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diff --git a/42032.txt b/42032.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f900a31..0000000 --- a/42032.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6952 +0,0 @@ - THE TRAIL OF THE SENECA - - - - -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 http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - - -Title: The Trail of the Seneca -Author: James A. Braden -Release Date: February 06, 2013 [EBook #42032] -Language: English -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TRAIL OF THE SENECA *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank. - - - - - -[Illustration: "THE CUSTOM IS THAT THE WITCH MUST DIE."] - - - - - THE TRAIL OF THE SENECA - - By - - JAMES A. BRADEN - - AUTHOR OF - - "CONNECTICUT BOYS IN THE WESTERN RESERVE," - "FAR PAST THE FRONTIER," "CAPTIVES THREE," Etc. - - - ILLUSTRATED BY R. G. VOSBURGH - - - THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY - - NEW YORK--AKRON, OHIO--CHICAGO - - COPYRIGHT, 1907 - - by THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY - - - - -Contents - - - CHAPTER I--THE BEGINNING OF IT ALL - CHAPTER II--A SENTENCE OF DEATH--ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT - CHAPTER III--THE WARNING - CHAPTER IV--WATCHED - CHAPTER V--IN DRIPPING RAIN AND DARKNESS - CHAPTER VI--"THE WITCH IS HIDDEN HERE." - CHAPTER VII--THE SECRET LEAD MINE - CHAPTER VIII--THE SALT SPRINGS--A STARTLING DISCOVERY - CHAPTER IX--THE EVIL POWER OF LONE-ELK - CHAPTER X--"MORE BULLETS, MORE LEAD." - CHAPTER XI--THE HIDDEN TOMAHAWK - CHAPTER XII--KINGDOM ALSO MAKES A DISCOVERY - CHAPTER XIII--THE SENECA OUTWITTED - CHAPTER XIV--THE MYSTERIOUS CAMP IN THE GULLY - CHAPTER XV--THE GIFT OF WHITE WAMPUM - CHAPTER XVI--A MIDNIGHT SUPPER - CHAPTER XVII--THE EXPLOSION - CHAPTER XVIII--FISHING BIRD IN TROUBLE - CHAPTER XIX--AN INTERVIEW WITH "MAD ANTHONY" - CHAPTER XX--DELIVERED TO THE DELAWARES - CHAPTER XXI--THE BURNING OF THE CABIN - CHAPTER XXII--THE MAN IN THE RAVINE - CHAPTER XXIII--ONE MYSTERY CLEARED AWAY - CHAPTER XXIV--WHO KILLED BIG BUFFALO - CHAPTER XXV--FAREWELL FOREVE - CHAPTER XXVI--DOWN THE SUN-KISSED SLOPE TOGETHER - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - -"The custom is that the witch must die" - -He kept his eyes on the Seneca unceasingly - -He wheeled and sent the redskin sprawling - -They asked him to go with them - - - - -CHAPTER I--THE BEGINNING OF IT ALL - - -A hatchet of stone, cumbersome and crude, but a dangerous weapon once, -though now it is only a silent memento of the days of Captain Pipe, of -Lone-Elk, of Fishing Bird, the scowling Big Buffalo and the graceful, -pretty Gentle Maiden as well, lies on my table as I write. - -Of Captain Pipe, Big Buffalo and certain of the others, I have already -told you something;--but you have yet to hear of Lone-Elk, the -Seneca,--Lone-Elk, the outcast from the villages of his people,--bold -and strong yet crafty, deceitful, treacherous,--and still, withal as -ambitious and as vain an Indian as ever trod the long-ago forest -fastnesses. - -It is of Lone-Elk that I am to tell you now. What part this tomahawk, -which lies upon my table, had in the story may later be revealed to you, -but as for that, it is not of great soon to feel the awful force of his -evil power, calmly fished from their canoe at the opposite side of the -water. - -Never before had the Delawares prepared so lavishly for the fall -Thanksgiving. To celebrate the Festival of the Harvest when the corn and -the beans and the squashes, the tobacco and the nuts had been gathered -in was no new thing among them, but Lone-Elk had made the plans for a -far more elaborate entertainment this year than the people of Captain -Pipe's village were accustomed to have. And notwithstanding that the -Seneca was a wanderer from his own home country and might never go back -to his rightful tribe, the chief of the Delawares had allowed him to -assume the leadership in every arrangement for the happy occasion. - -However, Lone-Elk well knew how best to prepare all things to please and -favor Captain Pipe, and he did not fail to see to it that the latter was -given many opportunities to display his dignity and his eloquence and -wisdom in the speech-making and addresses to the spirits during the -exercises in the Council House. What could be more natural, then, than -that the head Delaware should refuse to listen to those of his people -who would have criticised the policy of allowing a comparative stranger' -to direct and lead them? - -The wandering October breezes scarcely rippled the waters of the little -lake. They whispered in the half-bare branches of the trees and seemed -to play at hide-and-seek with the fallen leaves. The blue smoke curling -up from the hole in the roof of the Council House was scarcely moved by -them. All was serenely quiet in and about the Indian town on this autumn -day in the year 1792, excepting only in the Council House itself, where -all the Delawares and even a few Mingoes, or stragglers from other -tribes or towns, were come together for Thanksgiving. All had come but -one. - -Even the most ardent of the young braves had put aside their talk of -war--all summer long they had talked of little else--to participate in -the celebration, and each had brought a contribution of meat of his own -killing for the feast which was to follow the speech-making and -offerings to the Great Spirit. All the youngsters, the boys and girls of -the village, were there. The old men and women, also, were present. -Captain Pipe of course was there and Fishing Bird and Long Hair and -Little Wolf. Of all the people of the town upon the lake only one was -missing from the ceremonies. - -A solemn scene it was when Hopocon, or Pipe, for the former was his -Indian name, in his imposing chieftain's costume stood before the little -fire in the center of the long, low bark building and sprinkled broken -tobacco leaves upon the coals that their incense rising might bear his -words on high. It was an impressive scene as well, and though the number -present was large, the greatest quiet prevailed. - -It was also an interesting sight. The warriors and bucks were in their -brightest and newest kilts, leggins and moccasins, with braided belts -bound like sashes about their waists or over their shoulders. Some wore -the head-dress of colored eagle feathers; some did not. Lone-Elk was of -the former and in addition a piece of silver, supported by a cord of -leather about his neck, dangled against his broad, bronze chest, while -at his left knee hung a rattle made of deer's hoofs. - -Among the more elderly Indians there was less display in dress, but many -of the young women were in holiday raiment, adding a still further touch -of color to the picture. Among the latter was Gentle Maiden, the -daughter of Captain Pipe. A loose gown of doeskin worked with many -colored beads and the quills of porcupines hung from her shoulders to -her ankles. On her feet were ornamented moccasins and above them -leggins. Two long strings of beads were suspended about her neck, -contrasting in color with the deep black of two heavy plaits of hair, -falling nearly to her waist. - -The leaves of tobacco crimpled and turned to flame on the glowing, hot -coals. - -"Great Spirit, listen to our words. We burn this tobacco. The smoke -rises to thee. We thank thee for thy great goodness in causing our -mother [the earth] to bring forth her fruits. We thank thee that our -supporters [corn, beans and squashes] have yielded abundantly. - -"Great Spirit, our words continue to flow toward thee. Preserve us from -all danger. Preserve our aged men. Preserve our mothers. Preserve our -warriors. Preserve our children. May our thanks, rising with the smoke -of this tobacco, be pleasing to thee." - -Thus spoke Captain Pipe. Save only for the sound of his voice, the -crackling of the tobacco upon the fire, and the soughing of the wind -there was perfect silence in the Council House. - -Only when the address was finished did there come a stir of animation -among the assembled Indians. Closer to the walls, farther from the fire, -which was in the center of the floor, they crowded then, while out from -among them came those who were to join in the dance of Thanksgiving. -There were fourteen of these, including Lone-Elk and other warriors and -behind the men came Gentle Maiden and four other young women--fourteen -in all. - -Two singers seated near the center of the large room began a weird, -wildly musical chant, their words telling of thanks to the Great Spirit, -while in accompaniment to their voices they beat the air with rattles -made of the shells of turtles. - -As the singing began the dance was started and with many graceful -swayings of his body, lifting his feet but little above the ground and -often striking his heels upon the earth in keeping with the music's -time, Lone-Elk led his followers round and round. - -Unlike the dance of war, there were no violent expressions of -countenance or movements of the body; no striking or attacking of -imaginary foes. Every step was gentle and every motion was graceful. -Thus for two or three minutes the dance continued. The assembly looked -on with quiet rapture, pleased and happy. - -Presently the music ceased, the dancing was discontinued and while the -dancers walked slowly and more slowly in a wide circle around the fire, -an old man arose and spoke. It was Neobaw, wrinkled and lean. He wore no -headdress or other ornament and his clothing consisted only of -moccasins, buckskin trousers and a faded red blanket which he wore over -his shoulders. His coarse and tangled hair hung loosely over his ears -and about his shoulders. Neohaw was a medicine-man and was both feared -and respected. His words were: - -"We return thanks to Heno [thunder] for his protection from reptiles and -from witches and that he has given us his rain." - -The old man spoke very slowly but with a show of superior learning, as -if he and no other was really fit to address so important a spirit. As -he resumed his seat the singing and dancing began again and for an -interval continued as before. - -Again, at the conclusion of the music, an aged warrior rose. His voice -quavered and his body trembled with its feebleness beneath the robe of -fur about his shoulders, but his eyes shone with fervor as he said: "We -return thanks to Gaoh [the wind] that by his moving the air disease has -been carried from us." - -Then as before the music and the dance were resumed and were followed by -still another short but earnest expression of thanksgiving, each part of -the exercises appearing in its proper order as Lone-Elk had planned and -directed, and as many of the Delawares knew of their own knowledge that -the ancient custom was. - -Thanksgiving to the lakes and rivers, to the sun and moon and stars, to -the trees and flowers and all nature was expressed in the many brief -addresses, till at last the singers' voices were hoarse and the dancers -were wet with perspiration, and weary. - -An address by Captain Pipe in which he once again thanked the Great -Spirit for goodness to the Delawares and for all which was theirs, -concluded the religious ceremonies of the Harvest Festival and slowly -the Indians dispersed from the Council House. Some went away to games -and some to their lodges, while others loitered in and about the -village. For the women had all been listening to the speeches and -watching the dancers and had yet to prepare the feast which was to -follow, continuing into the night. - -By himself Lone-Elk wandered from the village. Strolling down the slight -descent to the edge of the lake, he took his way along the narrow strip -of sand and sod of which the beach consisted and soon was out of sight. -The music and dance had recalled strongly to his mind his home among the -Senecas and those earlier days before he was an exile. - -An audible "Ugh" came from Lone-Elk's lips and he scowled as if out of -patience with himself. Turning then and leaving the water's side, he -pushed through some brush to the higher bank above. On this elevation he -paused, and turning about gazed carelessly over the lake. Far across its -smooth surface he could see a canoe and two young men in it. - -"Palefaces," he murmured and another "Ugh," this time in a tone of -contempt, parted his tight-set lips. For a second or two he watched the -little craft and its occupants, then strode slowly into the forest. - -A straggling half circle of perhaps a mile the Seneca's feet marked in -the freshly fallen leaves while he made his way indirectly toward the -village. As he drew near his listless step quickened and his reflective, -downcast eyes became alert and sharp. Harsh tones were rising from a -group of braves not far from him. Then his approach was noticed. - -A young Delaware with only a fringed kilt and leggins covering his -nakedness, turned and pointed a finger at the Seneca menacingly, but -quickly another seized the outstretched hand and pressed it down. By -this time the approaching Indian was close at hand. - -"Does Lone-Elk know of Big Buffalo?" the foremost of the Delawares -inquired. "The Seneca left the village to walk beside the water. Now he -comes back from a different direction. Does he know of Big Buffalo? Know -that Big Buffalo is dead in the bushes that the water runs among? Little -Wolf is here. Little Wolf saw Big Buffalo dead--found the Buffalo dead -among the bushes by the water--found Big Buffalo killed." - - - - -CHAPTER II--A SENTENCE OF DEATH--ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT - - -"Big Buffalo would have nothing to do with the Harvest Festival as -Lone-Elk planned it and the Seneca has killed him," was in substance the -report which quickly passed among the Delawares when Little Wolf had -come running to the village, telling of the discovery he had -made--telling how he had found the dead body among the brush and reeds -as he went in search of an arrow idly sent flying from his bow, after -the exercises in the Council House were over. - -The finger pointed at him as he had come up, though hastily pushed -aside, was enough to tell Lone-Elk that he was suspected, even if no -word had been spoken. - -"Is it said that Lone-Elk killed Big Buffalo?" the Seneca demanded of -the Indian who told to him the news. - -"Big Buffalo would not come into the Council House for the Harvest -Thanksgiving that was planned by Lone-Elk," said another of the -Delawares. "It is this that they say." - -The scowl on the Seneca's face became more bitter and contemptuous. With -a look of disdain he left the group, fast increasing in numbers about -him, and walked with head held high directly to the lodge of Captain -Pipe. - -The finding of Big Buffalo dead had put a sudden damper on the day's -festivities. The squaws discontinued their preparations for the feast, -and while the young bucks and warriors gathered about to discuss the -mysterious death of one of the best known, though by no means best -liked, of their number, children clung about their mothers' knees as the -latter also flocked from lodge to lodge to talk of the strange -discovery. - -There were few outward signs of excitement or emotion,--that was a thing -the Indians rarely showed. But in a cold, impassive way every person in -the village was keenly interested. Never had there been so disturbing a -thing at a time of festivity before. - -Many eyes turned toward Lone-Elk as he strode toward Captain Pipe's -lodge and entered the hut. Even as he did so two warriors, still in -holiday garb, came carrying the body of Big Buffalo between them. -Without a word they bore the corpse to the home it had always known in -life, where lived the dead man's mother--an old, old woman now, who -loudly lamented the death of her son as she sat on the ground just -within the tumble-down bark lodge. - -"Big Buffalo is found dead," said Lone-Elk to Captain Pipe. - -A look and significant shrug of the shoulders was the only answer. - -"If one dies when a festival is prepared, the custom is to put the body -by,--to say to the sorrowful, 'We will mourn with you another time; join -in the feasting with us till the festival is over.' It is an old, old -custom," Lone-Elk said. "When the festival is over, also, it may be -asked, 'How did Big Buffalo die?'" - -"The custom is to kill him who kills another without the right of war -and not in fair fight. It is a good custom," Captain Pipe made answer -and looked at the Seneca searchingly. - -"Lone-Elk did not kill Big Buffalo," the younger Indian said in answer -to the chief's questioning look, and his voice was icy cold. - -"If Lone-Elk did not kill Big Buffalo," Captain Pipe returned in the -same manner, slowly and sternly, "then shall Lone-Elk find him that did -kill Big Buffalo. Let him come not back until he has done this. The -Delawares have no fear of any living creature; but no Delaware kills one -of his own people. With the Senecas it is not always so." - -For a moment Lone-Elk's sharp eyes scrutinized the chief's face as if he -would find a double meaning in the Delaware's closing sentence. Could it -be that Captain Pipe knew his whole history--knew the reason he returned -no more to his own nation? But quickly he answered the older Indian's -scathing words, and his voice was harsh and bitter as he said: - -"Does Captain Pipe think, then, that because Big Buffalo, like a whipped -dog, slunk away and would not appear in the Festival of the Harvest, the -mind of Lone-Elk was poisoned against him? In his own breast does -Captain Pipe find lodgment for the thought that so petty a thing could -turn a Seneca to anger? No! Hear me! Lone-Elk but smiled at the -childishness of Big Buffalo." - -"Let Lone-Elk show the Delawares how Big Buffalo died," the chief -haughtily answered, and his tones were a challenge. Even as he spoke, -too, he turned his back to the Seneca and the latter, clenching his -teeth to suppress the angry words he thought, wheeled about and left the -lodge. - -As Lone-Elk walked quickly to his own lodge he plainly noticed that not -a friendly eye was turned toward him. His own glances the Delawares -evaded by looking the other way, but he knew full well that they turned -to gaze after him when he had passed, and he felt the things they were -saying of him. It was a desperate situation. The charge of murder might -quickly be followed by the charge of witchcraft, and that could mean -only a choice between flight and death. - -Indeed, to hoodwink the Delawares long enough to permit him to get away -from them never to return seemed to the Seneca for the moment his wisest -course. Still, how had Big Buffalo died? If his death was from natural -causes could he not quickly prove such to have been the case, and then, -the Delawares admitting it, rebuke them for their suspicions? That would -be excellent! Nothing could help him more in his keen desire for a -recognized position of permanent leadership. - -All in a twinkling these