave enough to go through with it. You are a Delaware. When you +see what the Shawnees are about to do to you I believe you will cry like +a woman. Then our young men will laugh at you."</p> + +<p>The Shawnee again paused and looked searchingly at the captive. Spotted +Deer smiled scornfully. He showed no inclination to speak. His control +amazed his foe. He had expected to rouse him into a violent outburst of +temper. He appeared baffled by Spotted Deer's indifference. It annoyed +him. His anger showed in his face. Having failed to intimidate the young +Delaware, the Shawnee appeared to be in a dilemma. Spotted Deer believed +he had entered the lodge to carry out some crafty plan. For some moments +he maintained an awkward silence. The Delaware watched closely. He saw a +swift, cunning glance flash from the eyes of his foe. At that instant +the Shawnee addressed him.</p> + +<p>"Well, young man, I see that you are brave," he said, less harshly. "It +is good. Perhaps I will help you. But you must do as I tell you. Will +you listen to my words?"</p> + +<p>"Speak," Spotted Deer said, coldly.</p> + +<p>"You are a Delaware," resumed the Shawnee, "Your people are our enemies. +Our enemies must die. If I do not help you my people will surely kill +you. You are a young man. I believe you are a brave warrior. It would be +foolish to throw away your life. I will tell you how you may keep it. +You must help me kill the great chief Black Panther. He is——"</p> + +<p>"Stop!" Spotted Deer cried, furiously. "I have closed my ears. You speak +the tongue of my people, but you talk like a Shawnee. The Shawnees are +afraid of our great chief, Black Panther. It is good. They run to their +lodges when they hear his voice. You wish to kill him but you are +afraid. You ask me to help you. Shawnee, if my hands were loose I would +pull you to pieces. I am a Delaware. A Delaware will die for his people. +Go, Shawnee dog, and tell your brothers the words of Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>The Shawnee listened in dumbfounded amazement as the enraged young +Delaware defied him. As Spotted Deer finished speaking, however, his foe +suddenly gave way to passion. Springing wildly upon the helpless +captive, the Shawnee began to choke him. Spotted Deer was entirely at +his mercy. The Shawnee seemed determined to kill him. He slowly +increased the power of his grip, and Spotted Deer began to strangle. The +Shawnee laughed fiercely as he stared upon the distorted features of his +victim. Then, when the tortured Delaware finally began to lose +consciousness, the Shawnee suddenly released him.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not kill you," he said. "It would be foolish. I will take +you to my people. I will give them your words. Then you will see how the +Shawnees kill their enemies."</p> + +<p>He watched indifferently until he saw Spotted Deer recovering from the +attack, and then he left the lodge. For some time afterward Spotted Deer +gasped and choked in his efforts to recover his breath. Then he composed +himself to think. He feared that his bold defiance would cost him his +life. He believed that the Shawnee had spared him to receive a worse +fate from his tribesmen. Spotted Deer knew only too well the sort of +vengeance the Shawnees would inflict upon him.</p> + +<p>"I am a Delaware—I must be brave," he kept telling himself.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer abandoned hope. It was evident that if his friends came, +they would arrive too late to save him. He felt sure that the night +would bring his death. He knew that the Shawnees would do their utmost +to make him suffer, in the hope of breaking his spirit and making him +die a weakling in their eyes. The thought roused his spirit. His eyes +flashed excitedly, as he told himself that it was his duty to uphold the +honor of his people. The thought fired him with enthusiasm. He resolved +to die as the Delawares would wish him to die.</p> + +<p>"The Shawnees will see a warrior," he said, proudly.</p> + +<p>Then his thoughts turned to Running Fox. The lads had been inseparable +companions and Spotted Deer grieved at the thought of leaving him. It +was the first peril he had faced without the companionship of his +friend. He took comfort, however, in the thought that Running Fox would +avenge him. Spotted Deer was entirely familiar with the grim +determination and dogged courage of that fiery-tempered young warrior, +and he knew that the Shawnees would be made to pay dearly for what they +were about to do.</p> + +<p>As the long day finally drew toward its end, Spotted Deer heard sounds +which confirmed his fears. The village hummed with activity. It was +evident that the Shawnees were preparing for some unusual event. He saw +the glow from a great fire in the center of the village. The Shawnees +were shouting and laughing and singing their war songs. He heard them +passing the lodge and calling to him as they went by. Then the robe was +lifted from the doorway, and the diabolical old Mystery Woman peered +into the lodge. She shook her finger at him and laughed shrilly. Her +voice carried a threat of impending disaster, and Spotted Deer was +relieved when she passed on. Other Shawnees drew aside the robe and +looked into the lodge. Some stared in silence, others cried out +threateningly. Then they, too, hurried away.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward Spotted Deer heard some one talking loudly near +the center of the camp. The Shawnees had become quiet. When the speaker +finished, however, they raised their voices in a wild shout that carried +a sinister warning to the helpless young captive. He realized that his +ordeal was at hand. There was no way of escape. He was resigned. He +turned to Getanittowit, the Great One, for strength to defy his foes and +uphold the honor of his people.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O Getanittowit, I am about to die.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">See, Getanittowit, I am not afraid.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, make me strong.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, make me brave.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, take pity on me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O Getanittowit, help me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Soon afterward Spotted Deer heard some one approaching the lodge. He +realized that the Shawnees were coming for him. He nerved himself to +meet the emergency. The Shawnee leader and another warrior entered the +lodge.</p> + +<p>"Delaware, we have come to take you to our people," the leader told him. +"You must get ready to die."</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer showed no emotion. He remained silent as the Shawnees +unbound his feet. For some moments, however, he found it difficult to +stand. The effort caused him great agony. The Shawnees were impatient. +The leader seized him and pushed him forward.</p> + +<p>"Come, have we frightened you so that you cannot walk?" he asked, +mockingly.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer rallied at the challenge. He staggered unsteadily toward +the doorway of the lodge. Fearing a trick, the Shawnees sprang after +him. They seized him and led him outside.</p> + +<p>The village was brightly illuminated by the glow from a large fire in +the center of the camp. About it was gathered a great company of +Shawnees. The appearance of the prisoner threw them into a frenzy of +excitement. As he was led forward by his guards the Shawnees began to +shout and laugh and shake their weapons. They made it plain that he +might expect no mercy.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer was bound to a heavy log that had been set up a short +distance from the fire. Then the warrior who had interfered in the +attack at the edge of the camp came toward him. He was accompanied by +the leader of the scouts and several other warriors. The Shawnees +suddenly grew quiet as these men approached the captive. The oldest +warrior addressed Spotted Deer in the Delaware dialect.</p> + +<p>"You are a young man, but you are a Delaware," he said. "The Delawares +are our enemies. The Shawnees kill their enemies. You must die. You have +spoken big words. Now we will see how brave you are."</p> + +<p>He turned and spoke briefly to his tribesmen. A company of warriors came +forward and formed a circle about the Delaware. They carried their +weapons and were painted for war. The Shawnees greeted them with shouts +of approval. For a few moments they stood, glaring fiercely at the +prisoner. Then they began to move slowly about the fire, stepping in +time with the rhythm of a slow, mournful chant.</p> + +<p>It was a weird and fascinating scene: the great fire roaring and +crackling and sending its sparks high up into the night; the vast +assemblage of Shawnees with their fierce, eager faces, like wolves +gathered about a stricken deer; the circle of half-naked warriors moving +slowly about their foe in the prelude to the grim ceremony that would +follow. And, most interesting of all, the youthful prisoner, bound and +helpless, waiting calmly for torture and death at the hands of his +enemies.</p> + +<p>For some moments the dancers continued their slow, sinister parade about +the captive. They made no attempt to attack him, but appeared to be +endeavoring to impress him with their grim earnestness. The solemn, +dirgelike chant was taken up by the entire company, and Spotted Deer +believed that the Shawnees were singing the death song. Then one of the +warriors, who seemed to be a leader, suddenly straightened and raised a +piercing yell that reverberated wildly through the camp. It broke the +solemnity of the ceremony and roused the dancers to action.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward they began capering frantically about Spotted Deer, +shouting and jeering and flourishing their weapons. The Shawnees urged +them on with yells of approval, and the entire assemblage was soon in an +uproar. Once aroused, the dancers soon began to threaten and attack +their prisoner. They swung their war clubs about his head, aimed their +arrows at his heart and made close, dangerous passes with their knives. +Some rushed forward and struck him in the face.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer faced the ordeal without a tremor. His heart was filled +with a fierce resolve to uphold the traditional courage of his people, +and he was determined to remain strong to the end. He waited, therefore, +with head erect and eyes flashing, for the punishment which he felt sure +would soon be inflicted upon him. The Shawnees appeared to be rousing +themselves into a fury. Encouraged by the shouts of the spectators, the +dancers had thrown off restraint and abandoned themselves to the mad +antics of the war dance. They made every effort to intimidate the +unfortunate young warrior who had fallen into their hands. Some rushed +toward him and drove their tomahawks into the post close beside him. +Others shot their arrows within a hand-width of his body. Several seized +him by the scalp-lock and swept their knives about his head. Spotted +Deer, however, showed no fear.</p> + +<p>Then above the tumult he suddenly heard the shrill, ominous laugh of the +villainous old Mystery Woman. A moment afterward she tottered forward +into the firelight, and pointed excitedly toward the captive. As she +stood revealed in the lurid glow from the flames her appearance was +startling. Her frail, bowed form was covered with an old deerskin robe. +Her white, unkempt hair fell loosely about her shoulders. Her aged +features were distorted in a fiendish grin, and her small, ferretlike +eyes glowed threateningly from their deep cavities beneath her shaggy +brows. She looked like an evil demon whom the fire had drawn from +concealment in the black depths of the night. The Shawnees watched her +in silent, superstitious awe. Spotted Deer felt his courage falter as +the fearsome old creature confronted him.</p> + +<p>In a few moments she turned and addressed the four warriors who stood +apart from the rest of the Shawnees. As they made no attempt to stop +her, Spotted Deer believed that they were eager to hear her words. He +had little doubt that she was talking against him. When she finally +finished her excited harangue, one of the warriors called to the +dancers. They immediately ceased their exertions and stood quietly in +their places. Then the warrior whom Spotted Deer believed to be the +Shawnee chief made a brief talk. The Shawnees seemed to approve his +words.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Spotted Deer saw preparations which enabled him to +guess the sort of punishment which the Mystery Woman had suggested for +him. The great company of Shawnees suddenly broke up, and the women and +old men and some of the boys hurried to the lodges. The old Mystery +Woman hobbled away, cackling gleefully. It was not long before Spotted +Deer saw his suspicions confirmed. Those who had disappeared were +returning with sticks and stout willow switches and small whips with +rawhide lashes. They were laughing and calling out in joyful +anticipation of their attack upon the prisoner. Behind them followed the +Mystery Woman. She, too, carried a willow wand and Spotted Deer felt +sure she would make savage use of it.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the warriors jeered and threatened but made no further +attempts to injure him. Spotted Deer believed they were restrained by +the man whom he took for the war chief. The latter called out sharply +whenever one of the younger warriors showed an inclination to attack the +captive, and each time his command was obeyed. Spotted Deer realized, +however, that the respite was only temporary. He believed that his foes +were simply delaying his torture and death to give the fierce old +Mystery Woman an opportunity for vengeance.</p> + +<p>The women and old men and boys had formed in two long lines about two +bow-lengths apart. They were singing and shouting and shaking their +sticks at the captive. Then a warrior freed Spotted Deer from the stake. +A moment afterward he was led forward to receive his punishment. Spotted +Deer realized exactly what was about to happen. He knew that he would be +compelled to make his way along the narrow lane between his foes who +would beat him as he passed. As his arms were bound behind him he was +powerless to defend himself against the attack. He realized that he +might lessen his punishment by dashing wildly along the course, but his +spirit rebelled at the thought. He feared that the maneuver would make +him appear frightened and weak in the eyes of his foes.</p> + +<p>"Delaware, run!" cried the Shawnee leader, as he pushed Spotted Deer +between the lines of excited Shawnees.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer ignored the command. For an instant only he hesitated while +he looked calmly along the rows of fierce, eager faces. One in +particular stood out in contrast with the others. It was the evil, +grinning face of the old Mystery Woman who stood at the end of the line. +As Spotted Deer began the perilous journey between the lines, he heard +her shrill, harsh voice rising threateningly above the tumult.</p> + +<p>The Shawnees were astounded when the Delaware started forward at a slow +walk. For an instant the unexpected maneuver baffled and confused them. +They wondered if fear had suddenly driven the power from his limbs. +Having expected him to make a wild dash for the end of the lines they +could think of nothing but fright as the reason for his strange action. +They began to laugh and jeer as they struck him about the head and +shoulders with their whips.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, make the frightened Delaware run!" they cried.</p> + +<p>Then they suddenly realized the significance of his conduct. They saw +that the Delaware was defying them. The realization drove them into a +fury. Weak and aged arms grew strong with emotion, and Spotted Deer +staggered beneath the violence of the attack. Some of the women jabbed +viciously at his eyes with their sticks. Some of the infuriated old men +kicked savagely at his legs. The boys beat him with their fists. All +struck him about the face and head with their sticks. By the time he had +covered half of the course he was suffering from many cuts and bruises. +It was evident that unless he hastened, he was threatened with serious +injury or even death. Still he refused to save himself by running. He +preferred to die rather than give the Shawnees an opportunity to boast +that a Delaware had run from their women and old men.</p> + +<p>When Spotted Deer finally reached the end of the course, he was attacked +by the Mystery Woman. Throwing away her stick, she rushed upon him and +thumped him about the body with her fists. Her frail old arms lacked +strength, and her blows did little damage. Then, as several warriors +seized the Delaware and prepared to take him away, the Mystery Woman +drew a knife from her belt and attempted to reach the captive. The +Shawnees intercepted her and led Spotted Deer away.</p> + +<p>He was greatly surprised when they took him to the lodge instead of the +stake. The Shawnees followed close behind him, shouting wildly and +threatening to overwhelm his guards and put him to death. He reached the +lodge in safety, however, and was pushed through the doorway. Then he +heard the warrior who seemed to be the chief talking to the people. Was +he attempting to pacify them? Spotted Deer listened anxiously. He heard +the Shawnees moving away. He believed that for the moment at least he +was safe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERY WOMAN</h3> + + +<p>When the Shawnees had dispersed, two warriors entered the lodge. They +bound Spotted Deer's ankles, and then they seated themselves near the +doorway. Spotted Deer believed they intended to remain on guard through +the balance of the night. For some time he heard them talking. Then they +became quiet. He wondered if they had gone out. The fire in the camp had +died down. The lodge was dark. He was unable to see them. He listened +anxiously to learn what he wished to know. Then, as he heard nothing to +indicate that the guards were still in the lodge, he relaxed upon the +platform of poles and tried to sleep. It was useless. He had been +severely beaten by the Shawnees, and his face and head ached and +throbbed from the cuts and bruises. The lodge was cold and drafty, and +as he was without a robe he began to shiver violently. Each moment +increased his discomfort, and he wondered if the Shawnees had spared him +to prolong his agony. At last, however, exhaustion brought relief and he +fell into a light, restless slumber.</p> + +<p>Then he suddenly awakened and sat up to listen. He heard soft, stealthy +footfalls near the doorway. The lodge was dimly lighted by a narrow +streak of moonlight that had entered through the smoke hole in the roof. +Spotted Deer watched closely. In a few moments he saw some one enter the +lodge. Then as the huddled figure hobbled toward him, he recognized the +bowed form of the Mystery Woman. The discovery filled him with +superstitious fear. He believed she had come to kill him. As she came +closer he saw that she carried a bowl. He wondered if it contained a +strange medicine potion. Perhaps she planned to cast some evil spell +upon him. The thought was alarming.</p> + +<p>The Mystery Woman came directly to him. For a moment or so she stared +wildly into his face. Then she spoke. Spotted Deer could scarcely +believe what he heard. She was addressing him in the Delaware tongue.</p> + +<p>"My son, do not be afraid, I have come to help you," she said.</p> + +<p>For some moments Spotted Deer looked at her in astonishment. Then he +recovered himself and sought to conceal his emotion. Her words had made +him suspicious. He recalled the deceitful offer of the Shawnee leader. +He feared that she, too, was attempting to deceive him with some clever +bit of treachery. Perhaps she hoped to gain information about his +people. He determined to be on his guard.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the Mystery Woman was watching him closely. Her face +betrayed impatience. It was evident that his silence annoyed her.</p> + +<p>"Have you no tongue?" she asked, sharply.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer still remained silent. He believed that he was confronted +by a crafty and dangerous foe, and he realized that he must be cautious. +His inherited dread of the strange Medicine People made him doubly +suspicious of the mysterious old creature who addressed him.</p> + +<p>"You say you are a Delaware," she said, angrily. "I have spoken Delaware +words. I see that you do not know them. I do not believe you are a +Delaware."</p> + +<p>There was something in her tone that conveyed a warning. Spotted Deer +suddenly realized that it might be fatal to rouse her anger. He believed +that it would be wise to hear what she wished to say. He decided to +speak.</p> + +<p>"A Delaware keeps his words for his friends," he said.</p> + +<p>"Hi, now I see that you are one of my people," the old woman whispered, +excitedly.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer started at her words. For an instant they filled him with +hope. Then he realized that the wily old Mystery Woman was attempting to +deceive him and quiet his suspicions. He determined to match wits with +her.</p> + +<p>"You are a Shawnee," he said, contemptuously.</p> + +<p>She went close and glared fiercely into his face. Her expression +startled him. Her features were quivering with emotion. Hate blazed from +her eyes. Her breath came in quick, sobbing gasps. She seemed to be +struggling against the impulse to kill him. It was some time before she +could speak.</p> + +<p>"Those are bad words," she said, savagely. "I will shake them from my +ears. I have come here to help you. There is little time. You must +believe what I am about to tell you. Listen, my son, to the words of a +Delaware."</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer was impressed. There was an earnestness in her tone that +was convincing. Impulse urged him to believe her. Caution, however, kept +him suspicious. He still feared treachery.</p> + +<p>"I will listen," he told her.</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared the Mystery Woman. "Now I will try to help you."</p> + +<p>She placed the bowl beside him and moved to the front of the lodge. She +drew aside the robe and peered outside. In a few moments she returned to +Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"There is no one there," she told him. "The camp is still. Now I am +going to do something good for you."</p> + +<p>"If you are a Delaware, untie me and let me get away," said Spotted +Deer.</p> + +<p>"No, no, that would be foolish," she declared. "If I untie you perhaps +some one will come in and find out about it. Then both of us will be +killed. Anyway you could not get away. The Shawnees are afraid that your +people are coming to help you. Scouts are watching around the edge of +the camp."</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer continued silent. He was unable to decide whether the old +Mystery Woman was telling the truth or simply attempting to win his +confidence. In either event he was eager to learn her plans. She had +seated herself beside him, and was dipping a piece of buckskin in the +bowl. Spotted Deer watched her with considerable uneasiness. Then as she +began to bathe his face and head, his suspicions suddenly vanished and a +great hope entered his heart.</p> + +<p>"Come, old woman, if you are a Delaware tell me where you came from," he +said, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I am a Minsi," she said, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Those people are my brothers," he told her. "I have been to their +village. Your words are good. Tell me something more."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the great chief Big Hawk, and Black Rabbit the mysterious +Medicine Person?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I have talked with those people," Spotted Deer assured her, +excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the great rock that stands behind the village? Have you +heard how Leaping Dog killed four bears?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I know about those things," said Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I will tell you that I am White Crane. Leaping Dog was my +father."</p> + +<p>"Woman, I believe your words," Spotted Deer told her. "Now I know that +you are a Delaware. Tell me how you come to be here."</p> + +<p>"I cannot give you many words," she told him. "The night is almost gone. +Pretty soon the Shawnees will begin to move around. If they find me here +it will be bad. I will talk fast. You must listen sharp."</p> + +<p>"Friend, my ears are open," said Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"My son, a long time ago I went into the hills with my mother to pick +berries. We were quite a ways from our village. While we were picking +berries we heard a great shout behind us. Then my mother seized me and +began to run. We saw some warriors chasing us. Pretty soon they came up +with us. I was frightened and I began to cry. One of those warriors +seized me. My poor mother drew a small knife and plunged it into him. +Then one of his friends knocked her on the head with his war club and +she fell into the bushes. I never saw her again.</p> + +<p>"Those warriors took me a long ways. We traveled many days. I got very +tired but I kept going. I did not know those people but I hated them +because they had killed my mother. Well, my son, one night when they +were sleeping I crawled away. The woods were very black and I was +afraid, but I kept going. After a long time I heard a dog barking. That +frightened me. I did not know what to do. Then I said, 'Perhaps there is +a village over there. Perhaps some good people live there. Perhaps they +will take pity on me and give me something to eat and a place to sleep +in.'</p> + +<p>"I went that way. Pretty soon I saw some lodges. I was greatly +frightened. My legs began to shake. I listened sharp. I did not hear any +one. Then I went nearer. Pretty soon I entered the village. It was dark +and still. I kept very quiet. Then I saw some little red lights from a +fire. I went over and sat down in that place.</p> + +<p>"When the light came, an old woman came out of a lodge and saw me. She +began to talk very fast, but I did not know her words. Then she called +her people. They came running from the lodges. When they saw me sitting +by the fire, they did not know what to make of it. They were shaking +their heads and talking and pointing toward the sky. Then I knew that +they took me for a Medicine Person. It made me feel good. I knew they +would not harm me.</p> + +<p>"My son, that is how I came here. I have been here a long, long time. +Now I am an old woman. I have never talked our tongue. The Shawnees have +never harmed me. They call me the Mystery Woman. They listen to my +words. Getanittowit has helped me. I have done some big things. Perhaps +I can save you."</p> + +<p>"Who were those people who carried you away?" inquired Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"I believe they were Mohawks," she told him. "I know those people came +into our country before this thing happened to me."</p> + +<p>As she ceased speaking, they heard something moving outside the lodge. +They listened in breathless suspense. Then the old woman seized the bowl +and hurried toward the door. Spotted Deer saw her draw aside the robe. +He believed she was listening. Long, anxious moments passed. He wondered +if she had left him. Then he saw her. She was crouching in the doorway. +In a few moments she rose and came to him.</p> + +<p>"It was a dog," she said.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer nodded understandingly.</p> + +<p>"It is almost light," she told him. "Pretty soon I must go away. But +first I must tell you something. My son, when I saw you I asked about +you. When I heard that you were a Delaware, my heart grew big for you. +Then I fooled the Shawnees. You saw what I did. It was the only way to +save you. They believe I wish to kill you. It is good. They will listen +to my words. I will try to save you. It will be a hard thing to do.</p> + +<p>"Now I will tell you about it. The warrior who brought you here is +Walking Bear. He is a great war leader. He is very mad at your people. +He says the great chief Black Panther killed his brother. He says that +he has killed many Delawares. He says that you must die. That old man +who talked to you is Howling Wolf. He is a great Medicine Person. Now +you know about those people."</p> + +<p>"Who is the chief?" Spotted Deer asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Big Dog is the chief."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"He is away on the hunt. That is why the Shawnees did not kill you. I +told them Red Dog would be very mad about it. I told them they must wait +until he comes. They listened to my words. That is how you come to be +alive. But, my son, the Shawnees will surely kill you when Big Dog comes +back."</p> + +<p>"When will he come?" inquired Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Before three suns pass," the Mystery Woman said, solemnly. "If I do not +get you away before that time you must prepare to die. I will try hard +to save you. No matter what I do you must know that I am trying to help +you. Now I am going away."</p> + +<p>"You are a good friend," Spotted Deer said, gratefully. "If I get away I +will take you to your people.".</p> + +<p>"No, no, you must not try to do that," she told him. "It would be +useless. I am old and feeble. I cannot travel. I would hold you back. +The Shawnees would catch us. You must go alone. I will stay here and die +in the Shawnee village. If you get away you can tell my people about +me."</p> + +<p>A moment later she hurried from the lodge. Spotted Deer realized that he +had found a crafty ally. He wondered if she would be able to save him. +He feared to hope. He knew that the Shawnee chief might return at any +moment, and then the Mystery Woman would be powerless.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE ALARM</h3> + + +<p>The long, silent night was slowly merging into dawn when the Delawares +were suddenly awakened by a piercing shout from the center of the camp. +Thoroughly alarmed, they rushed from the lodges, weapons in hand, +expecting to find themselves beset by foes. Instead they found Dancing +Owl, a young warrior who had left the village the previous day to hunt.</p> + +<p>"Well, young man, what has happened?" inquired Black Panther, the famous +Delaware war chief.</p> + +<p>"The Mohawks are on the river," Dancing Owl told him.</p> + +<p>The announcement threw the Delawares into a frenzy of excitement. They +feared that their fierce foes from the north were about to attack the +village.</p> + +<p>"Where are they?" Black Panther asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I saw them a sun's travel up the river," declared Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>The Delawares felt relieved. They realized that there was at least time +to prepare for defense. They crowded eagerly about Dancing Owl and began +to question him. Then Black Panther asked them to assemble at the +council lodge to hear the words of Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"Come, Dancing Owl, tell us about this thing," said Black Panther, when +they had seated themselves.</p> + +<p>"Well, my friends, I hunted hard but I did not kill any game," said +Dancing Owl. "I kept going along the river until it got dark. Then I sat +down to rest. Pretty soon I heard the cry of fierce Nianque, the lynx. I +listened sharp. After a long time I heard it again. It was up the river. +I went ahead. I went a long ways. Then I saw a great light. I heard some +one shouting. That made me cautious. I waited a long time. Then I heard +some more shouts. Then I went ahead very slow. I kept looking ahead. +Pretty soon I saw two big fires. There was one on each side of the +river. Then I stopped. I did not know what to make of it. I kept +watching. Pretty soon I saw some warriors moving around one of those +fires. They were on the other side of the river. They were far off. I +could not tell about them. Then they went away. Pretty soon some of them +came back. They knocked away the fire. Then I could not see them.</p> + +<p>"Well, my friends, I kept watching. I said, 'Those people will cross the +water and knock away the other fire. I will creep up close and see who +they are.' Then I went ahead. I was very cautious. The fire kept +burning. I was looking for those people on the water. I did not see +them. Then I heard Woakus, the fox. It was close ahead of me. It did not +sound good. I listened sharp. Pretty soon I heard it again. Then I said, +'Some one is making that noise.' I kept watching the fire. It made a big +light. I kept around the edge of it. Then I heard some one moving in the +bushes. He was close. I got ready to fight. Then I saw that person at +the edge of the light. He was a Mohawk. Then he went away.</p> + +<p>"I watched a long time. Then I heard the call of Gokhos, the owl. It was +the call of the big night bird with the ears. I knew it was the Mohawks. +It was on the other side of the water. Pretty soon I heard it again. It +was on the side of the water where I was. I kept watching. The fire was +going down. The light closed up. I went nearer. I heard some people +talking. Pretty soon I saw five canoes. They came across the water. I +saw two Mohawks in every one of those canoes. Then I saw another canoe. +It was near the edge of the woods. Pretty soon two Mohawks got into it. +Then they all paddled up the river. I waited a long time. Then the fire +died out. I heard a great shout. I was far up the river. I knew it was +the Mohawks. Then I hurried away and came here. Now I have told you all +I know about it."</p> + +<p>The Delawares remained silent for some moments after Dancing Owl had +finished his story. It baffled them. They were at a loss to account for +such unusual recklessness on the part of the Mohawks. They could +scarcely believe that those crafty foes would dare to proclaim their +presence so near the Delaware camp. They could think of no reason for +the two great fires along the river. They feared it was part of some +clever stratagem.</p> + +<p>"Dancing Owl, I have listened to your words," Black Panther said, +finally. "This thing is mysterious. I cannot tell what to make of it. +Now I am going to ask you something."</p> + +<p>"I am listening," Dancing Owl told him.</p> + +<p>"You came back along the river," said Black Panther. "Your eyes are +sharp. Did you see anything?"</p> + +<p>"No, I did not find any signs," declared Dancing Owl. "I kept watching +for the Mohawks but I did not see them. I believe they went the other +way."</p> + +<p>"Well, my friends, I cannot tell what to make of it," acknowledged Black +Panther. "Only a foolish person makes a big fire to tell his enemies +where to find him. The Mohawks are not foolish. They are as sly as +Woakus, the fox. I cannot tell why they made those big fires. It is +mysterious. I believe something bad will come of it. Come, Sky Dog, you +are a great Medicine Person, perhaps you can tell us about it."</p> + +<p>Sky Dog, the aged Delaware Medicine Man, rose to his feet in obedience +to the command of his chief. He was a picturesque figure as he stood in +the center of the great circle of Delawares who were looking +questioningly into his face. He had wrapped himself in a heavy wolf-skin +robe for protection from the sharp autumn air, and his white hair showed +beneath the edges of a great beaver-skin cap. For some moments he faced +his tribesmen in silence. Then he began to speak.</p> + +<p>"My people, you have heard the words of Dancing Owl," he said. "This +thing he tells about is mysterious. I cannot make anything of those +great fires. I will go away and think about it. Then perhaps I will tell +you something."</p> + +<p>It was evident that the Delawares were disappointed. They had implicit +faith in the ability of the old Medicine Man, and they had hoped that he +would be able to tell them the significance of the fires. However, as +he, too, seemed perplexed and bewildered by the audacity of the Mohawks, +the Delawares saw little chance of arriving at an early solution of the +mystery.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, as we do not know why the Mohawks did this thing, and +there is no use of talking about it like a lot of foolish old women," +Black Panther told them. "We know that the Mohawks were close to our +village. Dancing Owl saw them. He says those Mohawks went up the river. +Perhaps they will come back. We must keep a sharp watch. I believe they +are trying to fool us. Perhaps they are scouts. Perhaps there is a big +war party hiding in the woods. Perhaps the scouts made those fires to +draw our warriors up the river. Then it would be easy for the war party +to get into the camp. We must be cautious."</p> + +<p>His words raised the suspicions of his tribesmen. They believed he had +guessed the plans of their foes. The idea roused them. They began to +discuss the possibilities. Some of the younger and more impulsive +warriors were eager to organize a war party and go out to search the +woods. Most of the older men counseled against it.</p> + +<p>"No, it would be foolish to do that until we know about this thing," +said Yellow Wolf, a famous veteran of the war trail. "We must send out +scouts to find out if the Mohawks are in the woods. Then we will know +what to do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that is the best thing to do," the Delawares told one +another.</p> + +<p>There was one, however, who took no part in the discussion. He was +Running Fox, the son of Black Panther, and the most famous of all the +Delaware warriors. Although but a youth, his daring exploits had made +him the idol of his people. Two years previous, accompanied by his +friend Spotted Deer, he had gone to the Mohawk camp and successfully +escaped with the great Mohawk medicine trophy. When the famous Mohawk +chief, Standing Wolf, led a great war company into the Delaware village +to recapture the token, Running Fox killed him, and drove the Mohawks +from the camp. The following year, he and Spotted Deer journeyed into +the north and killed the mysterious White Wolf, which the Delawares +believed brought famine and pestilence upon them. That achievement +convinced the Delawares that Running Fox had received the mysterious +powers of a Medicine Person. In spite of his youth, therefore, they +looked upon him as one able to lead and counsel, and they were eager for +his opinion concerning the Mohawks and their fires.</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, Running Fox!" they cried.</p> + +<p>Running Fox rose in response to their cries. He was tall and sinewy, +with an alert face and bold, flashing eyes. He possessed the quiet, +forceful dignity of his father, and the Delawares looked upon him with +pride and affection.</p> + +<p>"My friends, you have asked me to talk to you," said Running Fox. "I +have listened to the words of Dancing Owl. I do not believe we are in +any danger. I do not believe those Mohawks will come any closer. I do +not know what to make of those great fires. I am not thinking about +them. I am thinking about my brother, Spotted Deer. I believe he is in +great danger. My heart is heavy. Perhaps those Mohawks have carried him +away. Perhaps they have killed him. It is bad. I do not like to talk +about it."</p> + +<p>As Running Fox finished speaking a gloomy silence fell upon the +Delawares. His words had carried an ominous warning. The Delawares +suddenly realized the peril which threatened Spotted Deer. He had left +the village some days previous on a hunting expedition to a lake several +day's journey to the northward where he hoped to kill a bear. He had +expected to return at the end of six days. The seventh day had just +dawned. Spotted Deer had failed to arrive. The Mohawks were on the +river. Startling possibilities flashed into the minds of the Delawares.</p> + +<p>"My son, what you say is true," declared Black Panther. "I believe +Spotted Deer is in danger. He has not come back. It is bad. If he does +not come before this sun passes, we must go to find him."</p> + +<p>"My father, I will not wait," Running Fox told him. "Spotted Deer is my +friend. We have done many big things together. If the Mohawks have +caught him it would be foolish to wait. We must come up with them before +they reach their village. If they take him to the camp he will surely be +killed. I am going to find him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, it is the best thing to do," agreed old Sky Dog, the Medicine +Man. "I saw this thing in a dream. I did not wish to talk about it. Now +I see what it meant. You must go, Running Fox. Do not lose any time. +Keep going until you come in sight of the Mohawks. I believe you will +find Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>Running Fox was immediately besieged by a host of eager volunteers who +wished to accompany him. Most of the active warriors of the tribe +desired to go. He found it hard to refuse them, for all wished to prove +their loyalty for Spotted Deer. Running Fox realized, however, that a +large company would be less likely to succeed than a few picked scouts +moving swiftly on the trail.</p> + +<p>"My friends, I see that you all wish to help Spotted Deer," he said. "It +is good. It makes me feel big. But I must tell you that it would be +foolish. Perhaps what Black Panther says is true. Perhaps many Mohawks +are hiding in the woods. Most of you must stay behind to guard the +village. A few of us will go to find Spotted Deer. I will be the leader. +I will ask Dancing Owl, and Yellow Wolf, and Painted Hawk, and Crooked +Foot, and Turning Eagle to go with me. It is enough. Now, my friends, go +to your lodges and get ready to go away."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" shouted old Sky Dog. "You are going into great danger. If I do +not help you, something bad may happen. You must all come to my lodge, +and I will make a smoke to Getanittowit and ask him to help you."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Fox.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>AWAY ON THE SEARCH</h3> + + +<p>When the six scouts who were going to search for Spotted Deer assembled +at the lodge of Sky Dog they found the old Medicine Man seated beside a +small fire. He was tossing handfuls of dried sweet grass upon the +embers, and droning a medicine song. For some moments he took no notice +of the little company of warriors who stood at the entrance to the +lodge, waiting for an invitation to enter. At last he looked up and saw +them.</p> + +<p>"Come in," he said, curtly. "Sit down here in front of me. No, no, do +not come so close. Move back. There, that is good."</p> + +<p>When they had obeyed his instructions he resumed the ceremony which they +had interrupted. They watched with solemn interest while he continued to +toss sweet grass upon the fire and chant the medicine song.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, here is sweet smoke for you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I am making it to please you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, I hope you will feel good about it.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great Getanittowit, I hope you will help me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In a few moments Sky Dog rose and took the sacred medicine pipe from a +tripod of poles at the rear of the lodge. He unwrapped it with great +care and brought it to the fire. He filled the bowl with the inner bark +of the red willow and lighted it with an ember. He puffed smoke toward +the sky, the abode of Great Getanittowit; toward the earth, the abode of +the mysterious Underneath People; toward the north, the east, the south +and the west, the abodes of the Wind Makers. Then he puffed smoke over +the six scouts. Then for many moments he sat with his eyes closed.</p> + +<p>The scouts were much impressed. They believed that Sky Dog was +counseling with the mysterious Medicine Beings. They watched him with +superstitious fascination, fearing to speak or even move lest they might +break the spell and incur the displeasure of Sky Dog and the powerful +Medicine People.</p> + +<p>Running Fox, however, was impatient. He realized that each moment was +precious, and he was eager to be away on the trail of the Mohawks. His +great fear was that they might reach their village before he could +overtake them. He knew only too well the fate that awaited Spotted Deer +in the Mohawk camp. He was greatly relieved when Sky Dog finally opened +his eyes and spoke.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I will help you," he said. "I have talked with the +mysterious Medicine People. It is good. I believe you will find Spotted +Deer. I have asked the Medicine People to make you strong against the +Mohawks."</p> + +<p>He rose and went to the back of the lodge. In a few moments he returned +with a buckskin thong to which was tied a small charm or token. He +fastened it about the neck of Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, I am giving this to you because you are the leader," he +said. "It is the claw of the mysterious Medicine Beaver. It will make +you brave. It will keep you strong. It will make you safe against your +enemies. Now, my friends, you must go. When you have gone I will do some +other things to help you. I believe you will do what you are setting out +to do. I have spoken."</p> + +<p>"Sky Dog, we have seen you talking with the mysterious Medicine People," +Running Fox told him. "You have asked them to help us. It is good. It +makes us feel strong. You have fastened this Medicine Thing around my +neck. You say it will help me. I will keep it. Now we are going to find +our brother Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>They immediately left the lodge. As they appeared in the village they +were surrounded by a great company of friends who were eager to warn and +advise. Running Fox refused to loiter.</p> + +<p>"My friends, we cannot stop here to talk," he told them. "If the Mohawks +have carried off Spotted Deer we must travel fast to come up with them. +There is little time. We must go."</p> + +<p>A few moments later they left the village and went to the river. Then +Running Fox explained his plans.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you heard the words of Black Panther," he said. "Perhaps +there are many Mohawks hiding in the woods. We must be cautious. It +would be foolish to take canoes. The Mohawks would surely see us. We +must travel on foot. There is only one way to do this thing. Some of us +must travel along the other side of the river. Some of us must go along +this side. Then perhaps we will find some signs of Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>"It is good," agreed Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"I will ask Painted Hawk, and Turning Eagle and Crooked Foot to go +across the river," said Running Fox. "I will ask Yellow Wolf and Dancing +Owl to stay on this side with me. Now, my friends, you must listen sharp +to what I am about to tell you. In the day we will talk to each other +with the call of Woakus, the fox. When it grows dark we will use the +voice of Gokhos, the owl. If you make one call we will know where you +are. If you make three calls we will know you have found signs of +Spotted Deer. If you make the call end in the middle we will know you +are in danger. If you hear us make those calls you will know about it. +Come, we will go."</p> + +<p>"Who will take us across the river?" inquired Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>A number of volunteers offered to paddle the scouts across the water. +When they were half-way across the river, Running Fox and his companions +disappeared into the woods.</p> + +<p>"We must travel fast," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>It was a notable company. Dancing Owl and Turning Eagle were young +warriors about the age of Running Fox. Both were noted for their courage +and ability. Dancing Owl had killed a number of Mohawks and had been +captured by the Shawnees. Turning Eagle was a famous scout. Yellow Wolf +and Painted Hawk and Crooked Foot were seasoned veterans of the war +trail. Each was the hero of many thrilling exploits. Running Fox had +great confidence in the warriors whom he had chosen to accompany him. He +believed that once on the trail of Spotted Deer, they would follow it +into the Mohawk camp if it became necessary.</p> + +<p>Running Fox led the way along a familiar trail that followed the river +toward the north. His anxiety for his friend made him impatient, and he +traveled at an exhausting pace. Dancing Owl and Yellow Wolf kept close +behind him. At midday they found themselves a considerable distance from +the Delaware village. Then they became more cautious.</p> + +<p>"Now we must watch sharp," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>Aware that at any moment they might encounter a Mohawk war party, they +kept their eyes and ears alert to discover the slightest hint of danger. +Their caution seemed useless, for they saw nothing to arouse their +suspicions.</p> + +<p>"Those Mohawks must have gone up the river," declared Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>Running Fox remained silent. He found little comfort in the words of +Dancing Owl. His mind was filled with gloomy premonitions concerning +Spotted Deer. For the moment the fate of his friend was all that +interested him. If the Mohawks had withdrawn from the Delaware hunting +grounds he feared that they had taken Spotted Deer with them. Running +Fox grew weak at the thought. It roused him to still greater efforts, +and he almost ran along the trail in his eagerness to overtake his foes.</p> + +<p>At dark the Delawares stopped to rest. Then Running Fox attempted to +locate his tribesmen on the other side of the river. Approaching close +to the water, he gave the cry of Gokhos, the owl. They listened +anxiously as it echoed through the woods. Many moments passed. There was +no response.</p> + +<p>"Our brothers are far behind," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>The thought disturbed him. He had planned to continue traveling through +the night in the hope of gaining upon the Mohawks. Still he disliked to +go ahead without hearing from the scouts on the other side of the river. +He waited impatiently. Then he repeated the signal. Again it failed to +bring an answer. Running Fox grew uneasy.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," he told Yellow Wolf. "I do not know what to make of +it. Perhaps something bad has happened to our friends. Perhaps the +Mohawks were hiding over there."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe anything has happened to our brothers," Yellow +Wolf told him. "We came here very fast. We followed a trail. Our friends +could not come so fast. It is hard going on the other side of the river. +They fell behind. I believe they will come."</p> + +<p>"Well, Yellow Wolf, I see that what you say may be true," said Running +Fox.</p> + +<p>Then for some moments he remained silent. His mind was filled with +disturbing possibilities. He found it difficult to come to a decision. +He realized that each moment of delay lessened his chance of overtaking +the Mohawks. Still he wished to know what had happened to his friends. +It seemed foolish to go ahead until he heard from them. It was possible +that they might have encountered the Mohawks, or found Spotted Deer or +some signs of him. Running Fox finally determined to wait.</p> + +<p>The three scouts had barely seated themselves at the edge of the woods +when they heard the call of Gokhos a short distance farther down the +river. Their spirits rose at the sound, for they realized that their +friends were safe.</p> + +<p>"Our brothers have come," said Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"It is good," Running Fox replied, with much relief.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward he replied to the signal There was no answer. He had +not expected any. Having located him he knew that his tribesmen would +continue along the river in silence. Too many signals might arouse the +suspicions of any foes who might be loitering in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>"Come, my brothers, we will go ahead," said Running Fox. "When our +friends come they will make the signal. When they do not hear anything +they will know that we have gone. Then they will go ahead. We will keep +going until we get to the place where the big fires were. Then we will +stop and rest. When it gets light we will look around."</p> + +<p>Running Fox again led the way at a breakneck pace. The trail led through +a dense black forest of towering pines and hemlocks, and the Delawares +were unable to see a bow-length before them. In spite of the darkness, +however, they had little difficulty in keeping the trail. They followed +its narrow winding course with the speed and certainty of Timmeau, the +wolf. Day was close at hand when they finally approached the spot where +Dancing Owl had discovered the Mohawks.</p> + +<p>"We are coming to the place where I saw those fires," he said.</p> + +<p>"Now you must go ahead," Running Fox told him.</p> + +<p>Dancing Owl took the lead. They realized that they might be blundering +into a trap, and they were as alert and cautious as Woakus, the fox. +Mauwallauwin, the great Hunting Moon, shed his light upon the river, and +they kept a sharp watch for canoes. It was not long before Dancing Owl +stopped and pointed toward the water.</p> + +<p>"See, there is the place where I saw the fire," he said.</p> + +<p>They stood at the edge of the woods and looked upon a wide, open stretch +of beach that intervened between the water and the forest. The place +which Dancing Owl had indicated was several arrow-flights farther along +the river. He was eager to approach it, but Running Fox counseled +caution.</p> + +<p>"Wait," he said. "Perhaps there is some one there. We will watch and +listen."</p> + +<p>"Your words are good," declared Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>They waited some time, and then as they discovered nothing to arouse +their fears they moved noiselessly toward the place where the fire had +burned. They had gone less than a bow-shot, however, when Dancing Owl +suddenly collided with a great black form that rose from the trail. +There was an angry snarl, and two fierce eyes blazed from the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Machque!" cried Dancing Owl, as he sprang back and shot his arrow.</p> + +<p>A savage roar sounded through the night as the bear charged upon the +astounded Delawares. It struck down Dancing Owl and then rushed at +Running Fox. He shot his arrow and dodged nimbly around a tree. The next +instant the enraged bear confronted Yellow Wolf. He, too, drove his +arrow into it, and sprang from its path. Then it crashed away into the +darkness. For some moments they heard it floundering noisily through the +undergrowth, and then the sounds ceased.</p> + +<p>"Hi, Machque is mad," laughed Running Fox, as he came from behind the +tree.</p> + +<p>"I thought he was a Mohawk," said Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"Did he tear you?" Yellow Wolf asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Dancing Owl. "He tried to strike me but I jumped away. +Then he bumped into me and I fell down."</p> + +<p>"Well, we all shot arrows into him," said Yellow Wolf. "I believe he +went over there and fell down dead."</p> + +<p>"Come, we will go over there and find out about it," Dancing Owl +proposed, impulsively.</p> + +<p>"No, no, that would be foolish," Running Fox told him. "Machque is sly. +Perhaps he has gone away. Perhaps he is waiting to fool us. It is black +under those big trees. We cannot see him. Perhaps he would kill us. I am +not afraid but we have set out to find Spotted Deer. If we let Machque +tear us we cannot help our brother. It will soon be light. Then we will +find Machque."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Running Fox, I see that it is the best thing to do," agreed +Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"We must watch sharp. Perhaps Machque will come back," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will keep quiet and watch," Running Fox told him.</p> + +<p>They seated themselves at the edge of the timber to wait for daylight. +Dancing Owl was almost exhausted. Having traveled at top speed to reach +the Delaware camp with news of the Mohawks, the return journey had been +a severe test of his courage and endurance. He lay upon the ground and +immediately fell into a heavy slumber. His comrades remained awake to +watch.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE ABANDONED CANOE</h3> + + +<p>At dawn Running Fox and his companions made their way to the edge of the +timber and looked anxiously along the river. A short bow-shot away they +saw the charred logs and ashes from the fire. Then they looked across +the water and saw the remnants from the other fire. For the moment, +however, the Delawares took little interest. Their first thought was to +look for the Mohawks. They watched some time, but saw nothing to +indicate that their foes had loitered in the vicinity. Still, Running +Fox determined to take every precaution.</p> + +<p>"I believe the Mohawks have gone away," he said, finally. "But we must +not feel too sure about it. Perhaps they are hiding in the woods. +Dancing Owl, you must keep watching. Come, Yellow Wolf, we will look for +Machque. I believe he is close by. If we find him we will get back our +arrows."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>They left Dancing Owl concealed at the edge of the forest, and went to +search for the bear. The trail was plain and easy to follow and red +splashes on the leaves gave evidence that Machque had been badly +wounded. They had little doubt that he was already dead. Still they +resolved to take no chances, for they knew that if Machque was alive he +might prove to be a dangerous foe. They advanced with great caution, +watching closely for a sight of the bear. Then, within an arrow-flight, +the trail suddenly came to an end at a great tangle of brush and fallen +timber.</p> + +<p>"Look sharp," Running Fox cautioned. "Machque is in there."</p> + +<p>They stopped and peered anxiously into the cover. It was dense and as +twilight still lingered beneath the heavy stand of evergreens they were +unable to discover the bear. Several times they thought they saw it, but +they were deceived by stumps and shadows. They listened a long time, but +heard nothing to give them a clew.</p> + +<p>"If Machque is in there, he must be dead," Yellow Wolf said, at last.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he crawled through that place and went out on the other side," +Running Fox told him. "We will circle around and find out about it."</p> + +<p>"It is the best thing to do," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>They separated and began to move cautiously around the tangle. They had +taken only a few strides when they heard low, ominous growls coming from +beneath a confused mass of roots and brush. They stopped and prepared to +fight.</p> + +<p>"Look sharp, Machque is coming out!" Running Fox cried, warningly.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward there was a sharp crackling of sticks and the wounded +bear forced its way through the tangle. It emerged within a bow-length +of Yellow Wolf. At sight of him it reared unsteadily upon its hind legs, +and Yellow Wolf drove his arrow into its chest. Roaring furiously, the +bear dropped to its feet and turned to enter the cover. Yellow Wolf ran +close up to it and drove another arrow behind its shoulder. Machque +flashed about with the agility of a lynx and rushed wildly upon his foe. +Yellow Wolf turned to run but tripped over a log and plunged headlong +into the brush. At that moment Running Fox rushed recklessly upon the +bear and struck it with his tomahawk, Machque wheeled to attack him, and +then Yellow Wolf jumped to his feet and shot an arrow. The bear +collapsed. For some moments it continued to struggle, and then it lay +still. The Delawares looked at each other and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Machque is dead," said Yellow Wolf. "He was very strong and very +fierce. Running Fox, you were brave. You kept Machque from tearing me. I +will tell our people about it."</p> + +<p>Having killed the bear, they had little inclination to loiter. They left +Machque where he had fallen and turned toward the river. They found +Dancing Owl staring anxiously across the water. He heard them +approaching and motioned for them to be cautious. Then he pointed +mysteriously across the river. Running Fox and Yellow Wolf feared to +move. For some moments they stood motionless, searching the opposite +shore. Then Dancing Owl signaled for them to advance. They sank to their +hands and knees and crawled carefully through the undergrowth.</p> + +<p>"What do you see?" Running Fox inquired in a cautious whisper.</p> + +<p>"I saw something moving through the bushes," Dancing Owl told him. "I do +not know what it is."</p> + +<p>"Where was it?" asked Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"Over there near that white tree," said Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>They fixed their eyes on a large white birch at the edge of the woods. +It was close by the place where the fire had been. They wondered if +crafty Mohawk scouts were lingering in the vicinity. They watched +anxiously, but the mysterious object failed to appear.</p> + +<p>"Did it look like a warrior?" inquired Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"I do not know," replied Dancing Owl. "I saw some bushes move. Then +something passed. It went fast. It was behind the bushes, I could not +see what it was."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps our brothers are over there," suggested Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>Running Fox remained silent. A still more interesting possibility had +entered his mind.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was Spotted Deer," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, perhaps it was Spotted Deer," Dancing Owl said, eagerly. +"Come, give the signal and we will see what comes of it."</p> + +<p>"That would be bad," Running Fox warned him. "If the Mohawks are over +there we must keep quiet and watch. If it is Spotted Deer our brothers +will meet him. Then they will call us."</p> + +<p>A moment later they heard the call of Woakus, the fox, a short distance +farther down the river. They listened in breathless suspense. Two +stirring possibilities instantly flashed across their minds. Had their +friends met Spotted Deer? Were they about to call them? The signal, +however, was not repeated. They turned to one another in alarm. Aware +that their tribesmen were advancing along the opposite side of the +river, they feared that they might be blundering into an ambush.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," Yellow Wolf whispered, uneasily. "We do not know who is +over there. If the Mohawks are hiding in that place they will catch our +brothers. We must warn them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, make the signal," Dancing Owl said, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Wait," cautioned Running Fox. "I have found out who is over there. Look +sharp near that crooked tree. See, there is Achtu, the deer."</p> + +<p>A moment afterward they saw the buck standing at the edge of the timber. +It had raised its head and was looking down the river. They believed it +had caught the danger scent. An instant later it vanished into the +shadows.</p> + +<p>"Achtu has run away," said Running Fox. "Our brothers must be close."</p> + +<p>Then he replied to the signal. In a few moments an answer came from +across the river. Painted Hawk and his companions were almost at the +place where the fire had been lighted.</p> + +<p>"Our friends have come up with us—it is good," said Running Fox. "They +will keep watching over there. Now we will go and look around that place +where the fire was."</p> + +<p>They spent some time scouting about in the vicinity of the spot where +the fire had been. They found several tracks near the ashes from the +fire, and the mark of a canoe at the edge of the water. As the clews +were of little importance Running Fox was eager to hurry away on the +trail of the Mohawks.</p> + +<p>"See, our friends are over there," Yellow Wolf said, suddenly.</p> + +<p>They saw two of their comrades searching along the opposite shore. +Running Fox quickly identified them as Painted Hawk and Crooked Foot. He +had little doubt that Turning Eagle was on guard at the edge of the +woods. Running Fox stood at the edge of the water and waved his arms. +When he had attracted the attention of his tribesmen, he pointed toward +the north and made it plain that he was about to continue along the +river. Then Painted Hawk pointed to the woods behind him and swept his +arm in a short circle.</p> + +<p>"Our brothers are going to move around over there to look for +something," Running Fox told his companions. "Perhaps they have found a +sign."</p> + +<p>"See, they are telling us to wait here," Dancing Owl cried, excitedly.</p> + +<p>Painted Hawk had pointed across the water and then seated himself. In a +few moments he rose and again swept his arm toward the woods. Then he +appeared to be waiting for a signal from his friends.</p> + +<p>"I am going ahead," said Running Fox. "Yellow Wolf, I will ask you to go +with me. Dancing Owl, you must stay here and wait for a signal from +Painted Hawk."</p> + +<p>Dancing Owl walked from the timber and seated himself near the water. +Running Fox pointed toward him. Then he pointed toward Yellow Wolf and +himself and then up the river. Painted Hawk seemed to understand. A +moment afterward he and Crooked Foot disappeared into the timber.</p> + +<p>"Dancing Owl, you must hide in the woods and wait," said Running Fox. +"Come, Yellow Wolf, we will go."</p> + +<p>At that instant Dancing Owl was looking sharply along the shore. Then he +pointed excitedly toward a bowlder that rose above the water, a short +distance away.</p> + +<p>"I saw something go behind that rock," He said.</p> + +<p>Running Fox and Yellow Wolf turned in alarm. The next moment they saw +something drifting slowly past the bowlder. The three Delawares stared +at it in amazement. They had suddenly recognized it as a paddle. The +discovery roused their suspicions. They feared that a canoe was +somewhere near.</p> + +<p>"Come, jump into the bushes!" cried Running Fox.</p> + +<p>They hid themselves and looked anxiously up the river. The paddle was +near the shore and appeared to be drifting still nearer. They watched it +in trying suspense. They longed to secure it, but still they feared to +make the attempt.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Mohawks saw us," said Yellow Wolf. "Perhaps they threw that +paddle into the water to fool us. If we try to get it we may be killed."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe it is a trick," Dancing Owl said, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>Running Fox kept silent. He was staring at the paddle with eager, +fascinated eyes. He had suddenly resolved to secure it.</p> + +<p>"Keep watching," he cried, as he ran toward the river.</p> + +<p>He waded into the water and when it rose to his waist, he reached out +and drew the paddle toward him with his bow. As he lifted the paddle +from the water he cried out in astonishment. Then he hurried to the +shore and ran to his companions.</p> + +<p>"See, see, this paddle belongs to Spotted Deer!" he told them, +excitedly. "Here is his mark."</p> + +<p>They instantly recognized the design which had been cut into the blade. +For some time they stared at it in silence. They were trying to guess +how the paddle had chanced to drift into their hands.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," Running Fox said, finally.</p> + +<p>His companions kept silent. They had little doubt that ill fortune of +some sort had befallen Spotted Deer, and their minds were filled with +gloomy premonitions. The finding of the paddle made them almost certain +that Spotted Deer had been either captured or killed by the Mohawks. +Running Fox was crushed by the possibility. For some moments he appeared +unable to rouse himself. Then he suddenly turned toward the river and +imitated the cry of Woakus, the fox. Three times he sent the call across +the water to tell his friends that he had found signs of Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Come, Yellow Wolf, we will go ahead and try to find out about this +thing," he said. "Dancing Owl, you must stay here."</p> + +<p>"I will wait," Dancing Owl told him.</p> + +<p>Suspicious and fearful of running into a trap, the two Delawares moved +along the river with great caution. They kept close to the water, hoping +to find further clews to the fate of Spotted Deer. They had gone a +considerable distance when they finally discovered something which +caused them to stop and exclaim in alarm. An overturned canoe had lodged +in a mass of driftwood a short distance from the shore. The canoe was of +Delaware design, and they knew at once that it belonged to their missing +tribesman. They gazed upon it in silent dismay. Each was unwilling to +express the fear which had entered his mind. Running Fox again gave the +signal which told his friends that he had found further signs of Spotted +Deer. Soon afterward Dancing Owl came to join them.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, something bad has happened to Spotted Deer," he said, +solemnly, as he saw the canoe.</p> + +<p>Running Fox stared wildly into his face. His misery showed in his eyes, +and his companions looked upon him with pity. Two alarming possibilities +confronted them. They believed that Spotted Deer had either been +overtaken and killed by the Mohawks or had overturned his canoe and +perished in the river in a desperate effort to escape.</p> + +<p>"I am going out to get that canoe," Running Fox said, suddenly.</p> + +<p>He again waded into the river and made his way to the overturned canoe. +There was a long, jagged rent in the bow. The discovery increased his +fears for Spotted Deer. He dragged the canoe to the shore and watched in +gloomy silence while Yellow Wolf and Dancing Owl made a careful +examination.</p> + +<p>"Well, my friends, what do you make of it?" Running Fox asked them.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," declared Yellow Wolf. "I believe that hole was made by a +rock. Perhaps Spotted Deer was going fast to get away from the Mohawks. +Perhaps it was dark. He could not see far ahead. Then he bumped into +that rock and fell into the river. Perhaps the Water Monsters pulled him +down. Perhaps he got to land. I cannot tell you about it. It looks bad."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it looks bad," agreed Running Fox. "Dancing Owl, tell us how you +feel about it."</p> + +<p>"It looks bad," said Dancing Owl. "We found that paddle. That was bad. A +warrior does not throw away his paddle. Now we have found this canoe. It +was turned over. There is a hole in it. I believe something bad has +happened to Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>"Listen," cautioned Running Fox.</p> + +<p>At that moment they heard the call of Woakus, the fox, somewhere in the +vicinity of the spot where they had left Painted Hawk and his +companions. In a few moments the signal was repeated. Then it sounded +the third time. The Delawares looked at one another in surprise. Had +their friends found signs of Spotted Deer on the other side of the +river? It seemed impossible. Still there was no reason to doubt the +signal.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," declared Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>Running Fox repeated the call. Then they listened in grave suspense. It +was not long before the answer came. Again the signal sounded three +times. There was no chance for uncertainty. It was plain that Painted +Hawk and his companions had discovered a clew. The thought filled +Running Fox with hope. Then he began to wonder if his tribesmen had been +deceived. Having found the paddle and canoe of Spotted Deer, it was +difficult to understand how the latter had been located on the other +side of the river. Still Running Fox had full confidence in the judgment +and skill of Painted Hawk and his companions. All were experienced +warriors and scouts, and he knew that they would be unlikely to send a +false signal.</p> + +<p>"I do not know what to make of this thing, but I believe our brothers +have found something," he said, finally. "If Spotted Deer was over +there, perhaps he is alive."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Spotted Deer is with our brothers," Dancing Owl suggested, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>Running Fox and Yellow Wolf remained silent. They were doubtful. Running +Fox felt quite certain that if Spotted Deer had met his tribesmen, he +would have sent a signal across the water to relieve the anxiety of his +friends.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, we must try to find out about this thing," declared +Running Fox. "It would be foolish to go ahead until we know about it. I +am the leader. I will tell you what I propose to do. We must cross the +water and talk with our friends. There is only one way to get over +there. We must use this canoe. We cannot do that until we close that +hole. Come, we will pull the canoe into the woods and fix it. Then we +will wait until it gets dark. Then we will go to meet our friends."</p> + +<p>They carried the canoe some distance into the woods. Then, while Dancing +Owl watched the river, Running Fox and Yellow Wolf scouted through the +woods searching for pitch. They found it in hard nodules on the trunks +of many of the pines and spruces, and they soon gathered a sufficient +quantity. Then they returned to Dancing Owl who said that he had seen +nothing to cause alarm.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Fox. "Pretty soon we will be ready to go +across the water."</p> + +<p>They made a small fire between two logs and placed a large flat stone +across them. When it became heated they placed the pitch upon it. It +took a long time for the pitch to soften. When it finally began to melt +they daubed it upon the ends of flattened sticks and hurried to the +canoe. Then as Dancing Owl and Yellow Wolf held the jagged edges of the +bark in place, Running Fox applied a thick coating of hot pitch over the +tear. It was necessary to make many applications both on the inside and +outside of the canoe to render it water-tight. When the task finally was +completed the day was well advanced.</p> + +<p>"Now we will cross the water and meet our friends," proposed Dancing +Owl.</p> + +<p>"No, my brother," Running Fox cautioned him. "We must wait. We made a +fire. Perhaps the Mohawks saw the smoke. Perhaps they are watching the +water. We will wait until it gets dark."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must wait," agreed Yellow Wolf.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>A COUNCIL OF WAR</h3> + + +<p>When twilight finally fell, Running Fox and his companions carried the +canoe to the river. They launched it and found it water-tight. Then +Running Fox paddled slowly along the edge of the shore. They were +watchful and alert for danger, but the river appeared free of foes. It +was almost dark when they came opposite the spot where they expected to +find their friends. Running Fox ceased paddling and imitated the cry of +Gokhos, the owl. It was answered from the other side of the river.</p> + +<p>"Our friends are waiting," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>Running Fox turned the canoe toward the center of the river. Once beyond +the shadows near the shore, they realized that they were in plain sight +of any foes who might be lurking in the forest. They kept a sharp watch +for the sudden appearance of canoes. When they came within bow-shot of +the place where the fire had been, Running Fox again ceased paddling and +waited for a signal. He felt quite sure that they had been seen by their +friends. In a few moments they heard the call of Gokhos directly ahead +of them. Running Fox paddled cautiously toward the shore. Then they +recognized the voice of Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, the way is clear," he said.</p> + +<p>As they stepped ashore their friends hurried forward to inquire about +the canoe. When they learned that it belonged to Spotted Deer they were +dumb with amazement.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," Painted Hawk declared, at last. "I believe Spotted +Deer was in this place. How did his canoe get across the water?"</p> + +<p>"Have you found signs of Spotted Deer?" Running Fox inquired, quickly.</p> + +<p>"We found signs that told us a prisoner was here," said Painted Hawk. "I +believe it was Spotted Deer. That is why I called you. When it grows +light I will show you those signs. Perhaps you can tell us about it."</p> + +<p>"If Spotted Deer is a prisoner it would be foolish to wait," Running Fox +declared, impatiently.</p> + +<p>"We found many tracks," explained Painted Hawk. "We cannot follow them +until it gets light."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell us about it," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"Wait," cautioned Running Fox. "First we must pull this canoe into the +bushes. Then we will go and sit down in the woods. See, Mauwallauwin is +peeping over the trees. Pretty soon the river will be light. If we stay +here in the open, perhaps our enemies will see us."</p> + +<p>The others quickly saw the wisdom of his words. The moon was rising +above the eastern ridges and they knew that they would soon become +conspicuous on the open shore of the river. They dragged the canoe from +the water and carried it into the bushes. Then they withdrew into the +shelter of the forest. Fearful of making a fire, they seated themselves +in a little circle and began to talk.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I will tell you about this thing," said Painted Hawk. +"When we came to this place we began to look around for our enemies. We +did not find them. Then we came down here near the water and began to +look for signs. We saw some tracks around the place where the fire was. +We saw the marks of canoes near the water. Then we began to look around. +Pretty soon we found some tracks in the woods. Then we found some ashes +and black wood behind a rock. We saw where some people had been lying +down. Then Turning Eagle found something big. His eyes are sharp. He was +looking at a place where some one had been lying down. Then he saw +something to tell about. Come, Turning Eagle, tell our brothers about +it."</p> + +<p>"I will tell you about it," said Turning Eagle. "I was looking around +that place where those people had been lying down. I was looking sharp. +Then I saw something strange. It looked like it looks when our brother +Wisawanik, the squirrel, pulls away the leaves. I looked close at that +place. Then I saw some more marks on the ground. They were made by +fingers. Then I thought about it. I said, 'Some one was lying down with +his hands behind him.' They were in the middle of his back. They were +crossed. Then I said, 'That person was a prisoner.' Then I called +Painted Hawk and Crooked Foot to look at those marks. They felt good +about it. That is all I have to say about it."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure about this thing?" Running Fox inquired, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," declared Turning Eagle. "I looked sharp. What I have told you is +true."</p> + +<p>"Come, we will go to this place," proposed Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"No, we must not do that," Running Fox told him. "If we go to that place +in the dark we cannot see anything. Perhaps we will wipe away many +tracks. We must wait until the light comes. Then we will go and find out +about it."</p> + +<p>"This thing is mysterious," declared Yellow Wolf. "If the Mohawks caught +Spotted Deer over here, how did we come to find his canoe on the other +side of the water?"</p> + +<p>For some moments the Delawares remained silent. They seemed unable to +answer the question. The circumstances were confusing. At last, however, +Dancing Owl spoke.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I saw those big fires near the water," he told them. "I +went up close. Then I saw the Mohawks. I saw them go up the river. I did +not see anything of Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>"Turning Eagle, did those people who were here go back to the river?" +Running Fox asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you that," said Turning Eagle. "We found many tracks. +Some were going toward the woods. Some were going toward the river. They +were all mixed together. But I will tell you that some tracks went away +into the woods. Yes, I believe those people went away toward +the-place-where-the-sun-sleeps. We tried to follow those tracks. Then it +got dark and we could not see them."</p> + +<p>Running Fox was greatly impressed by the announcement. His mind was +filled with interesting possibilities. He began to doubt that the +Mohawks had carried Spotted Deer up the river. The uncertainty gave him +hope. Still he was unable to guess what had become of his friend. Having +found his abandoned canoe it was evident that misfortune of some sort +had overtaken him. For the moment Running Fox felt helpless to solve the +mystery of Spotted Deer's strange disappearance. His one hope was that +Spotted Deer was still alive.</p> + +<p>"My friends, I will tell you how I feel about this thing," said Yellow +Wolf. "Spotted Deer has disappeared. We have found his canoe. Something +bad must have happened to him. Dancing Owl saw the Mohawks in this +place. He did not see Spotted Deer in their canoes. Painted Hawk and +Crooked Foot and Turning Eagle are good scouts. They have found many +tracks over here. Turning Eagle says there was a prisoner here. I +believe his words. Now, my friends, we cannot tell who left those +tracks. I believe they were Mohawks. We cannot tell about that prisoner. +Perhaps it was Spotted Deer. Perhaps it was some one different. We +cannot tell about those big fires. Now you see if we cannot tell about +these things it will be hard to know what to do. Come, Running Fox, you +are the leader, tell us about it."</p> + +<p>"Yellow Wolf, what you say is true," replied Running Fox. "It is hard to +know about this thing. I will tell you how I feel about it. I do not +believe the Mohawks took Spotted Deer up the river. Dancing Owl was +watching. He did not see him. Turning Eagle has sharp eyes. I believe +what he tells us is true. I believe that prisoner was Spotted Deer. If +he was with the people who slept at this place, then they must have +taken him away. Turning Eagle says they went away toward +the-place-where-the-sun-sleeps. My friends, perhaps those people were +not Mohawks. The Shawnees live over there beyond the hills. Perhaps +those people were Shawnees. Perhaps they came over here to hunt. Perhaps +they caught Spotted Deer. Perhaps they are going to the Shawnee village. +When it gets light we will try to find out about it. Now I cannot tell +you any more."</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, your words are good," said Painted Hawk. "I believe those +people who went away on foot were Shawnees. I cannot tell about Spotted +Deer. You found his canoe on the other side of the water. I believe he +was over there. Perhaps the Mohawks caught him over there. Perhaps they +did not come down where Dancing Owl was watching. Dancing Owl says he +heard the call of Gokhos. It was up the river. Perhaps the people who +caught Spotted Deer were calling the warriors at the fires. Perhaps the +Mohawks followed Spotted Deer down the river. Perhaps they made those +fires so that he could not pass. I do not know about this thing. This is +how I feel about it."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have listened to the words of Yellow Wolf, and Running +Fox and Painted Hawk," said Crooked Foot. "Now I will give you some +words. We must try to find out the best thing to do. I will tell you how +I feel about it. I believe the Mohawks were here and I believe the +Shawnees were here. I believe the Mohawks went away in canoes. I believe +the Shawnees walked away. I saw those marks on the ground. I believe +there was a prisoner lying in that place. If it was Spotted Deer, then I +believe he went away with the Shawnees. That is all I have to say about +it."</p> + +<p>Then the Delawares became silent. Having failed to come to a definite +conclusion regarding the disappearance of their tribesman, each of them +was meditating upon the possibilities suggested by his friends. They +realized that only daylight could give them a clew to the mystery.</p> + +<p>"Well, I see that we feel different about this thing," Running Fox told +them. "There is no use of talking any more. We must wait until the light +comes. Then we will go and look sharp at those tracks. If they tell us +that Spotted Deer was taken away by the Shawnees, we will know what to +do. If we cannot tell about it then we must separate. Some of us must go +to the Mohawk village. Some of us must try to follow the people who +walked away. My friends, that is all I can tell you about it."</p> + +<p>"We will wait until it gets light," agreed his friends.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward Running Fox rose and walked away. His heart was heavy +with grief and he wished to be alone. He made his way to the edge of the +timber and seated himself at the base of a giant pine. The great, black +forest was hushed in slumber. The night was glorious. The air was sharp +and still. The heavens were sprinkled with stars. The river sparkled in +the moonlight. Running Fox was unimpressed. His mind was filled with +thoughts of Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," he kept telling himself.</p> + +<p>Convinced that Spotted Deer had been captured by either the Mohawks or +the Shawnees, Running Fox realized that each moment of delay lessened +the chance of saving him. The thought that Spotted Deer might be +depending upon him drove him into a frenzy of despair. He saw little +chance of overtaking his foes before they reached their village, and +then he feared he might be too late to help his friend. His courage +weakened at the thought. Spotted Deer had been his loyal friend and +companion since early boyhood, and a strong affection existed between +them. They had shared many perilous adventures and each had risked his +life to save the other. Now, when he believed Spotted Deer was in urgent +need of assistance, Running Fox felt powerless to help him. The thought +overwhelmed him with grief. Rising to his feet, he spread his arms +toward the sky and offered an earnest, impassioned appeal to +Getanittowit, the Great One.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Great Getanittowit, listen to my words.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, something bad has happened.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, tell me about it.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great Getanittowit, my heart is black.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, take pity on me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, make me brave and strong.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Getanittowit, give me power to find Spotted Deer.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>After he had finished his appeal, Running Fox stood for a long time +staring anxiously into the heavens. Then a star swept across the sky and +dropped into the west. The superstitious young warrior accepted it as a +good omen. He believed that his prayer had been answered.</p> + +<p>"Getanittowit has sent me a sign," he said. "Now I will find Spotted +Deer."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>ON THE TRAIL</h3> + + +<p>It was barely light when the anxious Delaware scouts hastened to the +river to study the tracks at the spot where the fire had been. Running +Fox spent only a few moments at that place. Then he moved along at the +edge of the water. He soon found the marks of several canoes, and +stopped to examine them. There were many tracks on the shore. It was +evident that the skillful young scout had found a clew. He crouched low +to the ground and studied the footprints with great care. His companions +watched hopefully. Then he suddenly left them, and went farther along +the river. He coursed to and fro between the woods and the water like an +eager wolf on the trail of game. At last he disappeared into the forest. +His friends waited patiently. They believed he was working out some clew +which he had discovered at the spot where the canoes had been lifted +from the water. It was a long time before he returned. Then they saw him +approaching slowly along the edge of the woods. He appeared to be +following a trail. In a few moments he called his friends. As they +joined him he crouched and pointed to several moccasin tracks which were +scarcely discernible on an open patch of ground.</p> + +<p>"My friends, I have found out about this thing," Running Fox said, as +his eyes flashed excitedly. "Come, we will go back where those canoes +were, and I will tell you about it."</p> + +<p>When they arrived at that spot, Running Fox again stooped to examine the +tracks. He seemed to be studying them even more carefully than before. +Several times he measured them with his hands. Then he rose and smiled +confidently at his friends.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brothers, I know about this thing," he said. "I will tell you +about it. I believe Spotted Deer was brought here in one of those +canoes. See, here are the tracks of some one who stepped out of one of +those canoes. He stood here by himself. Those other tracks are all +around him. I believe the warrior who stood alone was a prisoner. Those +other people stood around to look at him. I believe that prisoner was +Spotted Deer. I believe some one brought him across the water in a +canoe. My brothers, I do not believe the Mohawks had anything to do with +it."</p> + +<p>His friends exclaimed in surprise. If Spotted Deer had been brought +there in a canoe, they believed it must have been the Mohawks who had +brought him. It was some moments before they recovered from their +astonishment. Then they began to question Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Who do you believe brought Spotted Deer here?" Painted Hawk asked him.</p> + +<p>"The Shawnees," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Dancing Owl saw Mohawks in those canoes," Crooked Foot reminded him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe the words of Dancing Owl," declared Running Fox. +"Now you must listen close. When I saw these tracks I knew there +was a prisoner in one of those canoes. I believe it was Spotted +Deer. Turning Eagle says some people took him away toward +the-place-where-the-sun-sleeps. I believe it was the Shawnees. Then I +said, 'The Shawnees must have come in those canoes. That prisoner got +out of one of those canoes. Dancing Owl saw the Mohawks take the canoes +away. How did it happen? I will try to find out about it.' Then I went +along the river. I looked sharp. Pretty soon I found a track. Then I +found another. Then I found some more. They were coming this way. They +kept close to the woods. I saw where some one had been standing. Then I +said, 'These people stopped here to watch something. They were cautious. +I believe they were scouts.' I followed up those tracks. I went fast. +Pretty soon I came to a place where two canoes had been pushed into the +bushes. Then I began to think about it. Now I will tell you what I found +out.</p> + +<p>"I believe the people who came here in those canoes were Shawnees. I +believe the people who came here on foot were Mohawks. I believe the +Shawnees took those canoes from the Mohawks. I believe the Shawnees saw +Spotted Deer. I believe some were ahead of him and some were behind him. +I believe the Shawnees who were ahead of Spotted Deer made those big +fires to light the river. Then he could not pass. I believe the other +Shawnees came up with him. I believe Spotted Deer tried to get away and +bumped into a rock. Then they caught him and brought him to the big +fire. Then they got afraid and stopped that fire. Then they went up into +the woods where Turning Eagle found those signs.</p> + +<p>"Then I believe the Mohawks came down here after those canoes. They saw +the fires. They crept down through the woods. The Shawnees heard them +and ran away. Then the Mohawks took away the canoes. My friends, I +believe Spotted Deer is in the Shawnee camp. That is how I feel about +it."</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, I believe what you say is true," Painted Hawk said, +excitedly. "You are as sharp as Woakus, the fox."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, Running Fox has found out about it," declared the others.</p> + +<p>"Well, my friends, there is no use talking about it," Running Fox told +them. "We must try to do something. Turning Eagle, show me the place +where those people were lying down."</p> + +<p>They made their way into the woods and soon came upon the remains of the +fire behind the rock. Running Fox examined the signs. He agreed with +Turning Eagle that one of those who had slept there was a prisoner.</p> + +<p>"It must have been Spotted Deer," declared Running Fox. "Now we must try +to find him. Come, we will follow those people."</p> + +<p>He led the way along the trail. For some distance it was plain and easy +to follow, and Running Fox marveled at the carelessness of his foes. It +appeared that the travelers had little fear of being pursued.</p> + +<p>"The Shawnees are like foolish old women," said Yellow Wolf. "They leave +many signs."</p> + +<p>Toward the end of the day, however, the trail began to grow indistinct +and difficult to follow. The woods were freer from undergrowth and the +travelers seemed to have become more cautious. They had left few signs. +The Delawares were compelled to travel more slowly. Running Fox grew +impatient at the delay.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," he said, irritably. "It will take us a long time to reach +the Shawnee village. Perhaps it will be too late to help Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>"If Spotted Deer is with these people, perhaps he will leave a sign," +suggested Turning Eagle.</p> + +<p>"I am watching sharp," Running Fox told him.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they lost the trail on a barren, rocky hillside. There +were neither tracks nor signs to guide them, and they halted in dismay. +Then they separated and began to search. Some moved along the slope, +others went along the summit of the ridge.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is a trick," Crooked Foot said suspiciously. "Perhaps those +people have turned off. Perhaps they are not Shawnees."</p> + +<p>The possibility was disturbing. Running Fox, however, felt confident. He +believed they would find the trail at the base of the ridge. His hopes +were verified when Turning Eagle suddenly called:</p> + +<p>"Here are tracks," he said.</p> + +<p>They hurried down the hillside and found the trail continuing toward the +west. They followed it until the end of the day when it led them to a +little stream that flowed from the north. Running Fox stopped and looked +sharply at Dancing Owl. Dancing Owl nodded understandingly. It was a +familiar spot.</p> + +<p>"This is the place where Running Fox and Spotted Deer took me away from +the Shawnees," he told his companions. "They were very brave. They +fought back many Shawnees."</p> + +<p>The year previous, Dancing Owl had been captured by the Shawnees, who +were taking him to their village, when Running Fox and Spotted Deer +discovered his plight. They followed swiftly on the trail and overtook +their foes at the stream. Then the daring Delawares crossed the water +below their enemies and concealed themselves in the bushes on the +opposite side of the stream. As the Shawnees were crossing, the two +young Delawares made a fierce attack from ambush and threw the Shawnees +into such confusion that Dancing Owl was able to escape. Then the three +Delawares sped safely away while the bewildered Shawnees were hiding in +the woods in fear of an attack from a large war party of Delawares. +Dancing Owl told the story to his friends with great delight.</p> + +<p>"It was a great thing to do," laughed Yellow Wolf. "The Delawares are +too sharp for the foolish Shawnees."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," agreed Dancing Owl. "If Spotted Deer is alive we will fool +the Shawnees and carry him away."</p> + +<p>"Well, if the Shawnees have killed Spotted Deer, I do not care what +becomes of me," declared Running Fox. "I will go into the Shawnee camp +and keep shooting my arrows at the Shawnees until they kill me."</p> + +<p>As the day was almost at an end the Delawares decided to spend the night +beside the stream. Aware that the Shawnees might send scouts back along +the trail to make sure that they had not been followed, Running Fox +determined to take precautions.</p> + +<p>"My friends, it would be foolish to stay here," he said. "I see that +those people stopped here. Perhaps some of them will come back and find +us. We will go along the water until we feel safe."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>They moved a considerable distance down the stream until they came to a +dense stand of spruces. The heavy forest offered a splendid hiding +place, and they determined to remain there until daylight. The night +passed without alarm, and at dawn they crossed the stream. Then they +again set out along the trail.</p> + +<p>"We must look sharp," cautioned Running Fox. "Perhaps scouts have stayed +behind to watch. If they see us they will run to their people. Then they +will kill Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>They saw nothing to arouse their suspicions, and at sunset they stopped +at a little spring in the bottom of a wooded ravine. They soon found +signs which made it plain that their foes had spent the night at that +place.</p> + +<p>"These people did not make a fire," said Running Fox. "I believe they +were afraid. Perhaps they thought some one was close behind them."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some of the Mohawks followed them," Crooked Foot told him.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Running Fox. "Those Mohawks came to get their canoes. When +they got them they went away. They were close to our village. They were +afraid of our people."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I saw them go away," said Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>They spent the night in the ravine, and at dawn they again set out on +the trail. It was not long before they found signs which gave evidence +that the Shawnees were advancing with less caution. The Delawares +believed that they were approaching the Shawnee camp. The thought roused +them to their peril. They realized that at any moment they might +encounter a company of Shawnee scouts.</p> + +<p>"We have come into the country of our enemies," running Fox warned them. +"We must watch out."</p> + +<p>A moment later he stopped suddenly and picked something from the ground. +He stared at it in amazement. Then his face lighted with joy. He began +to laugh. He held a buckskin knife-sheath above his head.</p> + +<p>"See!" he cried, "Spotted Deer has left a sign. This thing belongs to +him."</p> + +<p>His companions crowded eagerly about him. They passed the knife-sheath +from one to the other. It was of Delaware workmanship and bore a design +similar to the one which they had seen on the blade of the paddle. There +was no doubt that it belonged to Spotted Deer. They felt sure that the +crafty young warrior had purposely dropped it to guide them on the +trail. The thought filled them with hope.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Fox. "Now we know that Spotted Deer is in the +Shawnee camp."</p> + +<p>Although he fully understood the peril to which Spotted Deer was +exposed, Running Fox was greatly relieved to know that his friend had +escaped falling into the hands of the Mohawks. Aware of the intense +hatred which those fierce foes had for Spotted Deer and himself, he knew +that they would have wasted little time before taking vengeance upon the +unfortunate captive. He was somewhat more hopeful, however, of finding +Spotted Deer alive in the Shawnee camp.</p> + +<p>"Here are more signs," he told his friends.</p> + +<p>They loitered for a moment to examine a freshly broken branch. It had +been twisted toward the west. They knew, at once, that it was the work +of Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"The Shawnees have untied the hands of Spotted Deer," laughed Yellow +Wolf. "See how he is using them."</p> + +<p>They continued to find other clews. Bent twigs, broken branches and +loosened stones appeared at frequent intervals. The trail, too, had +become wide and plain. It was evident that Spotted Deer was using his +feet as well as his hands to leave signals for his friends. His +stratagem made it possible for them to hurry along with little +uncertainty. Then they came to a spot where the undergrowth was broken +and trampled. They stopped to examine it.</p> + +<p>"Some one fell down at this place," Running Fox said, soberly.</p> + +<p>He stooped and began to look closely at the broken bushes. Then he +examined the ground. His companions believed that he was searching for +evidence to prove that Spotted Deer had been injured. They, too, looked +upon the spot with alarm. They feared that the Shawnees might have +suddenly detected Spotted Deer in the act of leaving a clew, and struck +him down in their anger.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Shawnees have killed our brother," said Running Fox, as his +eyes flashed threateningly. "Come, look through the bushes."</p> + +<p>Alarmed by his words, the Delawares separated and circled carefully +about the spot. They searched faithfully but found nothing to confirm +their fears.</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Fox. "We will go ahead."</p> + +<p>New clews assured them that Spotted Deer had passed the spot in safety. +Encouraged by the thought, they rushed along at a furious pace. Running +Fox was determined to reach the Shawnee village at the earliest possible +moment.</p> + +<p>"We must go fast," he said. "Perhaps the Shawnees are about to kill +Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>The possibility roused the Delawares to frantic efforts and they sped +through the woods with no thought of fatigue. Shortly after midday they +came upon the place where the Shawnees had spent the third night. They +saw the ashes from a fire, and they believed that the nearness of the +village had made the Shawnees bold.</p> + +<p>"Come, we must go faster," cried Running Fox, as he hurried on.</p> + +<p>Darkness had already fallen when they finally stopped on the summit of a +steep, wooded ridge. Then as they looked down into the valley on the +other side, they suddenly discovered the fires in the Shawnee village. +For some moments they looked in silence. They thought of Spotted Deer +and their hearts filled with ominous doubts. Was he still alive?</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, there is the camp of our enemies, the Shawnees," +said Running Fox. "Pretty soon some of us will go down there and try to +find Spotted Deer. If he is alive, we will take him away. If he is dead, +I will rush into the camp and kill many Shawnees."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE ALLY</h3> + + +<p>The Shawnee camp was brightly illuminated by the glow from the fires, +and the Delawares saw many people passing about. The Shawnees appeared +to be engaged in their ordinary tasks, and there was nothing to indicate +that anything of importance was taking place. The Delawares noted that +the village was located beside a river. They saw the light reflected on +the water.</p> + +<p>"I have seen that camp before," said Yellow Wolf. "It is close by a big +river. It is a long ways from the edge of the woods. The ground around +it is bare. There are many high logs stuck in the ground around the +village. It will be hard to get into it."</p> + +<p>Running Fox listened in silence. He suddenly realized the difficulty of +his task. If the camp was surrounded by a log stockade, he knew it would +be impossible to see anything of Spotted Deer without entering the +village. He had little hope of being able to accomplish that perilous +feat. He knew that even if he should succeed in getting into the camp, +it might be impossible to locate and reach Spotted Deer. For the moment +he lost confidence. Then he suddenly realized that Spotted Deer had +relied on him. The clews which he had left along the way took on a new +significance. Running Fox accepted them as mute appeals for aid from the +friend who more than once had risked death to help him. The thought +stirred him. He determined to sacrifice his life if necessary in an +attempt to free Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Getanittowit will help me," he murmured.</p> + +<p>"It will be hard to get down to that place," Painted Hawk said, +suddenly.</p> + +<p>"There is a trail that goes down there, but it is very steep," Yellow +Wolf told him. "A long time ago I was with some scouts, and we came over +here and found out about this place."</p> + +<p>"It would be foolish to follow that trail," Running Fox told them. +"Perhaps the Shawnees are watching."</p> + +<p>"Well, Running Fox, you are the leader, tell us what you propose to do," +said Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>"I am going to ask Yellow Wolf and Dancing Owl to go down there with +me," said Running Fox. "I am going to ask the rest of you to wait up +here. I cannot tell you what we are going to do. I do not know how to +get into that camp. I do not know how to find out about Spotted Deer. I +am going down there to look around. If we do not come back before it +gets light you will know that something bad has happened to us. If you +hear the call of Gokhos three times, you must come to us. If you do not +hear it, then you must wait until it gets light."</p> + +<p>"We will keep your words," Painted Hawk told him. "If the Shawnees catch +you, one of us will go and tell our people. Two will keep watching. Then +we will bring a big war party to get you."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said Running Fox. "Come, my friends, we will go."</p> + +<p>A moment afterward the three daring scouts disappeared into the night. +Their departure filled their friends with doubts. They knew the peril to +which Running Fox and his companions were exposing themselves, and they +had grave fears for their safety.</p> + +<p>"Our brothers are brave," Painted Hawk declared, hopefully. "I believe +they will fool the Shawnees. Yes, I believe we will see them again."</p> + +<p>Running Fox made no attempt to find the trail of which Yellow Wolf had +spoken, but turned directly down the side of the ridge. The way was +steep and perilous, and they proceeded with great caution. The night was +black and starless and great Mauwallauwin hid behind the clouds. Running +Fox was thankful for the darkness. He knew that it would make it easier +to approach the Shawnee camp.</p> + +<p>"Mauwallauwin is helping us," he said. "He has put away his light so +that the Shawnees cannot see us."</p> + +<p>When they finally reached the base of the ridge they stopped at the edge +of the timber to watch and listen for their foes. They found a wide +stretch of barren ground between them and the Shawnee village.</p> + +<p>"That is a bad place," declared Dancing Owl. "If the Shawnees catch us +out there, it will be hard to get away."</p> + +<p>"We must be cautious," Running Fox told him.</p> + +<p>Then as they heard nothing to alarm them, they left the shelter of the +woods, and moved slowly across the open ground. As they approached the +village they suddenly thought of the dogs. There was little doubt that +some of them were prowling about outside the camp.</p> + +<p>"If they smell us they will make a great noise," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>Running Fox moistened his finger and held it above his head to test the +wind. It came from the direction of the village. The discovery somewhat +relieved their anxiety. There was less probability of the dogs catching +their scent. Then they suddenly heard something which brought them to a +standstill. It was the call of Gokhotit, the little red owl. It sounded +over near the edge of the timber. It was a favorite signal between +Spotted Deer and Running Fox. The latter thrilled as he heard it. A +great hope rose in his heart. Twice it sounded softly through the night +and then it ceased.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" Running Fox whispered, excitedly. "That is a signal. I have +heard Spotted Deer use it many times. Perhaps he is hiding over there. +Come, we will go over there and find out who it is."</p> + +<p>They turned and hurried toward the place where they had heard the call. +The possibility of finding Spotted Deer made their hearts beat wildly. +As they drew near the timber they became more cautious. They realized +that the call might have been made by a Shawnee, and they determined to +be on their guard. When they finally came within bow-shot of the woods +they stopped and listened. Then the call was repeated directly ahead of +them. There was something weird and mysterious about it as it rose +tremulously through the night.</p> + +<p>"Now watch out!" Running Fox warned, as he fitted an arrow to his bow.</p> + +<p>Then he replied to the signal. His call was soft and low and only +sufficiently loud to reach the ears of the mysterious caller at the edge +of the woods. The Delawares listened anxiously as it died away. A moment +afterward they heard an answer. It, too, was low and guarded.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is Spotted Deer," declared Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"Be cautious," Running Fox warned him.</p> + +<p>Alert, and ready to defend themselves, they advanced carefully toward +the timber. When they were within easy speaking distance they stopped. +Then Running Fox called softly.</p> + +<p>"Spotted Deer," he said.</p> + +<p>"Spotted Deer is in the Shawnee village," replied a voice from the +darkness.</p> + +<p>It was the voice of a young boy or a woman and the Delawares turned to +one another in surprise. For some moments they remained silent while +they tried to solve the mystery. Many thoughts passed through their +minds. Had some wily Shawnee scout discovered them and prepared a clever +stratagem to lure them to their death? Had Spotted Deer found a friend +among the Shawnees? Was it one of their own people? Before they could +arrive at a decision the strange voice again sounded from the woods.</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid, Delawares," it said. "I have come here to help you. +Perhaps I can save Spotted Deer. You must listen to my words."</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" demanded Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"The Shawnees call me the Mystery Woman."</p> + +<p>"It is a Medicine Person," Running Fox whispered, uneasily. "We must +listen to her words. Perhaps she will help us."</p> + +<p>"Do not try to kill me," said the mysterious person in the timber. "If +you kill me, Spotted Deer will surely die."</p> + +<p>"No, my friend, we will not kill you," Running Fox assured her.</p> + +<p>"Then I will tell you what to do," she said.</p> + +<p>"We will come over there and talk with you," proposed Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"No, no, stay where you are," she commanded, impatiently. "Come, there +is little time. Close your mouth and open your ears."</p> + +<p>"We will listen," Running Fox told her.</p> + +<p>"Well, Delawares, I will tell you that the Shawnees have caught your +brother, Spotted Deer," she told them. "He is tied up in the Shawnee +camp. You cannot reach him. Scouts are watching around the camp. If you +try to get into the village you will surely be killed. Now listen sharp +to what I am about to tell you. The Shawnees are going to kill Spotted +Deer. They are going to kill him when the great chief Big Dog returns +from the hunt. He will come before two suns pass. That is why I came +here to find you. Spotted Deer says his people will come. He says his +friend Running Fox will come."</p> + +<p>"I am here," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"It is good," she replied. "How many have come?"</p> + +<p>The Delawares remained silent. The question made them suspicious. They +feared that this mysterious woman might be attempting to gain +information for their foes.</p> + +<p>"Well, I see that you are cautious," she laughed. "It is good. Now I +will tell you what to do. Red Dog will cross this ridge. He will come +along a steep trail that comes down from the top of the ridge. Two great +warriors will come with him. They are Many Beavers and Striking Bear. +They are very brave. When those warriors come to the Shawnee village, +Spotted Deer must die. If they do not come, perhaps I can help him. Now +you know about it. I have finished."</p> + +<p>"My friend, you have spoken big words," said Running Fox. "I do not know +who you are but my heart is good toward you. I believe you are trying to +help us. It is good."</p> + +<p>They waited some moments but there was no response. The silence aroused +their fears. They looked anxiously into the darkness. They listened for +the approach of stealthy footsteps. There was no hint of danger.</p> + +<p>"Come, my friend, give us some more words," Running Fox said, finally.</p> + +<p>The appeal was futile. The strange voice had ceased. The Delawares +became uneasy. They wondered if they had been conversing with one of the +mysterious Medicine Beings. Then they heard the call of Gokhotit, the +little red owl. It was far away toward the Shawnee village.</p> + +<p>"She has gone," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she will tell Spotted Deer about us," Running Fox said, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe her words?" Dancing Owl asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Running Fox. "I believe she came here to help us. I cannot +tell about it. It is mysterious. Perhaps Getanittowit sent her here. I +believe something good will come of it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do not know what to make of it," declared Dancing Owl. "Are you +going to the Shawnee camp?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Running Fox. "I believe it would be foolish. It would be +hard to get into that camp. If we go over there and get caught, Big Dog +and his friends will come to the camp. Then we will all be killed. +Anyway I believe that strange woman is a Medicine Person. If we make her +mad, much harm may come of it. I am going to turn around. We will go +back and tell our brothers about it."</p> + +<p>"It is the best thing to do," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>WAITING AND WATCHING</h3> + + +<p>Although the mysterious stranger had assured them that the trail to the +top of the ridge was unguarded, the Delawares believed that the more +difficult route through the woods might be safer. As they began the +steep, exhausting climb, the clouds suddenly broke and Mauwallauwin +flooded the valley with his soft, mystic light.</p> + +<p>"It is a good sign," declared Running Fox. "Great Mauwallauwin has sent +the light to show us the way."</p> + +<p>When they finally reached the summit of the ridge they hastened to the +spot where they had left their friends. The latter were greatly +surprised at the sudden return.</p> + +<p>"You have come back—it is good," said Painted Hawk. "Now I know that my +brother Spotted Deer is alive."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is alive," Running Fox told him.</p> + +<p>"Did you see him?" Crooked Foot asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Then how do you know about it?" Turning Eagle inquired, curiously.</p> + +<p>"Listen, my friends, I will tell you about it," said Running Fox. +"Something mysterious has happened to us. We were going to the Shawnee +camp. Then we heard the call of Gokhotit, the little red owl. It is the +signal which Spotted Deer makes. It was very soft. It came from the +timber. We stopped. I began to think about Spotted Deer. Then we heard +it again. We went toward the place where it was. We said, 'Perhaps it is +Spotted Deer.' We could not tell about it. We were very cautious. When +we got close, we got ready to fight. We said, 'Perhaps it is the +Shawnees.' Then I made the call. Pretty soon we heard it come back. It +was close by. Then I called out very soft. I said, 'Spotted Deer.' +Pretty soon some one talked to us. 'Spotted Deer is in the Shawnee +camp,' that person told us. It sounded like an old woman. We looked hard +but we could not see any one. It was very dark. Perhaps that is why we +could not see that person. Perhaps there was no one there. I cannot tell +about it. It sounded mysterious. We kept still. We did not know what to +do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, tell us about it," Turning Eagle said, eagerly, as Running +Fox paused.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, pretty soon that voice came again," said Running +Fox. "It said, 'Do not be afraid, Delawares. I have come here to help +you. Perhaps I can save Spotted Deer. You must listen to my words.'</p> + +<p>"When we heard those words we did not know what to do. Then I called +out. I said, 'Who are you?'</p> + +<p>"'The Shawnees call me the Mystery Woman,' that voice told us.</p> + +<p>"Then I said, 'It is a Medicine Person.'</p> + +<p>"Well, my friends, then we listened sharp. That person told us what we +went down there to find out about. Now I will tell you about it. Spotted +Deer is tied up in the Shawnee camp. The Shawnees will kill him when Big +Dog, the great Shawnee chief, returns from the hunt. Big Dog will cross +this ridge. Big Dog will go down that trail that Yellow Wolf told us +about. That mysterious person told us that we must not go to the camp. +Scouts are watching around the village. That person told us we would +surely be killed if we tried to go there.</p> + +<p>"Then the voice stopped coming to us. We waited a long time. We listened +sharp. We did not hear anything. Then I called out. Nothing came back. +We waited a long time. Then I called out again. Nothing came back. Then +we heard the call of Gokhotit, the little red owl. It was far away near +the Shawnee village. Then we turned around and came here. Now I have +told you about it."</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, if that person was a Medicine Person a great thing has +happened to you," said Crooked Foot. "It is mysterious."</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I do not like this thing," Painted Hawk declared, +uneasily. "Perhaps that mysterious person was a Shawnee. Perhaps the +Shawnees are trying to catch us. Perhaps they are trying to keep us here +until a war party comes out from the village."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that is what they are trying to do," agreed Turning +Eagle. "We must watch out."</p> + +<p>"My friends, I do not believe the Shawnees had anything to do with it," +Running Fox told them. "Perhaps it was a mysterious Medicine Person. +Perhaps it was some one else. I do not know who it was. But I believe +that person came there to help us. I believe the words of that person. +Come, Yellow Wolf, you are a great warrior, tell us how you feel about +it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Yellow Wolf, you heard this thing, tell us about it," urged +Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>"My friends, I believe we must do what that person told us to do," said +Yellow Wolf. "I do not know who it was but I believe what Running Fox +says is true. I believe that person came there to help us."</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, you are a great war leader; Yellow Wolf, you are a great +scout; we will listen to your words," said Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied Running Fox. "Now I will tell you what I propose +to do. Yellow Wolf, you must lead us to that trail. Some of us will stay +at the top. Some of us will go down and watch below. Two must watch. The +rest must lie down and sleep. I will watch below. Yellow Wolf, you must +watch at the top. If the Shawnees try to come up that trail, I will hear +them. If Big Dog tries to go down that trail, Yellow Wolf will hear him. +I will ask Painted Hawk and Turning Eagle to go with me. Crooked Foot +and Dancing Owl must stay with Yellow Wolf."</p> + +<p>Yellow Wolf led the way along the crest of the ridge until they came to +the place where the steep, narrow trail wound down the hillside. Then +they separated to carry out the instructions of Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"If you hear the call of Gokhos three times, you will know that there is +danger," Running Fox explained as he departed down the hillside.</p> + +<p>The Delawares took turns at watching through the night, but they neither +saw nor heard anything to alarm them. At daylight they met at the top of +the ridge. Then Running Fox announced another important discovery.</p> + +<p>"My friends, when we were coming up here we found many tracks on that +trail," he said. "Yes, Spotted Deer went down there. We found his +tracks."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that," Painted Hawk asked, curiously.</p> + +<p>"We saw some places where some one slid along," said Running Fox. "That +person could not use his hands to hold himself back. Then we said, 'That +person was a prisoner.' Then we knew it was Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>Having passed the night without alarm, and discovered signs which seemed +to prove that Spotted Deer had passed along the trail, the Delawares +became less suspicious of the mysterious stranger. It appeared as if her +words had been verified.</p> + +<p>"I believe what that mysterious person told us is true," said Turning +Eagle.</p> + +<p>"Well, she did not send the Shawnees here," said Running Fox. "Perhaps +Big Dog will come. We must keep watching."</p> + +<p>"Is Big Dog alone?" inquired Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>"No," said Running Fox. "Two warriors are with him. That mysterious +person told us about them. They are Many Beavers and Striking Bear. She +says they are very brave."</p> + +<p>"If she knows these things, she must be a Shawnee," declared Crooked +Foot. "If she is a Shawnee, I believe she is trying to fool us."</p> + +<p>"I believe she knows these things because she is a great Medicine +Person," Running Fox told him. "If she is a Shawnee, how does she know +about that signal? Spotted Deer did not tell the Shawnees about it. My +brothers, I do not know who that strange person is, but I believe she is +working against the Shawnees. I believe she is trying to help us."</p> + +<p>His confidence quieted the suspicions of his friends. They, too, began +to rely upon the aid of the mysterious stranger. Having discovered them +near the village, it was evident that she had concealed the fact from +the Shawnees. The Delawares took hope in the thought.</p> + +<p>"Well, we will wait here and see if her words come true," said Yellow +Wolf.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will watch for Big Dog," Running Fox told him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>AN EASY VICTORY</h3> + + +<p>For some time the Delawares fixed their attention upon the Shawnee camp. +They particularly noted the high log stockade which inclosed the village +on three sides. The only approach was from the river.</p> + +<p>"That is a bad place to get into," said Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>The others nodded a solemn assent. They realized that the crafty +Shawnees had made their village almost impregnable, and there seemed to +be little chance of freeing Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"My friends, there is no use of feeling bad about this thing," Running +Fox told them. "We came here to help Spotted Deer. We must go through +with it."</p> + +<p>"How do you propose to do this thing?" Painted Hawk asked him.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you that until I find out about the Shawnee chief," said +Running Fox.</p> + +<p>At that moment their thoughts were diverted by the sudden appearance of +three canoes. They had moved out from the shore and turned up the river. +There were two paddlers in each canoe. The Delawares watched closely.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," declared Painted Hawk. "Perhaps those warriors are going to +meet their chief. Perhaps he will come to the camp in one of those +canoes."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," Running Fox told him. "That mysterious person +says that Big Dog will cross the ridge. Then he must be coming from +the-place-where-the-sun-appears. Those Shawnees are going toward Lowan, +the Cold Place."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is true," said Yellow Wolf. "I do not believe they are going +to meet Big Dog. I believe they are going up the river to hunt."