thoughts crowded upon the brain of Lone-Elk. -They restored his great self-confidence and his feeling of superiority. -Looking neither to right nor left, he walked with all the dignity of his -haughty nature to the hut where the body of the dead Indian lay. With a -few soothing words to the lamenting squaws about the door, he entered -the rude shelter and bent low over the silent figure of the departed -warrior. Even as he did so a new thought came to the Seneca and he -gloomily shrugged his shoulders as if to conceal his delight from those -who might be watching. - -Slowly Lone-Elk examined the half-covered body of Big Buffalo and -silently nodded his head as if he found only that which he expected to -find. - -"See," he said very calmly to the women and to Fishing Bird and one or -two other braves who had drawn near,--"see, no bruises. A witch has -killed Big Buffalo. It is as Lone-Elk says. Only a witch's power can -kill a warrior so." - -"A witch--Big Buffalo killed by a witch!" The word was spread about the -village with the speed of the wind. - -Many of the Indians and Captain Pipe among them gathered about the -Seneca. - -"It is as Lone-Elk supposed. It is as Lone-Elk now says; a witch has -killed Big Buffalo," he boldly declared. "Listen to my words. Lone-Elk -knows the hand which struck a warrior of the Delawares down. Lone-Elk -alone can tell how Big Buffalo died; but the Delawares well know the -custom of the people of the Long House [the Iroquois] and of all the -Indians, that witches shall be put to death." - -There was a stir of ill-suppressed excitement. Lone-Elk was using strong -words. Whom would he accuse? To be accused of practicing witchcraft was -nothing short of a sentence of death. The accusation was itself -sufficient. No evidence was necessary. - -"Lone-Elk knows the hand which reached out to wither the strength of Big -Buffalo, even as flowers are turned black by cold," the Seneca went on, -slowly and solemnly. "When the speeches and the dancing in the Council -House were over Lone-Elk walked to cool himself beside the water. Across -the lake he saw in a canoe the young Palefaces who have come unbidden -here to cut down the trees and drive off the game which belong only to -the Indians,--even as others of the Longknives have done in the lands -where lived our fathers. Two of the Palefaces there were when Lone-Elk -first saw them. - -"Again Lone-Elk looked and only one was there--only one Paleface in the -canoe; but over the water floated a cloud of foul-smelling vapor. Nearer -and nearer the cloud came. Soon it passed into the woods. Again did -Lone-Elk look. Again the cloud appeared and as it moved across the quiet -waters drew near the canoe in which there still was but one of the two -Palefaces. - -"And even as Lone-Elk watched a strange thing happened. Quick as the -leap of a frightened deer was the cloud changed to the form of a bird--a -large, black bird with heavy, beating wings. Straight to the canoe the -great bird flew. Still Lone-Elk watched closely and held his breath hard -with wonder. Once, twice the strange bird circled about the solitary -Paleface, then flew swiftly into the canoe. Instantly there appeared two -young Palefaces where only one had been before. And the bird,--the big, -black bird was gone. In his hands the Paleface witch--he you call -'Little Paleface' it is--held a tomahawk. - -"The sun shone bright upon it and even far across the water did Lone-Elk -see the red blood still wet and shining. Not then did Lone-Elk know. Not -then did Lone-Elk guess the awful thing which happened. Now does he -know--now do all the Delawares know how came Big Buffalo to die." - -There was a stir followed by a deeply threatening murmur among the -assembled Indians. It boded ill--ah, ill indeed,--to the young white -pioneers. - -Flushed with the success of his narrative and vain to find himself so -hearkened to, even by those who a little while before were his accusers, -the Seneca would have added to his extraordinary story and elaborated -upon the many fearsome shapes the cloud assumed of which he told. The -words were in his mind but he hesitated to try the credulity of the -Delawares further. Yet speak he must. The Indians still pressed nearer. -They would hear more; and Lone-Elk therefore continued. - -"The witch must die. If only one Paleface is bewitched then only one -must die. Let all the Delawares hear now and remember. Lone-Elk will -kill him that killed Big Buffalo--and the White Fox as well, if the -White Fox is also a witch as his brother that you call 'Little -Pale-face' is." - -If any of the Indians doubted the words of the Seneca, none showed it. -Few red men there were who did not believe in witchcraft and Lone-Elk -had made his tale just fanciful and weird enough to win and hold their -faith in all his declarations. - -In those days too, not only among the Delawares but among more advanced -Indian nations as well, witchcraft was more than a mere superstition. It -was feared and hated as an actually existing thing, more awful than the -most deadly disease. The declaration of any one Indian that another was -a witch was almost certain to be followed by the killing of the one -accused. It was the duty as well as the privilege of the accuser to take -the other's life. - -Little wonder is it, when these circumstances are considered, that -Lone-Elk's declarations, made in the most convincing and emphatic manner -of which his eloquence was capable, made a deep impression! Many were -visibly frightened. The thought that soon they might be struck down, -even as Big Buffalo had been, was far more disquieting than to face a -foe in hand-to-hand combat. - -One of the Delawares there was, however, who went quietly away soon -after Lone-Elk had finished speaking, and as if only loitering about, -came presently to his own hut. Here he removed the gayest part of the -holiday dress he wore, including the sash of scarlet cloth--relic of -some plundered settlement, no doubt--and with his gun over his shoulder -sauntered again through the village as if he were starting out to hunt. - -This Indian was Fishing Bird. He found Lone-Elk still talking,--still -surrounded by an attentive, awestruck throng. When the Harvest Festival -was over, the Seneca was saying, then would be the time to mourn Big -Buffalo's death and then the time to avenge his murder. It was an old, -old custom, he went on, that if one died when a festival was being -enjoyed, the body should be laid aside until the season of the -merrymaking was over. Addressing Captain Pipe directly, he appealed to -the chief to say if the ancient custom should not now be observed. - -The leader of the Delawares saw plainly that Lone-Elk's proposal pleased -his people. - -"Then shall it be as the Seneca says," he made answer, and waiting to -hear nothing more, Fishing Bird, with a glance across the lake to make -certain the white boys were still fishing near the far-away shore, -turned slowly into the woods. He walked with lagging steps only until -the village was left well behind, then eagerly dashed forward at a run. - - - - -CHAPTER III--THE WARNING - - -"Now just-one more!" - -"Oh, look a'here! that's what you've been saying for a half hour or -more! You see where the sun is, don't you!" - -"All right, then, I don't care; but there's-a regular whale almost on my -hook and it's too bad to-disappoint him," the first speaker returned. -Even as he answered, however, he drew in the long, heavy fishing pole he -held and followed his companion's example in winding his line on a -broad, flat stick notched at both ends. - -It was time, indeed, that the day's sport be ended. The autumn sun was -scarcely visible through the branches of the trees to the west. The air, -so soft and warm at mid-day, was growing cold, and six miles or more lay -between the young fishermen and the homely but snug log cabin which was -their home, and whose pleasant fire and comforts the nipping wind now -made doubly attractive. - -Those of you who have read "Far Past the Frontier" or "Connecticut Boys -in the Western Reserve" will have recognized in the two fisher lads thus -introduced Return Kingdom and John Jerome, once more in the Ohio -wilderness to complete their home-making after the trying times of the -preceding spring and winter, ending, as you know, with the recovery of -the hidden fortune which cost so many lives and for which so many -searched in vain. - -Of course it was John,--slight of figure but strong, tough and wiry as a -wolf, and full of fun as a lively young fellow of eighteen or so could -be, who had shown such reluctance to put away his line and yield no -longer to the temptation to try for "just one more." - -Of course it was Ree Kingdom, tall and broad shouldered, who pointed out -the fast-setting sun and recognized the necessity of starting homeward -before darkness hid the way. Somehow it always was left to Ree to guide -and direct. His quiet manner, energy, resourcefulness and thoughtfulness -made him naturally the leader. He was very little older than his -lifelong friend, Jerome, but the latter was always willing that Ree -should be the captain in all their various enterprises. And yet it may -well be said that John was a very agreeable and helpful private in all -undertakings, whether in matters of work, matters of sport and -recreation, or matters involving their common safety in this wild -country of Ohio where they had set about to establish their home and at -the same time carry on a profitable trade with the Indians. - -"We might have crossed over and had a look at the Delawares' Harvest -Festival," said John, stretching himself preparatory to beginning the -homeward journey. - -"Still, the art of minding your own business is often worth cultivating. -It's a pretty good idea, sometimes," Kingdom answered with a smile, and -picked up a paddle to shove the canoe off into deeper water. Just as he -did so a piece of dried mud, such as would weigh an ounce or two, -dropped into the little craft directly in front of him. - -"Hello, here! Hello, Fishing Bird!" exclaimed John who, as he was facing -the reed-lined shore, was the first to see whence the bit of dried earth -came, and recognized at once an old friend from the Indian town. - -"How now, Fishing Bird? We thought you were busy with the Harvest -Festival that Lone-Elk planned so grandly. How come--" - -Kingdom's greeting, rapidly following John's, was interrupted by the -Indian placing a finger to his lips and shaking his head most earnestly. - -"Paleface brothers listen, Paleface brothers not make any noise at all. -Hear all Fishing Bird will say," the Delaware began in a subdued -undertone, keeping himself almost wholly concealed by the tall grass and -reeds at the water's edge. - -"No! look other way!" he urged, speaking rapidly but low, as both the -white lads turned toward him. "Maybe Lone-Elk watching. Lone-Elk says -Little Paleface is a witch and must be killed. Big Buffalo is -dead--found dead by Little Wolf in the bushes by the water--and now -Lone-Elk says a cloud that was Little Paleface bewitched touched Big -Buffalo with a tomahawk and so he died. So must Little Paleface go -away--go far, heap far away. Go soon--right now! Lone-Elk come quick. -Bye." - -A slight rustling of the grass was followed by silence. For a second the -young white men waited, their faces turned away from the shore as the -Indian had asked. When they no longer heard him, however, they quickly -looked about, but only to find themselves alone. As quietly as he had -come and as suddenly, had the Delaware disappeared. - -Considerably perplexed and more than a little astonished, the boys -looked at each other inquiringly. - -"Real nice," said John. "It appears that I'm a witch and that I touched -Big Buffalo with a tomahawk and killed him! What d'ye think of that, -now!" - -A smile which was more brave than merry was on John's face, but Ree's -brow was wrinkled by deep thought. - -"There's a chance that Fishing Bird has stretched this thing--that it's -not half as bad as he makes out," Kingdom returned at last. "But the -worst of it is, we don't know. Hang it all, why did he have to rush off -so after telling just enough to make us want to know more? Yet we've got -to give him credit for what he has done, and the only safe thing is to -take full account of all he said,--take full account of all of-it till -we find out just what it's worth, at least." - -"What d'ye say to going across to their town and finding out just what -that Seneca's up to, Ree? Pretend, of course, that we haven't heard a -thing unusual; just dropped in to look at the Festival and say 'howdy.'" - -But Kingdom shook his head to this proposal at once. - -"If there's going to be trouble it will catch us soon enough without our -setting out to hunt it," he said. "Fishing Bird was in dead earnest and -afraid lest he be caught or suspected of giving warning. That's the -reason he left so quickly. No, John, the thing for us to do is to make -tracks in good order toward the little log house and keep our eyes open -every minute." - -"And I killed Big Buffalo--just to think that I killed that ugly, -prowling, malicious old rascal! Faith, 'twould make me laugh if--if--" - -John's musing exclamation was unfinished. With a swift stroke of the -paddle Kingdom sent the canoe sweeping through the water with sudden -liveliness and the lad who, under the name of "Little Paleface," must -answer to the charge of witchcraft, could only seize a paddle, also, to -use as a rudder and likewise assist in hurrying the light bark craft -onward. - -Heading into a long arm of the lake extending northward, the boys -touched shore at last at a little point of high ground which projected -through the mass of rank grass, reeds and bushes bordering the water at -this point, and continued on foot among trees and underbrush. Kingdom -shouldered the canoe while John carried their rifle, paddles and goodly -string of fish. - -There was not much opportunity to talk and each lad was busy with his -own thoughts. However, when after a long walk overland they reached a -considerable' stream, by the aid of which they could complete their -journey in the more comfortable manner the canoe afforded them, John was -not long in breaking the silence. - -"Ree," he said, with rather more earnestness and show of temper than was -usual with him, "I shouldn't be surprised if they come for me tonight. -Confound the ignorant beasts!" - -"I've been thinking so," was the answer, "and I'm afraid they will." - -"The cabin ain't in as good shape as it used to be; the logs dry and the -roof drier! And honest to goodness, Ree, I don't see what we're going to -do about it; I can't help but feel but that I'm to blame for the mess, -somehow, though what I ever did to get Lone-Elk down on me I don't know, -blamed if I do!" - -"Why, you're nothing of the kind, John! Get all such foolishness out of -your head. And what we're going to do about it is to be ready for them! -I guess we can take care of ourselves now that we know what's likely to -happen. Actually, the thing that bothers me most is just the thought of -where we'd have landed but for Fishing Bird letting us know. If ever -there was an all white heart in a red skin, it's his, and there's no -doubt about it." - -"And tomorrow we will find out from some one from the village or other -Indians that happen to pass, just how the land lays--that is, if--if we -don't find out sooner," John replied with a grim smile. "And Big -Buffalo's dead! I can hardly believe it, by thunder! I guess it was the -Seneca that killed him, if anybody did. Don't you s'pose Lone-Elk killed -him, Ree?" - -"Can't tell. Off-hand I'd say it couldn't have been any one else. It's -been common talk this long while that Lone-Elk and Big Buffalo didn't -hitch up worth a hill o' beans, but--and hang it all, it's this that -makes the whole thing so bad a mess--we simply don't know." - -This phase of the curious situation in which they found themselves--this -air of mystery and uncertainty connected with the report and warning -which had reached them, afforded a more fertile subject for discussion -by the two boys than did the question of their own personal safety. The -latter was a matter which must await developments, and neither boy yet -realized how serious the situation was. Their quickly made agreement to -hold the fort and face the trouble bravely had, for the time, disposed -of that question. - -But the death of the Delaware who had always been so hostile to them, -and the mysterious trick of fate by which, though dead, he was still the -direct cause of trouble coming just when all their plans were going -forward so smoothly, and just when they were in every way getting along -so comfortably, gave occasion for much speculation and exchange of -ideas. - -"It's not so hard to understand why Lone-Elk should want to get rid of -us and to make trouble for us," said Kingdom reflectively, "because all -summer he has been talking war and stirring things up generally." - -"And even hinting that we were sending word of what all the Delawares -were doing straight to Mad Anthony at Fort Pitt," John broke in warmly. -"Fishing Bird it was that told us that, too." - -"Still I'd like to know just what took Big Buffalo off his pins," was -Ree's reply, and so the conversation continued with no conclusion being -reached excepting only that there was going to be trouble and it must be -met and faced just as it had been confronted and finally overcome so -many times before. - -It may have been, indeed, most likely was, the very fact that always in -the past they had come out of the most perilous difficulties without -permanent injury, which made the two boys slow to appreciate the gravity -of their present position--a position of the greatest danger; far from -all human assistance and with all the Indians who hitherto had been -their friends now turned against them. - -The little house of logs perched on the eastern bluff directly above the -river would no doubt have seemed a very lonesome spot and insecure -enough to other eyes, as the boys approached it in the autumn twilight, -but not so to them. With its surroundings of small but well cultivated -fields in the valley below, its big, comfortable looking woodpile at the -edge of the woods and the cheerful welcome of Neb and Phoebe, their two -horses, whinnying their greeting from the rude log stable, it was a -pleasure to them to be safely there once more. - -It was home. The stout log walls would soon shut out the darkness and, -they believed, the danger, holding them snug and warm with the firelight -and the pleasant smell of their cooking supper within. - -John looked after the horses at the barn while Kingdom built up the fire -in the cabin and soon had the fish deliciously frying and several -extremely generous slices of coarse corn bread toasting on the hearth. A -pot of maple tea--(maple sugar boiled in water--an Indian drink) -simmered from its hook above