</p> + +<p>Somewhat relieved by the opinions of the two famous warriors, the little +company of Delawares sought to banish the doubts which had entered their +minds. They had great confidence in Running Fox and they believed he +would find a way to overcome the difficulty. Their only fear was that he +might have been deceived by the words of the stranger whom he had +encountered near the Shawnee camp. Running Fox, however, seemed +confident that she was attempting to help them.</p> + +<p>They watched patiently through the day, but Big Dog and his friends +failed to appear. Then as the evening shadows settled in the valley, +they saw the three canoes returning to the camp. There were only two +warriors in each canoe. The Delawares felt greatly relieved.</p> + +<p>"Well, Big Dog did not come with them," said Painted Hawk. "See, Yellow +Wolf, your words have come true."</p> + +<p>The paddlers had come ashore, and were carrying the carcass of a deer or +an elk toward the camp. It was evident that they were hunters. Having +entered the village, they were immediately followed by a great company +of people. They made a great commotion and the sounds of rejoicing +reached the scouts on top of the ridge.</p> + +<p>"They have brought meat—the Shawnees feel good," said Turning Eagle.</p> + +<p>Then as darkness closed down and the fires began to twinkle in the +Shawnee camp, Running Fox resolved to return to the base of the ridge. +He hoped again to meet the mysterious stranger whom he had encountered +the previous night. This time, however, he determined to go alone.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, pretty soon I am going down there," he said. "Perhaps I +will find that mysterious person. Perhaps she will tell me something +different."</p> + +<p>Each of his friends was eager to accompany him. He refused them and +insisted upon going alone.</p> + +<p>"It is foolish to go down there alone," Crooked Foot warned him. +"Perhaps that person will bring some Shawnees to catch you."</p> + +<p>"I will be cautions," Running Fox assured him.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward he departed upon his perilous mission. He +reached the base of the ridge in safety, and stopped to search the wide +stretch of barren ground that surrounded the camp. The sky was clear and +cloudless, and Mauwallauwin had driven the night shadows far back into +the depths of the forest. Running Fox realized that it would be folly to +expose himself in the open. He moved along at the edge of the timber +until he approached the spot where he had encountered the stranger. Then +he stopped to listen. He waited a long time but the only sounds came +from the camp. Still he determined to loiter.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she will come," he told himself.</p> + +<p>Then he heard something moving through the woods behind him. He fitted +an arrow to his bow and listened sharply. The warning of Crooked Foot +suddenly came to his mind. He realized that he was exposing himself to +great peril. The thought made him as alert and watchful as Nianque, the +lynx. Having stationed himself in the shadows beneath a great spruce, he +had little fear of being seen. The sound had ceased. Running Fox +wondered if the prowler had become suspicious. Perhaps he, too, was +listening. Then Running Fox heard the soft, querulous call of Gokhotit, +the little red owl. It seemed within several bow-lengths of him. The +signal thrilled him. He looked eagerly toward the sound but the caller +was concealed in the darkness. Running Fox feared to reply. He listened +anxiously for the sound of voices. The silence reassured him. It was +evident that the caller was alone. Many moments passed, and still he +remained silent. Then the call was repeated. It was a perfect imitation +and Running Fox admired the skill of the one who had given it. Then he +answered it. The notes had barely died away before the same weird voice +addressed him from the night.</p> + +<p>"You have come—it is good," it said. "Are you alone?"</p> + +<p>For a moment Running Fox hesitated to reply. The question made him +suspicious. His silence seemed to anger the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, do not be so cautious," she said, irritably. "If you are +afraid of me, run away like Muschgingus, the rabbit, and leave your +brother to die."</p> + +<p>The taunt roused his anger. He instantly accepted the challenge.</p> + +<p>"Hi, woman, take care," he said, warningly. "Those are bad words to +speak to a Delaware. Now listen to what I am going to tell you. I came +here because I am not afraid of you. If you have something to tell me, +speak. I will listen."</p> + +<p>"It is good," said the stranger. "I see that you are brave like your +brother, Spotted Deer. Well, my son, I will not bring any harm upon you. +I have come here to tell you something. Now listen to my words."</p> + +<p>"Wait," interrupted Running Fox. "Are you alone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then go over there in that light place and sit down."</p> + +<p>"No, no, I am going to stay here," she insisted.</p> + +<p>Her caution dispelled the suspicions of Running Fox. He realized that if +she had intended to betray him into ambush she would have accepted his +offer. He began to feel secure.</p> + +<p>"Well, do as you like about it," he said.</p> + +<p>"I have talked with your brother about you," she told him. "Spotted Deer +feels strong because you are near. He says you will do something big. +Now you must listen to my words. Do not try to go into that camp. It is +useless. If you go there you will surely die with Spotted Deer. There is +only one thing to do. You must watch until Big Dog comes. Then you must +kill him. You must also kill those two great warriors. It will be a hard +thing to do, but you must be strong. Then perhaps I will be able to get +Spotted Deer out of the camp before the Shawnees kill him. There is not +much time. They are talking bad against him. If Big Dog does not come +into the camp before the third sun comes, I believe they will kill your +brother."</p> + +<p>"Woman, you speak big words," declared Running Fox. "I told my friends +about them. They said, 'Perhaps that person is a Shawnee. Perhaps she is +trying to fool you.' We have watched sharp. One sun has passed. Big Dog +has not come."</p> + +<p>"Listen, you Delaware," she said, angrily. "If you do not believe my +words, then shake them from your ears and go away. One sun has passed. +Another will soon come. Before that sun goes away Big Dog will cross +that ridge. He will come down that trail. Now I have told you about it. +If I get Spotted Deer out of the camp I will send him up there on the +ridge to look for you. Tell your friends that they are foolish to talk +against me. Pretty soon they will see that I have done a big thing for +them. Now I am going away."</p> + +<p>"Wait," urged Running Fox. "Tell me who you are? Do you live in the +Shawnee camp?"</p> + +<p>There was no response. Made reckless by his eagerness to learn the +identity of his mysterious ally, he moved stealthily toward the spot +where he had heard her. The maneuver was useless. She had gone.</p> + +<p>"Well, she must be a great Medicine Person," Running Fox told himself. +"I believe she will give me power to help Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>Encouraged by the thought, he hastened away to take her message to his +friends. He had barely begun to climb when he heard the dogs barking +furiously at the Shawnee camp. He stopped and listened uneasily. Then, +as the racket ended as suddenly as it began, he wondered if the strange +Mystery Woman had entered the village.</p> + +<p>"My friends, I have talked with that mysterious person and nothing bad +has happened to me," Running Fox told his companions. "Now I know that +she is trying to help us."</p> + +<p>"Tell us her words," Painted Hawk said, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"She says that Spotted Deer knows about us," Running Fox told them. "She +says that he feels strong about it. She says that Big Dog and his +brothers will cross this bridge before the next sun goes away. She says +we must stop them. She says if they get away, Spotted Deer must die. My +brothers, I believe the words of that mysterious person. I believe she +is a good friend."</p> + +<p>"Do you know who she is?" inquired Painted Hawk.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Running Fox. "When I asked her about it she went away. I +crept ahead to stop her. When I got there she was gone. It is +mysterious. It must be that she is a great Medicine Person."</p> + +<p>"Well, if she feels good toward us, perhaps she will give us power to do +big things," Dancing Owl suggested, hopefully. "Perhaps she will tell us +how to get into the Shawnee camp."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe she will tell us how to do that," said Running +Fox. "She says it would be a foolish thing to do. She says we would be +killed. She says we must catch Big Dog. Then she will try to get Spotted +Deer away."</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon we will see if her words come true," said Turning Eagle.</p> + +<p>They again took turns at watching, but the night passed without +incident. They became convinced that the Shawnees were ignorant of their +presence on the ridge. It seemed certain, therefore, that the mysterious +stranger had failed to betray them to their foes.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, if that mysterious person did not tell the Shawnees +about us she must be trying to help us," said Painted Hawk. "I do not +know what to make of it. I believe she must be a Medicine Person. +Perhaps Getanittowit sent her here to do this thing."</p> + +<p>As the sun rose above the eastern hills, the Delawares suddenly realized +that the fate of Spotted Deer might be settled before it finally crossed +the sky and disappeared into the west. The thought made them serious. If +the words of their unknown ally proved true, they believed that the life +of their friend depended upon their vigilance. If the Shawnee chief +eluded them, they feared that Spotted Deer would die before the dawn of +another day. Having learned that the chief and his companions were +expected to approach from the east, they turned their attention to that +side of the ridge.</p> + +<p>Then, as they waited for the appearance of their foes, Running Fox began +to study the possibilities for saving Spotted Deer. A number of +disquieting questions rose in his mind. Suppose they should kill Big Dog +and his companions, would the mysterious Medicine Person be able to +delay the execution of Spotted Deer? He had strong doubts of it. She had +warned him that the Shawnees were growing impatient. She believed that +if Big Dog failed to arrive at the camp before another sun rose, the +Shawnees would kill spotted Deer. The possibility filled Running Fox +with alarm. He suddenly determined that it would be a blunder to kill +the Shawnee chief.</p> + +<p>"See, my friends, the sun is high overhead," said Running Fox. "The day +is passing. Pretty soon Big Dog and his friends will come. Yes, I +believe we will see them before the sun goes away. Now I will give you +some words. I feel different about this thing. I believe it would be +foolish to kill Big Dog and his friends. We must catch them and keep +them alive. It will be a hard thing to do but I believe it is the only +way to save Spotted Deer. I am the leader. You must do as I tell you."</p> + +<p>His companions turned to him in amazement. They wondered if their ears +had deceived them. It seemed impossible that Running Fox could have +arrived at such an astounding decision. They waited for an explanation.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I see that my words sound bad in your ears," he said. "It +is because you do not know what I propose to do. I cannot tell you that, +until we catch the Shawnee chief. Now I will tell you what you must do. +I will ask Yellow Wolf and Dancing Owl to stay over here with me. The +rest of you must hide along the other side of the trail. Put away your +bows. Keep your war clubs in your hands. If Big Dog and his friends walk +between us, rush out and strike them down. Strike hard enough to make +them sleep, but do not try to kill them. Then I will tell you what to +do."</p> + +<p>At that moment Dancing Owl placed his finger across his lips and pointed +warningly down the eastern side of the ridge. The Delawares listened in +great suspense. Then they heard voices. Some one was climbing up the +slope.</p> + +<p>"Hide yourselves!" whispered Running Fox.</p> + +<p>They separated, and concealed themselves on each side of the trail. They +held their war clubs in their hands and watched anxiously for the +appearance of the three Shawnee hunters. It was not long before they +heard them close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Get ready," Running Fox cautioned his companions.</p> + +<p>A moment later the Shawnees appeared. The Delawares were overjoyed to +see each of their foes bowed beneath a heavy load of game. It was a +severe handicap, and placed the Shawnees at a great disadvantage. They +were panting heavily from their exertions in climbing the ridge. Having +reached the top, they stopped and looked upon the camp. The Delawares +waited in breathless suspense. They feared that at any moment the +Shawnees might raise a shout to announce their return. As the +possibility filled him with fear, Running Fox was tempted to drive his +arrows through them. At that instant, however, the Shawnees turned and +approached the trail.</p> + +<p>The Delawares were well hidden, and they had little fear of being seen. +The Shawnees showed no signs of suspicion. They came to the head of the +trail and turned to follow it down the hillside. At that instant Running +Fox gave the signal and the Delawares rushed from cover. The astounded +Shawnees had little chance to defend themselves. Hampered by their heavy +packs, they were attacked with a grim, silent ferocity that threw them +into confusion. Before they could rally they were struck down.</p> + +<p>"Come, pull off these packs!" cried Running Fox, as he dropped to his +knees beside his unconscious foe and began untying the pack thongs.</p> + +<p>When the Shawnees regained consciousness some time later, they found +themselves powerless. Their feet and hands were tightly bound with the +rawhide thongs from the packs, and they were gagged with heavy pieces of +buckskin which had been cut from their shirts. Unable to move or speak, +they glared defiantly into the faces of the triumphant Delawares who +stooped over them and laughed gleefully. Then they seized their helpless +captives and carried them some distance along the ridge.</p> + +<p>"It is good," laughed Turning Eagle. "The mysterious—"</p> + +<p>"Sh," Running Fox cautioned, "the Shawnees have ears."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, be cautious," warned Yellow Wolf.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A DARING RUSE</h3> + + +<p>For some time the Delawares studied the prisoners in silence. Then +Dancing Owl suddenly recognized one of them. He was one of the warriors +who had captured him the year before. The hot-tempered young Delaware +immediately began to taunt and tantalize his foe.</p> + +<p>"Well, Shawnee, I have caught you," he laughed. "How do you feel about +it? Do you know who I am? Yes, yes, I see that you are afraid of me. You +were very fierce when you caught me. Perhaps I will kill you. Then we +will see how brave you are."</p> + +<p>His friends listened with delight. They laughed scornfully as the +enraged Shawnee glared helplessly at his conqueror. Then they attempted +to identify Big Dog, the Shawnee chief. Running Fox realized that unless +he could learn which of the prisoners was Big Dog, it would be +impossible to carry out the daring, plan by which he hoped to rescue +Spotted Deer. He studied the Shawnees with great care. They seemed about +of an age. All were men in the full prime of life. Two were of strong +and muscular physique. The third was lithe and sinewy. The latter was +the one whom Dancing Owl had recognized. All had the stern, fearless +face and bold eyes of the seasoned warrior. As there was no distinction +in dress or bearing, Running Fox found nothing to guide him to a +decision. He resolved to consult his friends.</p> + +<p>"Turning Eagle, stay here and watch," he said. "Come, my brothers, +follow me."</p> + +<p>When they were safely beyond hearing of their foes, the five Delawares +seated themselves to talk.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we have done a good thing," said Running Fox. "The words +of that mysterious Medicine Person have come true. She is a good friend. +We must try to find out who she is. But first we must find out about Big +Dog. I cannot go ahead with what I intend to do until I find out which +one of those warriors is Big Dog. Do any of you know him?"</p> + +<p>His friends shook their heads.</p> + +<p>"Well, can any of you pick him out?"</p> + +<p>"Did the Medicine Person tell you how to know him?" inquired Painted +Hawk.</p> + +<p>"No," said Running Fox. "I was foolish; I did not ask about it."</p> + +<p>"It will be a hard thing to find out," declared Crooked Foot. "I looked +sharp at these warriors but I cannot tell you what you wish to know."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe that warrior I talked to is Big Dog," said Dancing +Owl. "He was not the leader of those warriors who caught me. A great +chief is always the leader."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that is true," agreed his companions. "One of the others must +be Big Dog."</p> + +<p>Running Fox had already reached that conclusion. He was glad to hear it +indorsed by his friends. Still he realized that even with one of the +warriors eliminated it would be quite as difficult to learn which of the +others was Big Dog. Aware that a mistake might prove fatal, he resolved +to do nothing until he became certain of the identity of the Shawnee +chief.</p> + +<p>"My friends, we must be sure about this thing," he said. "Now I will +tell you how to find out about it. Yellow Wolf, you speak Shawnee words. +You must talk to those warriors. Be sharp. Try to catch them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Yellow Wolf, you must try to fool them," said Crooked Foot.</p> + +<p>"Well, I will see what I can do about it," agreed Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>They rose and returned to the prisoners. The sun was dropping toward the +western ridges. The day was far spent. Running Fox was impatient. He had +planned to make his bold attempt to free Spotted Deer early in the +night. He realized that there was little time to learn what he wished to +know. He watched anxiously as Yellow Wolf approached the Shawnees and +addressed them in their dialect.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Big Dog, open your eyes," he said, sharply, as he studied +the faces of his foes.</p> + +<p>Two of the Shawnees glanced quickly at their companion. His face clouded +with anger. Yellow Wolf laughed and turned to Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"There is the great chief Big Dog," he said, as he pointed toward the +Shawnee who had been betrayed by his friends.</p> + +<p>"It is good," declared Running Fox.</p> + +<p>As Turning Eagle continued to watch the prisoners, the other Delawares +again withdrew to talk. Then Running Fox explained his plans.</p> + +<p>"Yellow Wolf, you are as sly as Sanquen, the weasel," he laughed. "My +brothers, Yellow Wolf found out what we wished to know. It is good. Now +I will tell you what I propose to do. I am going to talk to those +Shawnees. I am going to tell them about Spotted Deer. I am going to tell +them that they must help us. I am going to ask one of those warriors to +go to the Shawnee village with me. I am going to ask him to talk to his +people. When he gives them my words, I believe they will let Spotted +Deer walk out."</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, if you do this thing I believe you will surely be killed," +Painted Hawk declared, soberly.</p> + +<p>"That Shawnee will tell his people to kill you," said Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," replied Running Fox. "Come, we will go and +tell the Shawnees about it. You must listen sharp to my words."</p> + +<p>When they reached the captives, Running Fox stooped and stared steadily +into the face of Big Dog. The eyes of the Shawnee blazed with hate. The +Delaware straightened and began to speak.</p> + +<p>"Big Dog, do you know the words of my people?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The Shawnee gave no sign that he understood. Running Fox felt sure that +he was attempting to deceive. He waited some moments, and then he +resumed speaking.</p> + +<p>"If you do not know my words there is no chance for you," he said. "I +have come here to give you a chance for your life. Now listen sharp to +what I am about to tell you. Your people have caught my brother, Spotted +Deer. He is tied up in your village. I believe your people are about to +kill him. If they kill him you must die. We have come here to take +Spotted Deer away. You are a great chief. If you speak to your people +they will listen. You must tell them to let Spotted Deer go. If you do +that no harm will come to you. Come, be quick, give me a sign."</p> + +<p>For several moments the Shawnee remained motionless. Then he glanced at +his companions. His eyes questioned them. The Delawares watched closely. +Would he yield? Their hopes died as the stern Shawnee chief stared +defiantly at Running Fox. The latter still waited. He began to wonder if +the Shawnee really understood his words.</p> + +<p>"Well, Shawnee, I see that we must kill you," he said, finally. "Come, +my brothers, the foolish Shawnees wish to die."</p> + +<p>The Delawares drew their bows and advanced upon the captives. The latter +gave no evidence of fear. Running Fox watched anxiously. He knew that +unless he could force the Shawnees to agree to his terms there was +slight chance of saving Spotted Deer. It was apparent, however, that Big +Dog and his companions intended to defy him. The thought suddenly roused +him into a temper. His face grew dark with anger, and his eyes flashed +dangerously. He jerked his bow into position and fitted an arrow. Then +he drew back the bow-string and aimed the arrow at the heart of Big Dog. +At that instant the chief slowly raised himself. Running Fox lowered his +bow. His eyes lighted with hope.</p> + +<p>"Well, Shawnee, I see that you wish to speak," he said. "It is good. We +will listen to your words. But first I will tell you something. If you +try to call out when I take that thing away from your mouth I will shoot +my arrow through you. Remember those words."</p> + +<p>Big Dog nodded. Then Running Fox began to untie the buckskin gag. The +other Shawnees watched with interest. It was some moments before Big Dog +spoke.</p> + +<p>"I heard your words," he said, brusquely.</p> + +<p>"Well, how do you feel about it?" inquired Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"I will do this thing," said Big Dog.</p> + +<p>"It is good," Running Fox told him. "Now you must listen sharp. I know +about your brothers. They are Many Beavers and Striking Bear. Do they +know my words?"</p> + +<p>"Many Beavers knows your words," said Big Dog, as he exchanged glances +with the warrior beside him.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, let Many Beavers speak," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>Many Beavers sat up and the Delawares removed the gag from his mouth. +Then Yellow Wolf drew his knife and sat close beside him.</p> + +<p>"If you try to call out I will kill you," he said.</p> + +<p>"Now, Shawnees, I will tell you how to keep your lives," Running Fox +told them. "I am going into your village with Many Beavers. He must +carry the words of Big Dog to his people. He must tell them that Big Dog +is a prisoner. He must tell them that, if any harm comes to me, Big Dog +will die. He must tell them that Big Dog says to let Spotted Deer walk +away with me. He must tell them that if I do not take Spotted Deer to my +people before the next sun comes, Big Dog and Striking Bear will die. +You have heard my words. If you do this thing we will give you your +lives. If anything bad comes of it you must die. I have finished."</p> + +<p>Running Fox ceased speaking and watched the Shawnees. For some moments +they remained silent. They appeared to be studying his plan. At last Big +Dog spoke.</p> + +<p>"What you propose to do is foolish," he said. "If you go into my village +with Many Beavers, my people will surely kill you. I am the only one who +can save you. There is only one way to do this thing. You must go to the +village with all three of us. Then no harm will come to you. Then I will +tell my people to let your brother walk out. Delaware, I am a great +chief. I know about these things. I have told you the best way to do +it."</p> + +<p>"Shawnee, I am laughing at you," Running Fox told him. "Do you believe +you can fool me with those words? No, I will not talk about them. I have +told you how to keep your life. Now you must answer. Will you do as I +tell you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will go to the camp with you," Big Dog replied, craftily.</p> + +<p>"Many Beavers will go with me," Running Fox said, angrily. "You will +stay here with Striking Bear until I bring back Spotted Deer. Come, I +will not talk any more. Will you do this thing?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you wish to throw away your life, I will not stop you," +laughed Big Dog.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>SPOTTED DEER OBTAINS HIS FREEDOM</h3> + + +<p>At the end of the day the Delawares noted sudden activity in the Shawnee +camp. It convinced them that the Shawnees were preparing for some +unusual event. The village was brightly lighted by several great fires, +and the people appeared to be gathering for an important ceremony.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Painted Hawk, "Something big is going on down there. +Perhaps the Shawnees are about to kill Spotted Deer."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is bad," agreed Crooked Foot.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Shawnees are getting ready for Big Dog," suggested Dancing +Owl.</p> + +<p>Running Fox offered no opinion. The sudden bustle in the Shawnee camp +had aroused his suspicions. He was unwilling to express the fears which +had crept into his heart.</p> + +<p>"Come, Running Fox, what do you make of it?" Yellow Wolf asked him.</p> + +<p>"I believe Spotted Deer is in danger," said Running Fox. "There is no +time to spare. I must go."</p> + +<p>He hurried to the Shawnee captives. Turning Eagle was watching them. As +Running Fox approached, Turning Eagle came to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Big Dog and Many Beavers have been talking," he said.</p> + +<p>Running Fox seemed unimpressed. He had slight doubt that the crafty +Shawnees had discussed the possibility of betraying him into the hands +of their people. The thought caused him little anxiety. Having made it +plain that his peril was their peril, he believed that they would heed +the warning.</p> + +<p>"Many Beavers, I have some words for you," he told the Shawnee. "I am +going to untie you. I am going with you to the Shawnee camp. If any harm +comes to me, Big Dog and Striking Bear will die. If I do not bring back +Spotted Deer before another sun comes, then they must die. Now you know +about it. If you let your people kill me, you will know that they are +also killing your brothers. I have spoken."</p> + +<p>He stooped and freed Many Beavers. Then he ordered him to rise. The +Shawnee obeyed. The Delawares watched suspiciously. They had serious +misgivings about the outcome of the adventure.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, keep my words," said Running Fox. "If I do not bring +Spotted Deer here before the next sun comes, then you must kill these +Shawnees. Then you must go to our people and tell them that I have +followed Spotted Deer on the Long Trail."</p> + +<p>Then he disappeared into the night with Many Beavers. They followed the +steep, hazardous trail toward the river. Mauwallauwin gave them light, +but the way was difficult and dangerous. The Shawnee walked ahead. He +was without weapons. Running Fox followed close behind him. He was armed +with bow and arrows. They traveled in silence. When they reached the end +of the trail, the Shawnee led the way across the open stretch of beach +that led to the camp.</p> + +<p>As they finally drew near the village, they heard sounds which told them +that a celebration of some sort was in progress. Running Fox grew +anxious. He wondered if he had come too late to save Spotted Deer. A +wild chorus of shouts rang through the night, and his courage weakened +at the sound. The Shawnee suddenly stopped. Running Fox feared +treachery.</p> + +<p>"Something big is happening," Many Beavers told him. "I will go ahead +and find out about it. Then I will come back and tell you about it."</p> + +<p>"No," Running Fox said, sharply. "I will go with you."</p> + +<p>"It is bad," the Shawnee warned him. "Perhaps my people are mad. If you +go in there they may kill you."</p> + +<p>"Big Dog and Striking Bear are on the ridge," Running Fox reminded him, +significantly. "I am not afraid. Go into the camp. I will follow you."</p> + +<p>Aware that further words would be useless, the Shawnee moved rapidly +toward the entrance to the camp. Running Fox followed boldly after him. +A few moments later they entered the village. The Shawnees were gathered +about a great fire. They suddenly subsided into silent amazement at +sight of Many Beavers and his companion. Many Beavers walked directly +toward them.</p> + +<p>"Keep close beside me," he warned Running Fox.</p> + +<p>Once they had identified the Delaware, the Shawnees rushed toward him, +calling out threateningly. Many Beavers held up his hand and called out +in strong, commanding tones. The Shawnees became quiet. They crowded +eagerly about the two warriors and began to speak excitedly to their +tribesmen. Running Fox ignored them. He had suddenly discovered Spotted +Deer tied to a stake near the fire. Everything else was forgotten. +Spotted Deer was apparently unable to see him in the midst of the +Shawnees.</p> + +<p>"He is alive—it is enough," Running Fox murmured, thankfully.</p> + +<p>In the meantime several warriors whom he took to be chiefs had made +their way to Many Beavers. They were talking earnestly and the Delaware +believed that Many Beavers was giving them the message from Big Dog. He +watched closely. Many Beavers waved his arm toward the ridge. He was +speaking seriously. The Shawnees showed interest. Then Many Beavers +spoke to Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"This man is Walking Bear," he said. "He is a great war leader. He will +give you some words."</p> + +<p>"Delaware, I see you have come to die with your brother," said the +Shawnee.</p> + +<p>"Those words do not frighten me," Running Fox replied, angrily. "Many +Beavers has told you what brings me here. I will not talk about it. Your +great chief, Big Dog, and your brother, Striking Bear, are with my +people. Do you wish to see them? Then go over there and untie my +brother. If we do not go back to that place, your brothers will die. I +have finished."</p> + +<p>"Hi, Delaware, you speak big words," laughed the Shawnee leader.</p> + +<p>At that moment a wild, hysterical laugh echoed through the camp. Then an +old woman pushed her way through the crowd, and confronted Running Fox. +She was a fierce-looking old creature. For a moment she stared +searchingly into his face. Then she turned and addressed the Shawnees. +Running Fox longed to know what she said.</p> + +<p>"My people, what I dreamed about has come true," cried the old Mystery +Woman. "Big Dog is in great danger. You must be careful what you do. +Perhaps I can do something to save him. You must listen to my words and +do as I tell you."</p> + +<p>Her words filled Running Fox with excitement. He had suddenly recognized +her voice. He felt sure that she was the mysterious Medicine Woman who +had told him about Big Dog. He would have given much to have understood +her words. The Shawnees were giving her serious attention. Running Fox +took hope.</p> + +<p>"She is talking against you," Many Beavers said, treacherously.</p> + +<p>Running Fox betrayed no interest. He felt sure, however, that the +strange old Medicine Woman would prove a valuable ally. Then Walking +Bear, the Shawnee war leader, approached Running Fox and attempted to +take his bow. Running Fox drew back threateningly.</p> + +<p>"Come, Delaware, give me that bow," the Shawnee cried, angrily.</p> + +<p>When Running Fox refused, "Walking Bear called to his people, and +several warriors rushed forward and seized the Delaware. They took away +his weapons and threw him to the ground. The Shawnees crowded forward to +attack him, but Many Beavers and the war leader held them back. Then +they tied his hands behind him and permitted him to rise. Running Fox +remained calm. He smiled scornfully as the Shawnees led him toward the +fire.</p> + +<p>"My brother, I see that the Shawnees have caught you," Spotted Deer +said, sadly. "It is bad. I am to blame for this. I have brought you here +to die."</p> + +<p>"No, my brother, we will not die," Running Fox assured him. "I have come +here to take you away."</p> + +<p>"How can you do that?" Spotted Deer asked, with surprise.</p> + +<p>"Watch and listen," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>Many Beavers was talking to the Shawnee leaders. In a few moments he +accompanied them to a big lodge near the center of the camp. Most of the +Shawnees followed them. A number of warriors, however, seated themselves +near the Delawares. The latter had little doubt that the Shawnees had +gone to hold a council.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon they will let us walk out," Running Fox said, confidently.</p> + +<p>The warriors who were guarding them made it plain that they did not wish +them to talk. As the Delawares realized that it might be dangerous to +defy them, they became quiet. Then they waited anxiously for the +Shawnees to come from the lodge. Several times they heard the voice of +the old Mystery Woman. Each of the Delawares longed to tell his friend +about her, but feared that the Shawnees who were on guard might +understand.</p> + +<p>The night was half gone when the Shawnees finally came from the council +lodge. They moved silently toward the fire, and seated themselves in a +great circle about the Delawares. Then Many Beavers and Walking Bear +approached Running Fox. Walking Bear began to speak.</p> + +<p>"Delawares, listen to my words," he said. "You have asked us to do a big +thing. You are a Delaware. The Delawares are our enemies. The words of +our enemies are bad. If we do as you tell us you will go back and kill +our brothers. No, Delaware, the Shawnees are not so foolish. Now I will +tell you what our people propose to do. You must go back and bring Big +Dog and Striking Bear to the river. Then you must make the call of +Gokhos, the owl. Then we will send some warriors and your brother out +there to meet you. Then we will let our brother walk away with you. Then +Big Dog and Striking Bear will come to the camp. It is the only way to +save yourself."</p> + +<p>"It is useless," said Running Fox. "I see what you are trying to do. You +cannot catch us so easy. I have given you my words. A Delaware will +carry out what he proposes to do. If you let my brother walk out with +me, your chief and Striking Bear will come back to you. If you do not do +this thing, they will die when the next sun appears. There is no use of +talking any more about it. The night is half gone. That ridge is a long +ways off. There is little time. Tell me what you propose to do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Delaware, I will tell you!" Walking Bear shouted, furiously. "I +intend to kill you. Then I will lead a war party to kill your friends on +that ridge. That is what I propose to do."</p> + +<p>He turned and began a fiery speech to his people. His words brought them +to their feet, and roused them into a passion. As he continued speaking, +they began to cry out and shake their fists at the Delawares. It was +evident that the Shawnee war leader was deliberately inciting them to +scorn the warning of Many Beavers and take vengeance upon their foes. As +he finished talking, most of the warriors ran to the lodges and returned +with their weapons. Then they formed a circle about the Delawares. +Running Fox was seized and bound to the stake with Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Listen, you great war leader," Running Fox called out, sarcastically. +"I know that you are trying to frighten me. I am laughing at you. You +are afraid to kill me. You have heard the words of your brother, Many +Beavers. Now I will tell you that whatever your people do to us, we will +do to your brothers. Now do as you feel like doing."</p> + +<p>At that moment Many Beavers began to speak. His voice was low and calm +and it was apparent that he was attempting to pacify the Shawnees. +However, as Walking Bear had thoroughly aroused them, the words of Many +Beavers seemed to have little effect.</p> + +<p>The warriors had already begun to circle about the stake, and as Spotted +Deer had passed through two similar ordeals he knew what to expect. This +time, however, he feared that the excited Shawnees might actually take +his life. Running Fox, too, was beginning to feel less confident. The +Shawnees were apparently relying upon some wily stratagem to save their +tribesmen while they seemed determined to kill their foes. Running Fox +wondered if a war party had secretly left the camp. The thought filled +him with alarm.</p> + +<p>Then as the warriors began to dance about the stake and brandish their +weapons, the old Mystery Woman suddenly appeared before the Shawnees. +She looked like one demented. Her eyes were wild and staring, her +wrinkled yellow face was drawn with emotion and her short, white locks +were rumpled in wild disorder. She pointed a bony arm at the Shawnees +and began to shout wildly. The dancers stopped to listen. The Shawnees +looked upon her in superstitious awe.</p> + +<p>"Shawnees, Shawnees, Shawnees!" she screamed. "Think what you are about +to do. You are about to throw away the life of Big Dog. You are about to +throw away the life of the great warrior, Striking Bear. What will those +great men think about you? I saw this thing in a dream. I told you about +it. You wiped away my words. Now you are about to bring many bad days +upon us. There is only one way to do. You must do as Many Beavers tells +you to do. There is no other way. Big Dog is depending upon you. +Striking Bear is depending upon you. They are saying, 'We are Shawnees. +It is good. The Shawnees will not throw us away.' Are you going to give +them to our enemies, the boastful Delawares? Are you going to let those +people say, 'See how brave we are; we killed the great chief, Big Dog. +The Shawnees were not sharp enough to save him.' How will you feel about +that? You saw me try to kill that boastful young Delaware. Now I am glad +I did not do it. If that foolish young warrior was not here, we could +not save Big Dog. Are two Delaware boys worth as much as two great +Shawnee warriors? No, no, no! Let them walk away. You call me a great +Mystery Woman. Then listen to my words. Time is short. Let them run to +that ridge and save our brothers. I know about this thing. It is good. +They will do as they propose to do. I have made their hearts good to do +this thing. It is the only way I can save Big Dog. Shawnees, you must +listen to my words."</p> + +<p>The Delawares felt sure she was speaking in their behalf. They believed +that she had won the confidence of the Shawnees. They had begun to talk +seriously among themselves. Many Beavers and the war leaders had called +the warriors about them. The wild ceremony at the fire had suddenly come +to an end. For the moment the Delawares were left alone. The old Mystery +Woman rushed over to them and shook her finger in the face of Running +Fox. She twisted her face into an ugly snarl, but her words were low and +friendly.</p> + +<p>"If you get away you must send those Shawnees to the camp," she said. +"If you harm them I must die."</p> + +<p>"I will send them," Running Fox promised her. "Be quick, tell me who you +are."</p> + +<p>"He knows," she murmured, as she rushed upon Spotted Deer and pretended +to claw at his eyes.</p> + +<p>Then Many Beavers and the war leader approached, and she hurried away. +For some moments the Shawnees stared sullenly upon their foes. Then +Walking Bear stepped forward and freed the Delawares from the stake. He +showed no inclination to unbind their hands.</p> + +<p>"Delawares, we will let you walk away," he said. "We will see if a +Delaware will do as he proposes to do. If you kill Big Dog and Striking +Bear, we will surely come and wipe away your people. Go, and send our +brothers."</p> + +<p>"Untie my hands," Running Fox commanded, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"No," said Walking Bear.</p> + +<p>"Then I will wait here and let your brothers die," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, untie his hands—there is little time," Many Beavers said, +irritably.</p> + +<p>He called a young warrior to free the Delawares. Then he motioned for +them to go.</p> + +<p>"Wait," said Running Fox. "I came here with a bow and some good arrows. +I will take them away."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I, too, had a good bow and some arrows and a good robe," declared +Spotted Deer. "You must give them to me."</p> + +<p>The Shawnees finally returned the weapons but refused to surrender the +robe. The Delawares realized that it might be perilous to insist upon +its return. They walked slowly toward the end of the camp while the +Shawnees taunted and threatened, but made no attempt to harm them.</p> + +<p>"Shawnees, listen to my words," Running Fox cried out, as he turned at +the end of the village. "You are sharp. Perhaps you will try to do +something. If you follow us, your chief will never come back."</p> + +<p>The next moment the Delawares disappeared into the night.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>SHAWNEE TREACHERY</h3> + + +<p>Once outside of the camp the Delawares hurried toward the timber at top +speed. They were fearful, and suspicious of the Shawnees, as they +believed that a large war party might set out to follow them to the +ridge.</p> + +<p>"We must watch out, the Shawnees are sly," warned Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," agreed Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Do you know about that old Medicine Woman?" Running Fox inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know about her," Spotted Deer told him.</p> + +<p>"Who is she?" Running Fox asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"She is White Crane—she is a Minsi," said Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>Running Fox immediately stopped. He turned excitedly to Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Then she is one of our people!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"We must help her," said Running Fox. "Come, we are Delawares. We will +go back there and take her away."</p> + +<p>"No, it would be useless," Spotted Deer told him. "She will not go. I +talked with her about it. She says she has been there a long time. The +Shawnees believe she is a great Medicine Person. They listen to her +words. She has everything good. She is very old. She says she cannot +travel. She says she wants to die in the Shawnee camp."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, we must leave her," agreed Running Fox.</p> + +<p>As they moved across the long stretch of open ground they kept sharp +watch behind them. The moonlight made it possible to see for a +considerable distance, and they expected at any moment to discover a +company of Shawnees following rapidly on their trail. They heard a +bedlam of confused sounds from the camp, and had little doubt that the +Shawnees were gathered in noisy council to plan some wily stratagem +which might turn their chagrin into joy.</p> + +<p>"I believe it will be hard to get away from those people," Running Fox +said, uneasily. "They are very mad because we fooled them, I believe +they will try to catch us."</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer struggled along in silence. His limbs were stiff and +swollen as the result of the tight binding to which he had been +subjected in the Shawnee camp. Each stride caused him agony, but he made +no mention of his suffering. Several times, however, he lurched against +Running Fox, and at last the latter guessed that something was wrong.</p> + +<p>"Hi, I see you are falling around," he said anxiously. "Did the Shawnees +hurt you?"</p> + +<p>"It is my legs," Spotted Deer said, lightly. "The Shawnees gave me the +legs of an old man."</p> + +<p>Running Fox grew thoughtful. He understood the plight of his friend, and +it filled him with alarm. He feared that Spotted Deer might be unable to +make the long, swift journey to the Delaware camp. Spotted Deer seemed +to have guessed his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid," he said. "I will keep going."</p> + +<p>"You are brave," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>They were nearing the timber along the base of the ridge when they +suddenly heard the shrill, piercing scream of Nianque, the lynx. It +seemed to have come from the camp. They stopped to listen. It filled +them with dread.</p> + +<p>"It is the signal of the Shawnees," Spotted Deer said, softly. "I heard +it when I was coming down the river."</p> + +<p>"It means something bad," declared Running Fox. "Come, we will get into +the woods."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some Shawnees are hiding over there," suggested Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Running Fox. "We must be cautious."</p> + +<p>They reached the timber in safety, and moved cautiously along the bottom +of the ridge. The night was far gone and there was little time to spare. +Running Fox knew that unless he reached his friends before sunrise, they +would surely kill Big Dog and his companion. Having given his word to +the old Mystery Woman, Running Fox was determined to save them. He +decided, therefore, that the Shawnee trail would offer the quickest and +easiest way to reach the top of the ridge.</p> + +<p>"Did you come along here?" he asked Spotted Deer, as they began to +climb.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Spotted Deer. "My hands were tied and I had a hard time of +it."</p> + +<p>"We found your marks," Running Fox told him. "Did the old Mystery Woman +tell you about us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Spotted Deer. "She told me you came here to help me. Running +Fox, it was a great thing to do. You are a brave warrior and a good +friend. You risked your life to help me. It makes me feel big. I will +think about it when I am an old man. When the Mystery Woman told me +about you I felt very strong. I said, 'Running Fox will get me out of +this.' Now you have done it."</p> + +<p>"Spotted Deer, you are my brother—it is enough," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>Dawn was showing in the east when they finally neared the end of the +trail. Running Fox stopped and imitated the bark of Woakus, the fox. He +expected an immediate response. It failed to come. He listened uneasily. +The silence aroused his suspicions. In a few moments he repeated the +signal. Many moments passed. The baffling silence continued.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Are our people here?" Spotted Deer asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they were close by," Running Fox assured him.</p> + +<p>Fear had suddenly gripped his heart. He was perplexed and startled by +the strange silence of his comrades. It suggested alarming +possibilities. Perhaps the Shawnees had escaped. It seemed impossible. +Perhaps a company of Shawnees had found and overpowered Yellow Wolf and +his companions. His courage weakened at the thought.</p> + +<p>"Something bad has happened," he told Spotted Deer. "We must watch out."</p> + +<p>"Listen," whispered Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>A twig had snapped somewhere in the undergrowth beside the trail. They +fitted arrows to their bows, and looked expectantly into the shadows. +The woods were still dark, and it was impossible to see into the cover. +They listened in trying suspense. Then they heard the low, plaintive +notes of the little white-throated sparrow. It was close at hand. +Running Fox took hope.</p> + +<p>"It must be Yellow Wolf; that is his signal," he said.</p> + +<p>"Be cautious," Spotted Deer warned him.</p> + +<p>Running Fox imitated the song. It had barely died away before they heard +a familiar voice from the edge of the woods.</p> + +<p>"Running Fox?" it queried, softly.</p> + +<p>"I am here," replied Running Fox.</p> + +<p>A moment afterward Yellow Wolf stood beside them. He grasped the hand of +Spotted Deer. Then he led the way into the woods. They followed him in +silence. He took them to the spot where Running Fox had left the +prisoners. There was no one there.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" Running Fox asked, in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Everything is good," Yellow Wolf assured him. "Come."</p> + +<p>He led them a considerable distance farther along the ridge, where they +found Turning Eagle and the Shawnee prisoners. Painted Hawk and Crooked +Foot and Dancing Owl were missing.</p> + +<p>"Where are our brothers?" Running Fox asked, in surprise.</p> + +<p>Yellow Wolf moved his finger across his lips, and turned his eyes toward +the Shawnees. Then he moved away, and Running Fox and Spotted Deer +followed him. He went well beyond earshot of the prisoners before he +began to speak.</p> + +<p>"Now I will tell you about it," he said. "Our brothers have gone to +watch along the ridge. We believe the Shawnees are trying to find us. It +is bad. We must get away from here."</p> + +<p>"Did you hear anything?" inquired Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Yellow Wolf. "First we heard the call of Gokhos, the owl. +It was down there on the side of the ridge. It sounded good. Then we saw +Big Dog raise his head and look around. He did not know we were watching +him. That made us cautious. Pretty soon we heard the call of Gokhos +again. It was in a different place. It did not sound like it sounded +before. Then we were afraid. Some of us went to watch. Then we heard the +call of Woakus, the fox. We said, 'Running Fox is coming. Perhaps he +will meet the Shawnees. We must be ready to help him.' You did not come. +Then we heard the call of Woakus again. It was not so close. Then we +said, 'Running Fox did not make it.' Then we went to watch. I went to +that trail. When I heard that call I was not sure about it. That is why +I did not answer you. Now you know why we left that place, and came over +here. We did it to fool the Shawnees."</p> + +<p>"Well, Yellow Wolf, there is only one thing to do," Running Fox told +him. "We must call our brothers and get away as fast as we can."</p> + +<p>"It is good," replied Yellow Wolf. "Now we will kill those boastful +Shawnees."</p> + +<p>"No," Running Fox said, firmly. "We will let them walk away."</p> + +<p>"Does a Delaware let his enemies walk away?" Yellow Wolf asked, in +amazement.</p> + +<p>"A Delaware does what he tells a friend he will do," declared Running +Fox. "A good friend helped us to save Spotted Deer. If we do not let the +Shawnees go, much harm may come upon that friend. Perhaps she will be +killed. I have told her we will let the great chief Big Dog go to his +people. We have found our brother Spotted Deer. It is what we set out to +do. Getanittowit sent the Mystery Woman into that camp to help us. She +has done a big thing. Now we must listen to her words. She says if Big +Dog does not come back it will be bad for her. Perhaps the Shawnees will +kill her. She is a Minsi. Some time I will tell you about her. She has +given Spotted Deer to his brothers. It is a great thing to do. The +Shawnees must live."</p> + +<p>"You are the leader," Yellow Wolf said, loyally. "We will listen to your +words."</p> + +<p>Then they were joined by Painted Hawk and Dancing Owl. The scouts had +returned to the rendezvous to learn if Running Fox had returned. They +were overjoyed to find Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"It is good," cried Dancing Owl. "You helped Running Fox to take me away +from the Shawnees. Now I have helped Running Fox take you away from the +Shawnees. Hi, it is good. Now I am going over there to kill that Shawnee +who tied me up."</p> + +<p>"No," said Running Fox. "We must let him walk away. The old Mystery +Woman tells us to do this thing. She is a good friend. We must listen to +her words."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will close my ears to her words," Dancing Owl said, savagely. +"That Shawnee is my enemy. He tried to kill me. He talked bad against +me. I am a Delaware. A Delaware does not let his enemies slip away. I am +going to kill him."</p> + +<p>"No," Running Fox said, quietly. "I have told you what I propose to do. +I am the leader."</p> + +<p>Dancing Owl stared threateningly into the eyes of his friend. His heart +burned with a desire to avenge the insults and injuries which he had +received at the hands of the Shawnees the year previous. He had +determined to fully retaliate upon the hated enemy whom fate had placed +in his power. Now Running Fox refused him his opportunity. For a moment +Dancing Owl rebelled against the authority of his leader. Then he +suddenly recalled that Running Fox had saved his life. Gratitude +instantly drove the anger from his heart.</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, I will listen to your words," he said.</p> + +<p>"Come, we are losing time," Running Fox said, impatiently. "We must +leave these Shawnees and hurry away. Where is Crooked Foot?"</p> + +<p>When they returned to Turning Eagle and the prisoners, they found that +Crooked Foot was still missing. His absence made them uneasy. Day had +dawned, and the first hint of sunrise was showing above the hills. They +realized that it would be dangerous to loiter.</p> + +<p>"Come, Yellow Wolf, call Crooked Foot," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>He had barely uttered the words when Crooked Foot appeared. He, too, was +filled with joy at the sight of Spotted Deer. After he had greeted him, +he called Running Fox and Yellow Wolf and led them away to talk.</p> + +<p>"We must go away fast," he told them. "I believe a big war party is +coming to catch us. There is little time."</p> + +<p>"Did you see them?" Running Fox asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not see them but I heard many signals," Crooked Foot told +him.</p> + +<p>"It is enough—we must go," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>When they returned to their companions, they found Dancing Owl crouching +above the Shawnee and threatening to drive his knife into his heart. He +rose as Running Fox hurried forward, and laughed mischievously. Running +Fox went to the Shawnee chief, and commanded him to sit up. Big Dog +obeyed. Then Running Fox addressed him.</p> + +<p>"Big Dog, listen to my words," he said. "I am about to give you your +life. I am doing this thing because I went to your village and took my +brother from your people. If your people had killed my brother, I would +have killed you. I told them I would let you go. I am a Delaware. A +Delaware makes his words come true. Now listen close. I am about to take +that thing out of your mouth. Then I am going away. If you shout out +before I am far away, I will come back and kill you. If you keep quiet a +long time, you will live to see your brothers. Yes, I believe they will +find you. Keep my words."</p> + +<p>Running Fox stooped and untied the buckskin gag. Then the other Shawnee +sat up. Running Fox laughed fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Striking Bear, I will leave you as you are," he said. "You did many bad +things to my brother. He wants to kill you. If you know my words, listen +sharp. Take care what you do if you wish to live."</p> + +<p>"Come, Delaware, untie my hands and give me my weapons," Big Dog cried, +angrily.</p> + +<p>"Wait for your brothers," laughed Running Fox. "But do not try to call +them. Remember what I have told you."</p> + +<p>The Delawares left the enraged Shawnees and hurried down the eastern +slope of the ridge. They felt quite certain that the sly Shawnee chief +would lose little time in calling his tribesmen. They were barely +half-way down the ridge when they heard him shouting.</p> + +<p>"I would like to go back and kill that Shawnee," said Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"It would be foolish," Running Fox told him. "I believe his friends are +close by. Perhaps they would catch you. We have done what we came to do. +Now we must try to get back to our people before something bad happens +to us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brothers, we must keep going," declared Crooked Foot. "I +believe the Shawnees will try hard to turn us back."</p> + +<p>The reckless scramble down the rough hillside was a severe ordeal for +Spotted Deer. The slope was strewn with bowlders and tree trunks, and a +dense tangle of brush and vines concealed the pitfalls. Spotted Deer +stumbled painfully over the obstructions, striving heroically to conceal +his agony. Running Fox, however, was keenly aware of his suffering.</p> + +<p>"You are very brave," he said. "Can you keep going?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Spotted Deer replied, grimly.</p> + +<p>They had finished the descent and were fighting their way through a +heavy thicket of laurel when they suddenly heard the cry of Nianque, the +lynx. It sounded behind them, and seemed to come from the top of the +ridge.</p> + +<p>"The Shawnees have found Big Dog," said Turning Eagle.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are telling their friends about us," Yellow Wolf +suggested, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe there is some one down here," declared Running Fox. "We +must watch sharp."</p> + +<p>He wondered if a war party of Shawnees had slipped from the camp during +the night, and turned eastward to intercept the Delawares when they left +the ridge. The possibility caused him great uneasiness. He knew that if +a large company of Shawnees were scouting about the vicinity it would be +difficult to avoid them. Then the lynx cry was repeated on their right.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Crooked Foot. "We are running into a trap."</p> + +<p>"The Shawnees are trying to get ahead of us," declared Painted Hawk. "If +they turn us back their friends will come up behind us."</p> + +<p>"We will watch out," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>They advanced more cautiously. Convinced that a force of their foes was +somewhere in the vicinity, they feared blundering into an ambush. +Running Fox believed that the Shawnees had separated into several +companies, and he realized that it would be difficult to avoid them. The +day passed without an encounter, however, and as darkness fell the +Delawares felt encouraged. They had reached the wooded ravine where they +had spent a night on their way to the Shawnee village. Fearful that +Spotted Deer would be unable to continue traveling through the night, +Running Fox determined to remain there until daylight.</p> + +<p>"We have seen nothing of the Shawnees," he said. "We have come fast. We +will rest here until it gets light."</p> + +<p>"No, no," cried Spotted Deer. "Running Fox, I see that you are trying to +make it easy for me. I will not listen to your words. We must keep +going. If we stop here, the Shawnees will come up with us. Perhaps some +of you will be killed. Come, my friends, listen to my words. I will keep +going."</p> + +<p>"Spotted Deer, you are a great warrior," Running Fox told him. "You are +as strong as Machque, the bear, and as brave as fierce Quenischquney, +the panther."</p> + +<p>"Listen," cautioned Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>The call of Gokhos, the owl, sounded a short distance away. It carried a +sinister warning to the Delawares. Their mad flight seemed to have been +in vain. The Shawnees were close behind them. There was not a moment to +lose.</p> + +<p>"Come!" cried Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must go," agreed Running Fox.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>SURROUNDED</h3> + + +<p>For two days the Delawares traveled cautiously through the woods without +seeing or hearing anything of their foes. They had little doubt that the +Shawnees had turned back. Running Fox was elated at his success.</p> + +<p>"It is good," he said. "We have done what we set out to do. Nothing bad +has happened to us. We have fooled our enemies. Spotted Deer is alive. +My heart feels big."</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, you are a good leader," Yellow Wolf told him.</p> + +<p>They were less than a day's journey from the great river which flowed +past the Delaware camp, and they believed that their peril had passed. +Before the end of another day they hoped to be with their people. They +knew that a splendid welcome awaited them, and the thought made them +eager to reach the camp without delay. They hastened along, unmindful of +their fatigue.</p> + +<p>The day was nearing its close, and they had stopped for a few moments on +the crest of a low, barren ridge to rest, when they suddenly heard a +loud, ringing shout within bow-range of them. Before they could recover +from their amazement several arrows sped over their heads.</p> + +<p>"Run, run!" shouted Running Fox, as he led the way down the ridge.</p> + +<p>They dashed madly down the slope, and turned toward a dense spruce swamp +that began a short distance from the base of the ridge. Wild shouts +behind them gave warning that they were being hotly pursued. Running Fox +looked back and saw a strong company of warriors scrambling recklessly +down the rocky hillside. One glance was sufficient to recognize them.</p> + +<p>"The Mohawks! The Mohawks!" he cried in alarm.</p> + +<p>The warning struck fear to the hearts of his companions. They knew the +fate that awaited them at the hands of those fierce foes, and they fled +before them like frightened deer. They gained the edge of the swamp, and +rushed wildly into its gloomy depths. They went a considerable distance +before they dared to stop. Then they took shelter behind a barricade of +fallen trees, and waited anxiously for the appearance of their foes. The +shouts had ceased at the border of the swamp, and the silence increased +their fears.</p> + +<p>"They are creeping ahead to find us," Painted Hawk whispered.</p> + +<p>"Well, we can make a good fight here," Running Fox said, boldly.