the blaze, and a bark tray of nuts, cracked -and ready for dessert, was in waiting on the table. - -"Better have everything shut tight," suggested Ree as John came in. - -"That's what I've done," was the answer, "not a knot-hole open. -But--well, now that we are home and so jolly comfortable, does it not -seem to you just as if Fishing Bird's coming and all that he said was -just some nasty dream and not really so at all? Does to me. I don't -forget it for more than a minute at a time, but I feel as if I'd wake up -pretty soon and find I'd just been sleeping on my back." - -"Well, it's too bad," was the answer. - -"We've got too much else to do to be bothered this way," John returned. - -"I've been thinking," Ree went on, "that Captain Pipe may give that -Seneca to understand a thing or two and prove to be our friend again, -just when we most need him, as he has done more than once before. Still -we've got to look alive every minute till the trouble's over, and so you -put the supper on the table, John, and I'll just take a little look -around the house and cast my eyes about the clearing for a minute." - - - - -CHAPTER IV--WATCHED - - -"Peaceful as a Nanny goat," was Kingdom's declaration upon returning -from his scouting expedition a quarter of an hour later, and both boys -sat down to their evening meal feeling for the time quite secure. As was -natural, however, their conversation still centered upon the strange -news and warning which had come to them and they discussed many plans of -possible action. - -One thing seemed apparent; they must remain near the cabin or the -Indians, finding it empty, would be very likely, under Lone-Elk's -leadership, to destroy it. Except to stay where they were, therefore, -and face the Seneca and his charges, only one course was open. This was -to take their horses and such goods as could be carried, and seek the -protection of Fort Pitt or Gen. Wayne's army encamped near there. - -Of the whole evening's talk, however, but one thing, in addition to the -plan argued at the very first, was settled. It was that John should be -in readiness to make his escape if such a move were found necessary. It -was he and he alone who was charged with witchcraft. Fishing Bird had -made this plain. Ree would be in danger only as the friend of the -"witch" and it was unlikely, considering the friendly relations the boys -had always sought to maintain with the Delawares, that harm would come -to the elder lad unless some specific charge were lodged against him, or -unless he should be forced into the fight in defense of his friend. - -The latter situation was what Ree himself fully expected. If there was -to be trouble he would court his full share of it and he would not have -thought of planning otherwise. - -Soon after supper the boys covered their fire with ashes, making the -interior of the cabin completely dark; and though they spent the -succeeding hours in conversation they watched the surrounding clearing -from the loopholes. - -Neither had much desire to sleep, but at last John prevailed upon -Kingdom to lie down for awhile, and he alone remained on guard until -nearly morning. Once he was given a lively thrill when a dark object -emerged slowly and cautiously from the woods and crept toward the cabin. -But the visitor proved to be only a wolf, which presently trotted away -and was lost in the shadows again, and Jerome was well pleased that he -had given Kingdom no chance to laugh by taking alarm when no danger -threatened. - -Some time before daybreak, Ree, who had slept but little, arose and -ordered John to bed. The latter reluctantly obeyed. "For," he said, "if -a surprise is what the Seneca has in mind, it will be just before -morning that they'll be most likely to come." - -But the long night passed without a disturbing sound. When Jerome -bounced out of his bunk of blankets spread upon freshly gathered leaves, -after troubled dreams in which Big Buffalo pursued him with an upraised -hatchet resembling a gorgeously colored sunset cloud, it was to find a -cheerful blaze in the fireplace and Ree washing up the dishes left -untouched since supper. The door stood open and the cool, pure air with -its scent of frost-nipped leaves was like a tonic. The tinkle of the -water along the banks of the river below rose musically in the almost -perfect quiet prevailing in both the woods and clearing, and nowhere was -there hint or sign that danger lurked near and nearer. - -Waiting--lingering over their breakfast, glancing often and anxiously -through the open door and frequently going out to scan the clearing from -side to side and from end to end--waiting, they hardly knew for -what,--in the early morning the young settlers began to find time -hanging heavily on their hands. - -They were not accustomed to such inactivity. To feel compelled to remain -idle, too, when there were so many things they wished to be doing, was -almost as trying as it was to bear up cheerfully under the constant -thought that the next hour,--the next minute, even--might find them -fighting for their very lives. - -"This certainly seems like a lot of foolishness," said John, at last -impatiently. - -"But seeming and being are two altogether different things," Ree -answered. "Still, it's not very comfortable or enjoyable, I'll admit. -But what else can we be doing?" - -"Some one's coming!" exclaimed John in an undertone, instantly changing -the trend of both his own thoughts and Ree's. He was standing out where -he could command a view of the river, while Kingdom sat in the doorway. - -Quietly and with an appearance of unconcern Ree rose and went forward. -Looking in the direction John in a whisper indicated, he saw three -half-naked savages two hundred yards or more up the stream. They were -hastily dragging a canoe out of the water and up onto the bank opposite -that on which the cabin stood. - -"Holler at them! Sing out something!" John urged, looking toward the -Indians again himself. Not to attract their notice he had at first -pretended he did not see them. "Blest if I know any of them!" he added, -looking more closely. - -Already the redskins were well up on the river bank and two of them had -lifted the canoe up to their shoulders. - -"I can't make out why they are leaving the water in that way," Ree -answered. "Maybe we can find out. Ho, there! Howdy, brothers!" - -Kingdom's voice was clear and strong. There could be no doubt of the -Indians having heard him, but the only effect of his words, apparently, -was to send them hurrying into the woods the faster and in another -second they had disappeared from sight. - -"Umph!" Kingdom ejaculated wonderingly, "I believe they're afraid of -you, John,--afraid to sail down past us! But you can't tell much about -it, either. It may be they thought they'd find us gone and were taken by -surprise to find out otherwise." - -"Well, it shows one thing, we never saw such a queer piece of business -before, and it simply proves that there's something wrong and most -likely it's just what Fishing Bird told us," John answered, pretty -soberly. - -"Yes, it proves that there's something up, sure, and I guess we're both -tired of waiting to find out more about it," said Kingdom decisively. -"So I'll tell you what we'll do: Just you keep yourself safe somewhere -and I'll ride Phoebe over to the Delaware town and find out all about -it. We'll surely get no news, good or bad, from Indians happening to go -by if they all break into the woods on the far side of the river, before -getting here!" - -"Ree, you've told me a thousand times, if you've told me once, to be -prudent. Now how about being prudent yourself? We'd better wait! We'll -get some word, yet." - -Kingdom made no answer at once, but he was still thinking of the plan he -had so impulsively proposed and the more he pondered the more it -appealed to him. Then he began to give John the benefit of his -thoughts--began to argue that they could not afford to wait -indefinitely, with only their supposition that they would be attacked as -a reason; began to point out that the time to win the favorable -attention of Captain Pipe was before fighting took place, not afterward; -began to regret that he had not gone to the town of the Delawares -earlier. But he would not admit that he himself would be in danger, -though ever so anxious lest John should not properly take care of -himself in his absence. - -As usual, Kingdom had his way, though in this case it might well be -questioned whether his was the right way, all things considered, and -especially in view of what happened afterward. - -With a final word of caution to John to keep himself safe by staying -within easy reach of the cabin's thick walls, Kingdom mounted the docile -mare, given them by Theodore Hatch, the Quaker, and set off at a gallop. -It was a delightfully warm, sunny autumn day and but for the load upon -his spirits the daring young rider, dashing in and out among the trees, -where the rough trail crooked and curved, would have been buoyantly -happy. The ground was carpeted with freshly fallen leaves. The foliage -of the underbrush was still scarcely touched by the frost, and the -cawing of the crows and chatter of numerous smaller birds imparted a -feeling as if life were a long, bright holiday. - -Still, Ree could not rid his mind of the sense of danger which, like a -shadow, followed always closely with him, and he turned over and over in -his thoughts plan after plan for laying the whole cause of his visit -clearly before Captain Pipe, and asking his interference. - -Fresh and active, Phoebe kept a steady, rapid gallop, wherever the -overhanging branches would permit such speed, and in but little more -than an hour Kingdom drew rein within a short walk of the Indian town. - -It was Ree's intention to ascertain as fully as possible just what the -Delawares were doing, and then, if the situation were not too serious, -ride up to and among the scattered collection of huts as boldly and -freely as he would have done on any other occasion. - -But his pause to reconnoiter was fortunate. He had left the portage -trail, an extension of which led to the village, and sheltered himself -among some small, low trees thickly growing between the path and the -lake. Dismounting, he listened closely but heard no sound. Even the -Indian town must be very quiet, he thought, that not so much as a voice -or the bark of a dog was heard. However, he slipped the bridle rein over -Phoebe's head and hung it loosely upon a short, projecting branch, -preparatory to going forward to investigate on foot. - -A footstep, light as a feather, but instantly caught by his quick ear, -made Ree start. Over his shoulder he saw, half hidden by some bushes, a -face turned toward him and a hand upraised in a way commanding silence. - -"Gentle Maiden!" He spoke the name in an undertone, which showed both -his surprise and his friendly feeling for the one addressed. - -"I heard the hoofs of your horse," said the Indian girl, drawing -stealthily nearer and in the same manner looking all about her. "My -Paleface brother's friend--he is not here." Her words seemed to put a -question she feared to more directly ask, and Kingdom realized at once, -if he had ever doubted before, that the warning from Fishing Bird was -not without most serious reason. - -While the young white man hesitated to speak, not knowing just how much -he dared let the daughter of Captain Pipe understand that he knew, she -continued: - -"My Paleface brother is in danger. Big Buffalo was found dead and -Lone-Elk, the stranger from afar, has said a witch has done it--killed -Big Buffalo with a witch's hatchet that leaves no mark. Lone-Elk says -the witch is Little Paleface, the friend of my brother here,--says he -saw Little Paleface, bewitched, strike the Delaware down. Even now have -Lone-Elk and some others gone to seize him." - -"And Captain Pipe, your father--does Captain Pipe let them do this?" Ree -asked, trying to remain calm. - -"The custom is that the witch must die," the girl made answer, turning -her eyes away. - -"Gentle Maiden, you know that John Jerome--you know that Little Paleface -is no witch; that he no more killed Big Buffalo than you did." Kingdom's -voice was half angry in its impatient earnestness. - -"The customs of the Indians are not the customs of the white people," -the girl made answer. "Lone-Elk is powerful. What Gentle Maiden believes -would be as dipping water from the lake yonder with a cup--making no -difference one way, no difference another." - -"But Captain-Pipe knows better, Gentle Maiden." - -"Hopocon--my father, that you call Captain Pipe--wants none of the -Paleface teachings. When the missionaries told Gentle Maiden long ago -there were no witches, he only pitied them that they knew no better." - -"But--" - -"No, no!" the girl broke out hurriedly. "My Paleface brother must not -wait talking here. That which is, must be. Not long has Lone-Elk been -gone. By riding fast the White Fox can reach his cabin before the coming -of the Seneca, and with Little Paleface soon be far away where Lone-Elk -will not find them. Haste! Gentle Maiden has done all she can. Paleface -brother must not remember who has told him this, but oh, he must -remember what he has heard! Hurry, hurry, now, or--" - -"I'll go, Gentle Maiden, I'll go. If I can ever pay back the kindness -you have done both John and me, I'll not be slow to do it, you may be -sure. But it's a downright shame--no, what I mean is that you need never -fear anyone will so much as suspect that you told me this or anything. -Good-bye, good-bye." - -With such feverish anxiety and haste did Ree speak, now that he was bent -only on flying to John's rescue, he scarce knew what he said; but in a -trice he was in the saddle. And yet quickly as he moved, when he turned -to give a parting nod the Indian girl was gone. - -Long familiarity with the woods had made the beautiful, intelligent -mare, Phoebe, almost as free and light-footed among the trees and brush -and rough ground, often broken by rougher roots and fallen branches, as -a deer. Kingdom placed all dependence in his horse's ability to avoid or -clear every obstruction and urged the gentle creature to the utmost, -paying little heed to anything save to escape the limbs of trees -overhead as he hastened on. He had at once concluded that Lone-Elk and -his band were undoubtedly traveling toward the cabin by the route to the -east of the lake and the swamp which bounded a considerable portion of -it, for otherwise he must have met them. He knew that they could easily -have heard him approaching and hidden themselves until he passed, but -long training had made his ears sharp and his eyes the same. Maybe he -had this time, however, placed too much dependence in them. - -"Anyhow, we'll soon know, my pet," he murmured with teeth clenched, and -Phoebe seemed to understand. - -Out upon the bluffs above the river, into the open for a moment, then -down the precipitous hills and across the water at a shallow place horse -and rider went, and, emerging soon from the woods again, were in the -natural clearing--the clearing which had originally tempted the boy -pioneers to locate here. - -All was quiet. The cabin stood like a sentry at rest on the high bank -rising abruptly from the river, then sloping down on all sides away from -it. The yellow, autumn sunlight made the whole scene appear even -drowsily tranquil. A sense of relief came to Kingdom, and he even felt -chagrined that he had been so decidedly disturbed. - -Still it was strange that John did not show himself. Perhaps the -exceeding quiet all about was, after all, fraught with greatest danger. -Perhaps--but Ree was at the foot of the slope now and his mind had -scarcely time to present another thought before he was up the hill, and -throwing himself from the horse, quickly entered the open door of the -low log house. - -"John!" he called in a low tone--and a little catch in his throat which -he could not control, gave his voice a tremulous quaver. "John!" - -"Yes, Ree;" the answer was scarcely more than a whisper, "I'm up here in -the loft, and listen! You can hear me?" - -"Every word." - -"Don't act surprised or excited or show that you have found out or heard -anything, for they're watching now--Lone-Elk and a pack of Delawares -have surrounded the clearing. I've been peeking through a crack, -watching 'em half an hour or more." - - - - -CHAPTER V--IN DRIPPING RAIN AND DARKNESS - - -With what consternation Kingdom received the startling intelligence -John's words conveyed would never have been guessed from his actions. He -tossed his rough, squirrel-skin cap on the bunk, which was a bed by -night and a lounge by day, and sat down, wiping the perspiration from -his forehead. - -"They're after me, I s'pose, Ree,--blame 'em!" Jerome went on in the -same half whisper. "I just happened to be up here pawing over some of -the skins stored away so long, and got a glimpse of the rascals among -the trees. So I've been watching ever since, and I don't want you to -think I crawled up here to hide. Just so much as hint at such a thing -and I'll--" - -John did not say what he would do, but seeing how he hated being found -in a position which might be taken as a reflection upon his courage, Ree -was considerably tempted to suggest that maybe he himself had better get -under the bed. But it was no time for joke-making and the facetious -thought had no more than occurred to him than, unspoken, it was -forgotten. - -"Stay up there, John, old boy; see everything you can. I'll stroll out -and put Phoebe in the lean-to and gape around some in a natural sort of -way myself. The whole business looks mighty bad. What Fishing Bird said -is all true; I found out that much. I'll tell you about it when I come -in." - -If John Jerome had been a lad easily alarmed or one likely to fall a -ready victim to a too lively imagination, Return Kingdom would certainly -have thought that he had done so in this case when, after unsaddling the -mare and tying her in her stall, he sat down in the open doorway of the -cabin and with apparent indifference scanned the clearing from end to -end, without seeing the slightest sign of the Indians' presence. - -With his elbow on his knee, his head upon his hand, as if he were merely -resting, he continued to watch the wooded boundary most intently from -between the fingers which concealed his eyes. He had little fear that -the Indians would fire upon him from some place of concealment among the -trees; the distance was too great. A white hunter might easily have -brought down a deer at the same number of yards with an exceptionally -heavy charge in his long-barreled rifle, but the Redskins, as Ree well -knew, usually loaded with so little powder, owing to its scarcity with -them, no doubt, that he had little to fear in thus exposing himself so -long as the enemy came no nearer than the edge of the woods. - -"You're downright sure you saw them, John?" inquired Kingdom, in a low -voice, rising and entering. - -"There he goes! There--did you see that?" came an excited undertone from -Jerome as if in answer. - -Instantly Kingdom looked out but he saw nothing. - -"I vow! I think it was the Seneca!" John whispered. "He ran from the big -beech near the patch to the clump of little trees at the left. Guess he -thought no one was watching but you, and darted out when your back was -turned." - -"I'll stay back out of sight a bit, and you look sharp. Maybe we can -make out what they're up to," Kingdom replied. Then, to lead the savages -to suppose that their presence was not suspected, Ree went about making -a bright fire as if to prepare dinner, and soon the smoke from the cabin -chimney conveyed to the crouching redskins in hiding along the -clearing's edge the very impression he wished them to receive. - -Kingdom spent half an hour,--a long half hour of suspense and anxious -thoughts--in putting the room to rights, busying himself in a dozen -different ways, while John peered closely from the crack, to see through -which his eyes had already been strained so long they ached severely. -Still he saw nothing. Whether the savages were only extremely wary or -whether, as the boys fervently hoped, they had slipped away and gone as -silently as they came could not be known, and continued vigilance was -the only key to their safety. - -All day John Jerome remained concealed in the loft, watching almost -constantly from the narrow crevice which permitted him to see without -being seen. All day Return Kingdom went about from the cabin into the -lean-to barn, from the barn into the cabin again, and in and out of the -open door a hundred times on one pretext and another, doing his best to -make his every movement seem composed and natural. - -He was certain in his own mind that the savages were watching for John. -Perhaps they expected to see him in some fantastic and witch-like -shape,--see him change from a cloud to human form, or turn himself into -some wild beast. - -Once a wandering crow flew into the clearing and circled idly over the -little cornfield. As it flew down to a shock of corn, both boys chanced -to notice it and both saw, too, a sudden, rapid movement, and then -another and another, within the fringe of the woods. Were they the -dancing shadows of wind-tossed branches, or were the Seneca and his band -still near? Quick as the movements were, little as the boys had seen, -they knew the answer to the question which occurred to them and thanked -the vagrant crow for the information he had been the means of giving -them. - -"Still," said John, "if those fool Delawares get it into their heads -that that crow is me, and like as not Lone-Elk may tell 'em some such -thing, it'll just make the whole lot of them believe more than ever that -I am a sure enough witch." - -Full well did Kingdom realize how very correct John's observation -probably was. He was confident that it was the crow which occasioned the -moving about among the hiding Indians,--the flitting shadows both he and -John had seen. He made no answer to his friend's remark at once, but -turned over again in his mind a plan which he had been considering all -day. It seemed wise. He could think of nothing better. - -"John," said Ree at last, "if they stay away till it's dark enough to do -it, how would you like to slip away and go up among the rocky ledges for -a few days?" - -"Hide?" Jerome demanded rather contemptuously. - -"Why, no! There's no need to call it hiding," Kingdom answered -tactfully. "Just stay away from the cabin for awhile and give me a -chance to find out what killed Big Buffalo and get the witch idea out of -these crazy Delawares' minds." - -"But, don't you--" - -"I know what you're going to say. It is, don't I think that the fact of -your being away will make the Indians all the more certain about this -witchcraft business--make them think you've skedaddled! We can't help -what they think. We do know, though, that they're after you and either -we've got to pack up and light out, or get this witch idea out of their -heads. Now I think I can do it, in spite of Gentle Maiden's discouraging -talk; if I only have a chance." - -On one point, as the discussion continued, hardly above a whisper, both -boys agreed. It was that some time during the night the Indians would -visit the cabin. They might come as if in a friendly way just to learn -whether Little Paleface was there; or they might make a determined -attack. The redskins' supposition that Ree was alone, confirmed by all -that they had seen during the day, however, would probably suggest to -them an apparently friendly, but in reality spying, visit. - -In whatever way the lads viewed their situation they found so much of -uncertainty surrounding them that at best they must take a chance. - -Often and often was it this way in pioneer days. Every important -movement was encompassed by more or less danger. If a settler needed but -to go to mill, or to some frontier trading place for supplies, he -confronted many uncertainties and often left his family in danger, too. -Danger was always present, and although only the foolhardy were -disregardful entirely, even the most prudent came by constant -association to take it as a matter of course. - -The latter was the feeling of the two boys from Connecticut. If they had -been less accustomed to the alarms of the wilderness, they would, in the -pinch in which they now found themselves, most probably have sought -safety at once at Fort Pitt or perhaps at some of the Ohio river -settlements. If they had done so their story would have been a very -different one. - -Though he had but reluctantly agreed to Ree's proposal, not wishing to -leave his friend to face the situation alone, John found so much to -think about in the prospect of spending the night--and it might be many -nights and days--alone in the woods, that the reflection that he also -would be in danger was almost comforting. He thought with dread of the -long and lonely hours of darkness without even a camp-fire's comfort, -but somehow there was something quite interesting about it all, too. -Perhaps it was the change and the excitement, as he planned how -stealthily he would steal through the woods, that appealed to him. -Certain it is that he found himself anxious to be gone, and watching the -deepening shadows almost impatiently lest something happen to prevent -his departure before thick darkness came. His greatest fear lay in the -fact that on three sides at least the cabin was, in all probability, -still surrounded by Indians. On the fourth or west side was the river. -How was he to reach the open woods? How reach the rocky ledges to the -north and east, among whose deep ravines and clefts and long, narrow -passages and shallow caves he would remain until the rage of the savages -had passed? - -A bank of clouds, wide as the eye could see above the treetops, had come -up out of the southwest to meet the sinking sun and, when at last the -shadows had filled the valley, darkness came on rapidly. The wind rose, -too, and quite before its approach was suspected, a drizzling fall rain -had set in, which gave promise of continuing all night. - -The cabin door had stood open all day, but Ree felt he could close it -now without exciting the suspicions of those who watched. As he did so, -John clambered quickly down from the low loft and slipped noiselessly -through the low opening connecting the lean-to stable and the single -room of the cabin itself. How well he remembered the good purpose the -hole had served once before! He remarked to Ree about it with a nervous -little laugh, recalling that lively battle of their early days in the -woods and how nearly fatal to them both it had been. But Kingdom told -him to make haste; that they could not know who was watching now, and in -the darkness there might be Indians even within hearing of a whisper. - -Ree had improved the opportunity before night came on to fill John's -powder horn and bullet pouch and to pack in the form of a knapsack for -him a blanket and a supply of dried meat and bread. These, with Jerome's -rifle, he had previously passed through the "cat hole," as it was -called, into the stable; but now that John had followed them, he -suddenly found himself wishing that he had planned otherwise. Yet -confident all was for the best, though the wind never had had so much of -awful homesickness in its mournful sounds before, though the rain never -before had beaten with such seeming tearful sorrow upon the roof, he -whispered hastily: - -"Be careful, old boy. Look for news by the day after tomorrow if you -hear nothing before, and be sure that everything will be all right in a -few days at most." - -"And you come where I am the minute you're in danger, mind," John -answered. "Good-bye, Ree, I'm going along the river's edge. It'll be -easy to get past anybody or anything tonight. Good-bye." - -Ree would have whispered another word of caution and of farewell, but he -realized that John was gone--felt it in his very bones that he was -alone, alone; and the autumn wind blew more mournfully than ever; the -patter of the raindrops sounded twice as melancholy as before. - -For many minutes Kingdom intently listened, then throwing wide the cabin -door, made a pretense of emptying just beyond the doorstep the wooden, -trough-like bowl which did duty as a wash basin. Though he made a brave -show of unconcern, his heart beat hard and fast. But he was glad to see -how totally dark the night was. One must have been very close indeed if -he had seen John emerge from the darkness of the lean-to into the equal -blackness without, he thought. Surely the Indians, if still watching, -would never suspect him going out that way, and not having seen him at -all would be very certain that he had been gone for a full day at least, -should they call at the cabin and still not discover him. - -Despite the storm, the night was warm for so late in the season, and -Kingdom was glad to have the door ajar while he waited for the first -step which would tell him of the Indians' coming. He had no doubt they -would come, unless their general plan was quite different from what he -supposed it to be. Still, time dragged on bringing no tidings--no sound -but the drip, drip of the rain, the sad sighing of the wind and now and -then the rattle of some loose puncheon on the roof, moved by a passing -gust more lively than the rest. - -Again and again Ree mentally computed the distance John had probably -traveled in the time that he had been gone. "Now he must be just about -at the foot of the bluff and creeping along the water's edge, shielded -by the higher bank of the river," he thought at first. "Now he must be -half-way to the woods. Now, if nothing has happened, he is past the -worst of the danger and safe among the trees." - -And so thinking, encouraged by the absence of any alarming sound, -Kingdom breathed easier, and was glad John had gone along the river -instead of trying to cross the stream just at the cabin's rear and so -gain the cover of the trees more quickly, as he had originally proposed, -and would have done but for the possibility that even on the opposite -bank of the stream there were watchers in hiding. - -But safe and certain as John's escape seemed to Ree, the truth was that -during these past few minutes that young man had been in decidedly -greater danger of losing his scalp than he cared ever to be again. - -Creeping on hands and knees close to the wall whose dark background -would help conceal his movements, John had made his way out of the barn -and around to the rear of the cabin. Almost flat on his stomach, he drew -himself slowly along the bluff and so descended to the valley where the -river bank was not nearly so steep and comparatively low, rising only a -few feet above the level of the water. Crawling cautiously along the -narrow strip of slippery beach between the river's edge and the bank, he -progressed steadily toward the woods. Often he paused to listen, and -even when he moved on again he strained his ears and tried his utmost to -see; but so deep was the darkness that, except for the denser black wall -in the distance, which he felt rather than saw was the woods, he was -certain that his situation, so far as seeing went, would be the same -with his eyes shut as with them wide open. - -In one of his pauses to hearken closer than he could do when moving, -John thought he heard a low, hoarse "Ugh!"--an inarticulate sound, but -one which seemed to express impatience, weariness, and "What's the use?" -combined. He fancied he could see the shrug of the Indian's shoulders -who, he was sure, was responsible for the guttural noise. For a long -time the boy did not move. The rain came dripping down almost -noiselessly. The wind whispered ever so softly in the lower parts of the -valley and seemed to make no sound whatever save in the woods. To John -it seemed that he waited an hour, though in fact it was but a few -minutes. Over his shoulder he could see the ray of light from the -cabin's open door. How far away it looked! Still that was fortunate. He -would not have had it nearer for a great deal. Now he would try again. -Softly--softly he raised one hand from the ground; softly, softly he -raised a foot. - -"Ugh!" Again it came; scarcely audible was the sound but the fierce howl -of a wolf directly in his ears would not have startled, and frightened -more the young white man crouching by the water. - -The danger seemed nearer now--not more than three yards from him, John -was certain--perhaps only two. He felt that he could put out his hand -and touch the place from which it came. Again he was quiet, so quiet -that he breathed in noiseless little gasps, a thing so trying on his -throat and lungs that he would have felt as comfortable had he tried not -to breathe at all. - -But soon came another sound. Instantly John recognized it--the stealthy -dipping of the paddle and low murmur of water against the nose of a -canoe. Where was the canoe headed? That was the question. Toward him? -Either that or up stream. The murmur of the current indicated that the -craft ran not with it but against it. Now he heard the canoe touch the -half submerged grass close in to shore. It was just abreast of him and -within two arms' length. Now it grated ever so lightly upon the grass -which, before the fall rains, had been quite up out of the water. - -Again light as a feather came the dip of the paddle, again the soft -murmur of the water barely heard above the quiet, even patter of the -rain. At the same moment John felt himself slipping. Slowly the wet -ground was giving way beneath him. He must move. It was a case of two -dangers, either stand still and slide violently into the river, or move -on a step and-- - -He must run the risk. Faster and faster he was sliding down. He must -step quickly, and step quickly he did. He made no noise himself, he -thought, but some pebble or bit of earth, loosened by his movement, -rolled down and dropped with a splash into the water. Again came the -muttered "Ugh!" something lower than before, and oh! Heaven be praised! -no longer abreast but some yards from him. - -Again came the low dipping of the paddle. They were patrolling the river -for him, John knew now; but they would not find him. They might paddle -silently up and down the whole night long, if they wished. In fact he -rather hoped they would, and chuckled inwardly at the thought. - - - - -CHAPTER VI--"THE WITCH IS HIDDEN HERE." - - -That part of Lone-Elk's band which had been appointed to hide along the -river bank throughout the day and paddle up and down in the densest -shadows of the shores when night had come, did not keep up their search -as long as John had hoped they would, when he silently chuckled over the -thought of their waste of time and effort. - -When they passed so close to the lad they sought, not more than one of -them suspecting how very near he was, the Delawares were closing in on -the cabin, together with others on shore. Lone-Elk had given the signal, -by passing the word quietly along the irregular line his braves made -around the clearing, after waiting all day long. He hoped to find the -"witch" in hiding in the little cabin. Even if he did not, he would -impress the Delawares with the seeming truth of the charge he had made -against the young white man by showing that he was away from home, -engaged, presumably, in some of his dreadful witch's work. The Seneca -had, moreover, a plan in mind which made a visit to the home of the -young Palefaces desirable from his point of view, whether the one they -sought should be discovered or not, and now would be as good a time as -any for the carrying out of his purpose. - -While the Indians were yet at a distance, Kingdom, watching and -listening in the cabin, heard their approach. He had kept his rifle -close at hand all day, and now he casually picked the weapon up and with -a show of idle carelessness polished its glossy stock with a bit of -buckskin. - -The savages came silently on, apparently without effort to keep from -being heard. Kingdom was aware that they kept their line spread out so -as to form a semicircle which, together with the river, would wholly -enclose the little log house. His sharp ears assured him that this was -done, but it was with well acted surprise that he sprang lightly up and -stepped toward the door when Lone-Elk and one other Indian showed -themselves at last within the dim ray of light shining from the -fireplace. - -"Come in! It's wet and bad outside! Bring them all in!" he called -pleasantly, meeting the Seneca at the threshold and glancing out as if -he plainly saw the whole line of Indians outside, which in fact he did -not see at all. - -"White Fox speaks kindly," answered Lone-Elk, calling Ree by the name -the Delawares had long ago given him. - -Only the Seneca and the one other Indian drew near the lighted space -about the door, however, and these two now entered as if they were quite -by themselves. - -"Why should I not?" Ree answered to the Seneca's remark, noticing as he -did so, how searchingly both the savages were looking about the cabin's -single room. "We,--my white brother and myself--have had the friendship -of the Delawares always." - -"It is as the white brother says," said the second Indian, a powerful -fellow whom Kingdom now recognized as a brave from the Delaware town on -the Muskingum, and whom he had seen a number of times before. As he -spoke, this Indian looked at Lone-Elk inquiringly. Perhaps the Seneca -considered his words a challenge. At any rate he said sharply: - -"Where is the other white brother! Does the White Fox wish to hide him -then, if he is the friend of the Delawares? Will the White Fox hide the -witch that breathed poison breath upon Big Buffalo, the witch that with -a hatchet killed a Delaware warrior, yet left no mark?" - -"What's this you say? What wild talk is this, Lone-Elk? Has Lone-Elk -drunk of the firewater that he comes