</p> + +<p>The twilight shadows had already fallen in the great forest of spruces, +and the Delawares knew that it would soon be dark. The thought gave them +hope. Unless the Mohawks tracked them directly to their hiding place, +they believed that the night might save them from discovery. They waited +in trying suspense, expecting each moment to see the dim, shadowy forms +of the Mohawks approaching between the trees. As time passed and they +failed to appear, the Delawares began to wonder if they really had +stopped at the border of the swamp.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are afraid to follow us into this place," said Painted +Hawk.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they went the other way," Dancing Owl suggested, hopefully.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I believe they are outside," Running Fox told them. "They +know we are Delawares. They are cautious. Once we fooled them when they +were coming to our camp. Perhaps they took us for scouts. Perhaps they +believe we are trying to lead them into a trap. See, it is almost dark. +Pretty soon we will be safe."</p> + +<p>His words encouraged his friends. Having escaped from the sudden attack, +they believed that for the moment at least, they were safe. They began +to wonder how the Mohawks had chanced to be in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is a war party," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are going to fight our people," Turning Eagle said, +uneasily.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," Running Fox told him. "They are too far from +the river. I believe they are going to fight the Shawnees. I believe +those warriors went back and told their people how the Shawnees took +away their canoes. Then I believe they made up a war party and came out +to fight the Shawnees."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that is true," declared Crooked Foot. "I believe they +were going to find the Shawnees, and then we came along."</p> + +<p>"Well, if that is so, perhaps they will not try to find us," said +Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, I have heard you all talking about this thing," said +Yellow Wolf. "Now I will tell you how I feel about it. I believe what +Running Fox says is true. But I also believe that we are in great +danger. The Mohawks are our enemies. Running Fox and Spotted Deer have +carried away their great Medicine Bundle. Running Fox has killed their +great chief, Standing Wolf. They are thinking about those things. I +believe they would like to kill us instead of the Shawnees. Yes, I +believe they will try to find us."</p> + +<p>The Delawares gave silent endorsement to his words. They believed that +they were in greater peril from the Mohawks than they had been from the +Shawnees. They had greater respect for the courage and ability of the +former, and they knew that if the Mohawks really made a persistent +effort to capture them, it would be far more difficult to escape.</p> + +<p>"Hi, what I was afraid of has happened," said Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>The deep, solemn tones of the great-horned owl had sounded from the +opposite side of the swamp. It was the favorite signal of the Mohawks +and the Delawares knew only too well what it meant. They suddenly +realized why the Mohawks had stopped at the edge of the swamp.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," Running Fox said, soberly. "The Mohawks have circled around +us. Pretty soon they will close in. Then we must watch out."</p> + +<p>It was evident that the crafty Mohawks had separated and surrounded the +swamp. There seemed little doubt that they would eventually advance from +all sides and attempt to drive their enemies from cover. It was a +favorite and successful method of securing game, and the Delawares +realized that it would be hard to escape from the trap. They listened +anxiously to learn if their fears were true. It was not long before they +were convinced. The solemn warning of the great-horned owl sounded from +the two remaining sides of the swamp. The circle was completed. The +Mohawks were ready to advance.</p> + +<p>"Lie close, perhaps they will not find us," said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>It was a long time before they heard anything to rouse their suspicions. +Then they heard soft, guarded signals passing through the night, and +they knew that the Mohawks had entered the swamp. They strained their +ears to detect the stealthy approach of their foes. Darkness had settled +down, and they realized that it would be impossible for the Mohawks to +find them unless they blundered directly upon their shelter.</p> + +<p>"If they come upon us we must fight them back, and try to get away," +said Running Fox.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward they heard a sharp crackling of brush close by. +They smiled grimly as they realized that one of the scouts had stumbled +into a tangle of dead tree tops. He soon extricated himself, and then +they heard nothing more of him. They knew, however, that at any moment +he might discover their hiding place. The thought kept them alert. Then, +as he failed to find them, they took hope.</p> + +<p>"He has passed—it is good," whispered Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"Sh!" cautioned Running Fox.</p> + +<p>He feared that the cunning Mohawk might be listening within bow-length +of them. Then they heard the call of the horned owl from the border of +the swamp. In a few moments it was answered by one of the scouts. The +Delawares felt sure that the main company of their foes was still +lurking along the edge of the swamp. The thought alarmed them. They +believed that the Mohawks planned to hold them in their hiding place +until the night passed. The possibility made escape seem hopeless. +Convinced that daylight would make it easy for the Mohawks to find them, +they feared that they would soon be overcome and annihilated. The idea +startled them. Having survived the perils of their expedition against +the Shawnees, they were overwhelmed by the sudden disaster which had +overtaken them almost within sight of their village. In the meantime the +Mohawks had become quiet, and it was evident that they had abandoned the +search and were waiting for the darkness to pass.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," said Crooked Foot. "When it gets light, they will come in +here and kill us."</p> + +<p>"We must fight them off," declared Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we can get away before the light comes," proposed Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"No, it is useless to try to get past them," Running Fox told him. +"There are many Mohawks around this place. They are watching sharp. If +we try to go out, they will kill us."</p> + +<p>Then for a long time they continued silent. Each was trying to think of +a way out of the predicament. They suddenly realized that they had +rushed recklessly into a trap from which there seemed to be no way of +escape. Regrets, however, were futile. They knew it was folly to waste +time blaming themselves.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, we have done a big thing, we must not die," Yellow Wolf +told them. "We must find a way out of this thing."</p> + +<p>"It will be hard to get away," said Crooked Foot.</p> + +<p>"There is only one thing to do," Running Fox declared, suddenly. "We +must hold out until our people come to help us."</p> + +<p>"How will they know about it?" Crooked Foot asked, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"I will try to go to them," Running Fox said, quietly.</p> + +<p>"No, no, you must not do that," Spotted Deer said, anxiously. "You have +risked your life to help me. You must not risk your life again. If you +try to do this thing, the Mohawks may catch you. If they see who you +are, terrible things will happen to you. Come, Running Fox, we will all +try to get away. Then if the Mohawks catch us, we will die together."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brother, it is the best way to do," declared Crooked Foot. +"Perhaps we will get by them."</p> + +<p>"No, my friends, I will not listen to your words," Running Fox declared, +firmly. "I believe I can do this thing. I am the leader. I must try to +get you out of this."</p> + +<p>"Well, Running Fox, if you are going to do this thing I will go with +you," Spotted Deer told him.</p> + +<p>"No, you cannot do that," said Running Fox. "You must stay here and +fight back the Mohawks until I bring our people to help you. Now, my +friends, listen sharp to my words. I am going to try to get past the +Mohawks. Perhaps it will take me a long time. If the Mohawks catch me, I +will make a great shout. If you do not hear it before it gets light, you +will know that I got away. Then I will bring a big war party. You must +keep strong. Keep fighting back the Mohawks until our people come. Now +keep these words. I will not make any signals. If you hear any, you will +know that I did not make them. Now I am going."</p> + +<p>"My brother, I feel bad about this thing," Spotted Deer said, as he +grasped the hand of his friend. "If my legs were fast I would not hold +back. I will make a big fight."</p> + +<p>"I will come back," Running Fox said, bravely.</p> + +<p>Then he left them and vanished into the night as silently as a shadow. +He turned toward the eastern side of the swamp, as the nearest course to +the Delaware camp lay in that direction. Fully alive to the peril which +threatened him, he moved through the darkness with the alert, nervous +caution of Achtu, the deer. He stopped many times to listen for his +foes. As he neared the edge of the swamp, he turned his face toward the +sky and called upon Getanittowit to guide him safely past the watchful +Mohawks. Then he heard them somewhere ahead of him. For an instant only +he caught the murmur of their voices. It was sufficient to warn him of +his peril. He turned sharply from his course and crept away with slow, +cautious steps. He went several arrow-flights before he again ventured +to approach the edge of the swamp. Once more, however, he heard sounds +which drove him back.</p> + +<p>"It is bad," he murmured. "The Mohawks are everywhere."</p> + +<p>He turned toward the south. Several arrow-flights brought him to the +border of the swamp. He stopped to listen. All was silent. The way +seemed clear. He hurried forward. A twig snapped sharply beneath his +feet. Some one hailed him. He gave several loud snorts to imitate a +frightened buck, and bounded noisily through the brush. The Mohawk +laughed softly. The trick had deceived him. His suspicions were allayed.</p> + +<p>Having passed safely by the Mohawks, Running Fox sped through the night +with a light heart. At dawn he climbed to the summit of a high ridge +that rose from the west side of the river. Far away to the southward he +saw the smoke from the Delaware camp. For some moments he watched it +with flashing eyes. Then he raced madly down the ridge. He reached the +river a considerable distance below the spot where he had left the canoe +of Spotted Deer. He wondered if it would be safe to go up the river in +search of it. If the Mohawks had come down the river in canoes, he +believed they had left them somewhere near the spot where the Shawnees +had kindled the fire. Perhaps scouts had been left behind to watch. The +possibility made him hesitate. He knew, however, that the canoe offered +him the quickest way to reach his people.</p> + +<p>"I will go," he said.</p> + +<p>He hurried along at the edge of the timber. It seemed a great distance +to the spot where he had found the trail of the Shawnees. When he +finally came in sight of the charred logs on the shore, he stopped and +looked sharply for signs of his foes. There was no evidence of them. He +circled cautiously through the woods, and approached the place where he +had concealed the canoe. It had disappeared. He stared in astonishment. +Who had found it? He felt quite certain that it had been taken away by +the Mohawks. The thought awakened his suspicions. He searched through +the bushes in the hope of finding their canoes. His efforts were futile. +There were no fresh tracks to indicate that the Mohawk war party had +visited the spot.</p> + +<p>"It is mysterious," he said.</p> + +<p>Running Fox suddenly realized that he was wasting time. The thought +roused him. Each moment was precious. The slightest delay might prove +fatal to his friends. He looked across the river. It was wide, and deep +and swift. For an instant only he hesitated. Then he pushed his bow into +its wolf-skin case, and waded boldly into the water. It was bitterly +cold, and the shallow pools along the shore were crusted with ice. +Unmindful of the shock, Running Fox threw himself forward and began to +swim.</p> + +<p>A bow-shot from the shore he caught the full force of the current and +was borne rapidly down the river. Then as he struggled fiercely to free +himself, the chill of the water began to cramp his muscles. For an +instant his tired limbs refused to work. Weighted down by his buckskin +shirt and breeches, he sank beneath the surface. He fought his way above +water, and kicked the cramp from his legs. His strength, however, was +rapidly leaving him. The shore seemed very far away. The channel was +wider than he had suspected. He appeared unable to escape from the +fierce grip of the current. The intense cold was penetrating to his +heart. His fingers contracted with cramp. His legs began to drag. His +strokes grew steadily weaker. He was losing ground. For an instant he +lost hope.</p> + +<p>"The fierce Water Monsters will get me!" he cried in dismay.</p> + +<p>Then he suddenly thought of his friends. He had pledged himself to save +them. They had placed their confidence in him. Getanittowit had listened +to his appeal and aided him to escape from the swamp. The way had been +made clear for him to reach his people. Now he was throwing away his +life, and sacrificing his friends to the Mohawks. He rallied at the +thought. The hot fighting blood rushed to his brain. He continued his +desperate battle with the river.</p> + +<p>"I must live to help my brothers," he said, savagely.</p> + +<p>Struggling frantically, he slowly fought his way across the channel. +Stroke by stroke, he dragged himself from the clutches of the current. +At last he was free. He had reached a long stretch of quiet water. He +took courage. His fear of the dreaded Water Monsters suddenly left him. +He swam more easily. He fixed his eyes upon the shore. It was less than +a bow-shot away. Slowly, steadily, he shortened the distance. Each +stroke strengthened his confidence. At last he cautiously lowered his +feet. They struck the bed of the river. A few moments afterward he +ceased swimming and began to wade. He staggered from the water and made +his way to the edge of the woods. Then he collapsed and crumpled into +the brush. It was only a few moments before he recovered and struggled +to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Am I a woman?" he asked himself, fiercely.</p> + +<p>He turned, and started along the river. For a short distance he advanced +with slow, unsteady strides. Then he fought back his weakness and forced +himself into a swifter pace. It was not long before he was again +traveling at his best speed.</p> + +<p>"I must go fast—there is little time," he kept telling himself.</p> + +<p>The Delawares were lighting the evening fires when Running Fox finally +tottered into the camp and fell exhausted before the lodge of his +father. The Delawares gathered about him in wild alarm. They had little +doubt that some great misfortune had overtaken the scouts who had gone +to rescue Spotted Deer. They feared that all but Running Fox had been +captured or killed.</p> + +<p>"Carry him into the lodge," said Black Panther.</p> + +<p>When Running Fox opened his eyes he found himself between bear robes, +lying beside the fire in his father's lodge. Black Panther and Sky Dog, +the Medicine Man, sat near him. For a moment he looked at them in +bewilderment. Then he recalled what had happened. He threw off the robes +and sat up excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Come, my father, call the warriors!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" Black Panther asked, calmly.</p> + +<p>"The Mohawks have caught our brothers," he told them. "Our brothers are +hiding in a big swamp. The Mohawks are all around them. Pretty soon they +will rush in and kill them. Spotted Deer is there. We took him away from +the Shawnees. Come, call our people. Give me some meat. I must take you +back there to help our brothers."</p> + +<p>Then, while Running Fox drank great bowls of steaming broth, Black +Panther sent a crier through the camp to summon the warriors. A great +company gathered before the council lodge. Running Fox rushed wildly +from his father's lodge to address them.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, there is no time to talk," he cried. "You know what has +happened. Come, push your canoes into the water. I will lead you to our +brothers."</p> + +<p>"This will be a big fight," cried Black Panther, the famous war chief. +"If the Mohawks kill our brothers, we will go to the Mohawk village and +kill many people. I am your chief. I will lead you."</p> + +<p>His words filled the warriors with enthusiasm. They began to dance and +sing their war songs. Then they hurried to the river. A few moments +later a fleet of canoes moved swiftly away into the twilight. A great +war party of Delawares had gone to the aid of their tribesmen.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>A TIMELY RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>The departure of Running Fox filled his companions with dismal +premonitions of disaster. They had grave doubts that he would be able to +pass the alert guards along the edge of the swamp, and they feared that +he would either be killed or captured by his foes. They listened +anxiously, fearing that at any moment a piercing shout would warn them +that their comrade had gone to his death. Then, as the stillness +continued, they began to feel more confident. It was a long time, +however, before they dared to give expression to their hopes.</p> + +<p>"I believe Running Fox got away," Dancing Owl said, finally.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it will take him a long time to get out of this place," Spotted +Deer reminded him.</p> + +<p>"Well, we have not heard any sounds," Crooked Foot declared, hopefully. +"Nothing bad has happened to him."</p> + +<p>When the long night finally passed, they felt confident that Running Fox +had escaped. The thought thrilled them. They knew that if they could +stand off the Mohawks, a strong force of Delawares would eventually come +to their rescue.</p> + +<p>"We must be strong," said Spotted Deer. "I believe Running Fox will +bring our people."</p> + +<p>At daylight they heard the owl-calls around the edge of the swamp. They +were repeated many times until the woods rang with the weird chorus. The +Mohawks were exchanging signals. The Delawares felt certain that their +foes were getting ready to close in.</p> + +<p>"Now we must lie close," said Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>They crouched far down into the intricate barricade of tree trunks in +the hope of escaping the sharp eyes of the Mohawk scouts. They had +little hope that those shrewd foes would fail to notice such a promising +hiding place. The great chorus of owl-calls had ceased, but there were +other signals rising in various parts of the swamp, and the Delawares +knew that the search had begun.</p> + +<p>"I saw some one pass over there between those trees," Dancing Owl +whispered, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Keep watching," said Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the scout again showed himself between the trees. He +was moving toward their hiding place. Then he suddenly discovered the +confused jumble of fallen trees. He immediately disappeared behind the +trunk of a great spruce.</p> + +<p>"That scout is cautious," whispered Turning Eagle. "I was getting ready +to kill him."</p> + +<p>"Save your arrows," Spotted Deer cautioned him. "We must keep them until +the Mohawks rush up to us."</p> + +<p>They knew that the Mohawk was watching from behind the tree. The thought +kept them motionless. They felt quite certain that he would not pass on +without examining the cover. Then they heard him signaling. Their hopes +fled. They knew he had become suspicious.</p> + +<p>"He is calling his friends," whispered Yellow Wolf. "There is no hope. +They will surely find us."</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon we will have to fight," declared Crooked Foot.</p> + +<p>As the signal had been answered, the Delawares watched anxiously on all +sides for the appearance of other scouts. It was not long before they +saw another Mohawk darting swiftly between the trees. He had come from a +different direction. As he discovered the hiding place he, too, stopped +and took shelter. Then a third Mohawk came from behind them. He +approached well within bow-range and crouched to peer into the cover.</p> + +<p>"That warrior will find us," Yellow Wolf said, fearfully.</p> + +<p>An instant later his fears were confirmed. The scout straightened and +raised a piercing yell that reverberated threateningly through the +swamp. Dancing Owl prepared to shoot his arrow at him, but he sprang +behind a tree.</p> + +<p>"Well, my brothers, the Mohawks have found us," said Spotted Deer. "Now +we must fight. We are in a good place. If you save your arrows until our +enemies come close, it will be hard for them to reach us. I believe we +can hold them off a long time. Keep close behind these trees. We must +keep alive until our brothers come."</p> + +<p>Having found their foes, the Mohawks immediately surrounded their hiding +place. They were within easy bow-range and some exposed themselves with +great boldness, but the Delawares withheld their arrows. They believed +that their crafty foes were tempting them to waste their supply.</p> + +<p>"Wait," cautioned Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>The Mohawks seemed in no haste to make an attack. They saw that their +enemies were in a strong position, and they realized that it might be +difficult and costly to dislodge them. Bitter experience had taught them +that the Delawares were crafty and fearless fighters who would compel +them to pay dearly for victory. They believed it would be folly to rush +recklessly into a fight before they had carefully considered plans for +overcoming them. Leaving scouts to watch, the main company of Mohawks +withdrew to hold a council. They stole away so stealthily, however, that +the Delawares did not learn that they had gone.</p> + +<p>"They are afraid of us," said Turning Eagle. "I do not believe they are +going to rush upon us."</p> + +<p>"They are very sly and very brave," Spotted Deer cautioned him. "I +believe they are getting ready to do something. We must watch sharp."</p> + +<p>They waited in great anxiety to learn what their foes intended to do. +The delay encouraged them. They felt sure that Running Fox was speeding +toward the Delaware camp, and the thought made them strong. Once advised +of their predicament, they knew that their people would make desperate +efforts to arrive at the swamp in time to save them. The longer the +Mohawks postponed the attack, therefore, the stronger became the hopes +of the Delawares.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they will hold off until it gets dark again," suggested Dancing +Owl.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not believe it," said Spotted Deer. "They are talking about +how to do this thing."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward the Mohawks returned within bow-range. They commenced to +taunt and threaten and sing their war songs. Then they began to move +closer. The heavy stand of timber offered them splendid shelter. They +darted quickly from tree to tree, and the Delawares caught only swift, +momentary glimpses of them. It was a crafty, cautious method of attack +which enabled the Mohawks to advance upon their foes with little peril +to themselves.</p> + +<p>"They are getting close, we must stop them," Crooked Foot said, +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Wait," cautioned Spotted Deer. "If you shoot your arrows you will hit +the trees. Wait until the Mohawks rush in."</p> + +<p>He had barely finished speaking when an arrow imbedded itself in the +tree trunk behind which he crouched. He had been seen by one of the +Mohawks. The thought made him more cautious. Aware that the Mohawks were +watching for a chance to kill them from ambush, the Delawares realized +that it might be fatal to expose themselves.</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet," Spotted Deer warned them. "The Mohawks are watching +sharp."</p> + +<p>Then, for some time, neither Delawares nor Mohawks showed themselves. +The former crouched low in their shelter, waiting for their enemies to +begin the attack. The Mohawks stood behind trees with their arrows ready +and their eyes fixed hopefully on the tangle of tree trunks which +sheltered their foes. The Delawares were well pleased at the caution +displayed by the Mohawks. They knew that each moment of delay increased +their chances of rescue. Several times they saw the faces of their foes +peering cautiously around the trees, but the mark was too small to +warrant risking their arrows. Then some one addressed them in the +Delaware dialect.</p> + +<p>"Hi, now we know who you are," he said. "You are Delawares. It is good. +We took you for our enemies, the Shawnees. That is why we chased you +into this place. Do not be afraid. Come out, Delawares. We will not harm +you. Come out and talk with us. Perhaps you can tell us about the +boastful Shawnees. Our hearts are good toward you. That is why we held +back our arrows when we found out who you are."</p> + +<p>For a moment Spotted Deer was tempted to reply to the treacherous words +of the Mohawk. Then he suddenly realized that the warrior might +recognize his voice. Having been a prisoner in their camp, he believed +it would be foolish to risk the chance of being recognized. In the +meantime the Mohawk appeared to be growing impatient.</p> + +<p>"Well, Delawares, how do you feel about it?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>Spotted Deer nodded toward Yellow Wolf. The latter addressed the Mohawk.</p> + +<p>"Mohawk, we heard your words," he said. "We are talking about them. You +must give us time to decide what to do. There are only a few of us. I +see that there are many of you. We must be cautious. We know that you +are very fierce. Perhaps if we come out you will take away our arrows. +Wait there a little while. Then we will tell you what we have decided to +do."</p> + +<p>The Mohawk instantly detected the sarcasm which had been skillfully +woven into the reply. It filled him with rage, but he realized that it +would be foolish to betray himself to his foes. He waited until he had +choked back the fierce words that rose to his lips, and then he prepared +another trap for the Delawares.</p> + +<p>"I see that you are cautious," he said, calmly. "Well, we will not wait +for you. We must go to fight the boastful Shawnees. Come out when you +are ready. The way is clear. Listen, I am going to tell my friends to go +away. You must not try to harm us. If you do, perhaps we will have to +kill you."</p> + +<p>"Go, Mohawk, we will save our arrows," laughed Yellow Wolf.</p> + +<p>They heard the Mohawk talking loudly to his companions. A few moments +afterward they saw many of the Mohawks retreating cautiously into the +shadows. They knew at once that it was a wily trick to lure them into +the open, and they felt sure that a strong force of scouts was still +lurking within bow-shot. They gave no hint of their suspicions, however, +as they were overjoyed at the possibility of further delay by the +Mohawks. Then they heard shouts and signals from the border of the +swamp. They chuckled gleefully as they realized the trouble the Mohawks +were taking to deceive them.</p> + +<p>"Now watch sharp, I am going to make them show themselves," said Spotted +Deer.</p> + +<p>He seized a number of brittle twigs and began to break them, while he +stamped upon others with his feet. The noise made it appear as if the +Delawares were leaving the shelter. Deceived by the trick, a number of +alert Mohawk scouts peeped anxiously from behind their trees. The +Delawares laughed softly as they discovered them. Aware that they had +been tricked, the enraged Mohawks sent a harmless volley of arrows into +the barricade.</p> + +<p>"Hi, hi, that made them mad," laughed Crooked Foot.</p> + +<p>For a long time afterward they saw nothing further of their foes. They +had little doubt that the scouts still kept watch behind the trees, but +they were anxious to know what had become of the tricky Mohawk leader +and the rest of the war party. More than half of the day had passed, and +the Delawares believed there was slight danger of attack before night. +Their minds turned to Running Fox and their people. They believed that +he had reached the camp, and that a great war party of Delawares was +already speeding to their rescue.</p> + +<p>"If the Mohawks wait a little longer, we will fool them," said Dancing +Owl.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they will creep up to us when it gets dark," Spotted Deer told +him.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps our people will come by that time," suggested Turning Eagle.</p> + +<p>"No, they cannot get here so quick," declared Yellow Owl. "I have been +thinking about it. If Running Fox got to the camp I believe they will +come soon after the next sun appears. That is a long time to wait. I +believe the Mohawks will try to do some big things before the night goes +away."</p> + +<p>At that moment they suddenly learned what had become of the crafty +Mohawk leader and the warriors who had followed him to the edge of the +swamp. A ringing shout rose behind them. They turned to find a company +of Mohawks rushing upon them. At the same time the warriors who had been +concealed behind the trees ran in from the opposite direction. Attacked +from both sides, the Delawares were momentarily bewildered. Their foes +were at the barricade before they recovered from their surprise.</p> + +<p>"Come, Delawares, fight for your lives!" cried Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>The Mohawks had abandoned their caution and were exposing themselves +with unusual recklessness. Unable to reach their foes with arrows, they +were attempting to force their way into the tangle of logs to beat down +the Delawares with their war clubs. The fight soon became a fierce +hand-to-hand struggle. The Delawares, however, had the advantage. +Protected by the dense cover, they fought with a desperate ferocity that +astonished their foes. Spotted Deer drove his arrow through a Mohawk who +had clambered over the barricade and was about to crush his skull with +his war club. Yellow Wolf seized another warrior and threw him back into +the arms of his comrades. Crooked Foot and Turning Eagle fought side by +side and drove back the Mohawks with a deadly volley of arrows. Dancing +Owl struck down a warrior who was about to kill Yellow Wolf. Then the +Mohawks gave way and rushed to cover. The attack ended as suddenly as it +began.</p> + +<p>"Hi, that was a good fight," Yellow Wolf laughed, excitedly, as he +examined a gash on his arm.</p> + +<p>"We showed the Mohawks how to fight," Spotted Deer said, grimly.</p> + +<p>Except for the slight wound which Yellow Wolf received, the Delawares +escaped unharmed. As the Mohawks outnumbered them six or eight to one, +they were greatly elated at their success. They had little fear that the +attack would be renewed before dark. The Mohawks had carried off their +disabled comrades, and the Delawares were unable to learn what the +effort had cost them. They had withdrawn beyond arrow-range and were +shouting and singing war songs.</p> + +<p>"They sound very fierce, but we made them run," Dancing Owl said, +boastfully.</p> + +<p>"They will come back when it gets dark," Yellow Wolf warned him.</p> + +<p>The thought made them serious. They knew that the night would give the +Mohawks a great advantage. It would enable them to creep close up to the +shelter, and the Delawares feared that it would be impossible to +discover them. They realized, therefore, that although they had +successfully resisted the first savage attack of their foes they were +still in great danger. They believed that the Mohawks would make a still +more determined effort under cover of the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we can fool them," said Turning Eagle. "When it gets dark we +will creep away from here. Then perhaps we can get out of this swamp +when the Mohawks rush to this place to fight us."</p> + +<p>"No, my brother," Spotted Deer told him. "The Mohawks have found us. +They are very sharp. They will keep us here. I believe they are watching +close by. When it gets dark, they will come closer. If we leave this +place, I believe we will be wiped out."</p> + +<p>"It is true," said Yellow Wolf. "We must stay where we are."</p> + +<p>In the meantime the Mohawks had become silent. The Delawares instantly +became alert. They wondered if their foes were again advancing +noiselessly through the timber. The sun has disappeared, and the +twilight shadows were creeping into the swamp. The Delawares kept sharp +watch on the spaces between the trees. The Mohawks, however, failed to +show themselves.</p> + +<p>"What do you make of it?" Crooked Foot asked Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>"I believe they are waiting until it gets dark," said Spotted Deer.</p> + +<p>They watched uneasily as the light slowly faded from the swamp. The +approach of darkness filled them with dread. The night threatened them +with disaster. They wondered if they would live to see the dawn. Vague, +alarming doubts entered their minds. They became discouraged and +depressed. Then they roused themselves with the thought that their +people were rushing to their assistance. It gave them hope, and +strengthened their courage. They believed that the Delawares were +already well on their way toward the swamp. They told themselves that +they must hold out until they arrived. Their hearts beat wildly at the +possibility of another sudden victory over the Mohawks.</p> + +<p>"Our people will come," Spotted Deer said, confidently. "Pretty soon we +will see the Mohawks running like rabbits."</p> + +<p>The swamp was almost dark. It was difficult to see between the trees. +The shadows were lengthening. Night was closing its long black fingers +about the forest. All was hushed. The Delawares believed that the hour +of peril was at hand. They peered fearfully from their cover, and +listened closely for the approach of their foes.</p> + +<p>"What has become of them?" Crooked Foot asked, suspiciously, when half +of the night had passed.</p> + +<p>"I do not know what to make of it," Spotted Deer told him.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they have gone away," said Dancing Owl.</p> + +<p>"No," declared Yellow Wolf. "Keep watching. They will come."</p> + +<p>The night was far gone when they finally heard sounds which convinced +them that the Mohawks were close at hand. A soft, cautious signal +sounded through the darkness. Some moments afterward a twig cracked. The +Delawares prepared to defend themselves. They feared that their foes +were creeping silently toward the barricade.</p> + +<p>"Get ready, they are close by," Yellow Wolf cautioned.</p> + +<p>"They are here!" shouted Turning Eagle, as he shot his arrow.</p> + +<p>An instant afterward the piercing war cry rang in their ears, and the +Mohawks charged recklessly upon the shelter. They scrambled wildly into +the mass of fallen timber and attempted to reach the Delawares. However, +as only a few at a time could force their way into the dense tangle, the +Delawares drove them back with a deadly volley of arrows. Then they made +another desperate attack, and several warriors actually got within reach +of the Delawares. The latter attacked them with great courage, and soon +found themselves fighting at close quarters in the dark. Encouraged by +the success of their comrades, the rest of the Mohawks were fighting +their way into the tangle.</p> + +<p>"Die like men!" shouted Spotted Deer, as he hurled himself upon one of +his foes.</p> + +<p>At that instant a terrified yell rang through the night. It came from +the edge of the swamp. It had barely died away before the thrilling +Delaware war cry rose from a hundred throats. The Mohawks turned in +dismay. The Delawares raised a great shout that filled the hearts of +Black Panther and his warriors with joy.</p> + +<p>"Our brothers are alive!" cried the great war chief. "Come, Delawares, +wipe away the boastful Mohawks."</p> + +<p>Aware that they had been trapped, the demoralized Mohawks scrambled from +the tangle and fled into the night. They had not gone an arrow-flight +before they encountered the Delawares. The latter had completely +surrounded the scene of battle.</p> + +<p>"Wait, Mohawks, our people have come to meet you!" laughed Yellow Wolf. +"Do not be afraid. Wait. We are coming out to talk with you. Wait, +Mohawks, perhaps our people will tell you about the Shawnees."</p> + +<p>The Mohawks had taken shelter behind trees, hoping that the Delawares +might rush by them. The Delawares, however, hunted them out with the +calm, thorough persistence of wolves. They took a terrible vengeance +upon the fierce foes who had attempted to annihilate their tribesmen. +Few of the Mohawks escaped. Those that got away fled wildly toward the +north to carry the news of their disaster to their people.</p> + +<p>"My brothers, you are alive—it is enough," cried Running Fox, as he +rushed to meet his friends.</p> + +<p>"Running Fox, you have given us our lives," cried Crooked Foot. "You are +a great war leader."</p> + +<p>"My brother, you took me away from the Shawnees," Spotted Deer said, +with emotion. "It was a great thing to do. Now you have done another +great thing. Come, I will go and tell Black Panther and our people about +it."</p> + + +<h3>THE END</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="By_ELMER_R_GREGOR" id="By_ELMER_R_GREGOR"></a>By ELMER R. GREGOR</h2> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">JIM MASON, BACKWOODSMAN<br /></span> +<span class="i0">JIM MASON, SCOUT<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<h3><i>Western Indian Series</i></h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">WHITE OTTER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE WAR TRAIL<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THREE SIOUX SCOUTS<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<h3><i>Eastern Indian Series</i></h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">SPOTTED DEER<br /></span> +<span class="i0">RUNNING FOX<br /></span> +<span class="i0">THE WHITE WOLF<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Spotted Deer, by Elmer Gregor + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPOTTED DEER *** + +***** This file should be named 35049-h.htm or 35049-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/0/4/35049/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Spotted Deer + +Author: Elmer Gregor + +Release Date: January 23, 2011 [EBook #35049] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPOTTED DEER *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + SPOTTED DEER + + BY ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR + +AUTHOR OF "THE WHITE WOLF," "THE WAR TRAIL," "RUNNING FOX," ETC. + + + D. APPLETON AND COMPANY + NEW YORK, 1924, LONDON + + COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY + D. APPLETON AND COMPANY + + PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + + + + +[Illustration: "PERHAPS SOME SHAWNEES ARE HIDING OVER THERE."] + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. THE CRY OF THE LOON + +II. A NIGHT OF ANXIETY + +III. CAPTURED + +IV. A WILY CAPTIVE + +V. THE SHAWNEE CAMP + +VI. A TRYING ORDEAL + +VII. THE MYSTERY WOMAN + +VIII. THE ALARM + +IX. AWAY ON THE SEARCH + +X. THE ABANDONED CANOE + +XI. A COUNCIL OF WAR + +XII. ON THE TRAIL + +XIII. A STRANGE ALLY + +XIV. WAITING AND WATCHING + +XV. AN EASY VICTORY + +XVI. A DARING RUSE + +XVII. SPOTTED DEER OBTAINS HIS FREEDOM + +XVIII. SHAWNEE TREACHERY + +XIX. SURROUNDED + +XX. A TIMELY RESCUE + + + + +SPOTTED DEER + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE CRY OF THE LOON + + +Spotted Deer was returning to the Delaware village from a hunting +expedition. He was in high spirits for he had been most successful. His +canoe contained the carcass of a fat young buck, a brace of geese and +several grouse. Spotted Deer sang softly to himself. It was a simple +song of thanks to Getanittowit, the Great One. + + Listen, Getanittowit, I am singing about you. + Getanittowit has filled my canoe with meat. + Getanittowit has made me a great hunter. + O Getanittowit, I feel good about it. + +It was a glorious day in early autumn. The soft balmy air was perfumed +with the invigorating fragrance of the pines. The water sparkled in the +sunshine. A smoky blue haze hung between the hills. The forest blazed +with color. Spotted Deer looked about him with delight. A red-tail hawk +circled slowly above his head. A woodpecker drummed its challenge upon a +dead pine. Spotted Deer smiled at the sound as he recalled an occasion +when his friend Running Fox had used it as a signal to fool his foes. +Lost in reverie, Spotted Deer ceased paddling to watch the great black +and white woodpecker hammering noisily on a bleached limb of the pine. +Having found no evidence of foes in the Delaware hunting grounds, the +young warrior felt secure. + +"Hi, Papaches, you are making a big noise up there," he laughed, as he +shook his bow at the bird. + +The next moment he grew silent and alert. The call of Quiquingus, the +loon, sounded somewhere behind him. Spotted Deer looked anxiously up the +river. There was something about the call which made him suspicious. He +searched the water with great care, but saw nothing of the loon. He +became uneasy. Several disturbing questions rose in his mind. Was the +call false? Was it a signal from his foes? Had he been discovered? + +The latter possibility was alarming as he was more than a day's journey +from the Delaware camp. Spotted Deer was undecided as to just what he +should do. Many moments passed while he watched anxiously for the loon. +The woodpecker had flown. The forest was silent. Spotted Deer hoped that +the cry would be repeated. When he failed to hear it, his suspicions +grew stronger. He wondered if some sharp-eyed scout were watching from +the edge of the forest. The thought made him cautious. He paddled into +the center of the river, where he was a long bow-shot from either shore. +Then for a long time he waited and watched. However, as he neither saw +nor heard anything further of the loon, he finally determined to +continue on his way. + +Spotted Deer had gone only a short distance when the call was repeated. +Stopping his canoe, he again searched the water. The mysterious cry +seemed to have come from somewhere along the west shore of the +river--the side on which he had seen the woodpecker. Spotted Deer +examined the shadows with infinite care, but his efforts were futile. +The loon was nowhere in sight. His failure to discover it, and the +significant fact that the call had been repeated when he started down +the river, increased his uneasiness. He was almost convinced that the +cry was counterfeit. Still he wished to be sure. He waited some time, +watching for the conspicuous white breast of Quiquingus, the Laugher. + +"It is not Quiquingus," he declared, at last. + +Having decided that the call was an imitation, Spotted Deer wondered why +the one who had made it had risked disclosing his hiding place. In a +moment the truth flashed through his mind. He believed the call had been +a signal to announce his approach to some one farther down the river. +The thought caused him grave concern. He feared that he had blundered +into a perilous predicament. + +"I must watch out," Spotted Deer murmured, uneasily. + +He permitted the canoe to drift slowly with the water while he meditated +upon a plan of action. Feeling quite certain that he had encountered a +company of his foes, his chief concern was to learn if they had canoes. +In that event, he believed he would be in considerable peril. If, +however, his enemies were hunting through the woods on foot, he believed +there was little to fear while he kept to the middle of the river. + +"I will go ahead," he said. + +The sun had disappeared. Twilight had fallen upon the woods. Long black +shadows swept over the water. The day was far spent. Spotted Deer +watched closely along the edge of the timber. He knew that it would be +easy to blunder past a canoe concealed in the shadows near the shore. +Several times he was deceived by half-submerged trunks of fallen trees +which in the baffling twilight resembled canoes. Then, as he paddled +slowly around an abrupt turn in the river, he suddenly discovered two +canoes crossing directly ahead of him. Each canoe contained two +paddlers. They were a considerable distance away, but as Spotted Deer +was exposed in the center of the river he had little doubt that he had +been seen. The actions of the distant canoemen confirmed his fears. They +had ceased paddling and were looking steadily toward him. In the +meantime the Delaware had turned his canoe into a stretch of quiet water +to avoid drifting toward the strangers. They showed no inclination to +approach, and soon disappeared into the shadows along the west side of +the river. + +Spotted Deer suspected a trap. He feared that other canoemen were +concealed along the opposite side of the river. Under those +circumstances it seemed folly to venture ahead before darkness came to +shield him. Then he suddenly realized that it might be equally dangerous +to loiter. He believed that other foes were somewhere behind him, and he +feared that they had canoes. In that event they might sweep around the +river at any moment and he would find himself trapped between his +enemies. The thought was alarming. It roused him to action. He turned +about and paddled slowly up the river. Keeping well within the shadows +from the forest, he soon passed around the turn which hid him from his +foes. At that moment the melancholy wail of Gokhos, the owl, sounded +behind him. He knew at once that it was a signal from the canoemen. + +"I am in danger," Spotted Deer said, softly. + +He feared that the warriors whom he had discovered would follow him, and +that other foes might come down the river in response to the signal. +Aware of his peril, Spotted Deer ceased paddling and stared anxiously +into the shadows. The sunset glow had faded from the sky. The forest was +dark. Night was closing down. However, a narrow trail of daylight still +lingered in the middle of the river. Spotted Deer looked upon it with +misgiving. It was a barrier which he feared to cross. + +Then he again heard the cry of Gokhos, the owl. It still came from down +the river, and seemed no nearer than it was before. Spotted Deer was +perplexed. Had the canoemen failed to follow him? It seemed most +unlikely. He became suspicious. Perhaps his foes were attempting some +clever stratagem to quiet his fears. He wondered if the call had been +sounded to mislead him into believing himself free from pursuit while +his enemies approached cautiously through the shadows. He watched +closely. He wondered why the signals brought no response. What had +become of the concealed scout who had imitated the cry of the loon? +Spotted Deer began to think. Had he been deceived? Had Quiquingus +himself uttered that cry? Spotted Deer scoffed at the idea. He felt sure +that he would have discovered the bird if it had been anywhere within +sight. + +"No, no, it was not Quiquingus," he declared, emphatically. + +A moment afterward he heard the call of Gokhos repeated farther up the +river. His suspicions were confirmed. He realized that he was between +his foes. + +"Quiquingus has changed to Gokhos," he said, soberly. "I must be +cautious." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A NIGHT OF ANXIETY + + +As the signals were not repeated, Spotted Deer feared that his foes were +approaching each other with the hope of trapping him between them. He +realized that he must act quickly. For a moment only he studied his +predicament. If he attempted to dash down the river, the odds were +against him. He felt certain that there were two of his foes in each +canoe, and he also knew that the weight of the game in his own canoe +would be a serious handicap to his speed. It seemed folly, therefore, to +attempt an open race for safety. Still, he knew that if he remained upon +the water there would be little chance of avoiding his foes. There +seemed but one thing to do, and that was to hide in the woods until the +canoemen passed. He resolved to try the ruse. + +Night had fallen, and forest and river were cloaked in darkness. Aware +that his foes might have come within bow-shot, Spotted Deer realized +that each moment was precious. Turning toward the shore he maneuvered +the canoe with rare skill. It glided forward as easily and silently as a +drifting leaf until Spotted Deer stopped it at the edge of the bushes. +He tested the depth of the water with his paddle. It was shallow. He +waited a moment or so, listening for a warning of danger. All was still. +Feeling secure, Spotted Deer stepped from the canoe and waded toward the +shore. As he left the water, he again stopped to listen. He heard a +splash a short distance below him. His heart beat wildly. He believed +that his foes were close at hand. There seemed little chance of +concealing the canoe before they found him. He listened in breathless +suspense. In a few moments he heard another splash. This time it gave +him relief. He had recognized it as the signal of Amoch, the beaver, +slapping the water with his great broad tail. + +"Amoch," Spotted Deer murmured, softly. + +He moved cautiously along the edge of the woods until he found an +opening in the undergrowth. Then he drew the bow of the canoe from the +water. Stooping, he seized the fore legs of the buck and dragged it from +the canoe. It was a difficult task as the deer was heavy and Spotted +Deer feared to make a sound. When the buck was safely on the ground, he +drew the canoe into the bushes. Then he crouched behind it to watch and +listen for the approach of his foes. + +If his enemies passed, Spotted Deer planned to launch his canoe and slip +noiselessly down the river. However, he disliked to abandon the deer. It +seemed like presenting it to his foes. The idea irritated him. For an +instant he determined to take it. Then he suddenly realized the folly of +placing himself at a disadvantage. + +"Perhaps they will not find it," he told himself, comfortingly. + +At that moment he heard a low, indistinct sound on the water. He +listened. Long, anxious moments passed. The silence was unbroken. +Spotted Deer wondered if he had been deceived. He waited in trying +suspense to learn if his fears were real. + +"There is no one there," he said, finally. + +Then the call of Gokhos, the owl, sounded directly before his hiding +place. It was low, and soft, and querulous, and he realized why it had +seemed so far away when he heard it before. He listened anxiously for +the sound of voices, but the signal was followed by silence. Spotted +Deer watched eagerly for the canoe, but it was hidden in the darkness. +He wondered if it had passed. He listened for the slightest clew, but +heard nothing which would tell him what he wished to know. He waited +impatiently for an answer to the call. Many moments passed before he +heard it. At last it echoed weirdly across the water. Spotted Deer tried +to locate it. He decided that it came from the north. It convinced him +that his foes were searching along both sides of the river. + +Spotted Deer tried to guess the identity of the mysterious canoemen. He +believed that they were Mohawks. The thought filled him with alarm. It +suggested disturbing possibilities. They might be scouts moving down the +river to spy upon the Delaware camp. Perhaps a war party was following +close behind them. The idea filled him with gloom. He knew that the +unsuspecting Delawares were totally unprepared for an attack, and he +feared to think what might happen if a strong force of Mohawks should +suddenly appear before the village. The possibility roused him. His +heart filled with a reckless resolve to help his people. He determined +to ignore his own peril, and slip away to warn the Delawares. + +"Yes, yes, I must go," Spotted Deer told himself. + +He listened for further sounds from his foes. As he heard nothing to +arouse his suspicions he determined to begin his perilous journey down +the river. Aware that the slightest sound might betray him, he drew the +canoe toward the water with infinite care. After he had gone a +bow-length he stopped to listen. All was quiet. Spotted Deer felt +encouraged. Slowly, carefully, a bow-length at a time, he dragged the +canoe to the river. When he reached the water he stopped and stared +anxiously into the night. Then he stepped into the canoe, and pushed it +from the shore. + +Once afloat, Spotted Deer believed that he would be safer in the center +of the river. The signals had sounded near the shore, and he felt sure +that his enemies would expect to find him hiding in the heavy shadows +from the forest. The entire river was shrouded in darkness, and Spotted +Deer was unable to see more than a bow-length beyond his canoe. He +paddled slowly, moving his paddle through the water to avoid making the +slightest sound. Realizing that at any moment he might collide with his +foes, he was alert and ready for an emergency. + +Spotted Deer had gone several arrow flights when he suddenly heard +voices. They were close by. He stopped his canoe, and attempted to +locate the sounds. The talk had ceased. Spotted Deer wondered if his +foes were as near as they had seemed. He knew that voices might be heard +a long distance over water, and he realized that the sounds might have +come from near the shore. He determined to make sure. His canoe drifted +slowly with the water. He made no effort to stop it. It was an easy and +noiseless way of slipping down he river. + +In a few moments Spotted Deer again caught the low, ominous murmur of +subdued voices. This time he located the sounds. They seemed to be +directly ahead of him. The discovery alarmed him. He stopped his canoe +and turned abruptly from his course. Having performed the maneuver +without a sound, Spotted Deer hoped to pass safely by his foes. He had +taken only a few paddle strokes, however, when he discovered a long, +black object squarely in his path. There was no time to turn. Throwing +all his strength into a quick deep stroke of his paddle, Spotted Deer +crashed bow foremost against the side of a canoe. It immediately +capsized and spilled its astounded occupants into the river. By the time +they rose from beneath the water, the wily young Delaware had +disappeared into the night. + +Spotted Deer paddled furiously down the middle of the river. His eyes +twinkled merrily as he heard the angry shouts of the men in the water. +They were calling wildly to their companions. Spotted Deer grew serious +when he heard their appeals answered from various parts of the river. He +suddenly realized that he had encountered a strong force of his enemies. +However, having successfully eluded them he was hopeful of getting away. + +Then he heard the long, piercing shriek of Nianque, the lynx, some +distance farther down the river. The cry had sounded perfectly natural, +and still, under the circumstances, he mistrusted it. He ceased paddling +and listened suspiciously. Precious moments passed. The call was not +repeated. The cries and signals from his foes had stopped. An ominous +hush had settled upon the forest. Spotted Deer feared it. He believed +that the lynx cry had carried a warning. + +"It is bad," he whispered. + +Fearing to loiter, he moved cautiously down the river. He wondered if +crafty scouts were waiting to intercept him. Could he escape them? The +possibility of another collision with his mysterious foes tried his +courage. Still, he believed that his safest plan was to continue on his +way. Night was his ally, and he hoped to pass safely in the darkness. He +felt quite sure that his foes were close behind him. He feared that they +would soon overtake him. The thought made him reckless. He resolved to +continue down the river. + +Spotted Deer paddled desperately to keep ahead of his pursuers. He +believed that they would separate and again attempt to trap him between +them. The thought made him wary. He determined to keep in the center of +the river, as he feared that his foes were on both sides of him. His one +chance seemed to be to go ahead. He realized that even that course might +bring him into contact with some lurking foe. The mysterious lynx cry +still lingered in his mind. It depressed him. If it had been a signal, +he felt almost certain that he would find his enemies waiting for him +farther down the river. + +It was not long before Spotted Deer saw his suspicions confirmed. He was +astounded to see the river ahead of him brightly illuminated. On each +shore a great fire was blazing fiercely at the edge of the water. The +light from the flames spread far out over the river. Spotted Deer +realized that it would be impossible to pass without being seen. His +heart filled with despair. He appeared to have run into a trap. There +seemed to be slight chance of escape. He paddled wildly toward the +shore. Sheltered by the darkness, he hoped to elude the foes who had +pursued him down the river. He was within bow-shot of the woods when he +heard the careless splash of a paddle close behind him. Aware that he +had been discovered, Spotted Deer made frantic efforts to reach the +shore. An arrow hummed threateningly above his head. A moment afterward +he heard another arrow strike the water within bow-length of his canoe. +He glanced uneasily over his shoulder. A grim, black shape swept out of +the night. Then his canoe crashed against the shore. A piercing yell +rang across the water. Seizing his weapons, Spotted Deer jumped from the +canoe, and dashed into the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CAPTURED + + +Having gained the forest in safety, Spotted Deer stopped for a moment to +listen. He heard signals passing along the river. Then a twig snapped +close beside him. He turned in alarm. At that instant some one sprang +upon him and bore him to the ground. He struggled desperately, but the +shouts of his unknown assailant soon brought assistance, and the young +Delaware was speedily overcome. His arms were twisted behind him and +securely bound, and then he was pulled to his feet and led toward the +river. + +Spotted Deer was bewildered by the suddenness of the attack. It was some +moments before he fully realized what had happened. His first thought +was to identify his captors. It was difficult to recognize them in the +darkness. He listened closely to catch their talk. Having been a captive +in the Mohawk camp, he was familiar with the Mohawk dialect. These +mysterious strangers, however, spoke a different tongue. It was evident +that they were not Mohawks. Spotted Deer was astounded by the discovery. +Into whose hands had he fallen? He quickly guessed. + +"Shawnees," he murmured. + +When they reached the river, Spotted Deer was led to a canoe. He seated +himself without protest. It seemed folly to resist. There were three +canoes along the shore. One belonged to Spotted Deer. Two stalwart +paddlers entered the canoe with the Delaware. The warrior who seated +himself in the stern placed his bow and several arrows close beside him. +It was a significant warning which Spotted Deer understood. He saw +several figures moving about at the edge of the water. It was impossible +to count them. Then the canoe was pushed from shore, and Spotted Deer +wondered what fate awaited him. He had little hope. + +As the Shawnees paddled swiftly toward the middle of the river, they +raised a piercing cry that echoed threateningly through the night, and +filled the Delaware with gloomy premonitions. It had barely died away +before it was answered from various parts of the river. Then the cry of +Nianque, the lynx, again sounded through the darkness. A wild chorus of +shouts immediately rose in reply. Spotted Deer looked down the river. +The fires were still burning fiercely. He saw several figures moving +about in the glow. He believed they were waiting for the canoes. + +The Shawnees met in the center of the river. Spotted Deer counted four +canoes. Each held two paddlers. Two canoes were brought alongside of the +one in which he sat, and the Shawnees peered curiously at him. He had +little doubt that they were the warriors whom he had encountered farther +up the river. They exchanged a few words with his guards, but as Spotted +Deer was unfamiliar with the Shawnee dialect he could not understand +them. Then the canoes were turned toward the fire on the west shore of +the river. + +As they moved slowly down the river the Shawnees began to sing. Spotted +Deer felt sure it was a boastful recital of their recent exploit. Then, +as they drew nearer the fire, he saw a canoe crossing from the east side +of the river. It, too, held two paddlers. They apparently were eager to +be present when the captive was brought in, for they were paddling at +top speed. + +When the canoes entered the illuminated stretch of water, Spotted Deer +found an opportunity to study his foes. He examined the warrior in the +stern of the canoe. Although apparently of middle age he appeared +vigorous and active, and his deep chest and wide, sloping shoulders +denoted endurance and strength. His face was stern and sullen, and his +eyes flashed threateningly into the steady, unflinching eyes of his +captive. There was earth on his leggings and a long red scratch down his +arm, and Spotted Deer believed he was the one with whom he had fought. +There was something about him that suggested power, and the Delaware +felt sure that he was a leader. + +In the meantime the other canoes had come nearer, and Spotted Deer saw +the paddlers at close range. There were six. Four were young men, and +the others were mature warriors who seemed about the age of the Shawnee +who faced him in the canoe. While Spotted Deer was examining his foes, +they were equally occupied in staring at him. There were two in +particular who glared fiercely into his face, and threatened him. He had +little doubt that they were the warriors whom he had thrown into the +river. As Spotted Deer turned his head, one of them struck him with the +paddle. They laughed derisively as the enraged Delaware faced them with +flashing eyes. Angered by Spotted Deer's boldness, the Shawnee again +raised his paddle, but the warrior in the stern of the canoe spoke +sharply and the blow was withheld. + +A few moments later the canoes reached the shore. Four Shawnees awaited +them. As the warrior stepped from the bow of the canoe the other Shawnee +motioned for Spotted Deer to follow him. The Delaware was immediately +surrounded by his foes. They crowded closely about him, jeering and +threatening, and scowling fiercely into his face. Spotted Deer showed no +fear. He faced them with a calm courage that compelled respect. The +Shawnees quickly realized that their youthful prisoner was a bold and +seasoned warrior. + +The older of the two warriors who had shared the canoe with Spotted Deer +seemed to be in authority. He appeared to be the leader of the company. +He confronted Spotted Deer and studied him with great care. The others +watched in silence. Spotted Deer took equal pains to examine his foe. +Thus for some moments captor and captive stared at each other. They +offered a striking contrast--the Shawnee stalwart and mature, a seasoned +veteran of the war trail; the Delaware agile and youthful, and equally +familiar with the privations and perils of the warrior. The same +indomitable courage flashed in the eyes of both. Each saw it and +realized its significance. Spotted Deer read cruelty and hatred in the +glance of his captor. The Shawnee saw fearlessness and defiance in the +eyes of his captive. + +At last the Shawnee turned and addressed his companions. His tone was +sarcastic as he pointed toward the Delaware, and the Shawnees laughed +mockingly. Spotted Deer felt the hot fighting blood surge to his brain. +He was filled with sudden and intense hatred for this haughty foe who +seemed to regard him with contempt. However, the wily young warrior was +far too crafty to betray his feelings. Aware that the Shawnees would be +quick to read the slightest trace of emotion, he feigned a stolid +indifference that baffled them. + +Spotted Deer was led nearer the fire, and ordered by signs to seat +himself upon the ground. Two Shawnees sat beside him. They held +tomahawks and made it plain that they were eager for an opportunity to +use them. The rest of the company stood a short distance off, staring at +the fire. The leader seemed annoyed. Spotted Deer believed he was +impatient with the men who had illuminated the river. At his command two +of his companions hastened into the woods. In a few moments they +returned carrying long saplings with which they scattered the blazing +logs and rolled them into the water. + +When the fire had been destroyed, the Shawnees carried a number of +embers into the woods, and made a small fire behind the shelter of a +large rock. The blaze on the opposite side of the river was left to burn +out. Spotted Deer believed it was a clever maneuver to deceive any +enemies who might happen to be in the vicinity. + +The night was well advanced, and the Shawnees made preparations to +sleep. Spotted Deer watched them with interest. He wondered what they +would do with him. For the moment, at least, there seemed little chance +of escape, and still he realized that an unexpected opportunity might +offer itself. His hope was destroyed when two of his foes came forward +and bound his feet. Then the Shawnees gathered about him, and lay down +to sleep. + +Spotted Deer was helpless and miserable. The Shawnees had taken his +robe, and he suffered from the cold. The rawhide thongs with which he +was bound cut into his wrists and ankles, and interfered with +circulation. It was impossible to sleep. He stared gloomily at a star +that twinkled through an opening in the dense black canopy of tree tops. +His lips moved silently in a petition to Getanittowit, the Great One. + +Spotted Deer lay motionless until he felt sure that the Shawnees were +asleep. Then he strained to loosen the thongs about his wrists. The +effort only increased his agony. He waited a few moments; and then he +tried to move his feet. The attempt was equally futile. He had been +cruelly and skillfully bound, and he realized that it was folly to +attempt to free himself. + +Aware that only daylight might bring relief, Spotted Deer longed for the +night to pass. Each moment increased his suffering, but he bore it with +the stolid fortitude which he had inherited from his people, and fixed +his thoughts upon the Shawnees. There were twelve in the party and he +believed that they were hunters. The thought gave him comfort. His fears +for his people subsided. He believed that they were in little peril from +the small company of Shawnees. In fact he was greatly astounded at their +boldness in venturing so far into the Delaware hunting grounds. He was +also perplexed to explain the canoes. The Shawnees lived along another +large river a number of days' travel to the westward, and Spotted Deer +could scarcely believe that they had carried the canoes through the +wilderness. They were usually encountered hunting through the woods on +foot whenever they ventured into Delaware territory. Spotted Deer +thought about it for some time. Then an interesting possibility suddenly +entered his mind. He believed that the Shawnees had come from the north, +and it was possible that they had taken the canoes from the Mohawks. In +that event he had little doubt that they would either destroy them or +carry them to the Shawnee camp as trophies. Then another possibility +suggested itself. Perhaps the crafty Shawnees would leave the canoes +along the river to deceive the Delawares into believing that their hated +foes, the Mohawks, had invaded the Delaware hunting grounds. The thought +disturbed him. He feared that the stratagem might confuse his friends, +and lead them on a false trail. + +At that moment his thoughts were diverted by the barking of a fox on the +opposite side of the river. Spotted Deer listened closely. He wondered +if it was a signal. Had Delaware hunters discovered the fires? His heart +bounded at the thought. The Shawnees had awakened. Spotted Deer heard +them talking. He turned his head, and saw the warriors beside him +sitting erect. They, too, apparently were listening. The silence +continued some time. Then the quick, husky yaps of the fox again sounded +across the river. The Shawnees were silent. Spotted Deer felt that they +were watching him. He lay motionless. + +After the call had ceased, Spotted Deer heard some one passing in the +darkness. He believed that scouts had gone to the river to watch. He +feared that they might discover a company of Delawares. In that event he +had little hope for his life. He felt sure the Shawnees would kill him +as a precaution against being betrayed into the hands of their foes. He +waited in trying suspense to learn the outcome of the reconnaissance. + +It seemed a very long time before Spotted Deer finally heard sounds +which led him to suspect that the scouts had returned. He believed they +had learned something important. The Shawnees were talking excitedly. In +a few moments they drew close about him. He wondered if they had +discovered his people, and intended to kill him. For an instant he had a +reckless impulse to cry out and betray them. At that moment, however, +one of the Shawnees stooped and released Spotted Deer's ankles. The +Delaware took hope. He decided to remain silent. Then he was lifted to +his feet. For a moment he was unable to stand. A sharp command from the +leader of the company roused him to the effort. A moment afterward he +was led away toward the west. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A WILY CAPTIVE + + +The Shawnees moved through the woods in silence. They had abandoned the +canoes. Spotted Deer felt certain that they had been alarmed, and were +making a stealthy retreat under cover of the night. He wondered if the +Delawares had discovered them. The possibility excited him. He began to +form reckless plans for escaping if his people should overtake the +Shawnees. + +Then he suddenly realized that it might have been the Mohawks who had +been discovered along the river. In that event he believed he was in +equal peril with his captors. Once overtaken by those fierce foes from +the north, Spotted Deer feared that the little company would be speedily +annihilated. For him, however, death would be preferable to falling into +the hands of the Mohawks. Having escaped from their village, with his +friend Running Fox who had carried away a priceless medicine trophy, and +then killed their famous chief, Standing Wolf, Spotted Deer knew only +too well the punishment that would be inflicted upon him. If, therefore, +the Mohawks were on the trail of the Shawnees he was as eager as his +captors to elude them. + +Spotted Deer traveled through the woods with great discomfort. Unable to +use his arms, he was powerless to protect himself from contact with tree +trunks and undergrowth. A guard led him through the darkness, but made +no attempt to save him from the stinging blows from branches which were +released by the warriors in advance. Several times Spotted Deer barely +escaped having his eyes destroyed. Once he stumbled over a log and fell +headlong into the undergrowth. His guard seized the opportunity to +attack him. Regaining his feet the hot-tempered young Delaware turned +savagely upon his foe, but the Shawnee swept his hand to his +knife-sheath and Spotted Deer realized the folly of resistance. At that +instant he recognized his assailant as the leader of the company. The +discovery increased his hatred for that arrogant foe. + +At daylight the Shawnees halted beside a stream. Spotted Deer counted +them. There were only eight. He believed that the missing warriors had +remained behind to watch their foes. He wondered if their comrades had +stopped to wait for them. He finally decided that they expected the +scouts to overtake them at that spot. + +As the Shawnees loitered beside the stream, they produced rations of +dried meat, and ate heartily. One of the warriors beside him held a bone +before Spotted Deer, and laughed contemptuously. The Delaware ignored +the taunt. He realized that a display of temper would only invite +further affronts. The Shawnees were keeping a sharp watch upon him. +Despite his helplessness they seemed to be suspicious and fearful that +he might attempt to escape. Spotted Deer had hoped that, when darkness +passed, they might free his arms, but they showed no intention of +releasing him. He suffered intensely, but gave no sign. His agony was +forgotten as he fixed his mind on plans for escape. + +Then, as he sat watching his captors, he suddenly heard the notes of +Gulukochsun, the wild turkey. The experienced young hunter instantly +recognized the call as a counterfeit. He realized at once that it was a +signal. The Shawnees showed interest. They listened in silence until the +call was repeated. Then two warriors disappeared into the woods. Spotted +Deer believed they had gone to meet the scouts from the river. It was +not long before the latter appeared. There were two. Four warriors still +were missing. + +The scouts were engaged in conversation with the leader of the company. +The Shawnees gathered about them to listen. One, however, remained +beside the Delaware. His captors seemed determined to take every +precaution against his escape. Spotted Deer would have given much to +know what they were saying. His guard seemed equally curious. They +talked in low tones, however, and the Shawnee appeared unable to catch +their words. His face betrayed his impatience. He evidently disliked the +task to which he had been assigned. He began to grumble threateningly at +Spotted Deer. The latter treated him with scornful indifference. + +Spotted Deer felt certain that the scouts had brought word of +considerable importance. The Shawnees gave unmistakable evidence of it. +They were talking soberly and shaking their heads. Spotted Deer +continued to watch them. He believed that enemies had been discovered +along the river. "Were they Delawares or Mohawks?" The question caused +him great suspense. If the Shawnees had stolen Mohawk canoes and left +them at the river, he feared that his people would be deceived. In that +event there seemed little hope for him. Having experienced the +discomforts and perils of captivity in the Mohawk camp, Spotted Deer +feared that similar trials awaited him at the Shawnee village. For a +moment the idea shook his nerve. Then he drove it from his mind with the +assurance that his people would come to his aid in time to save him. + +In the meantime the Shawnees had ceased talking, and appeared ready to +resume their journey. They showed no great haste, however, and Spotted +Deer believed they had little fear of being overtaken. Their +indifference made him doubt that they had encountered the Delawares. He +was certain that the latter would never permit them to withdraw without +a fight. It seemed probable, therefore, that the Mohawks had come down +the river to recover the canoes. For a moment the thought filled him +with fear for the safety of his people. Then he realized that a small +force of Mohawk scouts would be unlikely to loiter near the stronghold +of their foes. Spotted Deer believed that once in possession of their +canoes they would lose little time in withdrawing from the Delaware +hunting grounds. + +As the Shawnees were crossing the stream the call of the wild gobbler +again echoed through the woods. One of the scouts immediately replied. +Then the Shawnees waited. In a few moments four warriors appeared. The +company was now complete, and the leader gave the word to advance. +Spotted Deer was placed between two warriors near the head of the party. +He suffered greatly, for his arms were cramped and numb, and the rawhide +had cut far into his swollen wrists. Pride, however, enabled him to +conceal his agony from his foes. + +Toward the end of the day the Shawnees stopped at a spring in the bottom +of a wooded ravine. It was evident that they planned to remain there for +the night. Spotted Deer grew weak at heart as he thought of the long +hours of agony before him. It was gradually sapping his strength. His +one fear was that he might collapse. The thought enraged him. He would +rather die than appear weak before his foes. + +Just before dark, however, the Shawnee leader freed the wrists of his +captive. Then he offered him a generous portion of dried meat. Spotted +Deer was unable to take it. His arms were powerless. The Shawnee laughed +cruelly at the plight of his foe. He threw the meat upon the ground, and +walked away. Spotted Deer turned his back upon it. Then for some time he +was unmolested. + +It was not long, however, before the Shawnees again bound his arms and +feet. This time they drew the rawhide even tighter than before in the +hope of forcing an appeal from the courageous young captive. Spotted +Deer remained silent. Only the threatening flash of his eyes gave +warning of the fierce emotions raging in his heart. When his foes had +rendered him powerless, he faced the Shawnee leader and laughed +scornfully. + +As the Shawnees failed to make a fire, Spotted Deer believed that they +feared pursuit. The thought kept him alert. He determined to be ready if +his tribesmen should attempt to rescue him. When he was finally forced +to lie down in the midst of his foes, he endured his discomfort with a +calm fortitude that astonished them. The night was cold and frosty, and +a piercing north wind swept through the ravine. The Shawnees wriggled +far down into their robes. Spotted Deer, however, was without shelter. +The cold soon overcame him. Violent chills swept through him. Sharp, +darting pains passed along his limbs. It seemed as if his arms were +being twisted from his body. Each moment intensified his agony. There +was no way to obtain relief. The night seemed endless. He prayed to +Getanittowit to send daylight. + +Then Spotted Deer heard something which roused him from his misery. +Soft, stealthy footfalls sounded close at hand. He raised himself to +listen. At that moment an arm was thrown about his neck, and he was +dragged to the ground. A hand was clapped across his mouth, and he felt +a knee against his chest. Completely bewildered, Spotted Deer wondered +what had happened. He heard the Shawnees whispering excitedly. He +believed that they had been overtaken by their enemies, and feared that +he would betray them. Had the Delawares come? Spotted Deer listened for +the familiar war cry. He feared that it might be the signal for his +death. The Shawnees had become silent. They were listening and watching +to interpret the peril which seemed to threaten them. Many moments +passed. The footfalls had ceased. Spotted Deer wondered if the Delawares +were preparing to rush upon their foes. Then he realized that it might +be the Mohawks. The possibility filled him with alarm. He was not afraid +to die, but he weakened at the thought of falling into their hands. + +A moment afterward the suspense was ended. A loud, startled snort +sounded through the darkness, and then something bounded away through +the undergrowth. The Delaware and the Shawnees both understood. It was +Achtu, the deer. The Shawnees laughed nervously. The warrior removed +himself from Spotted Deer. There was no longer need for caution. The +crisis had passed. + +At daylight the Shawnees freed Spotted Deer from his bonds. They gave +unmistakable warning that an attempt to escape would end in death. The +Delaware, however, was too miserable to make the effort. It was a long +time before he could use either his arms or his legs. When he had +somewhat recovered, the Shawnees gave him meat. He ate it, for he was +weak and hungry. Besides, he wished to prolong the interval of freedom. +Meanwhile he searched his brain for a way to outwit his foes. His +predicament seemed hopeless. + +At sunrise the Shawnees resumed their way toward the west. Spotted Deer +was astounded when they left him the freedom of his arms. A great hope +rose in his heart. He believed that he might be able to leave clews +which would lead his friends to his rescue. The Shawnees had taken his +weapons but had left his empty knife-sheath attached to his belt. +Spotted Deer found an opportunity to free it without attracting the +attention of his foes. A few moments later he dropped it beside the +trail. He knew that if his friend Running Fox should find it, he would +recognize it at once. Then as he accompanied his captors through the +woods he made every effort to leave a plain trail. Several times he +appeared to stumble, and each time he cleverly overturned a stone with +his foot and broke or bent the bush or limb which he had seized for +support. His clumsiness brought angry protests from his guards but they +apparently failed to detect the stratagem. Thus throughout the day the +wily young Delaware left signs which he hoped his friends might +eventually find and follow. + +That night the Shawnees seemed more bold. They made a fire, and appeared +to be in high spirits. Spotted Deer believed that they were within a +day's journey of their village. He missed several warriors and he felt +sure that they had gone ahead to announce their exploit in the Shawnee +camp. The thought sobered and depressed him. After they had given him +meat, the Shawnees again bound his wrists and feet. However, they +permitted him to lie close to the fire and the warmth gave him some +comfort. + +The following day the Shawnees advanced through the woods with far less +caution. They talked and laughed and sang, and it was evident that their +recent anxiety had passed. Spotted Deer felt sure that they were +approaching their village. The thought made him reckless. Although he +was closely guarded, his arms were free, and he determined to seize the +slightest opportunity for an attempt to escape. He believed that his +foes might grow less vigilant as they drew nearer the Shawnee camp, and +he hoped to catch them off their guard. He became as alert and watchful +as a lynx, ready at any moment to dash into the forest. Before he could +act upon the reckless impulse, however, the Shawnees suddenly appeared +to have guessed his intentions. They stopped him, and bound his arms +behind his back. + +For an instant only, Spotted Deer betrayed his anger in his face. Then +as his foes began to laugh and jeer he recovered himself. His heart, +however, was heavy with despair. It seemed as if his last hope had +vanished. He believed that his crafty captors had taken the precaution +to render him powerless against the attacks which might be made upon him +as he entered the Shawnee village. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE SHAWNEE CAMP + + +At midday the Shawnees climbed to the top of a high pine-clad ridge, and +Spotted Deer looked down upon a great river. Close beside it, on a +grassy flat, was the Shawnee village. It was composed of many bark huts, +and inclosed on three sides by a high log stockade. The front was open +to the river. As the Shawnees had stopped to rest, Spotted Deer had an +opportunity to study the camp. He viewed it with stirring emotions. Once +inside the log barricade, he wondered what fate awaited him. He saw many +people moving about at the edge of the village, and passing from lodge +to lodge. Several canoes were on the river. Smoke rose from the camp. + +Then one of the Shawnees uttered a piercing whoop that echoed shrilly +across the valley. It roused the camp. People ran from the lodges and +assembled in the center of the village. Their upturned faces made it +plain that they were gazing toward the top of the ridge. The heavy +timber concealed the Shawnees and their captive. The Shawnee called +again, and a great shout rose from the camp. Then the dogs barked +furiously. + +The Shawnees began to descend toward the river. The western side of the +ridge was steep and rough, and Spotted Deer was greatly handicapped. He +found it difficult to remain on his feet. The Shawnees were following a +narrow, precipitous trail, and there were places where the free use of +both arms was almost a necessity. The Shawnees, however, showed no +concern for the safety of their captive. At a number of steep places, he +lost his footing and slid several bow-lengths before he regained his +balance. At other spots the trail shrank to a mere foothold across the +face of precipitous ledges where a false step meant severe injury or +even death. Spotted Deer astounded his captors with his calm nerve and +marvelous agility. More than once they expected to see him hesitate at +some particularly perilous part of the trail. He never wavered, however, +and made his way over places where the Shawnees were compelled to steady +themselves with their hands. + +"The Delaware is like Tschinque, the mountain cat," they told one +another. + +When they finally emerged from the timber at the level of the river, +they were instantly discovered from the camp. Their appearance threw the +village into a commotion. The entire tribe seemed to have rushed out to +see them. Men, women and children assembled beyond the stockade. They +united their voices in a wild bedlam of sound that might have filled a +less courageous captive with terror. Spotted Deer, however, showed no +fear. His experience on the war trail, and his adventure in the Mohawk +camp, had taught him what to expect in the unfortunate circumstances in +which he found himself. He was prepared, therefore, to accept +discomfort, torture and death with the unshakeable courage which his +people demanded of their warriors. + +As his captors led him toward the village they began to sing, and +Spotted Deer knew that they were giving a boastful recital of their +exploit. In the meantime a company of men and boys were hurrying forward +to meet them. They were followed by a large pack of dogs. The Shawnee +leader stationed himself beside the captive. Spotted Deer was astonished +when he was addressed in his own dialect. + +"Delaware, we have brought you to our village," the Shawnee told him. +"Our people are waiting for you. They are very mad. Perhaps they will +kill you." + +Spotted Deer received the threat in silence. The Shawnee studied him +closely. He was angered by the scornful smile of the Delaware. + +"Have my people frightened away your words?" he demanded, sarcastically. + +"I see many dogs," replied Spotted Deer. "A Delaware is not afraid of +dogs." + +For an instant the Shawnee seemed about to attack him, but at that +moment they were surrounded by the company from the village. The +Shawnees pushed and jostled wildly in their efforts to reach the +prisoner. His captors, however, held them off. The leader called out in +commanding tones, and the Shawnees fell back. They seemed frantic with +excitement, and Spotted Deer knew that they would show little mercy. + +As they moved toward the camp, some of the boys began to taunt and jeer +and throw stones and sticks. The dogs, too, were snarling and snapping +and skulking between the Shawnees to reach the stranger. One +particularly ugly-looking brute rushed forward and attempted to fasten +its fangs in Spotted Deer's leg. He kicked savagely and it slunk away. + +Once at the edge of the camp, Spotted Deer was made the object of a +vicious attack. His guards were swept aside, and men, women and children +rushed upon him and began to beat him. For some moments he believed he +would be killed. Then some one called out loudly from the village, and +the attack suddenly ceased. + +Three warriors were walking slowly toward the crowd of Shawnees. It was +evident at once that they were persons of importance. As they +approached, Spotted Deer studied them with great interest. Two were +robust men of middle age, and the third seemed considerably older. He +wore a bearskin robe, and carried a tomahawk. Spotted Deer believed he +was the one who had called out. He wondered if it was the war chief of +the Shawnees. + +As the three warriors advanced, the Shawnees separated to permit them to +reach the prisoner. Spotted Deer had been badly battered by his foes, +and the Shawnees laughed indifferently as they saw the evidence of his +punishment. There was a bold challenge in his glance, however, that +compelled their respect. It was apparent that the youthful warrior had +little fear of them. For some moments they studied him in silence. Then +the oldest warrior turned and addressed the great company of Shawnees. +When he ceased speaking, they entered the village. + +The Delaware was taken to the center of the camp. He presented a +striking appearance as he walked between his guards with his head erect +and his eyes flashing defiance at his jeering foes. He was led to a +large bark lodge, and pushed through the doorway. + +Spotted Deer found himself in a good-sized room which was occupied by an +old woman, who was busily engaged poking the embers of a small fire. His +guards had followed him into the lodge, and at sight of the three +intruders the old woman began to scold furiously. Then she suddenly +noticed that Spotted Deer was a stranger. She rose, and tottered forward +to look at him. In a moment she turned, and questioned her tribesmen. +When they replied, her aged face flamed with hate. She rushed at Spotted +Deer like some horrible witch who was about to shrivel him with the heat +of her wrath. Cackling fiendishly, she thrust her bony, talon-like hands +at his eyes. He avoided her, and then sprang forward so menacingly that +she drew back shrieking in terror. Then the Shawnees ordered her from +the lodge. She turned at the doorway and shook her clenched hand at the +captive. A moment afterward they heard her haranguing the crowd that had +assembled outside. Spotted Deer believed that she might prove to be a +crafty and dangerous foe. + +In the meantime one of the Shawnees had motioned for the prisoner to +seat himself upon the wide platform of poles that extended along the +side of the room. Then they bound his ankles, and withdrew. + +Left to himself, Spotted Deer began to study the lodge. It was similar +in plan and structure to the Delaware lodges. The walls and roof were +made of slabs of bark fitted between two rows of poles, and held in +place by splints and ropes made of twisted strands of bark. Each slab +was punctured at the ends and securely tied in position with bark +fibers. The roof, which was somewhat arched, was braced with many small +poles and had an opening in the center as an exit for the smoke from the +camp fire. The lodge was about five bow-lengths wide and four +bow-lengths long. A wide platform of poles extended along each side of +the room. The floor was packed earth. There was a shallow fire pit in +the center. The lodge was without furnishings, and appeared deserted. +Spotted Deer wondered how the old woman had chanced to be there. As +there was nothing to indicate that she had been cooking, he believed +that she had entered the lodge to burn incense and conduct some +mysterious medicine rite. The thought stirred his imagination. He +realized that she might be one of the strange Medicine Women. In that +event he feared that she might exert a powerful influence against him. + +His meditations were interrupted by a noisy commotion outside. He heard +people talking excitedly before the entrance to the lodge. He wondered +if the Shawnees were about to attack him. Then, above the confused +clamor, he recognized the shrill cackling voice of the mysterious old +woman. It was evident that she was still talking against him. A few +moments later he saw her peering into the lodge. Many faces appeared +behind her. She pointed a long, crooked finger at Spotted Deer, and +launched forth into a violent tirade. Her face wore a diabolical +expression. She appeared beside herself with rage. Spotted Deer believed +she would lead the Shawnees into the lodge to kill him. He was at a loss +to understand why the vicious old creature showed such animosity toward +him. However, neither she nor the people with her attempted to enter the +lodge. In a few moments they withdrew, and Spotted Deer heard them +moving toward another part of the camp. + +He was left alone until the end of the day. Then the robe was raised +from the doorway and several warriors entered the lodge. One was the +haughty leader whom Spotted Deer had learned to hate. An old woman +followed behind them. She carried a portion of roasted meat and a wooden +bowl. For a moment Spotted Deer mistook her for the violent creature who +had annoyed him. As she came nearer, he was relieved to learn that she +was not that ill-tempered individual. She placed the meat and a bowl of +water beside him and hurried away. Then one of the warriors freed him. +Spotted Deer again found his arms powerless. + +"Come, Delaware, eat some meat so that you will be strong when we come +to kill you," the Shawnee leader said, threateningly. + +"A Delaware is always strong," Spotted Deer replied, boastfully. + +"Well, we will see about it," laughed the Shawnee. "There is an old +woman out there who is talking bad against you. She is a Mystery Woman. +No one knows how she came here. She has been here a long time. She has +done some big things. My people will listen to her words. She says the +Delawares killed her people. Her heart is black against you. She wants +to see you die. It is good." + +Spotted Deer remained silent. The threat made little impression upon +him. He had already anticipated the fate which the Shawnee prophesied. + +"Well, how do you feel about it?" inquired the Shawnee. + +The Delaware refused to reply. He was endeavoring to secure the meat and +water before his foe became impatient and took them away. After several +torturing attempts, he succeeded. The Shawnees jested laughingly. He +knew they were rejoicing at his discomfort. He strove heroically to +conceal it, but his arms were stiff and swollen and he found great +difficulty in raising the food to his month. + +"You are a young man, but we will make you old," laughed the Shawnee. +"Your arms are already too weak to pull the bow. See how you shake! Are +you frightened?" + +Sharp words rushed to the lips of Spotted Deer but he kept them back. He +realized that an outburst of anger would invite a fresh attack from his +foes. As he was completely in their power, he believed it would be folly +to antagonize them. He smothered the fierce emotions that raged in his +heart, and remained calm. When he had eaten the meat the Shawnees bound +his arms, and passed out of the lodge. + +Spotted Deer immediately began to think about the Mystery Woman. He +wondered if she possessed the strange powers which the Delawares +credited to the Medicine People. He had been taught to regard those +mysterious people with superstitious fear. The thought that the strange +old woman might be one of them caused him considerable uneasiness. +Having incurred her hostility, he wondered if she would cast some evil +spell upon him. The credulous young Delaware started at the possibility. + +As the long day finally came to an end, Spotted Deer wondered if he +would be left unguarded through the night. He heard people laughing and +singing in various parts of the camp, and smelled the smoke from their +fires. A narrow streak of light showed at the doorway of the lodge. He +believed the Shawnees were eating the evening meal. A short time +afterward he heard the dogs snarling and fighting over the bones which +had been thrown to them. + +Then some one went through the camp crying out in a loud voice. Spotted +Deer knew that it was a courier calling the people to assemble for some +particular event. He heard them passing the lodge. The streak of light +at the side of the doorway grew wider. It was evident that a large fire +had been lighted close by. He heard the crackle of the flames. Soon +afterward some one began to speak. Spotted Deer listened closely. He +felt quite certain that he recognized the voice of the Shawnee leader. +He talked some time, and when he finished speaking, a great shout went +up from the company. His words seemed to have found approval. Spotted +Deer wondered if he had been the subject of his discourse. Other +speakers followed. Then, after a short interval of silence, the shrill +voice of the Mystery Woman echoed through the camp. It filled Spotted +Deer with a vague, superstitious fear. She spoke in a wild, hysterical +manner, and it was not long before he heard sounds which led him to +believe that she was rousing the Shawnees against him. When she finally +subsided, the night rang with their shouts. Spotted Deer was filled with +gloomy premonitions of impending disaster. + +When the tumult finally ceased, the night was far spent. Then some one +entered the lodge. Spotted Deer stared anxiously toward the doorway. The +impenetrable darkness concealed his visitor. The latter approached +without making a sound. In a few moments Spotted Deer felt a hand upon +his shoulder. It passed down his arm and stopped at his wrists. Having +made sure that the binding was secure, his unseen foe then examined the +thongs about his ankles. Then he withdrew as noiselessly as he had +approached. Spotted Deer wondered if he had gone out. Some time +afterward he thought he heard a sigh near the doorway of the lodge. He +believed some one was on guard. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A TRYING ORDEAL + + +At dawn Spotted Deer looked anxiously about the lodge, hoping to see the +mysterious visitor who had entered during the night. He had disappeared. +The Delaware was alone. + +The camp was astir with the usual daylight activities. Spotted Deer +recognized familiar sounds. People were calling from the lodges. +Children were running about in play. The women were breaking sticks for +the fires. He heard the crackle of freshly kindled wood. Smoke drifted +into the lodge. Soon afterward he smelled the tantalizing odor of +roasting meat. It roused his appetite. He wondered if the Shawnees would +bring food. + +It was not long before a warrior and an old woman entered the lodge. The +warrior carried his tomahawk and the old woman brought meat and water. +The Shawnee unbound the Delaware in grim silence. Then he motioned for +the woman to place the meat and water beside the captive. He seated +himself to wait while Spotted Deer ate. The old woman stood watching +him. The Shawnee pointed toward the door and she hurried out. + +It was some time before Spotted Deer could use his arms. The Shawnee +showed no impatience. He seemed content to enjoy the discomfort of his +foe. He was a young man, not much older than the Delaware. His face was +stern and cruel, and his eyes were bold and piercing. He was sinewy and +well formed, and looked as if he might be a dangerous adversary. He +waited silently until Spotted Deer had finished eating, and then he +bound him. Then he called the old woman who came and took away the bowl. +The Shawnee followed her from the lodge. + +As he was not further disturbed, Spotted Deer began to consider his +chances. He wondered if the Shawnees intended to kill him. He had little +doubt of it. The Mystery Woman wished to see him die, and the Shawnee +leader had declared that his people would listen to her words. Spotted +Deer had slight hope of being spared. He knew the hatred which the +Shawnees had for the Delawares and he believed he would be made the +victim of their vengeance. Still he had passed safely through many +perilous days of captivity among the fierce Mohawks, and the thought +gave him courage. If the Shawnees delayed his execution, he believed his +friends might discover his plight in time to rescue him. He relied +particularly upon his friend Running Fox, a famous young warrior who was +the son of the great Delaware war chief, Black Panther. The lads had +shared many perilous adventures and each had implicit confidence in the +loyalty and ability of the other. Spotted Deer felt sure that, once +alarmed at his absence, Running Fox would make desperate efforts to find +him. If he finally learned of Spotted Deer's predicament, the latter +knew that nothing but death would prevent him from extricating him from +his difficulty. + +"Running Fox will come," he assured himself. + +Then he suddenly realized that, even if his friends should find his +trail, they might arrive too late to save him. The thought sobered him. +He feared that if the Shawnees planned to kill him they would carry out +their intention with little delay. They, too, might anticipate an +attempt by the Delawares to rescue him. He realized that the coming +night might bring his death. For an instant the idea startled him. Then +he drove it from his thoughts, and made an earnest appeal to +Getanittowit, the Great One. + + Getanittowit, see what has happened to me; + See, Getanittowit, the Shawnees have caught me. + Great Getanittowit, take pity on me. + Getanittowit, tell my people about it; + Getanittowit, bring them here to help me. + Great Getanittowit, take pity on me. + +He had barely finished his petition when the Shawnee leader entered the +lodge. For some moments he stood before Spotted Deer in silence. He +stared steadily into his eyes, and the Delaware met his glance without +flinching. Then the Shawnee began to speak. + +"Delaware, I have come to tell you that you must die," he said. + +He paused to note the effect of his words. Spotted Deer showed no +emotion. He waited calmly for the Shawnee to continue. It was some +moments before the latter spoke. + +"Many bad things will happen to you," he said, finally. "Pretty soon we +will see if you are brave enough to go through with it. I do not believe +you are brave enough to go through with it. You are a Delaware. When you +see what the Shawnees are about to do to you I believe you will cry like +a woman. Then our young men will laugh at you." + +The Shawnee again paused and looked searchingly at the captive. Spotted +Deer smiled scornfully. He showed no inclination to speak. His control +amazed his foe. He had expected to rouse him into a violent outburst of +temper. He appeared baffled by Spotted Deer's indifference. It annoyed +him. His anger showed in his face. Having failed to intimidate the young +Delaware, the Shawnee appeared to be in a dilemma. Spotted Deer believed +he had entered the lodge to carry out some crafty plan. For some moments +he maintained an awkward silence. The Delaware watched closely. He saw a +swift, cunning glance flash from the eyes of his foe. At that instant +the Shawnee addressed him. + +"Well, young man, I see that you are brave," he said, less harshly. "It +is good. Perhaps I will help you. But you must do as I tell you. Will +you listen to my words?" + +"Speak," Spotted Deer said, coldly. + +"You are a Delaware," resumed the Shawnee, "Your people are our enemies. +Our enemies must die. If I do not help you my people will surely kill +you. You are a young man. I believe you are a brave warrior. It would be +foolish to throw away your life. I will tell you how you may keep it. +You must help me kill the great chief Black Panther. He is----" + +"Stop!" Spotted Deer cried, furiously. "I have closed my ears. You speak +the tongue of my people, but you talk like a Shawnee. The Shawnees are +afraid of our great chief, Black Panther. It is good. They run to their +lodges when they hear his voice. You wish to kill him but you are +afraid. You ask me to help you. Shawnee, if my hands were loose I would +pull you to pieces. I am a Delaware. A Delaware will die for his people. +Go, Shawnee dog, and tell your brothers the words of Spotted Deer." + +The Shawnee listened in dumbfounded amazement as the enraged young +Delaware defied him. As Spotted Deer finished speaking, however, his foe +suddenly gave way to passion. Springing wildly upon the helpless +captive, the Shawnee began to choke him. Spotted Deer was entirely at +his mercy. The Shawnee seemed determined to kill him. He slowly +increased the power of his grip, and Spotted Deer began to strangle. The +Shawnee laughed fiercely as he stared upon the distorted features of his +victim. Then, when the tortured Delaware finally began to lose +consciousness, the Shawnee suddenly released him. + +"No, I will not kill you," he said. "It would be foolish. I will take +you to my people. I will give them your words. Then you will see how the +Shawnees kill their enemies." + +He watched indifferently until he saw Spotted Deer recovering from the +attack, and then he left the lodge. For some time afterward Spotted Deer +gasped and choked in his efforts to recover his breath. Then he composed +himself to think. He feared that his bold defiance would cost him his +life. He believed that the Shawnee had spared him to receive a worse +fate from his tribesmen. Spotted Deer knew only too well the sort of +vengeance the Shawnees would inflict upon him. + +"I am a Delaware--I must be brave," he kept telling himself. + +Spotted Deer abandoned hope. It was evident that if his friends came, +they would arrive too late to save him. He felt sure that the night +would bring his death. He knew that the Shawnees would do their utmost +to make him suffer, in the hope of breaking his spirit and making him +die a weakling in their eyes. The thought roused his spirit. His eyes +flashed excitedly, as he told himself that it was his duty to uphold the +honor of his people. The thought fired him with enthusiasm. He resolved +to die as the Delawares would wish him to die. + +"The Shawnees will see a warrior," he said, proudly. + +Then his thoughts turned to Running Fox. The lads had been inseparable +companions and Spotted Deer grieved at the thought of leaving him. It +was the first peril he had faced without the companionship of his +friend. He took comfort, however, in the thought that Running Fox would +avenge him. Spotted Deer was entirely familiar with the grim +determination and dogged courage of that fiery-tempered young warrior, +and he knew that the Shawnees would be made to pay dearly for what they +were about to do. + +As the long day finally drew toward its end, Spotted Deer heard sounds +which confirmed his fears. The village hummed with activity. It was +evident that the Shawnees were preparing for some unusual event. He saw +the glow from a great fire in the center of the village. The Shawnees +were shouting and laughing and singing their war songs. He heard them +passing the lodge and calling to him as they went by. Then the robe was +lifted from the doorway, and the diabolical old Mystery Woman peered +into the lodge. She shook her finger at him and laughed shrilly. Her +voice carried a threat of impending disaster, and Spotted Deer was +relieved when she passed on. Other Shawnees drew aside the robe and +looked into the lodge. Some stared in silence, others cried out +threateningly. Then they, too, hurried away. + +A few moments afterward Spotted Deer heard some one talking loudly near +the center of the camp. The Shawnees had become quiet. When the speaker +finished, however, they raised their voices in a wild shout that carried +a sinister warning to the helpless young captive. He realized that his +ordeal was at hand. There was no way of escape. He was resigned. He +turned to Getanittowit, the Great One, for strength to defy his foes and +uphold the honor of his people. + + O Getanittowit, I am about to die. + See, Getanittowit, I am not afraid. + Getanittowit, make me strong. + Getanittowit, make me brave. + Getanittowit, take pity on me. + O Getanittowit, help me. + +Soon afterward Spotted Deer heard some one approaching the lodge. He +realized that the Shawnees were coming for him. He nerved himself to +meet the emergency. The Shawnee leader and another warrior entered the +lodge. + +"Delaware, we have come to take you to our people," the leader told him. +"You must get ready to die." + +Spotted Deer showed no emotion. He remained silent as the Shawnees +unbound his feet. For some moments, however, he found it difficult to +stand. The effort caused him great agony. The Shawnees were impatient. +The leader seized him and pushed him forward. + +"Come, have we frightened you so that you cannot walk?" he asked, +mockingly. + +Spotted Deer rallied at the challenge. He staggered unsteadily toward +the doorway of the lodge. Fearing a trick, the Shawnees sprang after +him. They seized him and led him outside. + +The village was brightly illuminated by the glow from a large fire in +the center of the camp. About it was gathered a great company of +Shawnees. The appearance of the prisoner threw them into a frenzy of +excitement. As he was led forward by his guards the Shawnees began to +shout and laugh and shake their weapons. They made it plain that he +might expect no mercy. + +Spotted Deer was bound to a heavy log that had been set up a short +distance from the fire. Then the warrior who had interfered in the +attack at the edge of the camp came toward him. He was accompanied by +the leader of the scouts and several other warriors. The Shawnees +suddenly grew quiet as these men approached the captive. The oldest +warrior addressed Spotted Deer in the Delaware dialect. + +"You are a young man, but you are a Delaware," he said. "The Delawares +are our enemies. The Shawnees kill their enemies. You must die. You have +spoken big words. Now we will see how brave you are." + +He turned and spoke briefly to his tribesmen. A company of warriors came +forward and formed a circle about the Delaware. They carried their +weapons and were painted for war. The Shawnees greeted them with shouts +of approval. For a few moments they stood, glaring fiercely at the +prisoner. Then they began to move slowly about the fire, stepping in +time with the rhythm of a slow, mournful chant. + +It was a weird and fascinating scene: the great fire roaring and +crackling and sending its sparks high up into the night; the vast +assemblage of Shawnees with their fierce, eager faces, like wolves +gathered about a stricken deer; the circle of half-naked warriors moving +slowly about their foe in the prelude to the grim ceremony that would +follow. And, most interesting of all, the youthful prisoner, bound and +helpless, waiting calmly for torture and death at the hands of his +enemies. + +For some moments the dancers continued their slow, sinister parade about +the captive. They made no attempt to attack him, but appeared to be +endeavoring to impress him with their grim earnestness. The solemn, +dirgelike chant was taken up by the entire company, and Spotted Deer +believed that the Shawnees were singing the death song. Then one of the +warriors, who seemed to be a leader, suddenly straightened and raised a +piercing yell that reverberated wildly through the camp. It broke the +solemnity of the ceremony and roused the dancers to action. + +A moment afterward they began capering frantically about Spotted Deer, +shouting and jeering and flourishing their weapons. The Shawnees urged +them on with yells of approval, and the entire assemblage was soon in an +uproar. Once aroused, the dancers soon began to threaten and attack +their prisoner. They swung their war clubs about his head, aimed their +arrows at his heart and made close, dangerous passes with their knives. +Some rushed forward and struck him in the face. + +Spotted Deer faced the ordeal without a tremor. His heart was filled +with a fierce resolve to uphold the traditional courage of his people, +and he was determined to remain strong to the end. He waited, therefore, +with head erect and eyes flashing, for the punishment which he felt sure +would soon be inflicted upon him. The Shawnees appeared to be rousing +themselves into a fury. Encouraged by the shouts of the spectators, the +dancers had thrown off restraint and abandoned themselves to the mad +antics of the war dance. They made every effort to intimidate the +unfortunate young warrior who had fallen into their hands. Some rushed +toward him and drove their tomahawks into the post close beside him. +Others shot their arrows within a hand-width of his body. Several seized +him by the scalp-lock and swept their knives about his head. Spotted +Deer, however, showed no fear. + +Then above the tumult he suddenly heard the shrill, ominous laugh of the +villainous old Mystery Woman. A moment afterward she tottered forward +into the firelight, and pointed excitedly toward the captive. As she +stood revealed in the lurid glow from the flames her appearance was +startling. Her frail, bowed form was covered with an old deerskin robe. +Her white, unkempt hair fell loosely about her shoulders. Her aged +features were distorted in a fiendish grin, and her small, ferretlike +eyes glowed threateningly from their deep cavities beneath her shaggy +brows. She looked like an evil demon whom the fire had drawn from +concealment in the black depths of the night. The Shawnees watched her +in silent, superstitious awe. Spotted Deer felt his courage falter as +the fearsome old creature confronted him. + +In a few moments she turned and addressed the four warriors who stood +apart from the rest of the Shawnees. As they made no attempt to stop +her, Spotted Deer believed that they were eager to hear her words. He +had little doubt that she was talking against him. When she finally +finished her excited harangue, one of the warriors called to the +dancers. They immediately ceased their exertions and stood quietly in +their places. Then the warrior whom Spotted Deer believed to be the +Shawnee chief made a brief talk. The Shawnees seemed to approve his +words. + +In a few moments Spotted Deer saw preparations which enabled him to +guess the sort of punishment which the Mystery Woman had suggested for +him. The great company of Shawnees suddenly broke up, and the women and +old men and some of the boys hurried to the lodges. The old Mystery +Woman hobbled away, cackling gleefully. It was not long before Spotted +Deer saw his suspicions confirmed. Those who had disappeared were +returning with sticks and stout willow switches and small whips with +rawhide lashes. They were laughing and calling out in joyful +anticipation of their attack upon the prisoner. Behind them followed the +Mystery Woman. She, too, carried a willow wand and Spotted Deer felt +sure she would make savage use of it. + +In the meantime the warriors jeered and threatened but made no further +attempts to injure him. Spotted Deer believed they were restrained by +the man whom he took for the war chief. The latter called out sharply +whenever one of the younger warriors showed an inclination to attack the +captive, and each time his command was obeyed. Spotted Deer realized, +however, that the respite was only temporary. He believed that his foes +were simply delaying his torture and death to give the fierce old +Mystery Woman an opportunity for vengeance. + +The women and old men and boys had formed in two long lines about two +bow-lengths apart. They were singing and shouting and shaking their +sticks at the captive. Then a warrior freed Spotted Deer from the stake. +A moment afterward he was led forward to receive his punishment. Spotted +Deer realized exactly what was about to happen. He knew that he would be +compelled to make his way along the narrow lane between his foes who +would beat him as he passed. As his arms were bound behind him he was +powerless to defend himself against the attack. He realized that he +might lessen his punishment by dashing wildly along the course, but his +spirit rebelled at the thought. He feared that the maneuver would make +him appear frightened and weak in the eyes of his foes. + +"Delaware, run!" cried the Shawnee leader, as he pushed Spotted Deer +between the lines of excited Shawnees. + +Spotted Deer ignored the command. For an instant only he hesitated while +he looked calmly along the rows of fierce, eager faces. One in +particular stood out in contrast with the others. It was the evil, +grinning face of the old Mystery Woman who stood at the end of the line. +As Spotted Deer began the perilous journey between the lines, he heard +her shrill, harsh voice rising threateningly above the tumult. + +The Shawnees were astounded when the Delaware started forward at a slow +walk. For an instant the unexpected maneuver baffled and confused them. +They wondered if fear had suddenly driven the power from his limbs. +Having expected him to make a wild dash for the end of the lines they +could think of nothing but fright as the reason for his strange action. +They began to laugh and jeer as they struck him about the head and +shoulders with their whips. + +"Come, come, make the frightened Delaware run!" they cried. + +Then they suddenly realized the significance of his conduct. They saw +that the Delaware was defying them. The realization drove them into a +fury. Weak and aged arms grew strong with emotion, and Spotted Deer +staggered beneath the violence of the attack. Some of the women jabbed +viciously at his eyes with their sticks. Some of the infuriated old men +kicked savagely at his legs. The boys beat him with their fists. All +struck him about the face and head with their sticks. By the time he had +covered half of the course he was suffering from many cuts and bruises. +It was evident that unless he hastened, he was threatened with serious +injury or even death. Still he refused to save himself by running. He +preferred to die rather than give the Shawnees an opportunity to boast +that a Delaware had run from their women and old men. + +When Spotted Deer finally reached the end of the course, he was attacked +by the Mystery Woman. Throwing away her stick, she rushed upon him and +thumped him about the body with her fists. Her frail old arms lacked +strength, and her blows did little damage. Then, as several warriors +seized the Delaware and prepared to take him away, the Mystery Woman +drew a knife from her belt and attempted to reach the captive. The +Shawnees intercepted her and led Spotted Deer away. + +He was greatly surprised when they took him to the lodge instead of the +stake. The Shawnees followed close behind him, shouting wildly and +threatening to overwhelm his guards and put him to death. He reached the +lodge in safety, however, and was pushed through the doorway. Then he +heard the warrior who seemed to be the chief talking to the people. Was +he attempting to pacify them? Spotted Deer listened anxiously. He heard +the Shawnees moving away. He believed that for the moment at least he +was safe. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE MYSTERY WOMAN + + +When the Shawnees had dispersed, two warriors entered the lodge. They +bound Spotted Deer's ankles, and then they seated themselves near the +doorway. Spotted Deer believed they intended to remain on guard through +the balance of the night. For some time he heard them talking. Then they +became quiet. He wondered if they had gone out. The fire in the camp had +died down. The lodge was dark. He was unable to see them. He listened +anxiously to learn what he wished to know. Then, as he heard nothing to +indicate that the guards were still in the lodge, he relaxed upon the +platform of poles and tried to sleep. It was useless. He had been +severely beaten by the Shawnees, and his face and head ached and +throbbed from the cuts and bruises. The lodge was cold and drafty, and +as he was without a robe he began to shiver violently. Each moment +increased his discomfort, and he wondered if the Shawnees had spared him +to prolong his agony. At last, however, exhaustion brought relief and he +fell into a light, restless slumber. + +Then he suddenly awakened and sat up to listen. He heard soft, stealthy +footfalls near the doorway. The lodge was dimly lighted by a narrow +streak of moonlight that had entered through the smoke hole in the roof. +Spotted Deer watched closely. In a few moments he saw some one enter the +lodge. Then as the huddled figure hobbled toward him, he recognized the +bowed form of the Mystery Woman. The discovery filled him with +superstitious fear. He believed she had come to kill him. As she came +closer he saw that she carried a bowl. He wondered if it contained a +strange medicine potion. Perhaps she planned to cast some evil spell +upon him. The thought was alarming. + +The Mystery Woman came directly to him. For a moment or so she stared +wildly into his face. Then she spoke. Spotted Deer could scarcely +believe what he heard. She was addressing him in the Delaware tongue. + +"My son, do not be afraid, I have come to help you," she said. + +For some moments Spotted Deer looked at her in astonishment. Then he +recovered himself and sought to conceal his emotion. Her words had made +him suspicious. He recalled the deceitful offer of the Shawnee leader. +He feared that she, too, was attempting to deceive him with some clever +bit of treachery. Perhaps she hoped to gain information about his +people. He determined to be on his guard. + +In the meantime the Mystery Woman was watching him closely. Her face +betrayed impatience. It was evident that his silence annoyed her. + +"Have you no tongue?" she asked, sharply. + +Spotted Deer still remained silent. He believed that he was confronted +by a crafty and dangerous foe, and he realized that he must be cautious. +His inherited dread of the strange Medicine People made him doubly +suspicious of the mysterious old creature who addressed him. + +"You say you are a Delaware," she said, angrily. "I have spoken Delaware +words. I see that you do not know them. I do not believe you are a +Delaware." + +There was something in her tone that conveyed a warning. Spotted Deer +suddenly realized that it might be fatal to rouse her anger. He believed +that it would be wise to hear what she wished to say. He decided to +speak. + +"A Delaware keeps his words for his friends," he said. + +"Hi, now I see that you are one of my people," the old woman whispered, +excitedly. + +Spotted Deer started at her words. For an instant they filled him with +hope. Then he realized that the wily old Mystery Woman was attempting to +deceive him and quiet his suspicions. He determined to match wits with +her. + +"You are a Shawnee," he said, contemptuously. + +She went close and glared fiercely into his face. Her expression +startled him. Her features were quivering with emotion. Hate blazed from +her eyes. Her breath came in quick, sobbing gasps. She seemed to be +struggling against the impulse to kill him. It was some time before she +could speak. + +"Those are bad words," she said, savagely. "I will shake them from my +ears. I have come here to help you. There is little time. You must +believe what I am about to tell you. Listen, my son, to the words of a +Delaware." + +Spotted Deer was impressed. There was an earnestness in her tone that +was convincing. Impulse urged him to believe her. Caution, however, kept +him suspicious. He still feared treachery. + +"I will listen," he told her. + +"It is good," declared the Mystery Woman. "Now I will try to help you." + +She placed the bowl beside him and moved to the front of the lodge. She +drew aside the robe and peered outside. In a few moments she returned to +Spotted Deer. + +"There is no one there," she told him. "The camp is still. Now I am +going to do something good for you." + +"If you are a Delaware, untie me and let me get away," said Spotted +Deer. + +"No, no, that would be foolish," she declared. "If I untie you perhaps +some one will come in and find out about it. Then both of us will be +killed. Anyway you could not get away. The Shawnees are afraid that your +people are coming to help you. Scouts are watching around the edge of +the camp." + +Spotted Deer continued silent. He was unable to decide whether the old +Mystery Woman was telling the truth or simply attempting to win his +confidence. In either event he was eager to learn her plans. She had +seated herself beside him, and was dipping a piece of buckskin in the +bowl. Spotted Deer watched her with considerable uneasiness. Then as she +began to bathe his face and head, his suspicions suddenly vanished and a +great hope entered his heart. + +"Come, old woman, if you are a Delaware tell me where you came from," he +said, eagerly. + +"I am a Minsi," she said, quietly. + +"Those people are my brothers," he told her. "I have been to their +village. Your words are good. Tell me something more." + +"Have you seen the great chief Big Hawk, and Black Rabbit the mysterious +Medicine Person?" she asked. + +"Yes, yes, I have talked with those people," Spotted Deer assured her, +excitedly. + +"Have you seen the great rock that stands behind the village? Have you +heard how Leaping Dog killed four bears?" + +"Yes, yes, I know about those things," said Spotted Deer. + +"Well, then, I will tell you that I am White Crane. Leaping Dog was my +father." + +"Woman, I believe your words," Spotted Deer told her. "Now I know that +you are a Delaware. Tell me how you come to be here." + +"I cannot give you many words," she told him. "The night is almost gone. +Pretty soon the Shawnees will begin to move around. If they find me here +it will be bad. I will talk fast. You must listen sharp." + +"Friend, my ears are open," said Spotted Deer. + +"My son, a long time ago I went into the hills with my mother to pick +berries. We were quite a ways from our village. While we were picking +berries we heard a great shout behind us. Then my mother seized me and +began to run. We saw some warriors chasing us. Pretty soon they came up +with us. I was frightened and I began to cry. One of those warriors +seized me. My poor mother drew a small knife and plunged it into him. +Then one of his friends knocked her on the head with his war club and +she fell into the bushes. I never saw her again. + +"Those warriors took me a long ways. We traveled many days. I got very +tired but I kept going. I did not know those people but I hated them +because they had killed my mother. Well, my son, one night when they +were sleeping I crawled away. The woods were very black and I was +afraid, but I kept going. After a long time I heard a dog barking. That +frightened me. I did not know what to do. Then I said, 'Perhaps there is +a village over there. Perhaps some good people live there. Perhaps they +will take pity on me and give me something to eat and a place to sleep +in.' + +"I went that way. Pretty soon I saw some lodges. I was greatly +frightened. My legs began to shake. I listened sharp. I did not hear any +one. Then I went nearer. Pretty soon I entered the village. It was dark +and still. I kept very quiet. Then I saw some little red lights from a +fire. I went over and sat down in that place. + +"When the light came, an old woman came out of a lodge and saw me. She +began to talk very fast, but I did not know her words. Then she called +her people. They came running from the lodges. When they saw me sitting +by the fire, they did not know what to make of it. They were shaking +their heads and talking and pointing toward the sky. Then I knew that +they took me for a Medicine Person. It made me feel good. I knew they +would not harm me. + +"My son, that is how I came here. I have been here a long, long time. +Now I am an old woman. I have never talked our tongue. The Shawnees have +never harmed me. They call me the Mystery Woman. They listen to my +words. Getanittowit has helped me. I have done some big things. Perhaps +I can save you." + +"Who were those people who carried you away?" inquired Spotted Deer. + +"I believe they were Mohawks," she told him. "I know those people came +into our country before this thing happened to me." + +As she ceased speaking, they heard something moving outside the lodge. +They listened in breathless suspense. Then the old woman seized the bowl +and hurried toward the door. Spotted Deer saw her draw aside the robe. +He believed she was listening. Long, anxious moments passed. He wondered +if she had left him. Then he saw her. She was crouching in the doorway. +In a few moments she rose and came to him. + +"It was a dog," she said. + +Spotted Deer nodded understandingly. + +"It is almost light," she told him. "Pretty soon I must go away. But +first I must tell you something. My son, when I saw you I asked about +you. When I heard that you were a Delaware, my heart grew big for you. +Then I fooled the Shawnees. You saw what I did. It was the only way to +save you. They believe I wish to kill you. It is good. They will listen +to my words. I will try to save you. It will be a hard thing to do. + +"Now I will tell you about it. The warrior who brought you here is +Walking Bear. He is a great war leader. He is very mad at your people. +He says the great chief Black Panther killed his brother. He says that +he has killed many Delawares. He says that you must die. That old man +who talked to you is Howling Wolf. He is a great Medicine Person. Now +you know about those people." + +"Who is the chief?" Spotted Deer asked, eagerly. + +"Big Dog is the chief." + +"Where is he?" + +"He is away on the hunt. That is why the Shawnees did not kill you. I +told them Red Dog would be very mad about it. I told them they must wait +until he comes. They listened to my words. That is how you come to be +alive. But, my son, the Shawnees will surely kill you when Big Dog comes +back." + +"When will he come?" inquired Spotted Deer. + +"Before three suns pass," the Mystery Woman said, solemnly. "If I do not +get you away before that time you must prepare to die. I will try hard +to save you. No matter what I do you must know that I am trying to help +you. Now I am going away." + +"You are a good friend," Spotted Deer said, gratefully. "If I get away I +will take you to your people.". + +"No, no, you must not try to do that," she told him. "It would be +useless. I am old and feeble. I cannot travel. I would hold you back. +The Shawnees would catch us. You must go alone. I will stay here and die +in the Shawnee village. If you get away you can tell my people about +me." + +A moment later she hurried from the lodge. Spotted Deer realized that he +had found a crafty ally. He wondered if she would be able to save him. +He feared to hope. He knew that the Shawnee chief might return at any +moment, and then the Mystery Woman would be powerless. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE ALARM + + +The long, silent night was slowly merging into dawn when the Delawares +were suddenly awakened by a piercing shout from the center of the camp. +Thoroughly alarmed, they rushed from the lodges, weapons in hand, +expecting to find themselves beset by foes. Instead they found Dancing +Owl, a young warrior who had left the village the previous day to hunt. + +"Well, young man, what has happened?" inquired Black Panther, the famous +Delaware war chief. + +"The Mohawks are on the river," Dancing Owl told him. + +The announcement threw the Delawares into a frenzy of excitement. They +feared that their fierce foes from the north were about to attack the +village. + +"Where are they?" Black Panther asked, anxiously. + +"I saw them a sun's travel up the river," declared Dancing Owl. + +The Delawares felt relieved. They realized that there was at least time +to prepare for defense. They crowded eagerly about Dancing Owl and began +to question him. Then Black Panther asked them to assemble at the +council lodge to hear the words of Dancing Owl. + +"Come, Dancing Owl, tell us about this thing," said Black Panther, when +they had seated themselves. + +"Well, my friends, I hunted hard but I did not kill any game," said +Dancing Owl. "I kept going along the river until it got dark. Then I sat +down to rest. Pretty soon I heard the cry of fierce Nianque, the lynx. I +listened sharp. After a long time I heard it again. It was up the river. +I went ahead. I went a long ways. Then I saw a great light. I heard some +one shouting. That made me cautious. I waited a long time. Then I heard +some more shouts. Then I went ahead very slow. I kept looking ahead. +Pretty soon I saw two big fires. There was one on each side of the +river. Then I stopped. I did not know what to make of it. I kept +watching. Pretty soon I saw some warriors moving around one of those +fires. They were on the other side of the river. They were far off. I +could not tell about them. Then they went away. Pretty soon some of them +came back. They knocked away the fire. Then I could not see them. + +"Well, my friends, I kept watching. I said, 'Those people will cross the +water and knock away the other fire. I will creep up close and see who +they are.' Then I went ahead. I was very cautious. The fire kept +burning. I was looking for those people on the water. I did not see +them. Then I heard Woakus, the fox. It was close ahead of me. It did not +sound good. I listened sharp. Pretty soon I heard it again. Then I said, +'Some one is making that noise.' I kept watching the fire. It made a big +light. I kept around the edge of it. Then I heard some one moving in the +bushes. He was close. I got ready to fight. Then I saw that person at +the edge of the light. He was a Mohawk. Then he went away. + +"I watched a long time. Then I heard the call of Gokhos, the owl. It was +the call of the big night bird with the ears. I knew it was the Mohawks. +It was on the other side of the water. Pretty soon I heard it again. It +was on the side of the water where I was. I kept watching. The fire was +going down. The light closed up. I went nearer. I heard some people +talking. Pretty soon I saw five canoes. They came across the water. I +saw two Mohawks in every one of those canoes. Then I saw another canoe. +It was near the edge of the woods. Pretty soon two Mohawks got into it. +Then they all paddled up the river. I waited a long time. Then the fire +died out. I heard a great shout. I was far up the river. I knew it was +the Mohawks. Then I hurried away and came here. Now I have told you all +I know about it." + +The Delawares remained silent for some moments after Dancing Owl had +finished his story. It baffled them. They were at a loss to account for +such unusual recklessness on the part of the Mohawks. They could +scarcely believe that those crafty foes would dare to proclaim their +presence so near the Delaware camp. They could think of no reason for +the two great fires along the river. They feared it was part of some +clever stratagem. + +"Dancing Owl, I have listened to your words," Black Panther said, +finally. "This thing is mysterious. I cannot tell what to make of it. +Now I am going to ask you something." + +"I am listening," Dancing Owl told him. + +"You came back along the river," said Black Panther. "Your eyes are +sharp. Did you see anything?" + +"No, I did not find any signs," declared Dancing Owl. "I kept watching +for the Mohawks but I did not see them. I believe they went the other +way." + +"Well, my friends, I cannot tell what to make of it," acknowledged Black +Panther. "Only a foolish person makes a big fire to tell his enemies +where to find him. The Mohawks are not foolish. They are as sly as +Woakus, the fox. I cannot tell why they made those big fires. It is +mysterious. I believe something bad will come of it. Come, Sky Dog, you +are a great Medicine Person, perhaps you can tell us about it." + +Sky Dog, the aged Delaware Medicine Man, rose to his feet in obedience +to the command of his chief. He was a picturesque figure as he stood in +the center of the great circle of Delawares who were looking +questioningly into his face. He had wrapped himself in a heavy wolf-skin +robe for protection from the sharp autumn air, and his white hair showed +beneath the edges of a great beaver-skin cap. For some moments he faced +his tribesmen in silence. Then he began to speak. + +"My people, you have heard the words of Dancing Owl," he said. "This +thing he tells about is mysterious. I cannot make anything of those +great fires. I will go away and think about it. Then perhaps I will tell +you something." + +It was evident that the Delawares were disappointed. They had implicit +faith in the ability of the old Medicine Man, and they had hoped that he +would be able to tell them the significance of the fires. However, as +he, too, seemed perplexed and bewildered by the audacity of the Mohawks, +the Delawares saw little chance of arriving at an early solution of the +mystery. + +"My brothers, as we do not know why the Mohawks did this thing, and +there is no use of talking about it like a lot of foolish old women," +Black Panther told them. "We know that the Mohawks were close to our +village. Dancing Owl saw them. He says those Mohawks went up the river. +Perhaps they will come back. We must keep a sharp watch. I believe they +are trying to fool us. Perhaps they are scouts. Perhaps there is a big +war party hiding in the woods. Perhaps the scouts made those fires to +draw our warriors up the river. Then it would be easy for the war party +to get into the camp. We must be cautious." + +His words raised the suspicions of his tribesmen. They believed he had +guessed the plans of their foes. The idea roused them. They began to +discuss the possibilities. Some of the younger and more impulsive +warriors were eager to organize a war party and go out to search the +woods. Most of the older men counseled against it. + +"No, it would be foolish to do that until we know about this thing," +said Yellow Wolf, a famous veteran of the war trail. "We must send out +scouts to find out if the Mohawks are in the woods. Then we will know +what to do." + +"Yes, yes, that is the best thing to do," the Delawares told one +another. + +There was one, however, who took no part in the discussion. He was +Running Fox, the son of Black Panther, and the most famous of all the +Delaware warriors. Although but a youth, his daring exploits had made +him the idol of his people. Two years previous, accompanied by his +friend Spotted Deer, he had gone to the Mohawk camp and successfully +escaped with the great Mohawk medicine trophy. When the famous Mohawk +chief, Standing Wolf, led a great war company into the Delaware village +to recapture the token, Running Fox killed him, and drove the Mohawks +from the camp. The following year, he and Spotted Deer journeyed into +the north and killed the mysterious White Wolf, which the Delawares +believed brought famine and pestilence upon them. That achievement +convinced the Delawares that Running Fox had received the mysterious +powers of a Medicine Person. In spite of his youth, therefore, they +looked upon him as one able to lead and counsel, and they were eager for +his opinion concerning the Mohawks and their fires. + +"Running Fox, Running Fox!" they cried. + +Running Fox rose in response to their cries. He was tall and sinewy, +with an alert face and bold, flashing eyes. He possessed the quiet, +forceful dignity of his father, and the Delawares looked upon him with +pride and affection. + +"My friends, you have asked me to talk to you," said Running Fox. "I +have listened to the words of Dancing Owl. I do not believe we are in +any danger. I do not believe those Mohawks will come any closer. I do +not know what to make of those great fires. I am not thinking about +them. I am thinking about my brother, Spotted Deer. I believe he is in +great danger. My heart is heavy. Perhaps those Mohawks have carried him +away. Perhaps they have killed him. It is bad. I do not like to talk +about it." + +As Running Fox finished speaking a gloomy silence fell upon the +Delawares. His words had carried an ominous warning. The Delawares +suddenly realized the peril which threatened Spotted Deer. He had left +the village some days previous on a hunting expedition to a lake several +day's journey to the northward where he hoped to kill a bear. He had +expected to return at the end of six days. The seventh day had just +dawned. Spotted Deer had failed to arrive. The Mohawks were on the +river. Startling possibilities flashed into the minds of the Delawares. + +"My son, what you say is true," declared Black Panther. "I believe +Spotted Deer is in danger. He has not come back. It is bad. If he does +not come before this sun passes, we must go to find him." + +"My father, I will not wait," Running Fox told him. "Spotted Deer is my +friend. We have done many big things together. If the Mohawks have +caught him it would be foolish to wait. We must come up with them before +they reach their village. If they take him to the camp he will surely be +killed. I am going to find him." + +"Yes, yes, it is the best thing to do," agreed old Sky Dog, the Medicine +Man. "I saw this thing in a dream. I did not wish to talk about it. Now +I see what it meant. You must go, Running Fox. Do not lose any time. +Keep going until you come in sight of the Mohawks. I believe you will +find Spotted Deer." + +Running Fox was immediately besieged by a host of eager volunteers who +wished to accompany him. Most of the active warriors of the tribe +desired to go. He found it hard to refuse them, for all wished to prove +their loyalty for Spotted Deer. Running Fox realized, however, that a +large company would be less likely to succeed than a few picked scouts +moving swiftly on the trail. + +"My friends, I see that you all wish to help Spotted Deer," he said. "It +is good. It makes me feel big. But I must tell you that it would be +foolish. Perhaps what Black Panther says is true. Perhaps many Mohawks +are hiding in the woods. Most of you must stay behind to guard the +village. A few of us will go to find Spotted Deer. I will be the leader. +I will ask Dancing Owl, and Yellow Wolf, and Painted Hawk, and Crooked +Foot, and Turning Eagle to go with me. It is enough. Now, my friends, go +to your lodges and get ready to go away." + +"Wait!" shouted old Sky Dog. "You are going into great danger. If I do +not help you, something bad may happen. You must all come to my lodge, +and I will make a smoke to Getanittowit and ask him to help you." + +"It is good," said Running Fox. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +AWAY ON THE SEARCH + + +When the six scouts who were going to search for Spotted Deer assembled +at the lodge of Sky Dog they found the old Medicine Man seated beside a +small fire. He was tossing handfuls of dried sweet grass upon the +embers, and droning a medicine song. For some moments he took no notice +of the little company of warriors who stood at the entrance to the +lodge, waiting for an invitation to enter. At last he looked up and saw +them. + +"Come in," he said, curtly. "Sit down here in front of me. No, no, do +not come so close. Move back. There, that is good." + +When they had obeyed his instructions he resumed the ceremony which they +had interrupted. They watched with solemn interest while he continued to +toss sweet grass upon the fire and chant the medicine song. + + Getanittowit, here is sweet smoke for you. + I am making it to please you. + Getanittowit, I hope you will feel good about it. + Great Getanittowit, I hope you will help me. + +In a few moments Sky Dog rose and took the sacred medicine pipe from a +tripod of poles at the rear of the lodge. He unwrapped it with great +care and brought it to the fire. He filled the bowl with the inner bark +of the red willow and lighted it with an ember. He puffed smoke toward +the sky, the abode of Great Getanittowit; toward the earth, the abode of +the mysterious Underneath People; toward the north, the east, the south +and the west, the abodes of the Wind Makers. Then he puffed smoke over +the six scouts. Then for many moments he sat with his eyes closed. + +The scouts were much impressed. They believed that Sky Dog was +counseling with the mysterious Medicine Beings. They watched him with +superstitious fascination, fearing to speak or even move lest they might +break the spell and incur the displeasure of Sky Dog and the powerful +Medicine People. + +Running Fox, however, was impatient. He realized that each moment was +precious, and he was eager to be away on the trail of the Mohawks. His +great fear was that they might reach their village before he could +overtake them. He knew only too well the fate that awaited Spotted Deer +in the Mohawk camp. He was greatly relieved when Sky Dog finally opened +his eyes and spoke. + +"My brothers, I will help you," he said. "I have talked with the +mysterious Medicine People. It is good. I believe you will find Spotted +Deer. I have asked the Medicine People to make you strong against the +Mohawks." + +He rose and went to the back of the lodge. In a few moments he returned +with a buckskin thong to which was tied a small charm or token. He +fastened it about the neck of Running Fox. + +"Running Fox, I am giving this to you because you are the leader," he +said. "It is the claw of the mysterious Medicine Beaver. It will make +you brave. It will keep you strong. It will make you safe against your +enemies. Now, my friends, you must go. When you have gone I will do some +other things to help you. I believe you will do what you are setting out +to do. I have spoken." + +"Sky Dog, we have seen you talking with the mysterious Medicine People," +Running Fox told him. "You have asked them to help us. It is good. It +makes us feel strong. You have fastened this Medicine Thing around my +neck. You say it will help me. I will keep it. Now we are going to find +our brother Spotted Deer." + +They immediately left the lodge. As they appeared in the village they +were surrounded by a great company of friends who were eager to warn and +advise. Running Fox refused to loiter. + +"My friends, we cannot stop here to talk," he told them. "If the Mohawks +have carried off Spotted Deer we must travel fast to come up with them. +There is little time. We must go." + +A few moments later they left the village and went to the river. Then +Running Fox explained his plans. + +"My brothers, you heard the words of Black Panther," he said. "Perhaps +there are many Mohawks hiding in the woods. We must be cautious. It +would be foolish to take canoes. The Mohawks would surely see us. We +must travel on foot. There is only one way to do this thing. Some of us +must travel along the other side of the river. Some of us must go along +this side. Then perhaps we will find some signs of Spotted Deer." + +"It is good," agreed Yellow Wolf. + +"I will ask Painted Hawk, and Turning Eagle and Crooked Foot to go +across the river," said Running Fox. "I will ask Yellow Wolf and Dancing +Owl to stay on this side with me. Now, my friends, you must listen sharp +to what I am about to tell you. In the day we will talk to each other +with the call of Woakus, the fox. When it grows dark we will use the +voice of Gokhos, the owl. If you make one call we will know where you +are. If you make three calls we will know you have found signs of +Spotted Deer. If you make the call end in the middle we will know you +are in danger. If you hear us make those calls you will know about it. +Come, we will go." + +"Who will take us across the river?" inquired Painted Hawk. + +A number of volunteers offered to paddle the scouts across the water. +When they were half-way across the river, Running Fox and his companions +disappeared into the woods. + +"We must travel fast," said Running Fox. + +It was a notable company. Dancing Owl and Turning Eagle were young +warriors about the age of Running Fox. Both were noted for their courage +and ability. Dancing Owl had killed a number of Mohawks and had been +captured by the Shawnees. Turning Eagle was a famous scout. Yellow Wolf +and Painted Hawk and Crooked Foot were seasoned veterans of the war +trail. Each was the hero of many thrilling exploits. Running Fox had +great confidence in the warriors whom he had chosen to accompany him. He +believed that once on the trail of Spotted Deer, they would follow it +into the Mohawk camp if it became necessary. + +Running Fox led the way along a familiar trail that followed the river +toward the north. His anxiety for his friend made him impatient, and he +traveled at an exhausting pace. Dancing Owl and Yellow Wolf kept close +behind him. At midday they found themselves a considerable distance from +the Delaware village. Then they became more cautious. + +"Now we must watch sharp," said Running Fox. + +Aware that at any moment they might encounter a Mohawk war party, they +kept their eyes and ears alert to discover the slightest hint of danger. +Their caution seemed useless, for they saw nothing to arouse their +suspicions. + +"Those Mohawks must have gone up the river," declared Dancing Owl. + +Running Fox remained silent. He found little comfort in the words of +Dancing Owl. His mind was filled with gloomy premonitions concerning +Spotted Deer. For the moment the fate of his friend was all that +interested him. If the Mohawks had withdrawn from the Delaware hunting +grounds he feared that they had taken Spotted Deer with them. Running +Fox grew weak at the thought. It roused him to still greater efforts, +and he almost ran along the trail in his eagerness to overtake his foes. + +At dark the Delawares stopped to rest. Then Running Fox attempted to +locate his tribesmen on the other side of the river. Approaching close +to the water, he gave the cry of Gokhos, the owl. They listened +anxiously as it echoed through the woods. Many moments passed. There was +no response. + +"Our brothers are far behind," said Running Fox. + +The thought disturbed him. He had planned to continue traveling through +the night in the hope of gaining upon the Mohawks. Still he disliked to +go ahead without hearing from the scouts on the other side of the river. +He waited impatiently. Then he repeated the signal. Again it failed to +bring an answer. Running Fox grew uneasy. + +"It is mysterious," he told Yellow Wolf. "I do not know what to make of +it. Perhaps something bad has happened to our friends. Perhaps the +Mohawks were hiding over there." + +"No, I do not believe anything has happened to our brothers," Yellow +Wolf told him. "We came here very fast. We followed a trail. Our friends +could not come so fast. It is hard going on the other side of the river. +They fell behind. I believe they will come." + +"Well, Yellow Wolf, I see that what you say may be true," said Running +Fox. + +Then for some moments he remained silent. His mind was filled with +disturbing possibilities. He found it difficult to come to a decision. +He realized that each moment of delay lessened his chance of overtaking +the Mohawks. Still he wished to know what had happened to his friends. +It seemed foolish to go ahead until he heard from them. It was possible +that they might have encountered the Mohawks, or found Spotted Deer or +some signs of him. Running Fox finally determined to wait. + +The three scouts had barely seated themselves at the edge of the woods +when they heard the call of Gokhos a short distance farther down the +river. Their spirits rose at the sound, for they realized that their +friends were safe. + +"Our brothers have come," said Dancing Owl. + +"It is good," Running Fox replied, with much relief. + +A moment afterward he replied to the signal There was no answer. He had +not expected any. Having located him he knew that his tribesmen would +continue along the river in silence. Too many signals might arouse the +suspicions of any foes who might be loitering in the vicinity. + +"Come, my brothers, we will go ahead," said Running Fox. "When our +friends come they will make the signal. When they do not hear anything +they will know that we have gone. Then they will go ahead. We will keep +going until we get to the place where the big fires were. Then we will +stop and rest. When it gets light we will look around." + +Running Fox again led the way at a breakneck pace. The trail led through +a dense black forest of towering pines and hemlocks, and the Delawares +were unable to see a bow-length before them. In spite of the darkness, +however, they had little difficulty in keeping the trail. They followed +its narrow winding course with the speed and certainty of Timmeau, the +wolf. Day was close at hand when they finally approached the spot where +Dancing Owl had discovered the Mohawks. + +"We are coming to the place where I saw those fires," he said. + +"Now you must go ahead," Running Fox told him. + +Dancing Owl took the lead. They realized that they might be blundering +into a trap, and they were as alert and cautious as Woakus, the fox. +Mauwallauwin, the great Hunting Moon, shed his light upon the river, and +they kept a sharp watch for canoes. It was not long before Dancing Owl +stopped and pointed toward the water. + +"See, there is the place where I saw the fire," he said. + +They stood at the edge of the woods and looked upon a wide, open stretch +of beach that intervened between the water and the forest. The place +which Dancing Owl had indicated was several arrow-flights farther along +the river. He was eager to approach it, but Running Fox counseled +caution. + +"Wait," he said. "Perhaps there is some one there. We will watch and +listen." + +"Your words are good," declared Yellow Wolf. + +They waited some time, and then as they discovered nothing to arouse +their fears they moved noiselessly toward the place where the fire had +burned. They had gone less than a bow-shot, however, when Dancing Owl +suddenly collided with a great black form that rose from the trail. +There was an angry snarl, and two fierce eyes blazed from the darkness. + +"Machque!" cried Dancing Owl, as he sprang back and shot his arrow. + +A savage roar sounded through the night as the bear charged upon the +astounded Delawares. It struck down Dancing Owl and then rushed at +Running Fox. He shot his arrow and dodged nimbly around a tree. The next +instant the enraged bear confronted Yellow Wolf. He, too, drove his +arrow into it, and sprang from its path. Then it crashed away into the +darkness. For some moments they heard it floundering noisily through the +undergrowth, and then the sounds ceased. + +"Hi, Machque is mad," laughed Running Fox, as he came from behind the +tree. + +"I thought he was a Mohawk," said Dancing Owl. + +"Did he tear you?" Yellow Wolf asked, anxiously. + +"No," replied Dancing Owl. "He tried to strike me but I jumped away. +Then he bumped into me and I fell down." + +"Well, we all shot arrows into him," said Yellow Wolf. "I believe he +went over there and fell down dead." + +"Come, we will go over there and find out about it," Dancing Owl +proposed, impulsively. + +"No, no, that would be foolish," Running Fox told him. "Machque is sly. +Perhaps he has gone away. Perhaps he is waiting to fool us. It is black +under those big trees. We cannot see him. Perhaps he would kill us. I am +not afraid but we have set out to find Spotted Deer. If we let Machque +tear us we cannot help our brother. It will soon be light. Then we will +find Machque." + +"Yes, Running Fox, I see that it is the best thing to do," agreed +Dancing Owl. + +"We must watch sharp. Perhaps Machque will come back," said Yellow Wolf. + +"Yes, we will keep quiet and watch," Running Fox told him. + +They seated themselves at the edge of the timber to wait for daylight. +Dancing Owl was almost exhausted. Having traveled at top speed to reach +the Delaware camp with news of the Mohawks, the return journey had been +a severe test of his courage and endurance. He lay upon the ground and +immediately fell into a heavy slumber. His comrades remained awake to +watch. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE ABANDONED CANOE + + +At dawn Running Fox and his companions made their way to the edge of the +timber and looked anxiously along the river. A short bow-shot away they +saw the charred logs and ashes from the fire. Then they looked across +the water and saw the remnants from the other fire. For the moment, +however, the Delawares took little interest. Their first thought was to +look for the Mohawks. They watched some time, but saw nothing to +indicate that their foes had loitered in the vicinity. Still, Running +Fox determined to take every precaution. + +"I believe the Mohawks have gone away," he said, finally. "But we must +not feel too sure about it. Perhaps they are hiding in the woods. +Dancing Owl, you must keep watching. Come, Yellow Wolf, we will look for +Machque. I believe he is close by. If we find him we will get back our +arrows." + +"It is good," said Yellow Wolf. + +They left Dancing Owl concealed at the edge of the forest, and went to +search for the bear. The trail was plain and easy to follow and red +splashes on the leaves gave evidence that Machque had been badly +wounded. They had little doubt that he was already dead. Still they +resolved to take no chances, for they knew that if Machque was alive he +might prove to be a dangerous foe. They advanced with great caution, +watching closely for a sight of the bear. Then, within an arrow-flight, +the trail suddenly came to an end at a great tangle of brush and fallen +timber. + +"Look sharp," Running Fox cautioned. "Machque is in there." + +They stopped and peered anxiously into the cover. It was dense and as +twilight still lingered beneath the heavy stand of evergreens they were +unable to discover the bear. Several times they thought they saw it, but +they were deceived by stumps and shadows. They listened a long time, but +heard nothing to give them a clew. + +"If Machque is in there, he must be dead," Yellow Wolf said, at last. + +"Perhaps he crawled through that place and went out on the other side," +Running Fox told him. "We will circle around and find out about it." + +"It is the best thing to do," said Yellow Wolf. + +They separated and began to move cautiously around the tangle. They had +taken only a few strides when they heard low, ominous growls coming from +beneath a confused mass of roots and brush. They stopped and prepared to +fight. + +"Look sharp, Machque is coming out!" Running Fox cried, warningly. + +A moment afterward there was a sharp crackling of sticks and the wounded +bear forced its way through the tangle. It emerged within a bow-length +of Yellow Wolf. At sight of him it reared unsteadily upon its hind legs, +and Yellow Wolf drove his arrow into its chest. Roaring furiously, the +bear dropped to its feet and turned to enter the cover. Yellow Wolf ran +close up to it and drove another arrow behind its shoulder. Machque +flashed about with the agility of a lynx and rushed wildly upon his foe. +Yellow Wolf turned to run but tripped over a log and plunged headlong +into the brush. At that moment Running Fox rushed recklessly upon the +bear and struck it with his tomahawk, Machque wheeled to attack him, and +then Yellow Wolf jumped to his feet and shot an arrow. The bear +collapsed. For some moments it continued to struggle, and then it lay +still. The Delawares looked at each other and smiled. + +"Machque is dead," said Yellow Wolf. "He was very strong and very +fierce. Running Fox, you were brave. You kept Machque from tearing me. I +will tell our people about it." + +Having killed the bear, they had little inclination to loiter. They left +Machque where he had fallen and turned toward the river. They found +Dancing Owl staring anxiously across the water. He heard them +approaching and motioned for them to be cautious. Then he pointed +mysteriously across the river. Running Fox and Yellow Wolf feared to +move. For some moments they stood motionless, searching the opposite +shore. Then Dancing Owl signaled for them to advance. They sank to their +hands and knees and crawled carefully through the undergrowth. + +"What do you see?" Running Fox inquired in a cautious whisper. + +"I saw something moving through the bushes," Dancing Owl told him. "I do +not know what it is." + +"Where was it?" asked Yellow Wolf. + +"Over there near that white tree," said Dancing Owl. + +They fixed their eyes on a large white birch at the edge of the woods. +It was close by the place where the fire had been. They wondered if +crafty Mohawk scouts were lingering in the vicinity. They watched +anxiously, but the mysterious object failed to appear. + +"Did it look like a warrior?" inquired Running Fox. + +"I do not know," replied Dancing Owl. "I saw some bushes move. Then +something passed. It went fast. It was behind the bushes, I could not +see what it was." + +"Perhaps our brothers are over there," suggested Yellow Wolf. + +Running Fox remained silent. A still more interesting possibility had +entered his mind. + +"Perhaps it was Spotted Deer," he said. + +"Yes, yes, perhaps it was Spotted Deer," Dancing Owl said, eagerly. +"Come, give the signal and we will see what comes of it." + +"That would be bad," Running Fox warned him. "If the Mohawks are over +there we must keep quiet and watch. If it is Spotted Deer our brothers +will meet him. Then they will call us." + +A moment later they heard the call of Woakus, the fox, a short distance +farther down the river. They listened in breathless suspense. Two +stirring possibilities instantly flashed across their minds. Had their +friends met Spotted Deer? Were they about to call them? The signal, +however, was not repeated. They turned to one another in alarm. Aware +that their tribesmen were advancing along the opposite side of the +river, they feared that they might be blundering into an ambush. + +"It is bad," Yellow Wolf whispered, uneasily. "We do not know who is +over there. If the Mohawks are hiding in that place they will catch our +brothers. We must warn them." + +"Yes, yes, make the signal," Dancing Owl said, anxiously. + +"Wait," cautioned Running Fox. "I have found out who is over there. Look +sharp near that crooked tree. See, there is Achtu, the deer." + +A moment afterward they saw the buck standing at the edge of the timber. +It had raised its head and was looking down the river. They believed it +had caught the danger scent. An instant later it vanished into the +shadows. + +"Achtu has run away," said Running Fox. "Our brothers must be close." + +Then he replied to the signal. In a few moments an answer came from +across the river. Painted Hawk and his companions were almost at the +place where the fire had been lighted. + +"Our friends have come up with us--it is good," said Running Fox. "They +will keep watching over there. Now we will go and look around that place +where the fire was." + +They spent some time scouting about in the vicinity of the spot where +the fire had been. They found several tracks near the ashes from the +fire, and the mark of a canoe at the edge of the water. As the clews +were of little importance Running Fox was eager to hurry away on the +trail of the Mohawks. + +"See, our friends are over there," Yellow Wolf said, suddenly. + +They saw two of their comrades searching along the opposite shore. +Running Fox quickly identified them as Painted Hawk and Crooked Foot. He +had little doubt that Turning Eagle was on guard at the edge of the +woods. Running Fox stood at the edge of the water and waved his arms. +When he had attracted the attention of his tribesmen, he pointed toward +the north and made it plain that he was about to continue along the +river. Then Painted Hawk pointed to the woods behind him and swept his +arm in a short circle. + +"Our brothers are going to move around over there to look for +something," Running Fox told his companions. "Perhaps they have found a +sign." + +"See, they are telling us to wait here," Dancing Owl cried, excitedly. + +Painted Hawk had pointed across the water and then seated himself. In a +few moments he rose and again swept his arm toward the woods. Then he +appeared to be waiting for a signal from his friends. + +"I am going ahead," said Running Fox. "Yellow Wolf, I will ask you to go +with me. Dancing Owl, you must stay here and wait for a signal from +Painted Hawk." + +Dancing Owl walked from the timber and seated himself near the water. +Running Fox pointed toward him. Then he pointed toward Yellow Wolf and +himself and then up the river. Painted Hawk seemed to understand. A +moment afterward he and Crooked Foot disappeared into the timber. + +"Dancing Owl, you must hide in the woods and wait," said Running Fox. +"Come, Yellow Wolf, we will go." + +At that instant Dancing Owl was looking sharply along the shore. Then he +pointed excitedly toward a bowlder that rose above the water, a short +distance away. + +"I saw something go behind that rock," He said. + +Running Fox and Yellow Wolf turned in alarm. The next moment they saw +something drifting slowly past the bowlder. The three Delawares stared +at it in amazement. They had suddenly recognized it as a paddle. The +discovery roused their suspicions. They feared that a canoe was +somewhere near. + +"Come, jump into the bushes!" cried Running Fox. + +They hid themselves and looked anxiously up the river. The paddle was +near the shore and appeared to be drifting still nearer. They watched it +in trying suspense. They longed to secure it, but still they feared to +make the attempt. + +"Perhaps the Mohawks saw us," said Yellow Wolf. "Perhaps they threw that +paddle into the water to fool us. If we try to get it we may be killed." + +"Yes, I believe it is a trick," Dancing Owl said, suspiciously. + +Running Fox kept silent. He was staring at the paddle with eager, +fascinated eyes. He had suddenly resolved to secure it. + +"Keep watching," he cried, as he ran toward the river. + +He waded into the water and when it rose to his waist, he reached out +and drew the paddle toward him with his bow. As he lifted the paddle +from the water he cried out in astonishment. Then he hurried to the +shore and ran to his companions. + +"See, see, this paddle belongs to Spotted Deer!" he told them, +excitedly. "Here is his mark." + +They instantly recognized the design which had been cut into the blade. +For some time they stared at it in silence. They were trying to guess +how the paddle had chanced to drift into their hands. + +"It is bad," Running Fox said, finally. + +His companions kept silent. They had little doubt that ill fortune of +some sort had befallen Spotted Deer, and their minds were filled with +gloomy premonitions. The finding of the paddle made them almost certain +that Spotted Deer had been either captured or killed by the Mohawks. +Running Fox was crushed by the possibility. For some moments he appeared +unable to rouse himself. Then he suddenly turned toward the river and +imitated the cry of Woakus, the fox. Three times he sent the call across +the water to tell his friends that he had found signs of Spotted Deer. + +"Come, Yellow Wolf, we will go ahead and try to find out about this +thing," he said. "Dancing Owl, you must stay here." + +"I will wait," Dancing Owl told him. + +Suspicious and fearful of running into a trap, the two Delawares moved +along the river with great caution. They kept close to the water, hoping +to find further clews to the fate of Spotted Deer. They had gone a +considerable distance when they finally discovered something which +caused them to stop and exclaim in alarm. An overturned canoe had lodged +in a mass of driftwood a short distance from the shore. The canoe was of +Delaware design, and they knew at once that it belonged to their missing +tribesman. They gazed upon it in silent dismay. Each was unwilling to +express the fear which had entered his mind. Running Fox again gave the +signal which told his friends that he had found further signs of Spotted +Deer. Soon afterward Dancing Owl came to join them. + +"My brothers, something bad has happened to Spotted Deer," he said, +solemnly, as he saw the canoe. + +Running Fox stared wildly into his face. His misery showed in his eyes, +and his companions looked upon him with pity. Two alarming possibilities +confronted them. They believed that Spotted Deer had either been +overtaken and killed by the Mohawks or had overturned his canoe and +perished in the river in a desperate effort to escape. + +"I am going out to get that canoe," Running Fox said, suddenly. + +He again waded into the river and made his way to the overturned canoe. +There was a long, jagged rent in the bow. The discovery increased his +fears for Spotted Deer. He dragged the canoe to the shore and watched in +gloomy silence while Yellow Wolf and Dancing Owl made a careful +examination. + +"Well, my friends, what do you make of it?" Running Fox asked them. + +"It is bad," declared Yellow Wolf. "I believe that hole was made by a +rock. Perhaps Spotted Deer was going fast to get away from the Mohawks. +Perhaps it was dark. He could not see far ahead. Then he bumped into +that rock and fell into the river. Perhaps the Water Monsters pulled him +down. Perhaps he got to land. I cannot tell you about it. It looks bad." + +"Yes, it looks bad," agreed Running Fox. "Dancing Owl, tell us how you +feel about it." + +"It looks bad," said Dancing Owl. "We found that paddle. That was bad. A +warrior does not throw away his paddle. Now we have found this canoe. It +was turned over. There is a hole in it. I believe something bad has +happened to Spotted Deer." + +"Listen," cautioned Running Fox. + +At that moment they heard the call of Woakus, the fox, somewhere in the +vicinity of the spot where they had left Painted Hawk and his +companions. In a few moments the signal was repeated. Then it sounded +the third time. The Delawares looked at one another in surprise. Had +their friends found signs of Spotted Deer on the other side of the +river? It seemed impossible. Still there was no reason to doubt the +signal. + +"It is mysterious," declared Yellow Wolf. + +Running Fox repeated the call. Then they listened in grave suspense. It +was not long before the answer came. Again the signal sounded three +times. There was no chance for uncertainty. It was plain that Painted +Hawk and his companions had discovered a clew. The thought filled +Running Fox with hope. Then he began to wonder if his tribesmen had been +deceived. Having found the paddle and canoe of Spotted Deer, it was +difficult to understand how the latter had been located on the other +side of the river. Still Running Fox had full confidence in the judgment +and skill of Painted Hawk and his companions. All were experienced +warriors and scouts, and he knew that they would be unlikely to send a +false signal. + +"I do not know what to make of this thing, but I believe our brothers +have found something," he said, finally. "If Spotted Deer was over +there, perhaps he is alive." + +"Perhaps Spotted Deer is with our brothers," Dancing Owl suggested, +hopefully. + +Running Fox and Yellow Wolf remained silent. They were doubtful. Running +Fox felt quite certain that if Spotted Deer had met his tribesmen, he +would have sent a signal across the water to relieve the anxiety of his +friends. + +"Well, my brothers, we must try to find out about this thing," declared +Running Fox. "It would be foolish to go ahead until we know about it. I +am the leader. I will tell you what I propose to do. We must cross the +water and talk with our friends. There is only one way to get over +there. We must use this canoe. We cannot do that until we close that +hole. Come, we will pull the canoe into the woods and fix it. Then we +will wait until it gets dark. Then we will go to meet our friends." + +They carried the canoe some distance into the woods. Then, while Dancing +Owl watched the river, Running Fox and Yellow Wolf scouted through the +woods searching for pitch. They found it in hard nodules on the trunks +of many of the pines and spruces, and they soon gathered a sufficient +quantity. Then they returned to Dancing Owl who said that he had seen +nothing to cause alarm. + +"It is good," said Running Fox. "Pretty soon we will be ready to go +across the water." + +They made a small fire between two logs and placed a large flat stone +across them. When it became heated they placed the pitch upon it. It +took a long time for the pitch to soften. When it finally began to melt +they daubed it upon the ends of flattened sticks and hurried to the +canoe. Then as Dancing Owl and Yellow Wolf held the jagged edges of the +bark in place, Running Fox applied a thick coating of hot pitch over the +tear. It was necessary to make many applications both on the inside and +outside of the canoe to render it water-tight. When the task finally was +completed the day was well advanced. + +"Now we will cross the water and meet our friends," proposed Dancing +Owl. + +"No, my brother," Running Fox cautioned him. "We must wait. We made a +fire. Perhaps the Mohawks saw the smoke. Perhaps they are watching the +water. We will wait until it gets dark." + +"Yes, we must wait," agreed Yellow Wolf. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A COUNCIL OF WAR + + +When twilight finally fell, Running Fox and his companions carried the +canoe to the river. They launched it and found it water-tight. Then +Running Fox paddled slowly along the edge of the shore. They were +watchful and alert for danger, but the river appeared free of foes. It +was almost dark when they came opposite the spot where they expected to +find their friends. Running Fox ceased paddling and imitated the cry of +Gokhos, the owl. It was answered from the other side of the river. + +"Our friends are waiting," said Yellow Wolf. + +Running Fox turned the canoe toward the center of the river. Once beyond +the shadows near the shore, they realized that they were in plain sight +of any foes who might be lurking in the forest. They kept a sharp watch +for the sudden appearance of canoes. When they came within bow-shot of +the place where the fire had been, Running Fox again ceased paddling and +waited for a signal. He felt quite sure that they had been seen by their +friends. In a few moments they heard the call of Gokhos directly ahead +of them. Running Fox paddled cautiously toward the shore. Then they +recognized the voice of Painted Hawk. + +"My brothers, the way is clear," he said. + +As they stepped ashore their friends hurried forward to inquire about +the canoe. When they learned that it belonged to Spotted Deer they were +dumb with amazement. + +"It is mysterious," Painted Hawk declared, at last. "I believe Spotted +Deer was in this place. How did his canoe get across the water?" + +"Have you found signs of Spotted Deer?" Running Fox inquired, quickly. + +"We found signs that told us a prisoner was here," said Painted Hawk. "I +believe it was Spotted Deer. That is why I called you. When it grows +light I will show you those signs. Perhaps you can tell us about it." + +"If Spotted Deer is a prisoner it would be foolish to wait," Running Fox +declared, impatiently. + +"We found many tracks," explained Painted Hawk. "We cannot follow them +until it gets light." + +"Well, tell us about it," said Yellow Wolf. + +"Wait," cautioned Running Fox. "First we must pull this canoe into the +bushes. Then we will go and sit down in the woods. See, Mauwallauwin is +peeping over the trees. Pretty soon the river will be light. If we stay +here in the open, perhaps our enemies will see us." + +The others quickly saw the wisdom of his words. The moon was rising +above the eastern ridges and they knew that they would soon become +conspicuous on the open shore of the river. They dragged the canoe from +the water and carried it into the bushes. Then they withdrew into the +shelter of the forest. Fearful of making a fire, they seated themselves +in a little circle and began to talk. + +"My brothers, I will tell you about this thing," said Painted Hawk. +"When we came to this place we began to look around for our enemies. We +did not find them. Then we came down here near the water and began to +look for signs. We saw some tracks around the place where the fire was. +We saw the marks of canoes near the water. Then we began to look around. +Pretty soon we found some tracks in the woods. Then we found some ashes +and black wood behind a rock. We saw where some people had been lying +down. Then Turning Eagle found something big. His eyes are sharp. He was +looking at a place where some one had been lying down. Then he saw +something to tell about. Come, Turning Eagle, tell our brothers about +it." + +"I will tell you about it," said Turning Eagle. "I was looking around +that place where those people had been lying down. I was looking sharp. +Then I saw something strange. It looked like it looks when our brother +Wisawanik, the squirrel, pulls away the leaves. I looked close at that +place. Then I saw some more marks on the ground. They were made by +fingers. Then I thought about it. I said, 'Some one was lying down with +his hands behind him.' They were in the middle of his back. They were +crossed. Then I said, 'That person was a prisoner.' Then I called +Painted Hawk and Crooked Foot to look at those marks. They felt good +about it. That is all I have to say about it." + +"Are you sure about this thing?" Running Fox inquired, eagerly. + +"Yes," declared Turning Eagle. "I looked sharp. What I have told you is +true." + +"Come, we will go to this place," proposed Dancing Owl. + +"No, we must not do that," Running Fox told him. "If we go to that place +in the dark we cannot see anything. Perhaps we will wipe away many +tracks. We must wait until the light comes. Then we will go and find out +about it." + +"This thing is mysterious," declared Yellow Wolf. "If the Mohawks caught +Spotted Deer over here, how did we come to find his canoe on the other +side of the water?" + +For some moments the Delawares remained silent. They seemed unable to +answer the question. The circumstances were confusing. At last, however, +Dancing Owl spoke. + +"My brothers, I saw those big fires near the water," he told them. "I +went up close. Then I saw the Mohawks. I saw them go up the river. I did +not see anything of Spotted Deer." + +"Turning Eagle, did those people who were here go back to the river?" +Running Fox asked, anxiously. + +"I cannot tell you that," said Turning Eagle. "We found many tracks. +Some were going toward the woods. Some were going toward the river. They +were all mixed together. But I will tell you that some tracks went away +into the woods. Yes, I believe those people went away toward +the-place-where-the-sun-sleeps. We tried to follow those tracks. Then it +got dark and we could not see them." + +Running Fox was greatly impressed by the announcement. His mind was +filled with interesting possibilities. He began to doubt that the +Mohawks had carried Spotted Deer up the river. The uncertainty gave him +hope. Still he was unable to guess what had become of his friend. Having +found his abandoned canoe it was evident that misfortune of some sort +had overtaken him. For the moment Running Fox felt helpless to solve the +mystery of Spotted Deer's strange disappearance. His one hope was that +Spotted Deer was still alive. + +"My friends, I will tell you how I feel about this thing," said Yellow +Wolf. "Spotted Deer has disappeared. We have found his canoe. Something +bad must have happened to him. Dancing Owl saw the Mohawks in this +place. He did not see Spotted Deer in their canoes. Painted Hawk and +Crooked Foot and Turning Eagle are good scouts. They have found many +tracks over here. Turning Eagle says there was a prisoner here. I +believe his words. Now, my friends, we cannot tell who left those +tracks. I believe they were Mohawks. We cannot tell about that prisoner. +Perhaps it was Spotted Deer. Perhaps it was some one different. We +cannot tell about those big fires. Now you see if we cannot tell about +these things it will be hard to know what to do. Come, Running Fox, you +are the leader, tell us about it." + +"Yellow Wolf, what you say is true," replied Running Fox. "It is hard to +know about this thing. I will tell you how I feel about it. I do not +believe the Mohawks took Spotted Deer up the river. Dancing Owl was +watching. He did not see him. Turning Eagle has sharp eyes. I believe +what he tells us is true. I believe that prisoner was Spotted Deer. If +he was with the people who slept at this place, then they must have +taken him away. Turning Eagle says they went away toward +the-place-where-the-sun-sleeps. My friends, perhaps those people were +not Mohawks. The Shawnees live over there beyond the hills. Perhaps +those people were Shawnees. Perhaps they came over here to hunt. Perhaps +they caught Spotted Deer. Perhaps they are going to the Shawnee village. +When it gets light we will try to find out about it. Now I cannot tell +you any more." + +"Running Fox, your words are good," said Painted Hawk. "I believe those +people who went away on foot were Shawnees. I cannot tell about Spotted +Deer. You found his canoe on the other side of the water. I believe he +was over there. Perhaps the Mohawks caught him over there. Perhaps they +did not come down where Dancing Owl was watching. Dancing Owl says he +heard the call of Gokhos. It was up the river. Perhaps the people who +caught Spotted Deer were calling the warriors at the fires. Perhaps the +Mohawks followed Spotted Deer down the river. Perhaps they made those +fires so that he could not pass. I do not know about this thing. This is +how I feel about it." + +"My brothers, I have listened to the words of Yellow Wolf, and Running +Fox and Painted Hawk," said Crooked Foot. "Now I will give you some +words. We must try to find out the best thing to do. I will tell you how +I feel about it. I believe the Mohawks were here and I believe the +Shawnees were here. I believe the Mohawks went away in canoes. I believe +the Shawnees walked away. I saw those marks on the ground. I believe +there was a prisoner lying in that place. If it was Spotted Deer, then I +believe he went away with the Shawnees. That is all I have to say about +it." + +Then the Delawares became silent. Having failed to come to a definite +conclusion regarding the disappearance of their tribesman, each of them +was meditating upon the possibilities suggested by his friends. They +realized that only daylight could give them a clew to the mystery. + +"Well, I see that we feel different about this thing," Running Fox told +them. "There is no use of talking any more. We must wait until the light +comes. Then we will go and look sharp at those tracks. If they tell us +that Spotted Deer was taken away by the Shawnees, we will know what to +do. If we cannot tell about it then we must separate. Some of us must go +to the Mohawk village. Some of us must try to follow the people who +walked away. My friends, that is all I can tell you about it." + +"We will wait until it gets light," agreed his friends. + +A moment afterward Running Fox rose and walked away. His heart was heavy +with grief and he wished to be alone. He made his way to the edge of the +timber and seated himself at the base of a giant pine. The great, black +forest was hushed in slumber. The night was glorious. The air was sharp +and still. The heavens were sprinkled with stars. The river sparkled in +the moonlight. Running Fox was unimpressed. His mind was filled with +thoughts of Spotted Deer. + +"It is bad," he kept telling himself. + +Convinced that Spotted Deer had been captured by either the Mohawks or +the Shawnees, Running Fox realized that each moment of delay lessened +the chance of saving him. The thought that Spotted Deer might be +depending upon him drove him into a frenzy of despair. He saw little +chance of overtaking his foes before they reached their village, and +then he feared he might be too late to help his friend. His courage +weakened at the thought. Spotted Deer had been his loyal friend and +companion since early boyhood, and a strong affection existed between +them. They had shared many perilous adventures and each had risked his +life to save the other. Now, when he believed Spotted Deer was in urgent +need of assistance, Running Fox felt powerless to help him. The thought +overwhelmed him with grief. Rising to his feet, he spread his arms +toward the sky and offered an earnest, impassioned appeal to +Getanittowit, the Great One. + + Great Getanittowit, listen to my words. + Getanittowit, something bad has happened. + Getanittowit, tell me about it. + Great Getanittowit, my heart is black. + Getanittowit, take pity on me. + Getanittowit, make me brave and strong. + Getanittowit, give me power to find Spotted Deer. + +After he had finished his appeal, Running Fox stood for a long time +staring anxiously into the heavens. Then a star swept across the sky and +dropped into the west. The superstitious young warrior accepted it as a +good omen. He believed that his prayer had been answered. + +"Getanittowit has sent me a sign," he said. "Now I will find Spotted +Deer." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +ON THE TRAIL + + +It was barely light when the anxious Delaware scouts hastened to the +river to study the tracks at the spot where the fire had been. Running +Fox spent only a few moments at that place. Then he moved along at the +edge of the water. He soon found the marks of several canoes, and +stopped to examine them. There were many tracks on the shore. It was +evident that the skillful young scout had found a clew. He crouched low +to the ground and studied the footprints with great care. His companions +watched hopefully. Then he suddenly left them, and went farther along +the river. He coursed to and fro between the woods and the water like an +eager wolf on the trail of game. At last he disappeared into the forest. +His friends waited patiently. They believed he was working out some clew +which he had discovered at the spot where the canoes had been lifted +from the water. It was a long time before he returned. Then they saw him +approaching slowly along the edge of the woods. He appeared to be +following a trail. In a few moments he called his friends. As they +joined him he crouched and pointed to several moccasin tracks which were +scarcely discernible on an open patch of ground. + +"My friends, I have found out about this thing," Running Fox said, as +his eyes flashed excitedly. "Come, we will go back where those canoes +were, and I will tell you about it." + +When they arrived at that spot, Running Fox again stooped to examine the +tracks. He seemed to be studying them even more carefully than before. +Several times he measured them with his hands. Then he rose and smiled +confidently at his friends. + +"Yes, my brothers, I know about this thing," he said. "I will tell you +about it. I believe Spotted Deer was brought here in one of those +canoes. See, here are the tracks of some one who stepped out of one of +those canoes. He stood here by himself. Those other tracks are all +around him. I believe the warrior who stood alone was a prisoner. Those +other people stood around to look at him. I believe that prisoner was +Spotted Deer. I believe some one brought him across the water in a +canoe. My brothers, I do not believe the Mohawks had anything to do with +it." + +His friends exclaimed in surprise. If Spotted Deer had been brought +there in a canoe, they believed it must have been the Mohawks who had +brought him. It was some moments before they recovered from their +astonishment. Then they began to question Running Fox. + +"Who do you believe brought Spotted Deer here?" Painted Hawk asked him. + +"The Shawnees," said Running Fox. + +"Dancing Owl saw Mohawks in those canoes," Crooked Foot reminded him. + +"Yes, I believe the words of Dancing Owl," declared Running Fox. +"Now you must listen close. When I saw these tracks I knew there +was a prisoner in one of those canoes. I believe it was Spotted +Deer. Turning Eagle says some people took him away toward +the-place-where-the-sun-sleeps. I believe it was the Shawnees. Then I +said, 'The Shawnees must have come in those canoes. That prisoner got +out of one of those canoes. Dancing Owl saw the Mohawks take the canoes +away. How did it happen? I will try to find out about it.' Then I went +along the river. I looked sharp. Pretty soon I found a track. Then I +found another. Then I found some more. They were coming this way. They +kept close to the woods. I saw where some one had been standing. Then I +said, 'These people stopped here to watch something. They were cautious. +I believe they were scouts.' I followed up those tracks. I went fast. +Pretty soon I came to a place where two canoes had been pushed into the +bushes. Then I began to think about it. Now I will tell you what I found +out. + +"I believe the people who came here in those canoes were Shawnees. I +believe the people who came here on foot were Mohawks. I believe the +Shawnees took those canoes from the Mohawks. I believe the Shawnees saw +Spotted Deer. I believe some were ahead of him and some were behind him. +I believe the Shawnees who were ahead of Spotted Deer made those big +fires to light the river. Then he could not pass. I believe the other +Shawnees came up with him. I believe Spotted Deer tried to get away and +bumped into a rock. Then they caught him and brought him to the big +fire. Then they got afraid and stopped that fire. Then they went up into +the woods where Turning Eagle found those signs. + +"Then I believe the Mohawks came down here after those canoes. They saw +the fires. They crept down through the woods. The Shawnees heard them +and ran away. Then the Mohawks took away the canoes. My friends, I +believe Spotted Deer is in the Shawnee camp. That is how I feel about +it." + +"Running Fox, I believe what you say is true," Painted Hawk said, +excitedly. "You are as sharp as Woakus, the fox." + +"Yes, yes, Running Fox has found out about it," declared the others. + +"Well, my friends, there is no use talking about it," Running Fox told +them. "We must try to do something. Turning Eagle, show me the place +where those people were lying down." + +They made their way into the woods and soon came upon the remains of the +fire behind the rock. Running Fox examined the signs. He agreed with +Turning Eagle that one of those who had slept there was a prisoner. + +"It must have been Spotted Deer," declared Running Fox. "Now we must try +to find him. Come, we will follow those people." + +He led the way along the trail. For some distance it was plain and easy +to follow, and Running Fox marveled at the carelessness of his foes. It +appeared that the travelers had little fear of being pursued. + +"The Shawnees are like foolish old women," said Yellow Wolf. "They leave +many signs." + +Toward the end of the day, however, the trail began to grow indistinct +and difficult to follow. The woods were freer from undergrowth and the +travelers seemed to have become more cautious. They had left few signs. +The Delawares were compelled to travel more slowly. Running Fox grew +impatient at the delay. + +"It is bad," he said, irritably. "It will take us a long time to reach +the Shawnee village. Perhaps it will be too late to help Spotted Deer." + +"If Spotted Deer is with these people, perhaps he will leave a sign," +suggested Turning Eagle. + +"I am watching sharp," Running Fox told him. + +Soon afterward they lost the trail on a barren, rocky hillside. There +were neither tracks nor signs to guide them, and they halted in dismay. +Then they separated and began to search. Some moved along the slope, +others went along the summit of the ridge. + +"Perhaps it is a trick," Crooked Foot said suspiciously. "Perhaps those +people have turned off. Perhaps they are not Shawnees." + +The possibility was disturbing. Running Fox, however, felt confident. He +believed they would find the trail at the base of the ridge. His hopes +were verified when Turning Eagle suddenly called: + +"Here are tracks," he said. + +They hurried down the hillside and found the trail continuing toward the +west. They followed it until the end of the day when it led them to a +little stream that flowed from the north. Running Fox stopped and looked +sharply at Dancing Owl. Dancing Owl nodded understandingly. It was a +familiar spot. + +"This is the place where Running Fox and Spotted Deer took me away from +the Shawnees," he told his companions. "They were very brave. They +fought back many Shawnees." + +The year previous, Dancing Owl had been captured by the Shawnees, who +were taking him to their village, when Running Fox and Spotted Deer +discovered his plight. They followed swiftly on the trail and overtook +their foes at the stream. Then the daring Delawares crossed the water +below their enemies and concealed themselves in the bushes on the +opposite side of the stream. As the Shawnees were crossing, the two +young Delawares made a fierce attack from ambush and threw the Shawnees +into such confusion that Dancing Owl was able to escape. Then the three +Delawares sped safely away while the bewildered Shawnees were hiding in +the woods in fear of an attack from a large war party of Delawares. +Dancing Owl told the story to his friends with great delight. + +"It was a great thing to do," laughed Yellow Wolf. "The Delawares are +too sharp for the foolish Shawnees." + +"Yes, yes," agreed Dancing Owl. "If Spotted Deer is alive we will fool +the Shawnees and carry him away." + +"Well, if the Shawnees have killed Spotted Deer, I do not care what +becomes of me," declared Running Fox. "I will go into the Shawnee camp +and keep shooting my arrows at the Shawnees until they kill me." + +As the day was almost at an end the Delawares decided to spend the night +beside the stream. Aware that the Shawnees might send scouts back along +the trail to make sure that they had not been followed, Running Fox +determined to take precautions. + +"My friends, it would be foolish to stay here," he said. "I see that +those people stopped here. Perhaps some of them will come back and find +us. We will go along the water until we feel safe." + +"It is good," said Painted Hawk. + +They moved a considerable distance down the stream until they came to a +dense stand of spruces. The heavy forest offered a splendid hiding +place, and they determined to remain there until daylight. The night +passed without alarm, and at dawn they crossed the stream. Then they +again set out along the trail. + +"We must look sharp," cautioned Running Fox. "Perhaps scouts have stayed +behind to watch. If they see us they will run to their people. Then they +will kill Spotted Deer." + +They saw nothing to arouse their suspicions, and at sunset they stopped +at a little spring in the bottom of a wooded ravine. They soon found +signs which made it plain that their foes had spent the night at that +place. + +"These people did not make a fire," said Running Fox. "I believe they +were afraid. Perhaps they thought some one was close behind them." + +"Perhaps some of the Mohawks followed them," Crooked Foot told him. + +"No," replied Running Fox. "Those Mohawks came to get their canoes. When +they got them they went away. They were close to our village. They were +afraid of our people." + +"Yes, I saw them go away," said Dancing Owl. + +They spent the night in the ravine, and at dawn they again set out on +the trail. It was not long before they found signs which gave evidence +that the Shawnees were advancing with less caution. The Delawares +believed that they were approaching the Shawnee camp. The thought roused +them to their peril. They realized that at any moment they might +encounter a company of Shawnee scouts. + +"We have come into the country of our enemies," running Fox warned them. +"We must watch out." + +A moment later he stopped suddenly and picked something from the ground. +He stared at it in amazement. Then his face lighted with joy. He began +to laugh. He held a buckskin knife-sheath above his head. + +"See!" he cried, "Spotted Deer has left a sign. This thing belongs to +him." + +His companions crowded eagerly about him. They passed the knife-sheath +from one to the other. It was of Delaware workmanship and bore a design +similar to the one which they had seen on the blade of the paddle. There +was no doubt that it belonged to Spotted Deer. They felt sure that the +crafty young warrior had purposely dropped it to guide them on the +trail. The thought filled them with hope. + +"It is good," said Running Fox. "Now we know that Spotted Deer is in the +Shawnee camp." + +Although he fully understood the peril to which Spotted Deer was +exposed, Running Fox was greatly relieved to know that his friend had +escaped falling into the hands of the Mohawks. Aware of the intense +hatred which those fierce foes had for Spotted Deer and himself, he knew +that they would have wasted little time before taking vengeance upon the +unfortunate captive. He was somewhat more hopeful, however, of finding +Spotted Deer alive in the Shawnee camp. + +"Here are more signs," he told his friends. + +They loitered for a moment to examine a freshly broken branch. It had +been twisted toward the west. They knew, at once, that it was the work +of Spotted Deer. + +"The Shawnees have untied the hands of Spotted Deer," laughed Yellow +Wolf. "See how he is using them." + +They continued to find other clews. Bent twigs, broken branches and +loosened stones appeared at frequent intervals. The trail, too, had +become wide and plain. It was evident that Spotted Deer was using his +feet as well as his hands to leave signals for his friends. His +stratagem made it possible for them to hurry along with little +uncertainty. Then they came to a spot where the undergrowth was broken +and trampled. They stopped to examine it. + +"Some one fell down at this place," Running Fox said, soberly. + +He stooped and began to look closely at the broken bushes. Then he +examined the ground. His companions believed that he was searching for +evidence to prove that Spotted Deer had been injured. They, too, looked +upon the spot with alarm. They feared that the Shawnees might have +suddenly detected Spotted Deer in the act of leaving a clew, and struck +him down in their anger. + +"Perhaps the Shawnees have killed our brother," said Running Fox, as his +eyes flashed threateningly. "Come, look through the bushes." + +Alarmed by his words, the Delawares separated and circled carefully +about the spot. They searched faithfully but found nothing to confirm +their fears. + +"It is good," said Running Fox. "We will go ahead." + +New clews assured them that Spotted Deer had passed the spot in safety. +Encouraged by the thought, they rushed along at a furious pace. Running +Fox was determined to reach the Shawnee village at the earliest possible +moment. + +"We must go fast," he said. "Perhaps the Shawnees are about to kill +Spotted Deer." + +The possibility roused the Delawares to frantic efforts and they sped +through the woods with no thought of fatigue. Shortly after midday they +came upon the place where the Shawnees had spent the third night. They +saw the ashes from a fire, and they believed that the nearness of the +village had made the Shawnees bold. + +"Come, we must go faster," cried Running Fox, as he hurried on. + +Darkness had already fallen when they finally stopped on the summit of a +steep, wooded ridge. Then as they looked down into the valley on the +other side, they suddenly discovered the fires in the Shawnee village. +For some moments they looked in silence. They thought of Spotted Deer +and their hearts filled with ominous doubts. Was he still alive? + +"Well, my brothers, there is the camp of our enemies, the Shawnees," +said Running Fox. "Pretty soon some of us will go down there and try to +find Spotted Deer. If he is alive, we will take him away. If he is dead, +I will rush into the camp and kill many Shawnees." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A STRANGE ALLY + + +The Shawnee camp was brightly illuminated by the glow from the fires, +and the Delawares saw many people passing about. The Shawnees appeared +to be engaged in their ordinary tasks, and there was nothing to indicate +that anything of importance was taking place. The Delawares noted that +the village was located beside a river. They saw the light reflected on +the water. + +"I have seen that camp before," said Yellow Wolf. "It is close by a big +river. It is a long ways from the edge of the woods. The ground around +it is bare. There are many high logs stuck in the ground around the +village. It will be hard to get into it." + +Running Fox listened in silence. He suddenly realized the difficulty of +his task. If the camp was surrounded by a log stockade, he knew it would +be impossible to see anything of Spotted Deer without entering the +village. He had little hope of being able to accomplish that perilous +feat. He knew that even if he should succeed in getting into the camp, +it might be impossible to locate and reach Spotted Deer. For the moment +he lost confidence. Then he suddenly realized that Spotted Deer had +relied on him. The clews which he had left along the way took on a new +significance. Running Fox accepted them as mute appeals for aid from the +friend who more than once had risked death to help him. The thought +stirred him. He determined to sacrifice his life if necessary in an +attempt to free Spotted Deer. + +"Getanittowit will help me," he murmured. + +"It will be hard to get down to that place," Painted Hawk said, +suddenly. + +"There is a trail that goes down there, but it is very steep," Yellow +Wolf told him. "A long time ago I was with some scouts, and we came over +here and found out about this place." + +"It would be foolish to follow that trail," Running Fox told them. +"Perhaps the Shawnees are watching." + +"Well, Running Fox, you are the leader, tell us what you propose to do," +said Painted Hawk. + +"I am going to ask Yellow Wolf and Dancing Owl to go down there with +me," said Running Fox. "I am going to ask the rest of you to wait up +here. I cannot tell you what we are going to do. I do not know how to +get into that camp. I do not know how to find out about Spotted Deer. I +am going down there to look around. If we do not come back before it +gets light you will know that something bad has happened to us. If you +hear the call of Gokhos three times, you must come to us. If you do not +hear it, then you must wait until it gets light." + +"We will keep your words," Painted Hawk told him. "If the Shawnees catch +you, one of us will go and tell our people. Two will keep watching. Then +we will bring a big war party to get you." + +"It is good," said Running Fox. "Come, my friends, we will go." + +A moment afterward the three daring scouts disappeared into the night. +Their departure filled their friends with doubts. They knew the peril to +which Running Fox and his companions were exposing themselves, and they +had grave fears for their safety. + +"Our brothers are brave," Painted Hawk declared, hopefully. "I believe +they will fool the Shawnees. Yes, I believe we will see them again." + +Running Fox made no attempt to find the trail of which Yellow Wolf had +spoken, but turned directly down the side of the ridge. The way was +steep and perilous, and they proceeded with great caution. The night was +black and starless and great Mauwallauwin hid behind the clouds. Running +Fox was thankful for the darkness. He knew that it would make it easier +to approach the Shawnee camp. + +"Mauwallauwin is helping us," he said. "He has put away his light so +that the Shawnees cannot see us." + +When they finally reached the base of the ridge they stopped at the edge +of the timber to watch and listen for their foes. They found a wide +stretch of barren ground between them and the Shawnee village. + +"That is a bad place," declared Dancing Owl. "If the Shawnees catch us +out there, it will be hard to get away." + +"We must be cautious," Running Fox told him. + +Then as they heard nothing to alarm them, they left the shelter of the +woods, and moved slowly across the open ground. As they approached the +village they suddenly thought of the dogs. There was little doubt that +some of them were prowling about outside the camp. + +"If they smell us they will make a great noise," said Yellow Wolf. + +Running Fox moistened his finger and held it above his head to test the +wind. It came from the direction of the village. The discovery somewhat +relieved their anxiety. There was less probability of the dogs catching +their scent. Then they suddenly heard something which brought them to a +standstill. It was the call of Gokhotit, the little red owl. It sounded +over near the edge of the timber. It was a favorite signal between +Spotted Deer and Running Fox. The latter thrilled as he heard it. A +great hope rose in his heart. Twice it sounded softly through the night +and then it ceased. + +"Listen!" Running Fox whispered, excitedly. "That is a signal. I have +heard Spotted Deer use it many times. Perhaps he is hiding over there. +Come, we will go over there and find out who it is." + +They turned and hurried toward the place where they had heard the call. +The possibility of finding Spotted Deer made their hearts beat wildly. +As they drew near the timber they became more cautious. They realized +that the call might have been made by a Shawnee, and they determined to +be on their guard. When they finally came within bow-shot of the woods +they stopped and listened. Then the call was repeated directly ahead of +them. There was something weird and mysterious about it as it rose +tremulously through the night. + +"Now watch out!" Running Fox warned, as he fitted an arrow to his bow. + +Then he replied to the signal. His call was soft and low and only +sufficiently loud to reach the ears of the mysterious caller at the edge +of the woods. The Delawares listened anxiously as it died away. A moment +afterward they heard an answer. It, too, was low and guarded. + +"It is mysterious," said Yellow Wolf. + +"I believe it is Spotted Deer," declared Dancing Owl. + +"Be cautious," Running Fox warned him. + +Alert, and ready to defend themselves, they advanced carefully toward +the timber. When they were within easy speaking distance they stopped. +Then Running Fox called softly. + +"Spotted Deer," he said. + +"Spotted Deer is in the Shawnee village," replied a voice from the +darkness. + +It was the voice of a young boy or a woman and the Delawares turned to +one another in surprise. For some moments they remained silent while +they tried to solve the mystery. Many thoughts passed through their +minds. Had some wily Shawnee scout discovered them and prepared a clever +stratagem to lure them to their death? Had Spotted Deer found a friend +among the Shawnees? Was it one of their own people? Before they could +arrive at a decision the strange voice again sounded from the woods. + +"Do not be afraid, Delawares," it said. "I have come here to help you. +Perhaps I can save Spotted Deer. You must listen to my words." + +"Who are you?" demanded Yellow Wolf. + +"The Shawnees call me the Mystery Woman." + +"It is a Medicine Person," Running Fox whispered, uneasily. "We must +listen to her words. Perhaps she will help us." + +"Do not try to kill me," said the mysterious person in the timber. "If +you kill me, Spotted Deer will surely die." + +"No, my friend, we will not kill you," Running Fox assured her. + +"Then I will tell you what to do," she said. + +"We will come over there and talk with you," proposed Running Fox. + +"No, no, stay where you are," she commanded, impatiently. "Come, there +is little time. Close your mouth and open your ears." + +"We will listen," Running Fox told her. + +"Well, Delawares, I will tell you that the Shawnees have caught your +brother, Spotted Deer," she told them. "He is tied up in the Shawnee +camp. You cannot reach him. Scouts are watching around the camp. If you +try to get into the village you will surely be killed. Now listen sharp +to what I am about to tell you. The Shawnees are going to kill Spotted +Deer. They are going to kill him when the great chief Big Dog returns +from the hunt. He will come before two suns pass. That is why I came +here to find you. Spotted Deer says his people will come. He says his +friend Running Fox will come." + +"I am here," said Running Fox. + +"It is good," she replied. "How many have come?" + +The Delawares remained silent. The question made them suspicious. They +feared that this mysterious woman might be attempting to gain +information for their foes. + +"Well, I see that you are cautious," she laughed. "It is good. Now I +will tell you what to do. Red Dog will cross this ridge. He will come +along a steep trail that comes down from the top of the ridge. Two great +warriors will come with him. They are Many Beavers and Striking Bear. +They are very brave. When those warriors come to the Shawnee village, +Spotted Deer must die. If they do not come, perhaps I can help him. Now +you know about it. I have finished." + +"My friend, you have spoken big words," said Running Fox. "I do not know +who you are but my heart is good toward you. I believe you are trying to +help us. It is good." + +They waited some moments but there was no response. The silence aroused +their fears. They looked anxiously into the darkness. They listened for +the approach of stealthy footsteps. There was no hint of danger. + +"Come, my friend, give us some more words," Running Fox said, finally. + +The appeal was futile. The strange voice had ceased. The Delawares +became uneasy. They wondered if they had been conversing with one of the +mysterious Medicine Beings. Then they heard the call of Gokhotit, the +little red owl. It was far away toward the Shawnee village. + +"She has gone," said Yellow Wolf. + +"Perhaps she will tell Spotted Deer about us," Running Fox said, +hopefully. + +"Do you believe her words?" Dancing Owl asked, anxiously. + +"Yes," said Running Fox. "I believe she came here to help us. I cannot +tell about it. It is mysterious. Perhaps Getanittowit sent her here. I +believe something good will come of it." + +"Well, I do not know what to make of it," declared Dancing Owl. "Are you +going to the Shawnee camp?" + +"No," replied Running Fox. "I believe it would be foolish. It would be +hard to get into that camp. If we go over there and get caught, Big Dog +and his friends will come to the camp. Then we will all be killed. +Anyway I believe that strange woman is a Medicine Person. If we make her +mad, much harm may come of it. I am going to turn around. We will go +back and tell our brothers about it." + +"It is the best thing to do," said Yellow Wolf. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +WAITING AND WATCHING + + +Although the mysterious stranger had assured them that the trail to the +top of the ridge was unguarded, the Delawares believed that the more +difficult route through the woods might be safer. As they began the +steep, exhausting climb, the clouds suddenly broke and Mauwallauwin +flooded the valley with his soft, mystic light. + +"It is a good sign," declared Running Fox. "Great Mauwallauwin has sent +the light to show us the way." + +When they finally reached the summit of the ridge they hastened to the +spot where they had left their friends. The latter were greatly +surprised at the sudden return. + +"You have come back--it is good," said Painted Hawk. "Now I know that my +brother Spotted Deer is alive." + +"Yes, he is alive," Running Fox told him. + +"Did you see him?" Crooked Foot asked, eagerly. + +"No," replied Running Fox. + +"Then how do you know about it?" Turning Eagle inquired, curiously. + +"Listen, my friends, I will tell you about it," said Running Fox. +"Something mysterious has happened to us. We were going to the Shawnee +camp. Then we heard the call of Gokhotit, the little red owl. It is the +signal which Spotted Deer makes. It was very soft. It came from the +timber. We stopped. I began to think about Spotted Deer. Then we heard +it again. We went toward the place where it was. We said, 'Perhaps it is +Spotted Deer.' We could not tell about it. We were very cautious. When +we got close, we got ready to fight. We said, 'Perhaps it is the +Shawnees.' Then I made the call. Pretty soon we heard it come back. It +was close by. Then I called out very soft. I said, 'Spotted Deer.' +Pretty soon some one talked to us. 'Spotted Deer is in the Shawnee +camp,' that person told us. It sounded like an old woman. We looked hard +but we could not see any one. It was very dark. Perhaps that is why we +could not see that person. Perhaps there was no one there. I cannot tell +about it. It sounded mysterious. We kept still. We did not know what to +do." + +"Yes, yes, tell us about it," Turning Eagle said, eagerly, as Running +Fox paused. + +"Well, my brothers, pretty soon that voice came again," said Running +Fox. "It said, 'Do not be afraid, Delawares. I have come here to help +you. Perhaps I can save Spotted Deer. You must listen to my words.' + +"When we heard those words we did not know what to do. Then I called +out. I said, 'Who are you?' + +"'The Shawnees call me the Mystery Woman,' that voice told us. + +"Then I said, 'It is a Medicine Person.' + +"Well, my friends, then we listened sharp. That person told us what we +went down there to find out about. Now I will tell you about it. Spotted +Deer is tied up in the Shawnee camp. The Shawnees will kill him when Big +Dog, the great Shawnee chief, returns from the hunt. Big Dog will cross +this ridge. Big Dog will go down that trail that Yellow Wolf told us +about. That mysterious person told us that we must not go to the camp. +Scouts are watching around the village. That person told us we would +surely be killed if we tried to go there. + +"Then the voice stopped coming to us. We waited a long time. We listened +sharp. We did not hear anything. Then I called out. Nothing came back. +We waited a long time. Then I called out again. Nothing came back. Then +we heard the call of Gokhotit, the little red owl. It was far away near +the Shawnee village. Then we turned around and came here. Now I have +told you about it." + +"Running Fox, if that person was a Medicine Person a great thing has +happened to you," said Crooked Foot. "It is mysterious." + +"My brothers, I do not like this thing," Painted Hawk declared, +uneasily. "Perhaps that mysterious person was a Shawnee. Perhaps the +Shawnees are trying to catch us. Perhaps they are trying to keep us here +until a war party comes out from the village." + +"Yes, I believe that is what they are trying to do," agreed Turning +Eagle. "We must watch out." + +"My friends, I do not believe the Shawnees had anything to do with it," +Running Fox told them. "Perhaps it was a mysterious Medicine Person. +Perhaps it was some one else. I do not know who it was. But I believe +that person came there to help us. I believe the words of that person. +Come, Yellow Wolf, you are a great warrior, tell us how you feel about +it." + +"Yes, Yellow Wolf, you heard this thing, tell us about it," urged +Painted Hawk. + +"My friends, I believe we must do what that person told us to do," said +Yellow Wolf. "I do not know who it was but I believe what Running Fox +says is true. I believe that person came there to help us." + +"Running Fox, you are a great war leader; Yellow Wolf, you are a great +scout; we will listen to your words," said Painted Hawk. + +"It is good," replied Running Fox. "Now I will tell you what I propose +to do. Yellow Wolf, you must lead us to that trail. Some of us will stay +at the top. Some of us will go down and watch below. Two must watch. The +rest must lie down and sleep. I will watch below. Yellow Wolf, you must +watch at the top. If the Shawnees try to come up that trail, I will hear +them. If Big Dog tries to go down that trail, Yellow Wolf will hear him. +I will ask Painted Hawk and Turning Eagle to go with me. Crooked Foot +and Dancing Owl must stay with Yellow Wolf." + +Yellow Wolf led the way along the crest of the ridge until they came to +the place where the steep, narrow trail wound down the hillside. Then +they separated to carry out the instructions of Running Fox. + +"If you hear the call of Gokhos three times, you will know that there is +danger," Running Fox explained as he departed down the hillside. + +The Delawares took turns at watching through the night, but they neither +saw nor heard anything to alarm them. At daylight they met at the top of +the ridge. Then Running Fox announced another important discovery. + +"My friends, when we were coming up here we found many tracks on that +trail," he said. "Yes, Spotted Deer went down there. We found his +tracks." + +"How do you know that," Painted Hawk asked, curiously. + +"We saw some places where some one slid along," said Running Fox. "That +person could not use his hands to hold himself back. Then we said, 'That +person was a prisoner.' Then we knew it was Spotted Deer." + +Having passed the night without alarm, and discovered signs which seemed +to prove that Spotted Deer had passed along the trail, the Delawares +became less suspicious of the mysterious stranger. It appeared as if her +words had been verified. + +"I believe what that mysterious person told us is true," said Turning +Eagle. + +"Well, she did not send the Shawnees here," said Running Fox. "Perhaps +Big Dog will come. We must keep watching." + +"Is Big Dog alone?" inquired Painted Hawk. + +"No," said Running Fox. "Two warriors are with him. That mysterious +person told us about them. They are Many Beavers and Striking Bear. She +says they are very brave." + +"If she knows these things, she must be a Shawnee," declared Crooked +Foot. "If she is a Shawnee, I believe she is trying to fool us." + +"I believe she knows these things because she is a great Medicine +Person," Running Fox told him. "If she is a Shawnee, how does she know +about that signal? Spotted Deer did not tell the Shawnees about it. My +brothers, I do not know who that strange person is, but I believe she is +working against the Shawnees. I believe she is trying to help us." + +His confidence quieted the suspicions of his friends. They, too, began +to rely upon the aid of the mysterious stranger. Having discovered them +near the village, it was evident that she had concealed the fact from +the Shawnees. The Delawares took hope in the thought. + +"Well, we will wait here and see if her words come true," said Yellow +Wolf. + +"Yes, we will watch for Big Dog," Running Fox told him. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +AN EASY VICTORY + + +For some time the Delawares fixed their attention upon the Shawnee camp. +They particularly noted the high log stockade which inclosed the village +on three sides. The only approach was from the river. + +"That is a bad place to get into," said Painted Hawk. + +The others nodded a solemn assent. They realized that the crafty +Shawnees had made their village almost impregnable, and there seemed to +be little chance of freeing Spotted Deer. + +"My friends, there is no use of feeling bad about this thing," Running +Fox told them. "We came here to help Spotted Deer. We must go through +with it." + +"How do you propose to do this thing?" Painted Hawk asked him. + +"I cannot tell you that until I find out about the Shawnee chief," said +Running Fox. + +At that moment their thoughts were diverted by the sudden appearance of +three canoes. They had moved out from the shore and turned up the river. +There were two paddlers in each canoe. The Delawares watched closely. + +"It is bad," declared Painted Hawk. "Perhaps those warriors are going to +meet their chief. Perhaps he will come to the camp in one of those +canoes." + +"No, I do not believe it," Running Fox told him. "That mysterious person +says that Big Dog will cross the ridge. Then he must be coming from +the-place-where-the-sun-appears. Those Shawnees are going toward Lowan, +the Cold Place." + +"Yes, that is true," said Yellow Wolf. "I do not believe they are going +to meet Big Dog. I believe they are going up the river to hunt." + +Somewhat relieved by the opinions of the two famous warriors, the little +company of Delawares sought to banish the doubts which had entered their +minds. They had great confidence in Running Fox and they believed he +would find a way to overcome the difficulty. Their only fear was that he +might have been deceived by the words of the stranger whom he had +encountered near the Shawnee camp. Running Fox, however, seemed +confident that she was attempting to help them. + +They watched patiently through the day, but Big Dog and his friends +failed to appear. Then as the evening shadows settled in the valley, +they saw the three canoes returning to the camp. There were only two +warriors in each canoe. The Delawares felt greatly relieved. + +"Well, Big Dog did not come with them," said Painted Hawk. "See, Yellow +Wolf, your words have come true." + +The paddlers had come ashore, and were carrying the carcass of a deer or +an elk toward the camp. It was evident that they were hunters. Having +entered the village, they were immediately followed by a great company +of people. They made a great commotion and the sounds of rejoicing +reached the scouts on top of the ridge. + +"They have brought meat--the Shawnees feel good," said Turning Eagle. + +Then as darkness closed down and the fires began to twinkle in the +Shawnee camp, Running Fox resolved to return to the base of the ridge. +He hoped again to meet the mysterious stranger whom he had encountered +the previous night. This time, however, he determined to go alone. + +"My brothers, pretty soon I am going down there," he said. "Perhaps I +will find that mysterious person. Perhaps she will tell me something +different." + +Each of his friends was eager to accompany him. He refused them and +insisted upon going alone. + +"It is foolish to go down there alone," Crooked Foot warned him. +"Perhaps that person will bring some Shawnees to catch you." + +"I will be cautions," Running Fox assured him. + +A few moments afterward he departed upon his perilous mission. He +reached the base of the ridge in safety, and stopped to search the wide +stretch of barren ground that surrounded the camp. The sky was clear and +cloudless, and Mauwallauwin had driven the night shadows far back into +the depths of the forest. Running Fox realized that it would be folly to +expose himself in the open. He moved along at the edge of the timber +until he approached the spot where he had encountered the stranger. Then +he stopped to listen. He waited a long time but the only sounds came +from the camp. Still he determined to loiter. + +"Perhaps she will come," he told himself. + +Then he heard something moving through the woods behind him. He fitted +an arrow to his bow and listened sharply. The warning of Crooked Foot +suddenly came to his mind. He realized that he was exposing himself to +great peril. The thought made him as alert and watchful as Nianque, the +lynx. Having stationed himself in the shadows beneath a great spruce, he +had little fear of being seen. The sound had ceased. Running Fox +wondered if the prowler had become suspicious. Perhaps he, too, was +listening. Then Running Fox heard the soft, querulous call of Gokhotit, +the little red owl. It seemed within several bow-lengths of him. The +signal thrilled him. He looked eagerly toward the sound but the caller +was concealed in the darkness. Running Fox feared to reply. He listened +anxiously for the sound of voices. The silence reassured him. It was +evident that the caller was alone. Many moments passed, and still he +remained silent. Then the call was repeated. It was a perfect imitation +and Running Fox admired the skill of the one who had given it. Then he +answered it. The notes had barely died away before the same weird voice +addressed him from the night. + +"You have come--it is good," it said. "Are you alone?" + +For a moment Running Fox hesitated to reply. The question made him +suspicious. His silence seemed to anger the stranger. + +"Come, come, do not be so cautious," she said, irritably. "If you are +afraid of me, run away like Muschgingus, the rabbit, and leave your +brother to die." + +The taunt roused his anger. He instantly accepted the challenge. + +"Hi, woman, take care," he said, warningly. "Those are bad words to +speak to a Delaware. Now listen to what I am going to tell you. I came +here because I am not afraid of you. If you have something to tell me, +speak. I will listen." + +"It is good," said the stranger. "I see that you are brave like your +brother, Spotted Deer. Well, my son, I will not bring any harm upon you. +I have come here to tell you something. Now listen to my words." + +"Wait," interrupted Running Fox. "Are you alone?" + +"Yes." + +"Then go over there in that light place and sit down." + +"No, no, I am going to stay here," she insisted. + +Her caution dispelled the suspicions of Running Fox. He realized that if +she had intended to betray him into ambush she would have accepted his +offer. He began to feel secure. + +"Well, do as you like about it," he said. + +"I have talked with your brother about you," she told him. "Spotted Deer +feels strong because you are near. He says you will do something big. +Now you must listen to my words. Do not try to go into that camp. It is +useless. If you go there you will surely die with Spotted Deer. There is +only one thing to do. You must watch until Big Dog comes. Then you must +kill him. You must also kill those two great warriors. It will be a hard +thing to do, but you must be strong. Then perhaps I will be able to get +Spotted Deer out of the camp before the Shawnees kill him. There is not +much time. They are talking bad against him. If Big Dog does not come +into the camp before the third sun comes, I believe they will kill your +brother." + +"Woman, you speak big words," declared Running Fox. "I told my friends +about them. They said, 'Perhaps that person is a Shawnee. Perhaps she is +trying to fool you.' We have watched sharp. One sun has passed. Big Dog +has not come." + +"Listen, you Delaware," she said, angrily. "If you do not believe my +words, then shake them from your ears and go away. One sun has passed. +Another will soon come. Before that sun goes away Big Dog will cross +that ridge. He will come down that trail. Now I have told you about it. +If I get Spotted Deer out of the camp I will send him up there on the +ridge to look for you. Tell your friends that they are foolish to talk +against me. Pretty soon they will see that I have done a big thing for +them. Now I am going away." + +"Wait," urged Running Fox. "Tell me who you are? Do you live in the +Shawnee camp?" + +There was no response. Made reckless by his eagerness to learn the +identity of his mysterious ally, he moved stealthily toward the spot +where he had heard her. The maneuver was useless. She had gone. + +"Well, she must be a great Medicine Person," Running Fox told himself. +"I believe she will give me power to help Spotted Deer." + +Encouraged by the thought, he hastened away to take her message to his +friends. He had barely begun to climb when he heard the dogs barking +furiously at the Shawnee camp. He stopped and listened uneasily. Then, +as the racket ended as suddenly as it began, he wondered if the strange +Mystery Woman had entered the village. + +"My friends, I have talked with that mysterious person and nothing bad +has happened to me," Running Fox told his companions. "Now I know that +she is trying to help us." + +"Tell us her words," Painted Hawk said, eagerly. + +"She says that Spotted Deer knows about us," Running Fox told them. "She +says that he feels strong about it. She says that Big Dog and his +brothers will cross this bridge before the next sun goes away. She says +we must stop them. She says if they get away, Spotted Deer must die. My +brothers, I believe the words of that mysterious person. I believe she +is a good friend." + +"Do you know who she is?" inquired Painted Hawk. + +"No," replied Running Fox. "When I asked her about it she went away. I +crept ahead to stop her. When I got there she was gone. It is +mysterious. It must be that she is a great Medicine Person." + +"Well, if she feels good toward us, perhaps she will give us power to do +big things," Dancing Owl suggested, hopefully. "Perhaps she will tell us +how to get into the Shawnee camp." + +"No, I do not believe she will tell us how to do that," said Running +Fox. "She says it would be a foolish thing to do. She says we would be +killed. She says we must catch Big Dog. Then she will try to get Spotted +Deer away." + +"Pretty soon we will see if her words come true," said Turning Eagle. + +They again took turns at watching, but the night passed without +incident. They became convinced that the Shawnees were ignorant of their +presence on the ridge. It seemed certain, therefore, that the mysterious +stranger had failed to betray them to their foes. + +"Well, my brothers, if that mysterious person did not tell the Shawnees +about us she must be trying to help us," said Painted Hawk. "I do not +know what to make of it. I believe she must be a Medicine Person. +Perhaps Getanittowit sent her here to do this thing." + +As the sun rose above the eastern hills, the Delawares suddenly realized +that the fate of Spotted Deer might be settled before it finally crossed +the sky and disappeared into the west. The thought made them serious. If +the words of their unknown ally proved true, they believed that the life +of their friend depended upon their vigilance. If the Shawnee chief +eluded them, they feared that Spotted Deer would die before the dawn of +another day. Having learned that the chief and his companions were +expected to approach from the east, they turned their attention to that +side of the ridge. + +Then, as they waited for the appearance of their foes, Running Fox began +to study the possibilities for saving Spotted Deer. A number of +disquieting questions rose in his mind. Suppose they should kill Big Dog +and his companions, would the mysterious Medicine Person be able to +delay the execution of Spotted Deer? He had strong doubts of it. She had +warned him that the Shawnees were growing impatient. She believed that +if Big Dog failed to arrive at the camp before another sun rose, the +Shawnees would kill spotted Deer. The possibility filled Running Fox +with alarm. He suddenly determined that it would be a blunder to kill +the Shawnee chief. + +"See, my friends, the sun is high overhead," said Running Fox. "The day +is passing. Pretty soon Big Dog and his friends will come. Yes, I +believe we will see them before the sun goes away. Now I will give you +some words. I feel different about this thing. I believe it would be +foolish to kill Big Dog and his friends. We must catch them and keep +them alive. It will be a hard thing to do but I believe it is the only +way to save Spotted Deer. I am the leader. You must do as I tell you." + +His companions turned to him in amazement. They wondered if their ears +had deceived them. It seemed impossible that Running Fox could have +arrived at such an astounding decision. They waited for an explanation. + +"My brothers, I see that my words sound bad in your ears," he said. "It +is because you do not know what I propose to do. I cannot tell you that, +until we catch the Shawnee chief. Now I will tell you what you must do. +I will ask Yellow Wolf and Dancing Owl to stay over here with me. The +rest of you must hide along the other side of the trail. Put away your +bows. Keep your war clubs in your hands. If Big Dog and his friends walk +between us, rush out and strike them down. Strike hard enough to make +them sleep, but do not try to kill them. Then I will tell you what to +do." + +At that moment Dancing Owl placed his finger across his lips and pointed +warningly down the eastern side of the ridge. The Delawares listened in +great suspense. Then they heard voices. Some one was climbing up the +slope. + +"Hide yourselves!" whispered Running Fox. + +They separated, and concealed themselves on each side of the trail. They +held their war clubs in their hands and watched anxiously for the +appearance of the three Shawnee hunters. It was not long before they +heard them close at hand. + +"Get ready," Running Fox cautioned his companions. + +A moment later the Shawnees appeared. The Delawares were overjoyed to +see each of their foes bowed beneath a heavy load of game. It was a +severe handicap, and placed the Shawnees at a great disadvantage. They +were panting heavily from their exertions in climbing the ridge. Having +reached the top, they stopped and looked upon the camp. The Delawares +waited in breathless suspense. They feared that at any moment the +Shawnees might raise a shout to announce their return. As the +possibility filled him with fear, Running Fox was tempted to drive his +arrows through them. At that instant, however, the Shawnees turned and +approached the trail. + +The Delawares were well hidden, and they had little fear of being seen. +The Shawnees showed no signs of suspicion. They came to the head of the +trail and turned to follow it down the hillside. At that instant Running +Fox gave the signal and the Delawares rushed from cover. The astounded +Shawnees had little chance to defend themselves. Hampered by their heavy +packs, they were attacked with a grim, silent ferocity that threw them +into confusion. Before they could rally they were struck down. + +"Come, pull off these packs!" cried Running Fox, as he dropped to his +knees beside his unconscious foe and began untying the pack thongs. + +When the Shawnees regained consciousness some time later, they found +themselves powerless. Their feet and hands were tightly bound with the +rawhide thongs from the packs, and they were gagged with heavy pieces of +buckskin which had been cut from their shirts. Unable to move or speak, +they glared defiantly into the faces of the triumphant Delawares who +stooped over them and laughed gleefully. Then they seized their helpless +captives and carried them some distance along the ridge. + +"It is good," laughed Turning Eagle. "The mysterious--" + +"Sh," Running Fox cautioned, "the Shawnees have ears." + +"Yes, yes, be cautious," warned Yellow Wolf. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A DARING RUSE + + +For some time the Delawares studied the prisoners in silence. Then +Dancing Owl suddenly recognized one of them. He was one of the warriors +who had captured him the year before. The hot-tempered young Delaware +immediately began to taunt and tantalize his foe. + +"Well, Shawnee, I have caught you," he laughed. "How do you feel about +it? Do you know who I am? Yes, yes, I see that you are afraid of me. You +were very fierce when you caught me. Perhaps I will kill you. Then we +will see how brave you are." + +His friends listened with delight. They laughed scornfully as the +enraged Shawnee glared helplessly at his conqueror. Then they attempted +to identify Big Dog, the Shawnee chief. Running Fox realized that unless +he could learn which of the prisoners was Big Dog, it would be +impossible to carry out the daring, plan by which he hoped to rescue +Spotted Deer. He studied the Shawnees with great care. They seemed about +of an age. All were men in the full prime of life. Two were of strong +and muscular physique. The third was lithe and sinewy. The latter was +the one whom Dancing Owl had recognized. All had the stern, fearless +face and bold eyes of the seasoned warrior. As there was no distinction +in dress or bearing, Running Fox found nothing to guide him to a +decision. He resolved to consult his friends. + +"Turning Eagle, stay here and watch," he said. "Come, my brothers, +follow me." + +When they were safely beyond hearing of their foes, the five Delawares +seated themselves to talk. + +"My brothers, we have done a good thing," said Running Fox. "The words +of that mysterious Medicine Person have come true. She is a good friend. +We must try to find out who she is. But first we must find out about Big +Dog. I cannot go ahead with what I intend to do until I find out which +one of those warriors is Big Dog. Do any of you know him?" + +His friends shook their heads. + +"Well, can any of you pick him out?" + +"Did the Medicine Person tell you how to know him?" inquired Painted +Hawk. + +"No," said Running Fox. "I was foolish; I did not ask about it." + +"It will be a hard thing to find out," declared Crooked Foot. "I looked +sharp at these warriors but I cannot tell you what you wish to know." + +"I do not believe that warrior I talked to is Big Dog," said Dancing +Owl. "He was not the leader of those warriors who caught me. A great +chief is always the leader." + +"Yes, yes, that is true," agreed his companions. "One of the others must +be Big Dog." + +Running Fox had already reached that conclusion. He was glad to hear it +indorsed by his friends. Still he realized that even with one of the +warriors eliminated it would be quite as difficult to learn which of the +others was Big Dog. Aware that a mistake might prove fatal, he resolved +to do nothing until he became certain of the identity of the Shawnee +chief. + +"My friends, we must be sure about this thing," he said. "Now I will +tell you how to find out about it. Yellow Wolf, you speak Shawnee words. +You must talk to those warriors. Be sharp. Try to catch them." + +"Yes, Yellow Wolf, you must try to fool them," said Crooked Foot. + +"Well, I will see what I can do about it," agreed Yellow Wolf. + +They rose and returned to the prisoners. The sun was dropping toward the +western ridges. The day was far spent. Running Fox was impatient. He had +planned to make his bold attempt to free Spotted Deer early in the +night. He realized that there was little time to learn what he wished to +know. He watched anxiously as Yellow Wolf approached the Shawnees and +addressed them in their dialect. + +"Come, come, Big Dog, open your eyes," he said, sharply, as he studied +the faces of his foes. + +Two of the Shawnees glanced quickly at their companion. His face clouded +with anger. Yellow Wolf laughed and turned to Running Fox. + +"There is the great chief Big Dog," he said, as he pointed toward the +Shawnee who had been betrayed by his friends. + +"It is good," declared Running Fox. + +As Turning Eagle continued to watch the prisoners, the other Delawares +again withdrew to talk. Then Running Fox explained his plans. + +"Yellow Wolf, you are as sly as Sanquen, the weasel," he laughed. "My +brothers, Yellow Wolf found out what we wished to know. It is good. Now +I will tell you what I propose to do. I am going to talk to those +Shawnees. I am going to tell them about Spotted Deer. I am going to tell +them that they must help us. I am going to ask one of those warriors to +go to the Shawnee village with me. I am going to ask him to talk to his +people. When he gives them my words, I believe they will let Spotted +Deer walk out." + +"Running Fox, if you do this thing I believe you will surely be killed," +Painted Hawk declared, soberly. + +"That Shawnee will tell his people to kill you," said Dancing Owl. + +"No, I do not believe it," replied Running Fox. "Come, we will go and +tell the Shawnees about it. You must listen sharp to my words." + +When they reached the captives, Running Fox stooped and stared steadily +into the face of Big Dog. The eyes of the Shawnee blazed with hate. The +Delaware straightened and began to speak. + +"Big Dog, do you know the words of my people?" he asked. + +The Shawnee gave no sign that he understood. Running Fox felt sure that +he was attempting to deceive. He waited some moments, and then he +resumed speaking. + +"If you do not know my words there is no chance for you," he said. "I +have come here to give you a chance for your life. Now listen sharp to +what I am about to tell you. Your people have caught my brother, Spotted +Deer. He is tied up in your village. I believe your people are about to +kill him. If they kill him you must die. We have come here to take +Spotted Deer away. You are a great chief. If you speak to your people +they will listen. You must tell them to let Spotted Deer go. If you do +that no harm will come to you. Come, be quick, give me a sign." + +For several moments the Shawnee remained motionless. Then he glanced at +his companions. His eyes questioned them. The Delawares watched closely. +Would he yield? Their hopes died as the stern Shawnee chief stared +defiantly at Running Fox. The latter still waited. He began to wonder if +the Shawnee really understood his words. + +"Well, Shawnee, I see that we must kill you," he said, finally. "Come, +my brothers, the foolish Shawnees wish to die." + +The Delawares drew their bows and advanced upon the captives. The latter +gave no evidence of fear. Running Fox watched anxiously. He knew that +unless he could force the Shawnees to agree to his terms there was +slight chance of saving Spotted Deer. It was apparent, however, that Big +Dog and his companions intended to defy him. The thought suddenly roused +him into a temper. His face grew dark with anger, and his eyes flashed +dangerously. He jerked his bow into position and fitted an arrow. Then +he drew back the bow-string and aimed the arrow at the heart of Big Dog. +At that instant the chief slowly raised himself. Running Fox lowered his +bow. His eyes lighted with hope. + +"Well, Shawnee, I see that you wish to speak," he said. "It is good. We +will listen to your words. But first I will tell you something. If you +try to call out when I take that thing away from your mouth I will shoot +my arrow through you. Remember those words." + +Big Dog nodded. Then Running Fox began to untie the buckskin gag. The +other Shawnees watched with interest. It was some moments before Big Dog +spoke. + +"I heard your words," he said, brusquely. + +"Well, how do you feel about it?" inquired Running Fox. + +"I will do this thing," said Big Dog. + +"It is good," Running Fox told him. "Now you must listen sharp. I know +about your brothers. They are Many Beavers and Striking Bear. Do they +know my words?" + +"Many Beavers knows your words," said Big Dog, as he exchanged glances +with the warrior beside him. + +"My brothers, let Many Beavers speak," said Running Fox. + +Many Beavers sat up and the Delawares removed the gag from his mouth. +Then Yellow Wolf drew his knife and sat close beside him. + +"If you try to call out I will kill you," he said. + +"Now, Shawnees, I will tell you how to keep your lives," Running Fox +told them. "I am going into your village with Many Beavers. He must +carry the words of Big Dog to his people. He must tell them that Big Dog +is a prisoner. He must tell them that, if any harm comes to me, Big Dog +will die. He must tell them that Big Dog says to let Spotted Deer walk +away with me. He must tell them that if I do not take Spotted Deer to my +people before the next sun comes, Big Dog and Striking Bear will die. +You have heard my words. If you do this thing we will give you your +lives. If anything bad comes of it you must die. I have finished." + +Running Fox ceased speaking and watched the Shawnees. For some moments +they remained silent. They appeared to be studying his plan. At last Big +Dog spoke. + +"What you propose to do is foolish," he said. "If you go into my village +with Many Beavers, my people will surely kill you. I am the only one who +can save you. There is only one way to do this thing. You must go to the +village with all three of us. Then no harm will come to you. Then I will +tell my people to let your brother walk out. Delaware, I am a great +chief. I know about these things. I have told you the best way to do +it." + +"Shawnee, I am laughing at you," Running Fox told him. "Do you believe +you can fool me with those words? No, I will not talk about them. I have +told you how to keep your life. Now you must answer. Will you do as I +tell you?" + +"Yes, I will go to the camp with you," Big Dog replied, craftily. + +"Many Beavers will go with me," Running Fox said, angrily. "You will +stay here with Striking Bear until I bring back Spotted Deer. Come, I +will not talk any more. Will you do this thing?" + +"Well, if you wish to throw away your life, I will not stop you," +laughed Big Dog. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +SPOTTED DEER OBTAINS HIS FREEDOM + + +At the end of the day the Delawares noted sudden activity in the Shawnee +camp. It convinced them that the Shawnees were preparing for some +unusual event. The village was brightly lighted by several great fires, +and the people appeared to be gathering for an important ceremony. + +"It is bad," said Painted Hawk, "Something big is going on down there. +Perhaps the Shawnees are about to kill Spotted Deer." + +"Yes, it is bad," agreed Crooked Foot. + +"Perhaps the Shawnees are getting ready for Big Dog," suggested Dancing +Owl. + +Running Fox offered no opinion. The sudden bustle in the Shawnee camp +had aroused his suspicions. He was unwilling to express the fears which +had crept into his heart. + +"Come, Running Fox, what do you make of it?" Yellow Wolf asked him. + +"I believe Spotted Deer is in danger," said Running Fox. "There is no +time to spare. I must go." + +He hurried to the Shawnee captives. Turning Eagle was watching them. As +Running Fox approached, Turning Eagle came to meet him. + +"Big Dog and Many Beavers have been talking," he said. + +Running Fox seemed unimpressed. He had slight doubt that the crafty +Shawnees had discussed the possibility of betraying him into the hands +of their people. The thought caused him little anxiety. Having made it +plain that his peril was their peril, he believed that they would heed +the warning. + +"Many Beavers, I have some words for you," he told the Shawnee. "I am +going to untie you. I am going with you to the Shawnee camp. If any harm +comes to me, Big Dog and Striking Bear will die. If I do not bring back +Spotted Deer before another sun comes, then they must die. Now you know +about it. If you let your people kill me, you will know that they are +also killing your brothers. I have spoken." + +He stooped and freed Many Beavers. Then he ordered him to rise. The +Shawnee obeyed. The Delawares watched suspiciously. They had serious +misgivings about the outcome of the adventure. + +"My brothers, keep my words," said Running Fox. "If I do not bring +Spotted Deer here before the next sun comes, then you must kill these +Shawnees. Then you must go to our people and tell them that I have +followed Spotted Deer on the Long Trail." + +Then he disappeared into the night with Many Beavers. They followed the +steep, hazardous trail toward the river. Mauwallauwin gave them light, +but the way was difficult and dangerous. The Shawnee walked ahead. He +was without weapons. Running Fox followed close behind him. He was armed +with bow and arrows. They traveled in silence. When they reached the end +of the trail, the Shawnee led the way across the open stretch of beach +that led to the camp. + +As they finally drew near the village, they heard sounds which told them +that a celebration of some sort was in progress. Running Fox grew +anxious. He wondered if he had come too late to save Spotted Deer. A +wild chorus of shouts rang through the night, and his courage weakened +at the sound. The Shawnee suddenly stopped. Running Fox feared +treachery. + +"Something big is happening," Many Beavers told him. "I will go ahead +and find out about it. Then I will come back and tell you about it." + +"No," Running Fox said, sharply. "I will go with you." + +"It is bad," the Shawnee warned him. "Perhaps my people are mad. If you +go in there they may kill you." + +"Big Dog and Striking Bear are on the ridge," Running Fox reminded him, +significantly. "I am not afraid. Go into the camp. I will follow you." + +Aware that further words would be useless, the Shawnee moved rapidly +toward the entrance to the camp. Running Fox followed boldly after him. +A few moments later they entered the village. The Shawnees were gathered +about a great fire. They suddenly subsided into silent amazement at +sight of Many Beavers and his companion. Many Beavers walked directly +toward them. + +"Keep close beside me," he warned Running Fox. + +Once they had identified the Delaware, the Shawnees rushed toward him, +calling out threateningly. Many Beavers held up his hand and called out +in strong, commanding tones. The Shawnees became quiet. They crowded +eagerly about the two warriors and began to speak excitedly to their +tribesmen. Running Fox ignored them. He had suddenly discovered Spotted +Deer tied to a stake near the fire. Everything else was forgotten. +Spotted Deer was apparently unable to see him in the midst of the +Shawnees. + +"He is alive--it is enough," Running Fox murmured, thankfully. + +In the meantime several warriors whom he took to be chiefs had made +their way to Many Beavers. They were talking earnestly and the Delaware +believed that Many Beavers was giving them the message from Big Dog. He +watched closely. Many Beavers waved his arm toward the ridge. He was +speaking seriously. The Shawnees showed interest. Then Many Beavers +spoke to Running Fox. + +"This man is Walking Bear," he said. "He is a great war leader. He will +give you some words." + +"Delaware, I see you have come to die with your brother," said the +Shawnee. + +"Those words do not frighten me," Running Fox replied, angrily. "Many +Beavers has told you what brings me here. I will not talk about it. Your +great chief, Big Dog, and your brother, Striking Bear, are with my +people. Do you wish to see them? Then go over there and untie my +brother. If we do not go back to that place, your brothers will die. I +have finished." + +"Hi, Delaware, you speak big words," laughed the Shawnee leader. + +At that moment a wild, hysterical laugh echoed through the camp. Then an +old woman pushed her way through the crowd, and confronted Running Fox. +She was a fierce-looking old creature. For a moment she stared +searchingly into his face. Then she turned and addressed the Shawnees. +Running Fox longed to know what she said. + +"My people, what I dreamed about has come true," cried the old Mystery +Woman. "Big Dog is in great danger. You must be careful what you do. +Perhaps I can do something to save him. You must listen to my words and +do as I tell you." + +Her words filled Running Fox with excitement. He had suddenly recognized +her voice. He felt sure that she was the mysterious Medicine Woman who +had told him about Big Dog. He would have given much to have understood +her words. The Shawnees were giving her serious attention. Running Fox +took hope. + +"She is talking against you," Many Beavers said, treacherously. + +Running Fox betrayed no interest. He felt sure, however, that the +strange old Medicine Woman would prove a valuable ally. Then Walking +Bear, the Shawnee war leader, approached Running Fox and attempted to +take his bow. Running Fox drew back threateningly. + +"Come, Delaware, give me that bow," the Shawnee cried, angrily. + +When Running Fox refused, "Walking Bear called to his people, and +several warriors rushed forward and seized the Delaware. They took away +his weapons and threw him to the ground. The Shawnees crowded forward to +attack him, but Many Beavers and the war leader held them back. Then +they tied his hands behind him and permitted him to rise. Running Fox +remained calm. He smiled scornfully as the Shawnees led him toward the +fire. + +"My brother, I see that the Shawnees have caught you," Spotted Deer +said, sadly. "It is bad. I am to blame for this. I have brought you here +to die." + +"No, my brother, we will not die," Running Fox assured him. "I have come +here to take you away." + +"How can you do that?" Spotted Deer asked, with surprise. + +"Watch and listen," said Running Fox. + +Many Beavers was talking to the Shawnee leaders. In a few moments he +accompanied them to a big lodge near the center of the camp. Most of the +Shawnees followed them. A number of warriors, however, seated themselves +near the Delawares. The latter had little doubt that the Shawnees had +gone to hold a council. + +"Pretty soon they will let us walk out," Running Fox said, confidently. + +The warriors who were guarding them made it plain that they did not wish +them to talk. As the Delawares realized that it might be dangerous to +defy them, they became quiet. Then they waited anxiously for the +Shawnees to come from the lodge. Several times they heard the voice of +the old Mystery Woman. Each of the Delawares longed to tell his friend +about her, but feared that the Shawnees who were on guard might +understand. + +The night was half gone when the Shawnees finally came from the council +lodge. They moved silently toward the fire, and seated themselves in a +great circle about the Delawares. Then Many Beavers and Walking Bear +approached Running Fox. Walking Bear began to speak. + +"Delawares, listen to my words," he said. "You have asked us to do a big +thing. You are a Delaware. The Delawares are our enemies. The words of +our enemies are bad. If we do as you tell us you will go back and kill +our brothers. No, Delaware, the Shawnees are not so foolish. Now I will +tell you what our people propose to do. You must go back and bring Big +Dog and Striking Bear to the river. Then you must make the call of +Gokhos, the owl. Then we will send some warriors and your brother out +there to meet you. Then we will let our brother walk away with you. Then +Big Dog and Striking Bear will come to the camp. It is the only way to +save yourself." + +"It is useless," said Running Fox. "I see what you are trying to do. You +cannot catch us so easy. I have given you my words. A Delaware will +carry out what he proposes to do. If you let my brother walk out with +me, your chief and Striking Bear will come back to you. If you do not do +this thing, they will die when the next sun appears. There is no use of +talking any more about it. The night is half gone. That ridge is a long +ways off. There is little time. Tell me what you propose to do." + +"Yes, Delaware, I will tell you!" Walking Bear shouted, furiously. "I +intend to kill you. Then I will lead a war party to kill your friends on +that ridge. That is what I propose to do." + +He turned and began a fiery speech to his people. His words brought them +to their feet, and roused them into a passion. As he continued speaking, +they began to cry out and shake their fists at the Delawares. It was +evident that the Shawnee war leader was deliberately inciting them to +scorn the warning of Many Beavers and take vengeance upon their foes. As +he finished talking, most of the warriors ran to the lodges and returned +with their weapons. Then they formed a circle about the Delawares. +Running Fox was seized and bound to the stake with Spotted Deer. + +"Listen, you great war leader," Running Fox called out, sarcastically. +"I know that you are trying to frighten me. I am laughing at you. You +are afraid to kill me. You have heard the words of your brother, Many +Beavers. Now I will tell you that whatever your people do to us, we will +do to your brothers. Now do as you feel like doing." + +At that moment Many Beavers began to speak. His voice was low and calm +and it was apparent that he was attempting to pacify the Shawnees. +However, as Walking Bear had thoroughly aroused them, the words of Many +Beavers seemed to have little effect. + +The warriors had already begun to circle about the stake, and as Spotted +Deer had passed through two similar ordeals he knew what to expect. This +time, however, he feared that the excited Shawnees might actually take +his life. Running Fox, too, was beginning to feel less confident. The +Shawnees were apparently relying upon some wily stratagem to save their +tribesmen while they seemed determined to kill their foes. Running Fox +wondered if a war party had secretly left the camp. The thought filled +him with alarm. + +Then as the warriors began to dance about the stake and brandish their +weapons, the old Mystery Woman suddenly appeared before the Shawnees. +She looked like one demented. Her eyes were wild and staring, her +wrinkled yellow face was drawn with emotion and her short, white locks +were rumpled in wild disorder. She pointed a bony arm at the Shawnees +and began to shout wildly. The dancers stopped to listen. The Shawnees +looked upon her in superstitious awe. + +"Shawnees, Shawnees, Shawnees!" she screamed. "Think what you are about +to do. You are about to throw away the life of Big Dog. You are about to +throw away the life of the great warrior, Striking Bear. What will those +great men think about you? I saw this thing in a dream. I told you about +it. You wiped away my words. Now you are about to bring many bad days +upon us. There is only one way to do. You must do as Many Beavers tells +you to do. There is no other way. Big Dog is depending upon you. +Striking Bear is depending upon you. They are saying, 'We are Shawnees. +It is good. The Shawnees will not throw us away.' Are you going to give +them to our enemies, the boastful Delawares? Are you going to let those +people say, 'See how brave we are; we killed the great chief, Big Dog. +The Shawnees were not sharp enough to save him.' How will you feel about +that? You saw me try to kill that boastful young Delaware. Now I am glad +I did not do it. If that foolish young warrior was not here, we could +not save Big Dog. Are two Delaware boys worth as much as two great +Shawnee warriors? No, no, no! Let them walk away. You call me a great +Mystery Woman. Then listen to my words. Time is short. Let them run to +that ridge and save our brothers. I know about this thing. It is good. +They will do as they propose to do. I have made their hearts good to do +this thing. It is the only way I can save Big Dog. Shawnees, you must +listen to my words." + +The Delawares felt sure she was speaking in their behalf. They believed +that she had won the confidence of the Shawnees. They had begun to talk +seriously among themselves. Many Beavers and the war leaders had called +the warriors about them. The wild ceremony at the fire had suddenly come +to an end. For the moment the Delawares were left alone. The old Mystery +Woman rushed over to them and shook her finger in the face of Running +Fox. She twisted her face into an ugly snarl, but her words were low and +friendly. + +"If you get away you must send those Shawnees to the camp," she said. +"If you harm them I must die." + +"I will send them," Running Fox promised her. "Be quick, tell me who you +are." + +"He knows," she murmured, as she rushed upon Spotted Deer and pretended +to claw at his eyes. + +Then Many Beavers and the war leader approached, and she hurried away. +For some moments the Shawnees stared sullenly upon their foes. Then +Walking Bear stepped forward and freed the Delawares from the stake. He +showed no inclination to unbind their hands. + +"Delawares, we will let you walk away," he said. "We will see if a +Delaware will do as he proposes to do. If you kill Big Dog and Striking +Bear, we will surely come and wipe away your people. Go, and send our +brothers." + +"Untie my hands," Running Fox commanded, fiercely. + +"No," said Walking Bear. + +"Then I will wait here and let your brothers die," said Running Fox. + +"Come, come, untie his hands--there is little time," Many Beavers said, +irritably. + +He called a young warrior to free the Delawares. Then he motioned for +them to go. + +"Wait," said Running Fox. "I came here with a bow and some good arrows. +I will take them away." + +"Yes, I, too, had a good bow and some arrows and a good robe," declared +Spotted Deer. "You must give them to me." + +The Shawnees finally returned the weapons but refused to surrender the +robe. The Delawares realized that it might be perilous to insist upon +its return. They walked slowly toward the end of the camp while the +Shawnees taunted and threatened, but made no attempt to harm them. + +"Shawnees, listen to my words," Running Fox cried out, as he turned at +the end of the village. "You are sharp. Perhaps you will try to do +something. If you follow us, your chief will never come back." + +The next moment the Delawares disappeared into the night. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +SHAWNEE TREACHERY + + +Once outside of the camp the Delawares hurried toward the timber at top +speed. They were fearful, and suspicious of the Shawnees, as they +believed that a large war party might set out to follow them to the +ridge. + +"We must watch out, the Shawnees are sly," warned Running Fox. + +"Yes, yes," agreed Spotted Deer. + +"Do you know about that old Medicine Woman?" Running Fox inquired. + +"Yes, I know about her," Spotted Deer told him. + +"Who is she?" Running Fox asked, eagerly. + +"She is White Crane--she is a Minsi," said Spotted Deer. + +Running Fox immediately stopped. He turned excitedly to Spotted Deer. + +"Then she is one of our people!" he cried. + +"Yes," replied Spotted Deer. + +"We must help her," said Running Fox. "Come, we are Delawares. We will +go back there and take her away." + +"No, it would be useless," Spotted Deer told him. "She will not go. I +talked with her about it. She says she has been there a long time. The +Shawnees believe she is a great Medicine Person. They listen to her +words. She has everything good. She is very old. She says she cannot +travel. She says she wants to die in the Shawnee camp." + +"Well, then, we must leave her," agreed Running Fox. + +As they moved across the long stretch of open ground they kept sharp +watch behind them. The moonlight made it possible to see for a +considerable distance, and they expected at any moment to discover a +company of Shawnees following rapidly on their trail. They heard a +bedlam of confused sounds from the camp, and had little doubt that the +Shawnees were gathered in noisy council to plan some wily stratagem +which might turn their chagrin into joy. + +"I believe it will be hard to get away from those people," Running Fox +said, uneasily. "They are very mad because we fooled them, I believe +they will try to catch us." + +Spotted Deer struggled along in silence. His limbs were stiff and +swollen as the result of the tight binding to which he had been +subjected in the Shawnee camp. Each stride caused him agony, but he made +no mention of his suffering. Several times, however, he lurched against +Running Fox, and at last the latter guessed that something was wrong. + +"Hi, I see you are falling around," he said anxiously. "Did the Shawnees +hurt you?" + +"It is my legs," Spotted Deer said, lightly. "The Shawnees gave me the +legs of an old man." + +Running Fox grew thoughtful. He understood the plight of his friend, and +it filled him with alarm. He feared that Spotted Deer might be unable to +make the long, swift journey to the Delaware camp. Spotted Deer seemed +to have guessed his thoughts. + +"Do not be afraid," he said. "I will keep going." + +"You are brave," said Running Fox. + +They were nearing the timber along the base of the ridge when they +suddenly heard the shrill, piercing scream of Nianque, the lynx. It +seemed to have come from the camp. They stopped to listen. It filled +them with dread. + +"It is the signal of the Shawnees," Spotted Deer said, softly. "I heard +it when I was coming down the river." + +"It means something bad," declared Running Fox. "Come, we will get into +the woods." + +"Perhaps some Shawnees are hiding over there," suggested Spotted Deer. + +"Yes," said Running Fox. "We must be cautious." + +They reached the timber in safety, and moved cautiously along the bottom +of the ridge. The night was far gone and there was little time to spare. +Running Fox knew that unless he reached his friends before sunrise, they +would surely kill Big Dog and his companion. Having given his word to +the old Mystery Woman, Running Fox was determined to save them. He +decided, therefore, that the Shawnee trail would offer the quickest and +easiest way to reach the top of the ridge. + +"Did you come along here?" he asked Spotted Deer, as they began to +climb. + +"Yes," said Spotted Deer. "My hands were tied and I had a hard time of +it." + +"We found your marks," Running Fox told him. "Did the old Mystery Woman +tell you about us?" + +"Yes," said Spotted Deer. "She told me you came here to help me. Running +Fox, it was a great thing to do. You are a brave warrior and a good +friend. You risked your life to help me. It makes me feel big. I will +think about it when I am an old man. When the Mystery Woman told me +about you I felt very strong. I said, 'Running Fox will get me out of +this.' Now you have done it." + +"Spotted Deer, you are my brother--it is enough," said Running Fox. + +Dawn was showing in the east when they finally neared the end of the +trail. Running Fox stopped and imitated the bark of Woakus, the fox. He +expected an immediate response. It failed to come. He listened uneasily. +The silence aroused his suspicions. In a few moments he repeated the +signal. Many moments passed. The baffling silence continued. + +"It is mysterious," he whispered. + +"Are our people here?" Spotted Deer asked, anxiously. + +"Yes, they were close by," Running Fox assured him. + +Fear had suddenly gripped his heart. He was perplexed and startled by +the strange silence of his comrades. It suggested alarming +possibilities. Perhaps the Shawnees had escaped. It seemed impossible. +Perhaps a company of Shawnees had found and overpowered Yellow Wolf and +his companions. His courage weakened at the thought. + +"Something bad has happened," he told Spotted Deer. "We must watch out." + +"Listen," whispered Spotted Deer. + +A twig had snapped somewhere in the undergrowth beside the trail. They +fitted arrows to their bows, and looked expectantly into the shadows. +The woods were still dark, and it was impossible to see into the cover. +They listened in trying suspense. Then they heard the low, plaintive +notes of the little white-throated sparrow. It was close at hand. +Running Fox took hope. + +"It must be Yellow Wolf; that is his signal," he said. + +"Be cautious," Spotted Deer warned him. + +Running Fox imitated the song. It had barely died away before they heard +a familiar voice from the edge of the woods. + +"Running Fox?" it queried, softly. + +"I am here," replied Running Fox. + +A moment afterward Yellow Wolf stood beside them. He grasped the hand of +Spotted Deer. Then he led the way into the woods. They followed him in +silence. He took them to the spot where Running Fox had left the +prisoners. There was no one there. + +"What has happened?" Running Fox asked, in alarm. + +"Everything is good," Yellow Wolf assured him. "Come." + +He led them a considerable distance farther along the ridge, where they +found Turning Eagle and the Shawnee prisoners. Painted Hawk and Crooked +Foot and Dancing Owl were missing. + +"Where are our brothers?" Running Fox asked, in surprise. + +Yellow Wolf moved his finger across his lips, and turned his eyes toward +the Shawnees. Then he moved away, and Running Fox and Spotted Deer +followed him. He went well beyond earshot of the prisoners before he +began to speak. + +"Now I will tell you about it," he said. "Our brothers have gone to +watch along the ridge. We believe the Shawnees are trying to find us. It +is bad. We must get away from here." + +"Did you hear anything?" inquired Running Fox. + +"Yes," replied Yellow Wolf. "First we heard the call of Gokhos, the owl. +It was down there on the side of the ridge. It sounded good. Then we saw +Big Dog raise his head and look around. He did not know we were watching +him. That made us cautious. Pretty soon we heard the call of Gokhos +again. It was in a different place. It did not sound like it sounded +before. Then we were afraid. Some of us went to watch. Then we heard the +call of Woakus, the fox. We said, 'Running Fox is coming. Perhaps he +will meet the Shawnees. We must be ready to help him.' You did not come. +Then we heard the call of Woakus again. It was not so close. Then we +said, 'Running Fox did not make it.' Then we went to watch. I went to +that trail. When I heard that call I was not sure about it. That is why +I did not answer you. Now you know why we left that place, and came over +here. We did it to fool the Shawnees." + +"Well, Yellow Wolf, there is only one thing to do," Running Fox told +him. "We must call our brothers and get away as fast as we can." + +"It is good," replied Yellow Wolf. "Now we will kill those boastful +Shawnees." + +"No," Running Fox said, firmly. "We will let them walk away." + +"Does a Delaware let his enemies walk away?" Yellow Wolf asked, in +amazement. + +"A Delaware does what he tells a friend he will do," declared Running +Fox. "A good friend helped us to save Spotted Deer. If we do not let the +Shawnees go, much harm may come upon that friend. Perhaps she will be +killed. I have told her we will let the great chief Big Dog go to his +people. We have found our brother Spotted Deer. It is what we set out to +do. Getanittowit sent the Mystery Woman into that camp to help us. She +has done a big thing. Now we must listen to her words. She says if Big +Dog does not come back it will be bad for her. Perhaps the Shawnees will +kill her. She is a Minsi. Some time I will tell you about her. She has +given Spotted Deer to his brothers. It is a great thing to do. The +Shawnees must live." + +"You are the leader," Yellow Wolf said, loyally. "We will listen to your +words." + +Then they were joined by Painted Hawk and Dancing Owl. The scouts had +returned to the rendezvous to learn if Running Fox had returned. They +were overjoyed to find Spotted Deer. + +"It is good," cried Dancing Owl. "You helped Running Fox to take me away +from the Shawnees. Now I have helped Running Fox take you away from the +Shawnees. Hi, it is good. Now I am going over there to kill that Shawnee +who tied me up." + +"No," said Running Fox. "We must let him walk away. The old Mystery +Woman tells us to do this thing. She is a good friend. We must listen to +her words." + +"Well, I will close my ears to her words," Dancing Owl said, savagely. +"That Shawnee is my enemy. He tried to kill me. He talked bad against +me. I am a Delaware. A Delaware does not let his enemies slip away. I am +going to kill him." + +"No," Running Fox said, quietly. "I have told you what I propose to do. +I am the leader." + +Dancing Owl stared threateningly into the eyes of his friend. His heart +burned with a desire to avenge the insults and injuries which he had +received at the hands of the Shawnees the year previous. He had +determined to fully retaliate upon the hated enemy whom fate had placed +in his power. Now Running Fox refused him his opportunity. For a moment +Dancing Owl rebelled against the authority of his leader. Then he +suddenly recalled that Running Fox had saved his life. Gratitude +instantly drove the anger from his heart. + +"Running Fox, I will listen to your words," he said. + +"Come, we are losing time," Running Fox said, impatiently. "We must +leave these Shawnees and hurry away. Where is Crooked Foot?" + +When they returned to Turning Eagle and the prisoners, they found that +Crooked Foot was still missing. His absence made them uneasy. Day had +dawned, and the first hint of sunrise was showing above the hills. They +realized that it would be dangerous to loiter. + +"Come, Yellow Wolf, call Crooked Foot," said Running Fox. + +He had barely uttered the words when Crooked Foot appeared. He, too, was +filled with joy at the sight of Spotted Deer. After he had greeted him, +he called Running Fox and Yellow Wolf and led them away to talk. + +"We must go away fast," he told them. "I believe a big war party is +coming to catch us. There is little time." + +"Did you see them?" Running Fox asked, anxiously. + +"No, I did not see them but I heard many signals," Crooked Foot told +him. + +"It is enough--we must go," said Running Fox. + +When they returned to their companions, they found Dancing Owl crouching +above the Shawnee and threatening to drive his knife into his heart. He +rose as Running Fox hurried forward, and laughed mischievously. Running +Fox went to the Shawnee chief, and commanded him to sit up. Big Dog +obeyed. Then Running Fox addressed him. + +"Big Dog, listen to my words," he said. "I am about to give you your +life. I am doing this thing because I went to your village and took my +brother from your people. If your people had killed my brother, I would +have killed you. I told them I would let you go. I am a Delaware. A +Delaware makes his words come true. Now listen close. I am about to take +that thing out of your mouth. Then I am going away. If you shout out +before I am far away, I will come back and kill you. If you keep quiet a +long time, you will live to see your brothers. Yes, I believe they will +find you. Keep my words." + +Running Fox stooped and untied the buckskin gag. Then the other Shawnee +sat up. Running Fox laughed fiercely. + +"Striking Bear, I will leave you as you are," he said. "You did many bad +things to my brother. He wants to kill you. If you know my words, listen +sharp. Take care what you do if you wish to live." + +"Come, Delaware, untie my hands and give me my weapons," Big Dog cried, +angrily. + +"Wait for your brothers," laughed Running Fox. "But do not try to call +them. Remember what I have told you." + +The Delawares left the enraged Shawnees and hurried down the eastern +slope of the ridge. They felt quite certain that the sly Shawnee chief +would lose little time in calling his tribesmen. They were barely +half-way down the ridge when they heard him shouting. + +"I would like to go back and kill that Shawnee," said Dancing Owl. + +"It would be foolish," Running Fox told him. "I believe his friends are +close by. Perhaps they would catch you. We have done what we came to do. +Now we must try to get back to our people before something bad happens +to us." + +"Yes, my brothers, we must keep going," declared Crooked Foot. "I +believe the Shawnees will try hard to turn us back." + +The reckless scramble down the rough hillside was a severe ordeal for +Spotted Deer. The slope was strewn with bowlders and tree trunks, and a +dense tangle of brush and vines concealed the pitfalls. Spotted Deer +stumbled painfully over the obstructions, striving heroically to conceal +his agony. Running Fox, however, was keenly aware of his suffering. + +"You are very brave," he said. "Can you keep going?" + +"Yes," Spotted Deer replied, grimly. + +They had finished the descent and were fighting their way through a +heavy thicket of laurel when they suddenly heard the cry of Nianque, the +lynx. It sounded behind them, and seemed to come from the top of the +ridge. + +"The Shawnees have found Big Dog," said Turning Eagle. + +"Perhaps they are telling their friends about us," Yellow Wolf +suggested, suspiciously. + +"Yes, I believe there is some one down here," declared Running Fox. "We +must watch sharp." + +He wondered if a war party of Shawnees had slipped from the camp during +the night, and turned eastward to intercept the Delawares when they left +the ridge. The possibility caused him great uneasiness. He knew that if +a large company of Shawnees were scouting about the vicinity it would be +difficult to avoid them. Then the lynx cry was repeated on their right. + +"It is bad," said Crooked Foot. "We are running into a trap." + +"The Shawnees are trying to get ahead of us," declared Painted Hawk. "If +they turn us back their friends will come up behind us." + +"We will watch out," said Running Fox. + +They advanced more cautiously. Convinced that a force of their foes was +somewhere in the vicinity, they feared blundering into an ambush. +Running Fox believed that the Shawnees had separated into several +companies, and he realized that it would be difficult to avoid them. The +day passed without an encounter, however, and as darkness fell the +Delawares felt encouraged. They had reached the wooded ravine where they +had spent a night on their way to the Shawnee village. Fearful that +Spotted Deer would be unable to continue traveling through the night, +Running Fox determined to remain there until daylight. + +"We have seen nothing of the Shawnees," he said. "We have come fast. We +will rest here until it gets light." + +"No, no," cried Spotted Deer. "Running Fox, I see that you are trying to +make it easy for me. I will not listen to your words. We must keep +going. If we stop here, the Shawnees will come up with us. Perhaps some +of you will be killed. Come, my friends, listen to my words. I will keep +going." + +"Spotted Deer, you are a great warrior," Running Fox told him. "You are +as strong as Machque, the bear, and as brave as fierce Quenischquney, +the panther." + +"Listen," cautioned Yellow Wolf. + +The call of Gokhos, the owl, sounded a short distance away. It carried a +sinister warning to the Delawares. Their mad flight seemed to have been +in vain. The Shawnees were close behind them. There was not a moment to +lose. + +"Come!" cried Spotted Deer. + +"Yes, we must go," agreed Running Fox. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SURROUNDED + + +For two days the Delawares traveled cautiously through the woods without +seeing or hearing anything of their foes. They had little doubt that the +Shawnees had turned back. Running Fox was elated at his success. + +"It is good," he said. "We have done what we set out to do. Nothing bad +has happened to us. We have fooled our enemies. Spotted Deer is alive. +My heart feels big." + +"Running Fox, you are a good leader," Yellow Wolf told him. + +They were less than a day's journey from the great river which flowed +past the Delaware camp, and they believed that their peril had passed. +Before the end of another day they hoped to be with their people. They +knew that a splendid welcome awaited them, and the thought made them +eager to reach the camp without delay. They hastened along, unmindful of +their fatigue. + +The day was nearing its close, and they had stopped for a few moments on +the crest of a low, barren ridge to rest, when they suddenly heard a +loud, ringing shout within bow-range of them. Before they could recover +from their amazement several arrows sped over their heads. + +"Run, run!" shouted Running Fox, as he led the way down the ridge. + +They dashed madly down the slope, and turned toward a dense spruce swamp +that began a short distance from the base of the ridge. Wild shouts +behind them gave warning that they were being hotly pursued. Running Fox +looked back and saw a strong company of warriors scrambling recklessly +down the rocky hillside. One glance was sufficient to recognize them. + +"The Mohawks! The Mohawks!" he cried in alarm. + +The warning struck fear to the hearts of his companions. They knew the +fate that awaited them at the hands of those fierce foes, and they fled +before them like frightened deer. They gained the edge of the swamp, and +rushed wildly into its gloomy depths. They went a considerable distance +before they dared to stop. Then they took shelter behind a barricade of +fallen trees, and waited anxiously for the appearance of their foes. The +shouts had ceased at the border of the swamp, and the silence increased +their fears. + +"They are creeping ahead to find us," Painted Hawk whispered. + +"Well, we can make a good fight here," Running Fox said, boldly. + +The twilight shadows had already fallen in the great forest of spruces, +and the Delawares knew that it would soon be dark. The thought gave them +hope. Unless the Mohawks tracked them directly to their hiding place, +they believed that the night might save them from discovery. They waited +in trying suspense, expecting each moment to see the dim, shadowy forms +of the Mohawks approaching between the trees. As time passed and they +failed to appear, the Delawares began to wonder if they really had +stopped at the border of the swamp. + +"Perhaps they are afraid to follow us into this place," said Painted +Hawk. + +"Perhaps they went the other way," Dancing Owl suggested, hopefully. + +"My brothers, I believe they are outside," Running Fox told them. "They +know we are Delawares. They are cautious. Once we fooled them when they +were coming to our camp. Perhaps they took us for scouts. Perhaps they +believe we are trying to lead them into a trap. See, it is almost dark. +Pretty soon we will be safe." + +His words encouraged his friends. Having escaped from the sudden attack, +they believed that for the moment at least, they were safe. They began +to wonder how the Mohawks had chanced to be in the vicinity. + +"I believe it is a war party," said Running Fox. + +"Perhaps they are going to fight our people," Turning Eagle said, +uneasily. + +"No, I do not believe it," Running Fox told him. "They are too far from +the river. I believe they are going to fight the Shawnees. I believe +those warriors went back and told their people how the Shawnees took +away their canoes. Then I believe they made up a war party and came out +to fight the Shawnees." + +"Yes, I believe that is true," declared Crooked Foot. "I believe they +were going to find the Shawnees, and then we came along." + +"Well, if that is so, perhaps they will not try to find us," said +Dancing Owl. + +"My brothers, I have heard you all talking about this thing," said +Yellow Wolf. "Now I will tell you how I feel about it. I believe what +Running Fox says is true. But I also believe that we are in great +danger. The Mohawks are our enemies. Running Fox and Spotted Deer have +carried away their great Medicine Bundle. Running Fox has killed their +great chief, Standing Wolf. They are thinking about those things. I +believe they would like to kill us instead of the Shawnees. Yes, I +believe they will try to find us." + +The Delawares gave silent endorsement to his words. They believed that +they were in greater peril from the Mohawks than they had been from the +Shawnees. They had greater respect for the courage and ability of the +former, and they knew that if the Mohawks really made a persistent +effort to capture them, it would be far more difficult to escape. + +"Hi, what I was afraid of has happened," said Yellow Wolf. + +The deep, solemn tones of the great-horned owl had sounded from the +opposite side of the swamp. It was the favorite signal of the Mohawks +and the Delawares knew only too well what it meant. They suddenly +realized why the Mohawks had stopped at the edge of the swamp. + +"It is bad," Running Fox said, soberly. "The Mohawks have circled around +us. Pretty soon they will close in. Then we must watch out." + +It was evident that the crafty Mohawks had separated and surrounded the +swamp. There seemed little doubt that they would eventually advance from +all sides and attempt to drive their enemies from cover. It was a +favorite and successful method of securing game, and the Delawares +realized that it would be hard to escape from the trap. They listened +anxiously to learn if their fears were true. It was not long before they +were convinced. The solemn warning of the great-horned owl sounded from +the two remaining sides of the swamp. The circle was completed. The +Mohawks were ready to advance. + +"Lie close, perhaps they will not find us," said Running Fox. + +It was a long time before they heard anything to rouse their suspicions. +Then they heard soft, guarded signals passing through the night, and +they knew that the Mohawks had entered the swamp. They strained their +ears to detect the stealthy approach of their foes. Darkness had settled +down, and they realized that it would be impossible for the Mohawks to +find them unless they blundered directly upon their shelter. + +"If they come upon us we must fight them back, and try to get away," +said Running Fox. + +A few moments afterward they heard a sharp crackling of brush close by. +They smiled grimly as they realized that one of the scouts had stumbled +into a tangle of dead tree tops. He soon extricated himself, and then +they heard nothing more of him. They knew, however, that at any moment +he might discover their hiding place. The thought kept them alert. Then, +as he failed to find them, they took hope. + +"He has passed--it is good," whispered Dancing Owl. + +"Sh!" cautioned Running Fox. + +He feared that the cunning Mohawk might be listening within bow-length +of them. Then they heard the call of the horned owl from the border of +the swamp. In a few moments it was answered by one of the scouts. The +Delawares felt sure that the main company of their foes was still +lurking along the edge of the swamp. The thought alarmed them. They +believed that the Mohawks planned to hold them in their hiding place +until the night passed. The possibility made escape seem hopeless. +Convinced that daylight would make it easy for the Mohawks to find them, +they feared that they would soon be overcome and annihilated. The idea +startled them. Having survived the perils of their expedition against +the Shawnees, they were overwhelmed by the sudden disaster which had +overtaken them almost within sight of their village. In the meantime the +Mohawks had become quiet, and it was evident that they had abandoned the +search and were waiting for the darkness to pass. + +"It is bad," said Crooked Foot. "When it gets light, they will come in +here and kill us." + +"We must fight them off," declared Yellow Wolf. + +"Perhaps we can get away before the light comes," proposed Dancing Owl. + +"No, it is useless to try to get past them," Running Fox told him. +"There are many Mohawks around this place. They are watching sharp. If +we try to go out, they will kill us." + +Then for a long time they continued silent. Each was trying to think of +a way out of the predicament. They suddenly realized that they had +rushed recklessly into a trap from which there seemed to be no way of +escape. Regrets, however, were futile. They knew it was folly to waste +time blaming themselves. + +"My brothers, we have done a big thing, we must not die," Yellow Wolf +told them. "We must find a way out of this thing." + +"It will be hard to get away," said Crooked Foot. + +"There is only one thing to do," Running Fox declared, suddenly. "We +must hold out until our people come to help us." + +"How will they know about it?" Crooked Foot asked, in surprise. + +"I will try to go to them," Running Fox said, quietly. + +"No, no, you must not do that," Spotted Deer said, anxiously. "You have +risked your life to help me. You must not risk your life again. If you +try to do this thing, the Mohawks may catch you. If they see who you +are, terrible things will happen to you. Come, Running Fox, we will all +try to get away. Then if the Mohawks catch us, we will die together." + +"Yes, my brother, it is the best way to do," declared Crooked Foot. +"Perhaps we will get by them." + +"No, my friends, I will not listen to your words," Running Fox declared, +firmly. "I believe I can do this thing. I am the leader. I must try to +get you out of this." + +"Well, Running Fox, if you are going to do this thing I will go with +you," Spotted Deer told him. + +"No, you cannot do that," said Running Fox. "You must stay here and +fight back the Mohawks until I bring our people to help you. Now, my +friends, listen sharp to my words. I am going to try to get past the +Mohawks. Perhaps it will take me a long time. If the Mohawks catch me, I +will make a great shout. If you do not hear it before it gets light, you +will know that I got away. Then I will bring a big war party. You must +keep strong. Keep fighting back the Mohawks until our people come. Now +keep these words. I will not make any signals. If you hear any, you will +know that I did not make them. Now I am going." + +"My brother, I feel bad about this thing," Spotted Deer said, as he +grasped the hand of his friend. "If my legs were fast I would not hold +back. I will make a big fight." + +"I will come back," Running Fox said, bravely. + +Then he left them and vanished into the night as silently as a shadow. +He turned toward the eastern side of the swamp, as the nearest course to +the Delaware camp lay in that direction. Fully alive to the peril which +threatened him, he moved through the darkness with the alert, nervous +caution of Achtu, the deer. He stopped many times to listen for his +foes. As he neared the edge of the swamp, he turned his face toward the +sky and called upon Getanittowit to guide him safely past the watchful +Mohawks. Then he heard them somewhere ahead of him. For an instant only +he caught the murmur of their voices. It was sufficient to warn him of +his peril. He turned sharply from his course and crept away with slow, +cautious steps. He went several arrow-flights before he again ventured +to approach the edge of the swamp. Once more, however, he heard sounds +which drove him back. + +"It is bad," he murmured. "The Mohawks are everywhere." + +He turned toward the south. Several arrow-flights brought him to the +border of the swamp. He stopped to listen. All was silent. The way +seemed clear. He hurried forward. A twig snapped sharply beneath his +feet. Some one hailed him. He gave several loud snorts to imitate a +frightened buck, and bounded noisily through the brush. The Mohawk +laughed softly. The trick had deceived him. His suspicions were allayed. + +Having passed safely by the Mohawks, Running Fox sped through the night +with a light heart. At dawn he climbed to the summit of a high ridge +that rose from the west side of the river. Far away to the southward he +saw the smoke from the Delaware camp. For some moments he watched it +with flashing eyes. Then he raced madly down the ridge. He reached the +river a considerable distance below the spot where he had left the canoe +of Spotted Deer. He wondered if it would be safe to go up the river in +search of it. If the Mohawks had come down the river in canoes, he +believed they had left them somewhere near the spot where the Shawnees +had kindled the fire. Perhaps scouts had been left behind to watch. The +possibility made him hesitate. He knew, however, that the canoe offered +him the quickest way to reach his people. + +"I will go," he said. + +He hurried along at the edge of the timber. It seemed a great distance +to the spot where he had found the trail of the Shawnees. When he +finally came in sight of the charred logs on the shore, he stopped and +looked sharply for signs of his foes. There was no evidence of them. He +circled cautiously through the woods, and approached the place where he +had concealed the canoe. It had disappeared. He stared in astonishment. +Who had found it? He felt quite certain that it had been taken away by +the Mohawks. The thought awakened his suspicions. He searched through +the bushes in the hope of finding their canoes. His efforts were futile. +There were no fresh tracks to indicate that the Mohawk war party had +visited the spot. + +"It is mysterious," he said. + +Running Fox suddenly realized that he was wasting time. The thought +roused him. Each moment was precious. The slightest delay might prove +fatal to his friends. He looked across the river. It was wide, and deep +and swift. For an instant only he hesitated. Then he pushed his bow into +its wolf-skin case, and waded boldly into the water. It was bitterly +cold, and the shallow pools along the shore were crusted with ice. +Unmindful of the shock, Running Fox threw himself forward and began to +swim. + +A bow-shot from the shore he caught the full force of the current and +was borne rapidly down the river. Then as he struggled fiercely to free +himself, the chill of the water began to cramp his muscles. For an +instant his tired limbs refused to work. Weighted down by his buckskin +shirt and breeches, he sank beneath the surface. He fought his way above +water, and kicked the cramp from his legs. His strength, however, was +rapidly leaving him. The shore seemed very far away. The channel was +wider than he had suspected. He appeared unable to escape from the +fierce grip of the current. The intense cold was penetrating to his +heart. His fingers contracted with cramp. His legs began to drag. His +strokes grew steadily weaker. He was losing ground. For an instant he +lost hope. + +"The fierce Water Monsters will get me!" he cried in dismay. + +Then he suddenly thought of his friends. He had pledged himself to save +them. They had placed their confidence in him. Getanittowit had listened +to his appeal and aided him to escape from the swamp. The way had been +made clear for him to reach his people. Now he was throwing away his +life, and sacrificing his friends to the Mohawks. He rallied at the +thought. The hot fighting blood rushed to his brain. He continued his +desperate battle with the river. + +"I must live to help my brothers," he said, savagely. + +Struggling frantically, he slowly fought his way across the channel. +Stroke by stroke, he dragged himself from the clutches of the current. +At last he was free. He had reached a long stretch of quiet water. He +took courage. His fear of the dreaded Water Monsters suddenly left him. +He swam more easily. He fixed his eyes upon the shore. It was less than +a bow-shot away. Slowly, steadily, he shortened the distance. Each +stroke strengthened his confidence. At last he cautiously lowered his +feet. They struck the bed of the river. A few moments afterward he +ceased swimming and began to wade. He staggered from the water and made +his way to the edge of the woods. Then he collapsed and crumpled into +the brush. It was only a few moments before he recovered and struggled +to his feet. + +"Am I a woman?" he asked himself, fiercely. + +He turned, and started along the river. For a short distance he advanced +with slow, unsteady strides. Then he fought back his weakness and forced +himself into a swifter pace. It was not long before he was again +traveling at his best speed. + +"I must go fast--there is little time," he kept telling himself. + +The Delawares were lighting the evening fires when Running Fox finally +tottered into the camp and fell exhausted before the lodge of his +father. The Delawares gathered about him in wild alarm. They had little +doubt that some great misfortune had overtaken the scouts who had gone +to rescue Spotted Deer. They feared that all but Running Fox had been +captured or killed. + +"Carry him into the lodge," said Black Panther. + +When Running Fox opened his eyes he found himself between bear robes, +lying beside the fire in his father's lodge. Black Panther and Sky Dog, +the Medicine Man, sat near him. For a moment he looked at them in +bewilderment. Then he recalled what had happened. He threw off the robes +and sat up excitedly. + +"Come, my father, call the warriors!" he cried. + +"What has happened?" Black Panther asked, calmly. + +"The Mohawks have caught our brothers," he told them. "Our brothers are +hiding in a big swamp. The Mohawks are all around them. Pretty soon they +will rush in and kill them. Spotted Deer is there. We took him away from +the Shawnees. Come, call our people. Give me some meat. I must take you +back there to help our brothers." + +Then, while Running Fox drank great bowls of steaming broth, Black +Panther sent a crier through the camp to summon the warriors. A great +company gathered before the council lodge. Running Fox rushed wildly +from his father's lodge to address them. + +"My brothers, there is no time to talk," he cried. "You know what has +happened. Come, push your canoes into the water. I will lead you to our +brothers." + +"This will be a big fight," cried Black Panther, the famous war chief. +"If the Mohawks kill our brothers, we will go to the Mohawk village and +kill many people. I am your chief. I will lead you." + +His words filled the warriors with enthusiasm. They began to dance and +sing their war songs. Then they hurried to the river. A few moments +later a fleet of canoes moved swiftly away into the twilight. A great +war party of Delawares had gone to the aid of their tribesmen. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A TIMELY RESCUE + + +The departure of Running Fox filled his companions with dismal +premonitions of disaster. They had grave doubts that he would be able to +pass the alert guards along the edge of the swamp, and they feared that +he would either be killed or captured by his foes. They listened +anxiously, fearing that at any moment a piercing shout would warn them +that their comrade had gone to his death. Then, as the stillness +continued, they began to feel more confident. It was a long time, +however, before they dared to give expression to their hopes. + +"I believe Running Fox got away," Dancing Owl said, finally. + +"Perhaps it will take him a long time to get out of this place," Spotted +Deer reminded him. + +"Well, we have not heard any sounds," Crooked Foot declared, hopefully. +"Nothing bad has happened to him." + +When the long night finally passed, they felt confident that Running Fox +had escaped. The thought thrilled them. They knew that if they could +stand off the Mohawks, a strong force of Delawares would eventually come +to their rescue. + +"We must be strong," said Spotted Deer. "I believe Running Fox will +bring our people." + +At daylight they heard the owl-calls around the edge of the swamp. They +were repeated many times until the woods rang with the weird chorus. The +Mohawks were exchanging signals. The Delawares felt certain that their +foes were getting ready to close in. + +"Now we must lie close," said Spotted Deer. + +They crouched far down into the intricate barricade of tree trunks in +the hope of escaping the sharp eyes of the Mohawk scouts. They had +little hope that those shrewd foes would fail to notice such a promising +hiding place. The great chorus of owl-calls had ceased, but there were +other signals rising in various parts of the swamp, and the Delawares +knew that the search had begun. + +"I saw some one pass over there between those trees," Dancing Owl +whispered, excitedly. + +"Keep watching," said Spotted Deer. + +In a few moments the scout again showed himself between the trees. He +was moving toward their hiding place. Then he suddenly discovered the +confused jumble of fallen trees. He immediately disappeared behind the +trunk of a great spruce. + +"That scout is cautious," whispered Turning Eagle. "I was getting ready +to kill him." + +"Save your arrows," Spotted Deer cautioned him. "We must keep them until +the Mohawks rush up to us." + +They knew that the Mohawk was watching from behind the tree. The thought +kept them motionless. They felt quite certain that he would not pass on +without examining the cover. Then they heard him signaling. Their hopes +fled. They knew he had become suspicious. + +"He is calling his friends," whispered Yellow Wolf. "There is no hope. +They will surely find us." + +"Pretty soon we will have to fight," declared Crooked Foot. + +As the signal had been answered, the Delawares watched anxiously on all +sides for the appearance of other scouts. It was not long before they +saw another Mohawk darting swiftly between the trees. He had come from a +different direction. As he discovered the hiding place he, too, stopped +and took shelter. Then a third Mohawk came from behind them. He +approached well within bow-range and crouched to peer into the cover. + +"That warrior will find us," Yellow Wolf said, fearfully. + +An instant later his fears were confirmed. The scout straightened and +raised a piercing yell that reverberated threateningly through the +swamp. Dancing Owl prepared to shoot his arrow at him, but he sprang +behind a tree. + +"Well, my brothers, the Mohawks have found us," said Spotted Deer. "Now +we must fight. We are in a good place. If you save your arrows until our +enemies come close, it will be hard for them to reach us. I believe we +can hold them off a long time. Keep close behind these trees. We must +keep alive until our brothers come." + +Having found their foes, the Mohawks immediately surrounded their hiding +place. They were within easy bow-range and some exposed themselves with +great boldness, but the Delawares withheld their arrows. They believed +that their crafty foes were tempting them to waste their supply. + +"Wait," cautioned Spotted Deer. + +The Mohawks seemed in no haste to make an attack. They saw that their +enemies were in a strong position, and they realized that it might be +difficult and costly to dislodge them. Bitter experience had taught them +that the Delawares were crafty and fearless fighters who would compel +them to pay dearly for victory. They believed it would be folly to rush +recklessly into a fight before they had carefully considered plans for +overcoming them. Leaving scouts to watch, the main company of Mohawks +withdrew to hold a council. They stole away so stealthily, however, that +the Delawares did not learn that they had gone. + +"They are afraid of us," said Turning Eagle. "I do not believe they are +going to rush upon us." + +"They are very sly and very brave," Spotted Deer cautioned him. "I +believe they are getting ready to do something. We must watch sharp." + +They waited in great anxiety to learn what their foes intended to do. +The delay encouraged them. They felt sure that Running Fox was speeding +toward the Delaware camp, and the thought made them strong. Once advised +of their predicament, they knew that their people would make desperate +efforts to arrive at the swamp in time to save them. The longer the +Mohawks postponed the attack, therefore, the stronger became the hopes +of the Delawares. + +"Perhaps they will hold off until it gets dark again," suggested Dancing +Owl. + +"No, I do not believe it," said Spotted Deer. "They are talking about +how to do this thing." + +Soon afterward the Mohawks returned within bow-range. They commenced to +taunt and threaten and sing their war songs. Then they began to move +closer. The heavy stand of timber offered them splendid shelter. They +darted quickly from tree to tree, and the Delawares caught only swift, +momentary glimpses of them. It was a crafty, cautious method of attack +which enabled the Mohawks to advance upon their foes with little peril +to themselves. + +"They are getting close, we must stop them," Crooked Foot said, +anxiously. + +"Wait," cautioned Spotted Deer. "If you shoot your arrows you will hit +the trees. Wait until the Mohawks rush in." + +He had barely finished speaking when an arrow imbedded itself in the +tree trunk behind which he crouched. He had been seen by one of the +Mohawks. The thought made him more cautious. Aware that the Mohawks were +watching for a chance to kill them from ambush, the Delawares realized +that it might be fatal to expose themselves. + +"Keep quiet," Spotted Deer warned them. "The Mohawks are watching +sharp." + +Then, for some time, neither Delawares nor Mohawks showed themselves. +The former crouched low in their shelter, waiting for their enemies to +begin the attack. The Mohawks stood behind trees with their arrows ready +and their eyes fixed hopefully on the tangle of tree trunks which +sheltered their foes. The Delawares were well pleased at the caution +displayed by the Mohawks. They knew that each moment of delay increased +their chances of rescue. Several times they saw the faces of their foes +peering cautiously around the trees, but the mark was too small to +warrant risking their arrows. Then some one addressed them in the +Delaware dialect. + +"Hi, now we know who you are," he said. "You are Delawares. It is good. +We took you for our enemies, the Shawnees. That is why we chased you +into this place. Do not be afraid. Come out, Delawares. We will not harm +you. Come out and talk with us. Perhaps you can tell us about the +boastful Shawnees. Our hearts are good toward you. That is why we held +back our arrows when we found out who you are." + +For a moment Spotted Deer was tempted to reply to the treacherous words +of the Mohawk. Then he suddenly realized that the warrior might +recognize his voice. Having been a prisoner in their camp, he believed +it would be foolish to risk the chance of being recognized. In the +meantime the Mohawk appeared to be growing impatient. + +"Well, Delawares, how do you feel about it?" he inquired. + +Spotted Deer nodded toward Yellow Wolf. The latter addressed the Mohawk. + +"Mohawk, we heard your words," he said. "We are talking about them. You +must give us time to decide what to do. There are only a few of us. I +see that there are many of you. We must be cautious. We know that you +are very fierce. Perhaps if we come out you will take away our arrows. +Wait there a little while. Then we will tell you what we have decided to +do." + +The Mohawk instantly detected the sarcasm which had been skillfully +woven into the reply. It filled him with rage, but he realized that it +would be foolish to betray himself to his foes. He waited until he had +choked back the fierce words that rose to his lips, and then he prepared +another trap for the Delawares. + +"I see that you are cautious," he said, calmly. "Well, we will not wait +for you. We must go to fight the boastful Shawnees. Come out when you +are ready. The way is clear. Listen, I am going to tell my friends to go +away. You must not try to harm us. If you do, perhaps we will have to +kill you." + +"Go, Mohawk, we will save our arrows," laughed Yellow Wolf. + +They heard the Mohawk talking loudly to his companions. A few moments +afterward they saw many of the Mohawks retreating cautiously into the +shadows. They knew at once that it was a wily trick to lure them into +the open, and they felt sure that a strong force of scouts was still +lurking within bow-shot. They gave no hint of their suspicions, however, +as they were overjoyed at the possibility of further delay by the +Mohawks. Then they heard shouts and signals from the border of the +swamp. They chuckled gleefully as they realized the trouble the Mohawks +were taking to deceive them. + +"Now watch sharp, I am going to make them show themselves," said Spotted +Deer. + +He seized a number of brittle twigs and began to break them, while he +stamped upon others with his feet. The noise made it appear as if the +Delawares were leaving the shelter. Deceived by the trick, a number of +alert Mohawk scouts peeped anxiously from behind their trees. The +Delawares laughed softly as they discovered them. Aware that they had +been tricked, the enraged Mohawks sent a harmless volley of arrows into +the barricade. + +"Hi, hi, that made them mad," laughed Crooked Foot. + +For a long time afterward they saw nothing further of their foes. They +had little doubt that the scouts still kept watch behind the trees, but +they were anxious to know what had become of the tricky Mohawk leader +and the rest of the war party. More than half of the day had passed, and +the Delawares believed there was slight danger of attack before night. +Their minds turned to Running Fox and their people. They believed that +he had reached the camp, and that a great war party of Delawares was +already speeding to their rescue. + +"If the Mohawks wait a little longer, we will fool them," said Dancing +Owl. + +"Perhaps they will creep up to us when it gets dark," Spotted Deer told +him. + +"Perhaps our people will come by that time," suggested Turning Eagle. + +"No, they cannot get here so quick," declared Yellow Owl. "I have been +thinking about it. If Running Fox got to the camp I believe they will +come soon after the next sun appears. That is a long time to wait. I +believe the Mohawks will try to do some big things before the night goes +away." + +At that moment they suddenly learned what had become of the crafty +Mohawk leader and the warriors who had followed him to the edge of the +swamp. A ringing shout rose behind them. They turned to find a company +of Mohawks rushing upon them. At the same time the warriors who had been +concealed behind the trees ran in from the opposite direction. Attacked +from both sides, the Delawares were momentarily bewildered. Their foes +were at the barricade before they recovered from their surprise. + +"Come, Delawares, fight for your lives!" cried Spotted Deer. + +The Mohawks had abandoned their caution and were exposing themselves +with unusual recklessness. Unable to reach their foes with arrows, they +were attempting to force their way into the tangle of logs to beat down +the Delawares with their war clubs. The fight soon became a fierce +hand-to-hand struggle. The Delawares, however, had the advantage. +Protected by the dense cover, they fought with a desperate ferocity that +astonished their foes. Spotted Deer drove his arrow through a Mohawk who +had clambered over the barricade and was about to crush his skull with +his war club. Yellow Wolf seized another warrior and threw him back into +the arms of his comrades. Crooked Foot and Turning Eagle fought side by +side and drove back the Mohawks with a deadly volley of arrows. Dancing +Owl struck down a warrior who was about to kill Yellow Wolf. Then the +Mohawks gave way and rushed to cover. The attack ended as suddenly as it +began. + +"Hi, that was a good fight," Yellow Wolf laughed, excitedly, as he +examined a gash on his arm. + +"We showed the Mohawks how to fight," Spotted Deer said, grimly. + +Except for the slight wound which Yellow Wolf received, the Delawares +escaped unharmed. As the Mohawks outnumbered them six or eight to one, +they were greatly elated at their success. They had little fear that the +attack would be renewed before dark. The Mohawks had carried off their +disabled comrades, and the Delawares were unable to learn what the +effort had cost them. They had withdrawn beyond arrow-range and were +shouting and singing war songs. + +"They sound very fierce, but we made them run," Dancing Owl said, +boastfully. + +"They will come back when it gets dark," Yellow Wolf warned him. + +The thought made them serious. They knew that the night would give the +Mohawks a great advantage. It would enable them to creep close up to the +shelter, and the Delawares feared that it would be impossible to +discover them. They realized, therefore, that although they had +successfully resisted the first savage attack of their foes they were +still in great danger. They believed that the Mohawks would make a still +more determined effort under cover of the darkness. + +"Perhaps we can fool them," said Turning Eagle. "When it gets dark we +will creep away from here. Then perhaps we can get out of this swamp +when the Mohawks rush to this place to fight us." + +"No, my brother," Spotted Deer told him. "The Mohawks have found us. +They are very sharp. They will keep us here. I believe they are watching +close by. When it gets dark, they will come closer. If we leave this +place, I believe we will be wiped out." + +"It is true," said Yellow Wolf. "We must stay where we are." + +In the meantime the Mohawks had become silent. The Delawares instantly +became alert. They wondered if their foes were again advancing +noiselessly through the timber. The sun has disappeared, and the +twilight shadows were creeping into the swamp. The Delawares kept sharp +watch on the spaces between the trees. The Mohawks, however, failed to +show themselves. + +"What do you make of it?" Crooked Foot asked Spotted Deer. + +"I believe they are waiting until it gets dark," said Spotted Deer. + +They watched uneasily as the light slowly faded from the swamp. The +approach of darkness filled them with dread. The night threatened them +with disaster. They wondered if they would live to see the dawn. Vague, +alarming doubts entered their minds. They became discouraged and +depressed. Then they roused themselves with the thought that their +people were rushing to their assistance. It gave them hope, and +strengthened their courage. They believed that the Delawares were +already well on their way toward the swamp. They told themselves that +they must hold out until they arrived. Their hearts beat wildly at the +possibility of another sudden victory over the Mohawks. + +"Our people will come," Spotted Deer said, confidently. "Pretty soon we +will see the Mohawks running like rabbits." + +The swamp was almost dark. It was difficult to see between the trees. +The shadows were lengthening. Night was closing its long black fingers +about the forest. All was hushed. The Delawares believed that the hour +of peril was at hand. They peered fearfully from their cover, and +listened closely for the approach of their foes. + +"What has become of them?" Crooked Foot asked, suspiciously, when half +of the night had passed. + +"I do not know what to make of it," Spotted Deer told him. + +"Perhaps they have gone away," said Dancing Owl. + +"No," declared Yellow Wolf. "Keep watching. They will come." + +The night was far gone when they finally heard sounds which convinced +them that the Mohawks were close at hand. A soft, cautious signal +sounded through the darkness. Some moments afterward a twig cracked. The +Delawares prepared to defend themselves. They feared that their foes +were creeping silently toward the barricade. + +"Get ready, they are close by," Yellow Wolf cautioned. + +"They are here!" shouted Turning Eagle, as he shot his arrow. + +An instant afterward the piercing war cry rang in their ears, and the +Mohawks charged recklessly upon the shelter. They scrambled wildly into +the mass of fallen timber and attempted to reach the Delawares. However, +as only a few at a time could force their way into the dense tangle, the +Delawares drove them back with a deadly volley of arrows. Then they made +another desperate attack, and several warriors actually got within reach +of the Delawares. The latter attacked them with great courage, and soon +found themselves fighting at close quarters in the dark. Encouraged by +the success of their comrades, the rest of the Mohawks were fighting +their way into the tangle. + +"Die like men!" shouted Spotted Deer, as he hurled himself upon one of +his foes. + +At that instant a terrified yell rang through the night. It came from +the edge of the swamp. It had barely died away before the thrilling +Delaware war cry rose from a hundred throats. The Mohawks turned in +dismay. The Delawares raised a great shout that filled the hearts of +Black Panther and his warriors with joy. + +"Our brothers are alive!" cried the great war chief. "Come, Delawares, +wipe away the boastful Mohawks." + +Aware that they had been trapped, the demoralized Mohawks scrambled from +the tangle and fled into the night. They had not gone an arrow-flight +before they encountered the Delawares. The latter had completely +surrounded the scene of battle. + +"Wait, Mohawks, our people have come to meet you!" laughed Yellow Wolf. +"Do not be afraid. Wait. We are coming out to talk with you. Wait, +Mohawks, perhaps our people will tell you about the Shawnees." + +The Mohawks had taken shelter behind trees, hoping that the Delawares +might rush by them. The Delawares, however, hunted them out with the +calm, thorough persistence of wolves. They took a terrible vengeance +upon the fierce foes who had attempted to annihilate their tribesmen. +Few of the Mohawks escaped. Those that got away fled wildly toward the +north to carry the news of their disaster to their people. + +"My brothers, you are alive--it is enough," cried Running Fox, as he +rushed to meet his friends. + +"Running Fox, you have given us our lives," cried Crooked Foot. "You are +a great war leader." + +"My brother, you took me away from the Shawnees," Spotted Deer said, +with emotion. "It was a great thing to do. Now you have done another +great thing. Come, I will go and tell Black Panther and our people about +it." + + +THE END + + + + +By ELMER R. GREGOR + + + JIM MASON, BACKWOODSMAN + JIM MASON, SCOUT + +_Western Indian Series_ + + WHITE OTTER + THE WAR TRAIL + THREE SIOUX SCOUTS + +_Eastern Indian Series_ + + SPOTTED DEER + RUNNING FOX + THE WHITE WOLF + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Spotted Deer, by Elmer Gregor + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPOTTED DEER *** + +***** This file should be named 35049.txt or 35049.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/0/4/35049/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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