speaking so absurdly?" - -Kingdom spoke with a show of temper and in a manner distinctly -creditable to the part he was bound to act. - -"It is the law that witches must be put to death," the Seneca returned -vigorously. "Lone-Elk has said that Little Paleface with a witch's -hatchet killed a Delaware warrior--killed Big Buffalo. Now must the -witch be given up to the friends of him that was killed." - -"Well, I can only tell you that the one you call Little Paleface is not -here. He is far away and may not come back for some days," Kingdom -answered quietly. "Now if Lone-Elk will believe this, and it is the -truth, he will return to the town of the Delawares and I will myself go -there tomorrow to have a talk. Is it a friendly thing for Delaware -braves to remain hidden all about the lodge of their Paleface brothers -as they are doing now? Let them all come into the light. Let them see -that my brother who is accused so falsely--so unfairly and so -unjustly--let them see, I say, that he is not here, and we will plan to -have a talk tomorrow." - -Lone-Elk gave a short, fierce whoop. Instantly fifteen or more Indians -rushed into the cabin, crowding-the little room quite uncomfortably. - -"The witch is hidden," said Lone-Elk, loudly. "If the Little Paleface is -here let him show himself." - -As Kingdom looked quickly from one to another of the Indians he observed -with sorrow that Fishing Bird was among them. Had this good fellow -turned against his white friends, too? But no, that quick friendly look -as their eyes met was proof of his friendship still. - -There being no answer to the Seneca's invitation to Little Paleface to -show himself, except the grunted "Ughs!" of some of the Delawares, -Lone-Elk sprang quickly up the ladder of poles and peered into the loft. -Others followed his example, climbing up on stools or by the aid of the -roughness of the wall. Some looked up the chimney. Some searched here, -some there. One party of five or six, lighting hickory bark torches at -the fire, went into the barn. In five minutes the whole cabin was turned -topsy-turvy. - -"You see it is just as I told you in the beginning," said Kingdom in a -friendly tone, but somewhat impatiently. "Now will you not consent to a -talk! Let it be in the Council House of the Delawares--let it be any -place you choose. I think I can prove to you that this charge of -witchcraft is placed against one who is as true and honest as ever man -could be." - -Ree was sorry to see that the Delawares looked to Lone-Elk to answer. He -had more fear of this one Indian, under the circumstances, than of any -other half dozen warriors in Captain Pipe's town. - -"Let it be as the White Fox says," the Seneca answered. "Yet will my -Paleface brother not deceive himself by thinking he deceives Lone-Elk. -The Paleface witch but hides. If it is not so, let the witch come to the -talk." - -Not for a second did Kingdom allow this challenge to be unanswered. Like -a flash every eye had turned to him; but instantly he said: - -"Will the Seneca go to Fort Pitt and there put Little Paleface on trial -before those whose customs are the customs of the Palefaces? No, of -course he will not. And just so would it not be fair for Lone-Elk to -demand more than he would be willing himself to give." - -[Illustration: HE KEPT HIS EYES ON THE SENECA UNCEASINGLY.] - -The justice of Kingdom's position was clear to the majority of the -Indians and he could not help but notice it; still Lone-Elk's reply in -curt, surly tones was far from pleasing. - -"Yet the White Fox asks for a talk! Like squaws that tell one another of -the worms that harmed the corn does the Paleface want the Delawares to -meet together with him and speak idle words! Words! Words, that mean -nothing and come to nothing." - -With a move of his hand to his companions to follow, the Seneca left the -cabin. Rapidly the other Indians marched off in single file after him. -Fishing Bird, somehow, was the last to leave. As he went out of the -door, he cast a glance of friendliness, which was also a look of -warning, to Ree and the peace of mind of that young gentleman was not -increased thereby. - -By no means certain that the Indians would not return, Kingdom sat for a -long time on the edge of his bunk, listening and thinking. He had great -satisfaction in knowing that John was comparatively safe for the time, -at least, and thankful, indeed, that his chum's departure had been so -timely. He longed for another and more satisfactory talk with Fishing -Bird. He must have such a talk, he resolved, if it could by any chance -be arranged, before he undertook to show the Delawares that Big Buffalo -had not been killed by witchcraft. Perhaps that friendly fellow would be -able to give him the right clue to the whole situation. Might it not be -he would frankly declare that it was by the hand of Lone-Elk, himself, -that the warrior's life had been snuffed out! - -In his own mind Ree had little doubt concerning the true cause of Big -Buffalo's death; but by what means the Seneca had put out of his way the -one member of Captain Pipe's community who openly resented his -leadership there would most probably be a difficult question to answer. - -So the lonely lad sat pondering a long time; how long he did not know or -care. The rain was still falling, the wind still sighing dolefully when -he arose at last, closed and barred the door, also barred the opening -which served as a window, and removing only his moccasins lay down to -rest. Repeatedly did he picture to his mind's eye John Jerome tramping -slowly, silently through the wet leaves, among the dripping underbrush -and trees, stopping often to get his bearings from the wind, and so -making his weary and most lonesome way to the protection they had agreed -upon. - -Repeatedly his thoughts returned to the "big talk" which he must attend -tomorrow; but sound sleep came to him at last, even while a crouching -figure moved swiftly and stealthily into the clearing and paused as if -in hiding behind a shock of corn--the very one on which the crow had -perched in the afternoon--then stole on again and disappeared. - -Even as the first object appeared, another approached the cabin and -moved to the protection of the darker shadows of the stable. For a -minute or two the figure stood quiet in the denser darkness beside the -building, then moved cautiously toward the little cornfield as if -attracted by a faint rustle of corn leaves which seemed to come from -that vicinity. - -The rain still fell in a quiet, unbroken drizzle, but the wind had -abated and there was no reason to suppose that it caused the movement of -the corn, which attracted the attention of the crouching creature. Still -listening with utmost care, the crouching figure moved nearer to the -spot from which the noise ensued. - -To discern any object that was without motion, at a distance of even a -few feet in the pitch darkness, was an impossibility; but as the -rustling of the corn ceased, the one who had been attracted by the sound -made out a stealthy movement in the vicinity and instantly stood still. -When the darker shadow had passed beyond his vision he dropped to the -ground and listened with his ear against the wet grass and earth. After -a time he rose and ran forward ever so lightly, pausing at the edge of -the woods. - -Hour after hour passed. A dull gray light appeared on the clouds to the -east. Rising then, and stretching himself, the silent watcher with -frequent looks toward every point went directly to the barn built up -against the white boys' cabin, opened the door and leaving it slightly -ajar, sat down upon the floor in such a way that he could command a view -of the greater part of the clearing. - -The opening of the door of the barn made Return Kingdom move, sound -asleep though he was, and directly he awoke, conscious of having heard -some disturbing sound. What it was he did not know. For a time he -listened, but finding that drowsiness was overcoming him, he roused -himself with a sudden determination to investigate. - -Springing up quietly, Kingdom put on his moccasins and opening a -loophole, peeped out. Though still very dark inside the cabin, he could -make out principal objects in the clearing, and noted nothing in the -least unusual. Suppressing a most sleepy yawn, he decided to creep into -his bunk and forget his troubles in restful unconsciousness until broad -daylight came. - -Very likely the noise which had wakened him was made by one of the -horses, the lad thought. He peeped into the stable through a chink in -the wall. Discovering immediately that the door of the lean-to was open, -and remembering that he had closed it as usual, he was alarmed at once. -He seized his rifle, unbarred the cabin door and rushed out. - -As he swung wide the door of the stable, to learn the cause of it not -being properly closed, a hand was held out to him and its mate was -raised in a sign of silence. - -Startled, Kingdom stepped back a pace, but before the other could speak -he had recovered himself. - -"Fishing Bird!" he exclaimed. "What in the world are you doing here at -such a time as this, Fishing Bird?" - - - - -CHAPTER VII--THE SECRET LEAD MINE - - -"Listen, White Fox, listen, my Paleface brother," said Fishing Bird -softly as he took Kingdom's hand and drew him gently into the barn; then -dropping his voice to a whisper: - -"Lone-Elk has been here. All night did Fishing Bird watch and follow -him. Then Fishing Bird hid here for maybe Lone-Elk be coming back when -white brother still was sleeping. Morning comes now. No more danger." - -How to thank this friendly Indian Ree did not know. As he realized the -hardship Fishing Bird had undergone to guard him from the wily, crafty -Seneca, his voice trembled with emotion in trying to express his -gratitude. Almost in the same breath he begged further information and -an explanation of Lone-Elk's presence; asked to know how, in the -darkness, the Delaware had been able to watch him without being himself -discovered. Where had Lone-Elk gone? Why had he come at all? - -Seated on a little mound of hay, well within the stable yet where he -could readily see out, and dividing his attention between the clearing -and Kingdom, who sat beside him, Fishing Bird told his story. - -He had feared from the beginning that his warning to the two white boys -to flee would be unheeded, he said, and so determined, since he could -give them no assistance, that he would at least keep his eyes on -Lone-Elk. The Delawares had accepted the proposal of the Seneca that the -death of Big Buffalo be not allowed to break up the Harvest Festival -entirely, and so the night of the feast day had been spent in -merry-making, as the custom was. - -With but little rest the morning after the festival, however, Fishing -Bird went on in his own simple but honest way. Lone-Elk, calling on as -many as wished to do so to accompany him, had set out for the house of -the Palefaces. It was his purpose first to locate Little Paleface and -catch him off his guard, lest by witchcraft he should bring harm to the -Indians before they could lay hands on him, Fishing Bird explained. So -all day the Indians had watched the cabin and kept themselves hidden so -that they would not easily be seen even if in approaching their home the -boys should come upon them suddenly from behind. - -Lone-Elk told the Delawares that a crow, which flew down in the -cornfield, was almost certainly Little Paleface himself, and as night -came on he assured them that the witch would either be found in the -cabin in the natural form of a man or be caught trying to escape in the -form of a bird. - -Some had asked why the witch would not simply become an animal or a -cloud or some such thing and so easily evade them, but the Seneca's only -answer to this was a growl at their ignorance and a hint that only -children asked such questions. - -Much that Fishing Bird told him was so nearly the same as Kingdom had -previously guessed that the information was in no way surprising. But -one thing which did surprise and interest him a great deal was the -friendly Delaware's account of the escape of John Jerome. - -Fishing Bird, having no belief in Lone-Elk's talk of witchcraft and -being anxious to aid in the escape, rather than the capture of the -so-called witch, was even more intent in watching all that went on than -were any of the others, Lone-Elk excepted. In this way he accounted for -his discovery of some object beside the river bank in the darkness as he -and two other Delawares were paddling noiselessly toward the cabin--an -object which he partially recognized, though none of the others so much -as suspected its presence. Solely for the purpose of giving warning he -had made sounds which would be heard and which, he was certain, had been -heeded. - -Ree could only thank his loyal friend again and again and he did not -hesitate to tell the faithful fellow that he had almost certainly saved -John Jerome from capture. This pleased Fishing Bird greatly. His -pleasure was quite equal to that of a child which is praised for some -duty well done. - -"In fact," added Kingdom, putting his hand gratefully on the Delaware's -arm, "we can never begin to pay you back for all you have done for us. -But still you can help us so much more that I want to feel that I can -depend on you. I won't ask anything of you which is going to get you -into trouble, and if I do, you must tell me. Neither do I want you to do -anything or tell me anything which you do not feel that you can -willingly do or tell. Is this fair and friendly, Fishing Bird?" - -The Indian thoughtfully nodded. - -"First then, why did Lone-Elk come back here in the night?" - -The Delaware did not know and said so. - -"I can guess that, anyhow," Kingdom went on. "But here's a more -important question, Fishing Bird. Who, or what, do you think, killed Big -Buffalo?" - -The Indian shook his head. Kingdom scarcely knew whether he meant that -he did not know or that he did not wish to tell. But he tried another -question. - -"Was it Lone-Elk?" - -For a second or two there was no reply. "Yes, maybe Lone-Elk killed Big -Buffalo," came the answer, but the tone even more than the words -expressed doubt. - -"Well, can you tell me this, Fishing Bird: What is the secret of the -Seneca's power among the Delawares and why is he a wanderer and an -outcast from his own nation and his own tribe? We all know that he is a -sort of a fugitive, yet even Captain Pipe allows him the greatest -liberty." - -"Listen," said the Indian slowly and solemnly, "Paleface brothers must -see always that no hurt comes to Lone-Elk, the Seneca. Yes, Lone-Elk is -hated and Lone-Elk is hunted by his own people; but listen, White Fox, -listen to this: Lone-Elk and no other knows where much lead for bullets -is hidden in the ground. To Captain Pipe and to all the Delawares -Lone-Elk brings lead--sometimes bullets, too--always lead. No, no! -Lone-Elk will never show where lead comes from, so must no hurt come to -him. Anything Paleface brother asks will Fishing Bird do, but if -Lone-Elk dies who will know where lead is found! Lead placed in the -ground by the Great Spirit for his children, the Delawares; for that is -as Lone-Elk tells them." - -Kingdom could not help smiling slightly at the simple earnestness of the -Indian, but he was interested, too, greatly interested. Once or twice -before he had heard Delawares make secret references to the finding of -lead in the earth somewhere in the locality of the Cuyahoga river. Now -he was convinced that a mine existed, the location of which was known -only to the scheming Seneca. - -"So that is why Captain Pipe harbors the fellow though he knows that his -history is so bad," spoke Kingdom, partly to the Indian, partly to -himself. - -"White Fox knows how all the Indians look always now for much -powder--much lead," the Delaware returned. He was thinking of the -trouble along the border and the fighting which was sure to follow the -march of "Mad Anthony" Wayne's army into the Indian country to avenge -the killing of so many of St. Clair's men the year before. - -Kingdom read Fishing Bird's meaning easily as print, though never until -now had he realized how fully the redskins were planning for the -expected battle, nor guessed how completely posted they were concerning -the probable object of the troops Wayne was assembling on the Ohio below -Fort Pitt. - -"But you followed the Seneca, Fishing Bird. You watched him nearly all -night, you say. Tell me, then, if Lone-Elk must not be harmed, what can -you do, what am I to do if he makes trouble? Are we to let him drive -Little Paleface from home--and me too? For of course if my friend cannot -be with me, I shall not wish to stay here." - -The friendly Delaware shrugged his shoulders and looked puzzled. -Glancing up, however, and seeing that Kingdom was waiting for him to -answer, he slowly shook his head. "Maybe White Fox can find how Big -Buffalo died. Maybe Palefaces can tell Captain Pipe that and then -Lone-Elk can talk of witches no more." - -"Yes, but what if Lone-Elk kills somebody before somebody can do this?" -Ree inquired. - -"When Lone-Elk comes to do that then Lone-Elk must be killed," Fishing -Bird admitted rather reluctantly. But to show that he meant what he -said, he now told at some length how he had followed the Seneca from the -Delaware village all the way back to the cabin of the two white boys, -when he found the crafty fellow stealing away after the return from the -fruitless watch and search for John Jerome the preceding day and night. -He left no room for doubt that he would have given Kingdom warning of -the fellow's presence if necessary; but Ree could not help but believe -that his friend had also some other reason for spying upon Lone-Elk's -movements. - -"This 'talk' I am to have with your people today,--will it do any good, -Fishing Bird?" Kingdom at last inquired. - -"All the Delawares ask how came Big Buffalo to die," was the Indian's -only answer; and presently, though Kingdom asked him to remain, he -slipped away, and wading the river at a place not usually used for -crossing, quickly disappeared in the thick brush of the western bank. - -In spite of the restless night he had spent and his weariness and -anxiety, Ree made all possible haste with his breakfast and morning work -in house and barn and hastened away to meet John Jerome. He must carry -some provisions to him and let him know all that he had heard before -starting for the Delaware town. - -The distance to the place of meeting which the two boys had finally -agreed upon was four miles or more, the spot a well hidden gully running -back from the river until it lost itself in a dense growth of -underbrush. From the midst of this matted mass there sprang up a great -hollow whitewood tree with a large opening at the base. The lads had -once hidden some traps there and knew the place well. In this natural -shelter they would be quite free from possible observation, and anything -left there would be little likely to be found by straggling Indians -hunting in the vicinity. - -With much anxiety Kingdom approached the meeting place. The day had come -on dull and cloudy but still and in the vast silence of the -leaf-carpeted forest the moist air made his every footfall seemingly -loud and heavy. Yet listen as he did, even holding his breath, Ree heard -not a sound to indicate that he would find John waiting for him. This -was the more surprising because of Jerome's customary carelessness so -far as being very quiet was concerned. - -Even when he reached the thicket in which the old whitewood stood, -Kingdom listened in vain for the slightest signal to indicate that his -coming was expected. He had had no doubt John would be at the place long -before he himself arrived. What else would he have to do save wait and -watch? - -"Covered his trail better than he usually does if he has been anywhere -near here!" Ree ejaculated beneath his breath when, after making the -entire circuit of the mass of underbrush, he found nothing. Heavy -hearted, he sat down with his back to a large maple to wait. - -Now what Kingdom should have done, of course, was to make his -investigation thorough before he concluded that John had not come. -Ordinarily he would have done so--would have gone to the bottom of the -subject before he reached a final conclusion; but as many another has -done before and since he let a peck of troubles become greater still by -shouldering some with which he might much better not have burdened -himself, taking for granted, as it were, that trouble was his portion. - -It was and is a bad thing to do. The fact was that while Kingdom waited -on and on, trying not to worry, but thinking very unhappy thoughts -indeed, John Jerome, curled among some dry leaves in the base of the -great hollow tree, snoozed as composedly as ever he did in his far away -home in Connecticut. - -Kingdom rose to his feet. Something must be done! He shook off his heavy -thoughts and stood for a moment to consider. It was the movement of his -rising, perhaps, that awakened John. He, also, rose to his feet. He -heard soft footsteps among the leaves and peeped out. He heard them more -plainly and hurried cautiously to a part of the thicket from which he -could see beyond the brush. There was Kingdom marching away through the -woods as if he were going somewhere and in a hurry to arrive. - -A whistle which might have been the call of a squirrel sounded. It was a -signal both boys used for each other in the woods, and in another -instant the needless burden had rolled off Ree's mind. What a sea of -fresh difficulties must certainly have come to both of them but for the -chance awakening of John, in the nick of time, the two boys did not long -discuss. - -"But you would have come into the tree to leave some grub for me, -anyway, Ree," said John. - -"Hanged if I thought of such a thing!" Kingdom answered. "You don't -deserve it, nohow! Going to sleep and keeping me in such a stew about -you!" he added good-naturedly. - -The lads were both seated on the ground inside the protecting whitewood -now, and John, having long since eaten the provisions with which he left -home, was making good use of those Ree brought. He had, he declared, -with venison in one hand and bread in the other, a more immoderate -appetite than any well-behaved witch should ever have. - -John's friendly feeling for Fishing Bird was certainly not diminished by -what Ree told him concerning the good turns the faithful Delaware had -done both of them. He quickly verified the statement that he had been -warned by the voice of Fishing Bird at the brink of the river the night -before, though he had little suspected the source from which came the -"Ughs" he heard. - -More than all else, however, excepting Ree's own personal safety at the -cabin, was John interested in the hidden lead mine of which Lone-Elk -alone possessed definite knowledge. He declared at once his intention of -improving his time in exile by watching the woods for the Seneca and -following him wherever he went. - -"You'll do nothing of the kind, my boy," said Kingdom with playful -affection, but yet very earnestly. "I more than half suspect that one -reason Fishing Bird follows and watches Lone-Elk is the expectation that -he will find out where the mine is. With two of you on the Seneca's -trail, it is altogether too certain that he will find you out. And, mark -this good and seriously, John, there's no doubt whatever but that -Lone-Elk would rather scalp you than not. I don't think for a minute, -mind you, that he believes his own witch stories. But he means business -in the whole bad mess he has made for us. I'm confident he will not -bother me very much, but for all practical purposes he has full -permission and authority to take your topknot the first chance he gets. -It's the witch law of pretty much all the Indians and of all the -Iroquois. The Delawares have all the Iroquois customs from having been -subject to them for so long, years ago. So we know what we will have to -reckon with." - -Jerome was rather inclined to demur but Kingdom would not hear to arty -plan but that he should remain carefully in hiding. - -"Well, then, I'll tell you what I'll do," John suggested, as a final -effort to gain more freedom than Ree believed wise, "I'll take two or -three days to myself and make a pilgrimage to the 'salt lick' over by -the Mahoning river. Oh, I'll be wary! I'll look sharp enough, don't you -fear!" he added, seeing what Ree was about to say. - -And so it was agreed that while Kingdom undertook to clear up the -mystery of the death of Big Buffalo, Jerome should keep himself occupied -and out of sight by the journey he proposed. The plan, like many another -plan, far more carefully deliberated upon, had, as events proved, a most -important bearing on the future. - -But no man can tell what the next day, aye, the next hour, the next -minute, will bring forth, however much our every act is constantly -shaping the unknown fate and future. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--THE SALT SPRINGS--A STARTLING DISCOVERY - - -Besides the much traveled path extending south from the river on which -the cabin of the youthful pioneers was situated, to the main branch of -the Muskingum, there was another thoroughfare of the Indians in the -vicinity. The general direction of its course was east and west. This -trail was not used a great deal, but it was, for the most part, along -its route that the two boys had first made their way into the Ohio wilds -two years before. At occasional intervals Delawares and others followed -this path in traveling toward Fort Pitt, or in journeying from that -point to Sandusky and the country of the Wyandots near the lake, farther -to the west or to the Maumee which lay beyond. - -At a distance of two days' journey eastward from the cabin on the -Cuyahoga, a branch of this trail forked off and led on to a much -frequented "salt lick" or spring of salty water, near the Mahoning -river. To this "lick" the Indians came from far and near to make salt. -Settlers came from great distances, also, especially in later years, to -boil the waters of the springs, and Kingdom and Jerome had known of the -place for a long time. - -Having first heard of the "big lick" from the Delawares, the boys had -verified the information so obtained by talking with hunters and -traders. Often had they planned to visit the place. During the winter, -when work in their clearing was less pressing, they frequently had said -they would obtain a year's supply of salt for themselves. But that was -before trouble had come to them. What they would do now must depend -entirely upon future developments. - -Kingdom saw no good reason for John's proposed trip to the "lick," but -neither did he see a reason for not going; besides, maybe it would be -better for Jerome to be away from the locality in which such grave -danger threatened him, and the more especially so in view of the -temptation he would have to try to find the secret lead mine of the -outcast Seneca. - -Thus the two friends parted. Kingdom had already lost much time. He -feared being late at the council he was to have with Captain Pipe's -principal people and much as he would have liked to go a little way with -John, he felt that he must hurry directly to the cabin. - -No sooner was Ree gone from the hollow whitewood, however, than John -Jerome found interest in the trip to the "lick" suddenly lagging. It was -one thing to talk to his bosom friend about the undertaking, but quite -another to sit solitary and alone pondering upon its hardships. But he -was in for it now. It most certainly would not do to give up. Kingdom -would not expect to see him for four or five days at least, and he would -be alone for that length of time anyway, he reflected. Thus in a measure -he restored his first enthusiasm for the journey he had so impulsively -suggested, and ten minutes later was on the way. - -To have followed the old trail which led toward the salt spring would -have been, from John's starting point, considerably out of his way. It -lay much to the south. To travel through the unbroken woods would be -harder but it would likewise be safer and the latter was an important -point to consider. So through the woods, setting himself to make nearly -a bee line to the east, the lonesome young woodsman tramped. Sleep and -food had much refreshed him after the labor and the adventures of the -night, however, and except for the sense of loneliness and something of -worry and anxiety concerning Kingdom's safety, which hung heavily upon -his thoughts, he would have been in fine spirits. - -John was quite familiar with that portion of the woods which he was now -traversing. It was not far from here that he had been held captive in -the cave where dwelt Duff and Dexter. Over to the right a mile or so was -the spot where the unscrupulous Duff, himself, had been forced to -surrender and beg for his very life. On ahead was the little lake where -Captain Brady had hidden, a number of years before. John and Ree had -hunted up the place one time, just to see the spot after hearing of -Brady's wonderful leap and exciting adventure from some settlers near -Fort Pitt. - -The leaves underfoot and all the great forest stretching away for miles -on every side were still wet from the drenching rain of the previous -night. Any trail made the day before must needs have been well marked or -all traces of it would be now obliterated. John thought of this as in -the course of the day's travel he twice came upon signs which seemed to -tell of some person or persons having passed through much the same -portion of the wilds as he was traveling, within a few days at most. One -sign of this kind was a freshly cut mark of a hatchet upon a great, -smooth-barked beech. Another was the presence of one small stone beside -a large one and a small quantity of hickory nut shells. - -No thought of danger because of these indications that there were other -travelers in the woods came to Jerome. The mark upon the beech tree -might have been made by anyone, white man or red. It merely showed that -some one had recently been there. Likewise the nut shells may have been -left by a chance hunter or even by a party of them. Still, having found -these signs, and feeling quite interested in discovering more of them, -some which might reveal more definite facts perhaps, as the ashes of a -campfire, for example, John looked keenly in all directions as he -tramped on and on. But he saw nothing and the necessity of searching for -something he deemed more important--a safe and comfortable place to -spend the night--caused him to turn his thoughts to other things as the -short fall day drew early to a close. - -A tangled mass of wild grapevines hanging over a little gully, and -sheltering it alike from wind and rain, seemed to offer a good prospect, -but turned out a disappointment. The ground, on being inspected, proved -exceedingly wet. So on John went. Once he paused beside the thickly -spreading branches of a maple, which had been uprooted by some summer -storm, and contemplated lying down among the leaves the breezes had -collected there. But he shook his head and passed by. - -"Why the very mischief I ever thought of coming on this wild goose chase -I don't know, I vow!" the young wayfarer grumbled to himself, with a -grim frown. - -He was thinking of the snug little log house and the warm supper and -warm bed he might have had in prospect. Even the shelter of the -projecting ledge of rock, whose protection he had had the night before, -seemed very attractive now. "And the old hollow poplar, that would be -quite a lord mayor's mansion, for a fact it would!" he told himself. -"But there's no use fussing for what you haven't got and can't have," he -added, with a philosophy which many an older man has never learned, and -walked on the faster. - -Only once or twice before had John spent a night in the open woods -without Kingdom for company, and though he was not afraid, he dreaded -the hours of darkness and the lonesome, cheerless night now just before -him more and more as the shadows thickened. - -"Howl away, you pesky rascals! Howl away! But you don't know what you're -howling for!" he burst out almost spitefully as the yelping of wolves -reached his ears. "I'm not going to climb a tree on your account--not if -I don't have to," he added, making the latter saving clause barely -audible, even to himself. - -A strange place for a night's rest it was which John selected at last as -a final choice. "But," as he reasoned with his protesting, tired-out -body, "you've got to take what you can get and take it mighty quick at -that, if you are going to see what you're getting." - -The resting place thus selected was a chestnut tree which sent out four -branches a few feet above the ground, each as large as an ordinary tree, -and each spreading broadly in a different direction from the others. The -effect was to form at the place from which the branches projected a seat -by no means uncomfortable and having the advantage of being high and -dry, at least. Indeed, John found that by sitting astride of one great -limb and leaning against another, he not only maintained his balance -easily but rested comparatively well. With his blanket wrapped round him -and over his head like a hood, he ate his supper of dried venison, -wished he had a drink, decided it was too much trouble to go for one, -fell to thinking of the absurdity of Lone-Elk's accusations and drifted -off to sleep. - -Before morning John felt severely the effects of being so long in one -position, but nothing worse disturbed him. He heard wild creatures of -the forest all about at different times in the night, but even had human -eyes come very close they would hardly have seen in the thick darkness -the solitary figure perched in the chestnut's forks. But it was a -genuine luxury to be on the ground and feel the cushions of -leaves-underfoot once more; and so it was, while he strode steadily -forward, facing always the east, that John ate his meager breakfast. - -Watchful as he always was to obtain fresh clues to the presence of -others than himself in any portion of the woods, John still found -nothing to interest him particularly. In the afternoon he came upon a -runway of the deer, and confident from its general trend that it led -toward the salt springs, he followed it. He came upon various -indications that the path had been used by two-footed as well as -four-footed creatures. Once he found the skeleton of a large buck. Near -by was a sapling which had been bent down over the path, and a long -withe made into a noose close at hand, showed how the poor creature -died. - -None of the things he saw, however, conveyed to John any thought but -that he must be nearing the salt "lick" now; and that perhaps he would -find some one there, and would do well to be very careful as he -approached, not knowing whom he might find, and being somewhat -particular who might find him. - -Even when he picked up a buckskin glove with spatters of blood upon it -beside the runway, John had no presentiment of what was to come. He only -muttered: "White folks at the spring now, or have been there not long -ago, at least. Settlers, probably. You don't catch anybody else putting -on mittens before it has even snowed. What a big hand he had!" - -The concluding exclamation followed the trying on of the glove. It was, -indeed, a large one, and because of its size and not knowing just where -to carry it, John was inclined to throw it down by the path and leave -it; but he reconsidered and tucked the buckskin in his belt. He found it -there, convenient for reference, when a decidedly startling discovery -somewhat later brought the glove very forcibly to his recollection. - -The runway of the deer brought the boy at last to a considerable stream -which he rightly guessed to be the river, known to the Indians then and -to everyone now as the Mahoning. The path skirted its banks for some -distance, then turned into the woods again, leading on to the springs of -slightly salty water which lay at no great distance. - -Only by hard traveling had John reached the place before nightfall, but -he was thankful for his rare good fortune in doing so. To spend several -hours at least in locating the "lick," after he had come fairly into its -vicinity, was what he had expected, and now to come directly to the spot -was indeed lucky. He had never seen the place before but he could not -doubt the evidence that lay on every hand. Indeed, he was greatly -surprised to find so many indications that the springs were often -visited. - -They lay in an open space of two or three acres, grown up to low bushes -and rank grass, save for the paths where the ground had been tramped -bare by the deer and other animals. In several places were the ashes of -long-deserted campfires. Near the border of the clearing were two or -three rough, quickly-erected log cabins. But these also, were deserted, -and toppling over from neglect. The spring or springs--for the water -seemed to bubble forth in two or three places--were enclosed by heavy -planks, hewed from whole trees, forming a vat nearly six paces square, -as John measured it, and rather more than three feet deep. This vat was -sunk in the ground and as the astonished young visitor lay down to drink -from it, what was his surprise to discover two large iron kettles at its -bottom, plainly visible in the clear, sparkling water. - -With rare interest the young explorer looked upon his discoveries. -Another thing which much attracted him were pits that had been dug as -hiding places by hunters, wherein they lay in wait for the coming of -deer to the springs at night. These may have been the work of white men -or of Indians, for it was not many miles, John knew, to the old Indian -village which he had heard called Mahoning Town. He doubted if many -Indians lived there, now, however,--not more than one or two families at -most he thought--for at this distance from the border, the homes of the -Mingoes, which once had been occupied, were already falling to ruins. -The inhabitants of the villages had moved farther into the wilderness or -were scattered and there seldom remained so much as a dog to bark at -strangers. - -John was somewhat disappointed to find no white person or persons near, -and no sign that any had been there since the rain of the second night -before, at least. But it was lucky, on the other hand, that he found no -hostile Indians there, and just at that time it would have been pretty -hard to tell which redskins were hostile and which were not, unless one -personally knew them. - -So, having satisfied himself that neither friend nor foe was in the -vicinity, the interested young discoverer again drank heartily of the -spring's very pleasant waters and then calmly sat down at some little -distance to rest and survey the situation more leisurely than he had -done at first. - -The salt "lick" or spring was somewhat to one side of a wide, shallow -valley. The extent to which the vicinity had been frequented had caused -many trees and much brush to be cleared away, as in the course of time -they had been burned and chopped down to provide wood for the making of -salt or the building of huts. The effect was to make the woods quite -open all about the little clearing. But, notwithstanding, it was a very -desolate, lonely spot. The wind blew in a most melancholy manner and the -impression came to John that the springs were haunted. Surely if ghosts -ever appeared anywhere in the whole vast wilderness, here was a place -which seemed the very one at which they would assemble. But it was for -the sake of security from being found by living visitors to the "lick" -that the lad decided he would do well to go farther into the forest to -spend the night. This he did, and as it was now dusk, he sought a safe -resting place with great eagerness. - -Knowing that creatures of all sorts would be likely to come to the -spring after darkness set in--even buffalos, though they were -exceedingly rare in these parts, John was well aware--the lad had no -excuse to make to his courage in looking for a tree which would offer a -comfortable perch. This he failed to find, but high up on the hillside -to the east of the "lick" he found, as he searched further, a rude shack -or shelter built up with poles and brush, probably by salt boilers. At -least there was a considerable bed of ashes in front of the open side of -the brush wind-shield, and under cover and comparatively dry was a bed -of small boughs, leaves and long, wild grass, such as grew in the valley -below. - -The effect of this discovery upon John Jerome was to make him feel quite -at home. The dreary prospect of spending an uncomfortable night -vanished. If others had found it safe to have a campfire and sleep like -civilized mortals, why should not he? A campfire and all the comforts of -the brush house should be his, he instantly decided, let the -consequences be what they might. So the next half hour was busily spent -in gathering firewood. - -With dry leaves and powder and the exercise of patience, born of the -days which knew not matches, John kindled his fire. He chose not to risk -more than a small blaze, however, and by starting it very close to the -front of the shack made its ruddy glow scarcely visible from one -direction, at least. The principal advantage of this was in having the -fire close to him as he lay on the bed of tender boughs; still he was -glad to think that he was "being prudent," as Return Kingdom would wish -him to be, though he smiled at the thought. - -Good, honest fatigue and a clear conscience put John to sleep early, -despite the troubled state of his mind whenever he thought of his -enforced absence from the only home he had. If prowlers of any kind, man -or beast, were near him while darkness lasted, he did not know it. He -awoke to find the dawn breaking and, knowing that he must soon start -back to keep his appointment with Ree, set out at once for another -inspection of the salt spring and its surroundings. - -How he chanced to come upon it or what prompted him to pause before it, -there is no necessity of telling, but certain it is that when about to -leave the spring, John found at a distance of forty rods to the west of -the "lick," on a slight rise of ground, a pile of brush in the midst of -a sumac thicket. - -"How did it get there and what's the purpose of it?" he asked himself, -wondering if it were not a trap for wild turkeys. - -With a determination to find an answer to his questions, he pushed in -among the bushes and pulled the low brush pile to one side. - -A ghastly sight confronted him. Dead, their skins discolored, their -clothing hanging loosely on their gaunt bodies, stiff and cold, their -scalps gone, were two men--two young men--who, it was evident, had come -from the settlements. - - - - -CHAPTER IX--THE EVIL POWER OF LONE-ELK - - -Perspiring and thirsty after his long, rapid walk from the hollow poplar -to the cabin, Kingdom would gladly have rested before going on to the -town of the Delawares, but the day was already well advanced and he must -hurry. Stopping only for a drink of water, therefore, and to assure -himself that nothing had been disturbed in his absence, he saddled -Phoebe and was away again. - -The boy had been thinking much of all that he meant to say to Captain -Pipe and his counselors and the subject still occupied him as he drew -near the Indian village. He glanced anxiously about, wondering if he -would be met by any such warning as had come to him the day before, but -saw no one. Going on to the straggling little collection of huts of bark -and skins which comprised the town, however, he was soon greeted by -Captain Pipe himself and a score of warriors. The manner of the Indians -was very formal and cool, yet not especially unfriendly, Kingdom -thought, and he felt sure that if it were not for Lone-Elk he could win -all the friends of the dead Big Buffalo over to his side and persuade -them that witchcraft had not been the cause of death. - -Lone-Elk was not present when Kingdom arrived, but scarcely had the lad -tied his horse when the Seneca came stalking forth from his lodge, a -wigwam made of skins, and followed the chief and the other Indians as -they led the way with Ree to the Council House. The latter building was -the same as that in which the religious exercises of the Harvest -Festival were held and has been sufficiently described. - -Captain Pipe and his followers ranged themselves in a wide semicircle at -one side of the long, low structure and Kingdom sat opposite them. -Lone-Elk was at the extreme left of the line of warriors on the chief's -right. He had not spoken to the white visitor, nor did he now deign to -take any notice of him. In all respects his conduct and general bearing -were not only insolent but ugly to the point of savage hostility. - -When all were seated, Captain Pipe briefly said that the council was -ready to hear any message or statement which the Paleface visitor wished -to present. - -Kingdom had hoped he would have an opportunity to learn something more -than he yet knew as to the circumstances of Big Buffalo's death before -the council convened, but there had been no time for this, and he could -but make the best of his situation. - -Rising, Ree saluted the Indians very respectfully and began what proved -to be a really able speech, though he had little supposed that so much -formality would be observed in the "talk" he had asked to have. From -quiet, slowly spoken words, Kingdom advanced by degrees to louder tones -and greater vehemence, and he had, he was glad to see, the respectful -attention of every Indian present, not excepting Lone-Elk. - -On the latter's face an expression of indifferent insolence changed to -one of very attentive thoughtfulness. He realized that here was a force -and an appeal to the reason and intelligence of the Delawares which -might very easily prove the undoing of his schemes and his accusations -and possibly end most unfortunately for himself. - -Kingdom spoke most plainly, and understanding full well the power of -hard, honest truth, honestly and forcefully presented, he frankly owned -that John Jerome had been forced into hiding by the danger in which he -was placed, owing to the charge that was made against him. They both -would be compelled to leave their home and lose it and all the work they -had done in their clearing if the Delawares could not be made to see -that this accusation of witchcraft was unjust and false, he said. He -reminded Captain Pipe and the others how, in good faith, he and John had -bought their land; how they had refrained from going to the west of the -river on the portage path because those lines marked the boundary of the -lands the Indians had never surrendered to the white people as a whole. -He appealed to the sense of justice which every Indian had, to the end -that they might see how unfair it was to take the testimony of any one -person as conclusive evidence of guilt. - -Neither did Ree spare the Seneca. He warmly called attention to the -character of Lone-Elk and denounced the fellow as an outcast, a fugitive -from the villages and the haunts of his own people; scored him as one -whose history made him an unfit witness for the Delawares to believe, -and especially so since the accusation he made was directed against one -whose friendship for all the Delawares, Big Buffalo included, had been -proved time and again. - -Much more did Ree say, and he was satisfied as he finished that, -whatever the outcome might be, he had done his best. He had suggested -many causes for Big Buffalo's sudden death, any one of which he declared -was more reasonable than this idea of witchcraft. He had asked that the -opportunity be given him to examine the body of the dead warrior to see -if he could not then tell precisely what had produced death. He would -not say, he stated, that he could positively do this, but it would be no -more than fair to let him try. - -In accordance with the Indian custom, when matters of such grave concern -were the subject of a council, Kingdom withdrew after he had presented -his contention to await a decision when the Delawares had discussed the -matter among themselves. - -What went on in the Council House while he walked about outside Kingdom -did not know. He easily imagined that Lone-Elk would ridicule things -that he had said and ask if he himself had not been as good a Delaware -since coming among them as any warrior present. - -Ree's guess was not far wrong. Lone-Elk did appeal to Captain Pipe and -everyone present in the strongest language at his command, reiterating -again and again that what his eyes bad seen should stand for more than -any denial which the young Palefaces could make. And he promised, too, -that if the opportunity were given him, he would find evidence -convincing to every Delaware that the Little Paleface was a witch and -that he and no other had caused the death of the warrior whose arm would -be lifted in battle, whose voice would sound upon the warpath never -again. - -For more than an hour the council remained in session while Kingdom -walked up and down impatiently among the low huts. Most of the Indians -of both sexes were gathered in the Council House and he was quite alone. -A step near by stirred him from his melancholy revery. Glancing up, he -found Fishing Bird beside him. The look on the friendly fellow's face -was enough to tell Ree that the council had decided against him. - -"Come," the Indian said, telling with his eyes that which he dared not -speak, and Kingdom followed him into the long, bark building and once -more stood before the council. - -Very gravely Captain Pipe motioned to the white boy to be seated, and -himself rising, spoke slowly and with much earnestness in English, which -language he now used quite fluently. - -At considerable length the Delaware chief reviewed the whole case which -had been presented both by Ree and by Lone-Elk, the accuser. He -criticised the "Paleface brother" for having failed to bring before the -council the one who had been accused. He praised Ree, however, for the -frank and open way in which he had laid his arguments before the Indians -and for the friendliness he had shown the Delawares at all times. - -About the boundary between the white nation and the Indian nations, -Captain Pipe said it was true that a treaty had been made several years -earlier by the white people and the Delaware, Chippewa and Wyandot -nations (at Fort Industry, in 1785) in which it was agreed that the -Indians would give up all claim to the land east of the Cuyahoga river, -the portage path and the Tuscarawas river, or main branch of the -Muskingum, as it was also called. He said further that this same treaty -was renewed at a somewhat later time (at Fort Harmer, in 1789) when the -Delawares, Wyandots, Chippewas, Sacs and Pottawatomies had made an -agreement with the Palefaces. - -That the treaties were not kept, Captain Pipe declared, was the fault of -the white people because they were always encroaching upon the lands of -the Indians and always seeking to drive them farther and farther to the -west. He could not consider, he said, that the two young white settlers -had any rights in the Ohio country except that which came to them by -reason of their having traded goods for the certain small parcel of land -they occupied. If they wished to hunt or fish on any other land -excepting the few acres they owned, they did so only because the Indians -permitted it. Therefore if any violation of Indian laws or customs was -committed, they must answer to the Indians for the violation and not -contend, as White Fox had done, that a trial by the people of their own -color and laws was their right, because they did not actually live on -Indian soil. - -The agreement the council had reached in regard to the charge of -witchcraft against him who was called "Little Paleface," Captain Pipe at -last concluded, was that Lone-Elk and others should go forth to search -for further evidence against the white boy. Further, it was agreed that -the Delawares would grant the White Fox--meaning Ree--permission to try -to show that Big Buffalo died from some cause other than witchcraft if -he would give himself as a hostage for the delivery of Little Paleface -into the hands of Lone-Elk, in case it was finally decided that -witchcraft actually caused the death of the warrior whose voice was now -silent. - -The latter proposition came as a decided surprise to Kingdom. He had -been prepared to hear the decision that Lone-Elk have the opportunity to -produce evidence. He remembered vividly now the secret visit the Seneca -had paid the clearing the night before. But he dared not speak of it. To -do so would betray Fishing Bird. And not knowing what Lone-Elk would -"find" in the way of "evidence," Ree was much at a loss to answer when -Captain Pipe, bidding him speak, sat down. - -Like the ingenious Yankee boy that he was, Ree did not reply at once to -the hostage part of the Delaware chief's proposal. Concerning the search -for evidence, he could only say, he stated, that full permission was -given the Indians to look in every nook and corner of the cabin by the -river and in the clearing and the woods surrounding it, or wherever else -they chose. If they found anything which could be taken to be evidence -that John Jerome had aught to do with the death of Big Buffalo, it would -be something which had been placed among their property by others; it -would be "made to order" evidence, and therefore worth nothing to any -fair minded member of the Delaware or any other nation. - -Having spoken thus far, and thinking now of the offer that he give -himself as a hostage, though he did not mention it, Ree asked of Captain -Pipe and all the Indians present whether he was to consider them -personally as friends or foes. He wanted to know whether he himself was -to be free to come and go as in the past, or whether it was their -intention to dispossess him of his land by practically driving him off -of it. - -"If you do this," said he, "in what way is it better than the treatment -the Indians themselves complain of, that they are driven from their -forests?" - -The thought thus presented interested Captain Pipe a great deal and for -a second or two he did not answer. - -"The council is over. The Paleface brother knows its decision. It is not -the custom to talk when the time for talking is past," he said at last. - -"Yes, but am I to be molested? Am I to lie down at night knowing that to -me, personally, at least, the Delawares are friends, or am I to watch -lest as enemies they come to kill me?" Ree demanded. - -"The Paleface brother gives himself not as a hostage. He has rejected -the offer made him," Captain Pipe answered. - -"I want only time to think about that," said Ree. "I will answer later." - -The council was over but the Indians all remained silent, listening -attentively to everything which was said. Inquiringly now they looked to -their chief to know the white boy's fate. Most of them felt friendly -toward him. But at the same time all, or nearly all, were growing daily -more hostile to the whites in general. - -"The White Fox may go. He is free and no Indian will disturb him; but he -must come no more to the village of the Delawares if he comes not as a -hostage. He must remain near his own lodge and if he goes from his own -land he must go not far. He must carry no tales of what the Indians are -doing to the forts or to the houses of the Paleface people. On the land -that the Delawares sold to him the Paleface brother shall be as safe as -the eagle in its nest upon the mountain tops." - -"No other place, though," Lone-Elk grunted savagely and only half -audibly. - -Whether Captain Pipe heard him Ree did not know, for as the latter had -ceased speaking he had dismissed the council with a wave of his hand, -and now all the Indians were moving toward the open air, some quiet and -thoughtful, some talking, some pushing and hurrying, some inclined to -linger. - -Gentle Maiden was among the latter. She passed very near Ree as she -moved slowly out and, unobserved by any save himself, gave the lad a -glance which was most friendly, the only really friendly look he had -received except from Fishing Bird. - -With an effort Kingdom suppressed a tear of bitterness and -disappointment which, somehow, the friendly look from the Indian girl -had brought to his eyes. He waited only until he could reach Captain -Pipe and shake his hand to show the appreciation and respect which he -felt were really due the chief, sadly misled by Lone-Elk though the -proud Delaware was. Ree could not but notice Hopocon performed the -friendly ceremony of shaking hands with far less of cordial warmth than -usual. - -"So much," he thought, "for the fact that Captain Pipe needs lead and -that the Seneca knows where lead is." - -But he said good-bye to those who were near, untied Phoebe and rode -slowly away. The day was very near its close. - - - - -CHAPTER X--"MORE BULLETS, MORE LEAD." - - -Ree did not doubt that Lone-Elk, expecting that he and John would meet -to talk over the events of the day and the outcome of the "talk," would -either spy upon him as he made his way home, or keep watch of the -clearing during the night. - -The lad easily saw in the Seneca the influence which set Captain Pipe -and many of the other Delawares against him and against John. He -concluded, too, that so far as Lone-Elk was concerned, the accusation of -witchcraft was but a means to an end. - -He was certain that the Seneca had some evil purpose in view in causing -the Delawares to believe the absurd things he told them. Or was it only -to shield himself from suspicion in connection with Big Buffalo's death -that he had invented the witchcraft story? Was the Seneca, then, really -the murderer of the Delaware warrior? If he were not, he must have some -reason for turning the people of Captain Pipe's village against their -white neighbors other than merely to avert suspicion from himself. - -Often the worn and anxious boy recalled the warning Captain Pipe had -given him to carry to the settlements no news of what the Indians were -doing. Could it be that some attack upon Gen. Wayne's men was being -planned and the Delawares, inspired by Lone-Elk, were afraid the white -boys would hear of it and give the alarm? Or did Lone-Elk merely fear -the Paleface pioneers would discover the secret lead mine which gave him -his hold upon Captain Pipe? Maybe that keen old redskin himself feared -the same thing and dreaded lest the white soldiers should invade the -country to win possession of so rich a prize. - -Ree wondered if he was right in any of these surmises, then it would -seem that the wish of the Indians was to cause him and John to forsake -their cabin and their clearing and be gone to return no more. On the -other hand, after the warning he had received, it would be positively -unsafe for him to travel far in the direction of Fort Pitt or the -settlements, lest the redskins suspect him of going to betray some -secret, and so make an end of him. What then could he do? - -So, completely tired out after the past two anxious days and nights, -Kingdom floundered more and more hopelessly in a sea of "ifs" and "but -thens," and confused question marks, as he tried in vain to arrive at -what would seem to him a correct summing up of the situation. - -"It's just no use thinking any more about it," he declared to himself -when half way home. But he added, "Not now, at least," as a second -thought, for he well knew in what direction his mind would turn when he -had rested and could reflect with more composure. - -A half mile from the Delaware town Ree had let Phoebe gallop wherever -the trail was open enough to make such speed possible, and he had a grim -satisfaction in the belief that Lone-Elk was following him. - -The Seneca was equal to such a task. Nothing tired him; no hardships or -labor were tod great for him to undertake when he had a point to gain. -Kingdom knew this well. He saw in the hateful fellow a spirit which -nothing could turn aside and a strength and cunning far superior to the -same qualities in other Indians, though all were gifted in this way. - -"I only hope he is following. If I could be sure of it and make him run -his legs half off to keep up, only to disappoint him in the end, I'd -gallop you every step, Phoebe, every last step," Ree told the sagacious -mare, who was picking her steps with the utmost nicety. - -And the fact was that the tenacious Seneca, thinking that Kingdom would -surely go at once to his companion, was following the horse and rider at -no great distance behind. He was afraid to go forward to the clearing, -and spy upon the cabin from the edge of the woods lest Ree meet John at -some appointed place along the trail. He thought with savage pleasure of -the satisfaction he would have in dragging the Little Paleface before -the assembled Delawares. With a sort of fierce happiness he anticipated -the pride and joy he would have in hanging the white boy's scalp above -the door of his lodge where all might see. - -Forced as he was to run at a good, round speed in order to keep the -sound of the horse's hoofs within hearing, and being tired and in no -pleasant frame of mind to begin with, Lone-Elk became furious as mile -after mile he followed on and all to no purpose. His very scowl was -frightful. Again and again was he tempted to overtake the young white -man and vent his hatred in one safe, sure shot from behind. - -Had the Seneca attempted to put this thought into execution, however, he -would certainly have regretted it. Unknown to him, Fishing Bird was also -on the trail. Keenly as Lone-Elk followed the horse and rider, he in -turn was spied upon by the Delaware who, for a favor done him long ago, -was willing to risk his life for his Paleface friend. - -As Kingdom reached the clearing and mounted the hill to the log house, -Lone-Elk changed his course and traversed the edge of the woods to a -point from which he could command a view of the cabin and the whole open -space about it. Fishing Bird changed his course also. From behind a -clump of hazel bushes he kept his eyes on the Seneca unceasingly. - -Long after the firelight shone brightly from the door of the white boys' -home, Lone-Elk, silent as the very tree trunk which screened him, -watched and waited. Scarcely could Fishing Bird see him, yet with equal -patience, he also remained at his post. - -Little guessing how closely his every movement was scrutinized by eyes -in which there was not one gleam of kindness or of justice, Kingdom went -about his evening work in the barn and house and prepared his lonely -supper. One consoling thought, and only one, came to him. It was that he -could consider himself safe for the present. He would have time to meet -John when he returned, and then if they agreed that their only safety -lay in deserting the cabin,--the cabin and all they had accomplished in -the clearing,--they would do so. With a few hours' start they could, -with their horses, leave any pursuing Indians well behind. - -Still, Ree assured himself more than once flight would be the last thing -he would recommend or think of. He declared it might be that Lone-Elk -was more than a match for him, but the Seneca would have to prove it, -and meanwhile the game he had commenced was one at which two could play. - -Much thinking of all that had occurred and trying in vain to reason out -the inward meaning of it all drove Kingdom to his bunk, completely worn -out. With a determination, whose strength was one of his -characteristics, he succeeded in putting his difficulties from him for -the time, and soon soundly slept. - -When the moon had risen, when the firelight in the cabin no longer -brightly burned, when all the clearing was hushed and silent, Lone-Elk -gave utterance to a contemptuous, disgusted "Ugh!" - -Fishing Bird, alert and faithful every moment, heard the sound and noted -with exquisite satisfaction the disappointment and chagrin the Seneca's -tone expressed. As Lone-Elk turned and moved stealthily, as his habit -was, deeper into the woods, and in the direction of the Delaware town, -he followed. Elation over the toppling of Lone-Elk's hopes after all the -toil and trouble with which he had followed the Paleface youth filled -his heart. Dejected and sour must the Seneca go back to the village -again. The thought that he, also, must make the weary journey and that -he, also, had had but his labor for his pains, did not come to him. His -conscience commended him for what he had done and the hardship of it all -was only play. - -It happened, however, that the generous Fishing Bird arrived at his -conclusions quite too hastily. Satisfied that Lone-Elk was returning to -the village, he gave little further heed to the Seneca's movements. -Having allowed the latter a long start, he was content to go on slowly, -taking pains only that he should not come upon the other unawares, or be -likewise surprised himself. - -When the morning broke on the village of the Delawares the Seneca was -not there. Fishing Bird was the first to observe his absence. He had -been away from the time the council closed the day before, some of the -young braves said. They feared Lone-Elk, but they also admired him for -his strength and his knowledge, and being much given to watching all his -movements, they had noticed his absence from the first. - -Alarmed and much provoked with himself, the Indian friend of the two -young white men spent an anxious day. He feared at any moment to see the -Seneca come striding proudly among the lodges, as his custom was, -dangling the scalp of Little Paleface in such a way that none would fail -to see it. Again and again he was tempted to visit the cabin of the -boys, but dreaded to do so lest his presence there be discovered and -result in so much of suspicion being aroused that his usefulness in the -lads' interests would be ended. - -All day Fishing Bird moved idly about or sat silently in his lodge, -showing neither by word or look or action the anxiety he felt, though it -increased more and more as the afternoon waned and Lone-Elk continued -absent. But at last his long watch ended. Just at sunset the Seneca came -wearily into the village. At his belt hung two pouches, both of which -seemed heavy. One of them he gave to a group of squaws who were tending -the boiling of a great pot of beans. It contained salt. The other he -carried to Captain Pipe and without a word emptied its contents upon a -bearskin at the chief's feet. - -"More bullets!" - -"More bullets, more lead, Chief Hopocon," the Seneca answered, using the -Delaware's Indian name, "more lead for the brave warriors of the -Delawares." - - - - -CHAPTER XI--THE HIDDEN TOMAHAWK - - -A most uncomfortable feeling of horror and astonishment held John Jerome -speechless and motionless as he looked on the appalling scene which his -moving of the brush heap had revealed. For the time all his senses -seemed to desert him and, acting on an impulse of utter dismay, he -hastily drew the bulk of the brush pile over the bodies again and -hurried away. - -As if he would find a refuge there, John hastened to the rude shelter -where he had spent the night and where a few coals, still bright and -warm, seemed to radiate a protecting air about the lonely spot. - -All thoughts and actions are influenced more or less by one's -surroundings, and being in the presence of that which suggested comfort -and tranquillity, the startled boy was able presently to regain his -composure somewhat. But if ever John desired the company of Ree Kingdom, -and felt the need of his aid and counsel, he did now. - -If only his own inclinations were to have been consulted, Jerome would -have set out for home at as lively a pace as possible. Only the thought -of the questions Ree would ask, and which he would be unable to answer, -stood in his way. He could easily assure himself that, so far as his own -curiosity was concerned, he had no wish to look again upon the awful -objects the brush covered. Yet it would not do to go back to Kingdom -with practically no definite information. - -Mustering all the resolution he could, therefore, John returned to the -dreadful spot, walking with great caution and with many anxious glances -in all directions. He knew that the two bodies must have been placed -where he had found them at least two or three days earlier, yet he was -haunted by the feeling that the murderers were hiding close by. He -rather expected, indeed, that the next moment they would jump out and -seize him. - -In this state of mind it required all the courage he could command to -take hold of the lower portions of the matted mass of brush and drag the -whole heap to one side; but he did it, and quickly then, lest his nerve -fail him before the task was done, he examined both the corpses. - -One was that of a man of about thirty years, dressed in homespun clothes -and having in general appearance the unmistakable marks of the frontier -about him. The hair was red and the face and hands showed many freckles -despite the discoloration which had taken place. - -The other body had been in life a robust giant of a fellow, perhaps -twenty-two years old, with long, thick black hair, and a short, stubby -growth of beard upon his face. The finer texture of the clothing and the -style of the garments denoted a man from the east, one who was not -ordinarily a hunter or a woodsman. - -Both men had been shot--one from the side, for the bullet had entered -his temple; the other undoubtedly from behind. The wound was hardly -noticeable but the bullet had seemingly shattered the spinal column. - -No valuables, no papers, no arms, absolutely nothing was there, so far -as John could find, on or near either of the bodies which would furnish -any clew to their identity. Powder horns, knives and all things of the -kind usually carried by men in the woods had been taken away. The -further fact that the dead had been scalped, as well as robbed, -convinced John that Indians had done the deed. He did not linger long, -however, to speculate upon the question. Placing the covering of brush -over the bodies again, he literally fled from the spot, nor did he -slacken his speed to a rapid walk until he had left the cause of his -alarm a full mile behind. - -Unnerved and depressed as he was, John entirely forgot the danger which -confronted him in his accustomed haunts, and constantly thought of but -one thing, which was that he must see Kingdom and tell him of the -terrible discovery without a moment's delay. - -"I'll keep going all night; no rest for me now," he told himself, and -yet what he meant to do or what he supposed Ree would be able to do -concerning the matter uppermost in his mind, he would not have been able -to say. - -Night came on. Poor Jerome had eaten nothing since morning and his -fatigue was great. His mind was calmer now, and he felt the uselessness -of going on without rest or food. Beside a great log where the wind had -drifted the freshly fallen leaves he sat down, therefore, and ate the -little meat he had remaining. It was rather comfortable here, he -thought--almost any resting place would seem so after such a day as he -had had--and he wrapped his blanket about him and lay down. The next day -he would be back to the rocky ledges and the friendly hollow poplar -again. By Monday morning, if not before, he would see Kingdom, that is, -if nothing had befallen him. After what he had seen at the "lick" he -would not be surprised to hear of more dreadful things. - -How greatly both he and Ree had trusted the Indians, he reflected. Now -if he could but find Kingdom safe and sound, and they both could get -away to Fort Pitt or any place of safety, he would ask nothing more. But -no, on second thought, he would ask yet one thing. It would be the -privilege of joining Gen. Wayne's army and taking up arms against the -savages in any campaign the white military would conduct. - -And so thinking, John Jerome fell asleep. - - -It was a crisp, bright, fall night. Return Kingdom had eaten his supper -quite dejectedly after spending the whole day watching for the coming of -Lone-Elk or others of the Indians, while making scarcely more than a -pretense of being busy husking corn. He was glad that John would soon -return. While he had no thought of deserting the cabin and the clearing, -he would feel much more comfortable to have Jerome somewhere near. True, -he could see but little of him until Lone-Elk's accusation was -effectually disposed of, but there would at least be some one with whom -he could discuss the situation, some one sharing with him the news of -each day's developments and the plans for future action. - -In a brown study Ree sat before the fireplace. Then an Indian yell, -fierce and loud--a yell which was more of a war-whoop than he was glad -to hear--brought him quickly to his feet. Seizing his rifle, he opened a -loophole in the wall in a corner where the light was dim, and looked -out. A party of savages was approaching. The Indians moved in single -file, making no effort to conceal their numbers, and seeming to be bent -on no particular mischief. - -Reassured by his observations, Kingdom opened the door while the -redskins were yet but half way up the hill and, putting on an appearance -of unconcern, called out to know who was disturbing the night with such -a racket. - -"The Delawares have come to demand the Little Paleface," the voice of -Lone-Elk rose in response. - -"You mean the Seneca has come," Kingdom boldly answered. "It is he who -demands that one who was never anything but the friend of the Delawares -shall be punished for a crime that is not his." - -By this time the Indians were close about the cabin door. - -"Come in, friends," Kingdom continued, his voice taking on a more -cordial tone. "I suppose you have come to look for Little Paleface, but -he is not here nor has he been for many days." - -"Witches come or witches go. Like the wind they are here but they are -gone. Let the Delawares see." - -These words from Lone-Elk set all the party to looking about in careful -search. No crevice was too small to escape their investigations. They -seemed to think the so-called witch might hide himself in a space not -large enough to admit a hand, and peered into every chink and corner. - -It developed later that the savages were looking more for evidence of -witchcraft than for the alleged witch himself. Still nothing was -discovered. - -"Brothers, hearken to Lone-Elk," the Seneca cried presently. "We -remember the great crow which sat so long upon the gathered corn. Look, -then, where the corn was. Witches take strange forms but they leave -marks behind, if the Delawares can find them." - -In a body the reckless party of braves the Seneca had brought rushed -toward the cornfield. Only one loitered in the rear and he was Fishing -Bird. - -Lone-Elk was in advance. Even while he spoke, he was leading the way, -and as if he had marked the spot well, he went directly to the shock of -corn on which the vagrant crow was perched the day the Indians watched -in vain for John Jerome while he slyly peeked out at them from the cabin -loft. - -"Tear down the corn! See what can be found!" the Seneca cried, and with -a violent jerk laid the shock of fodder over upon the ground. - -"Ugh!" - -The savage who spoke was an evil-looking fellow and one of Lone-Elk's -warmest followers. Even as his exclamations were made, he seized a heavy -stone tomahawk, which lay on the ground where the shock of corn had -been, and held it up for all to behold. - -Lone-Elk shrugged his shoulders significantly and called all the Indians -together. Here, he declared, was the identical hatchet which had slain -Big Buffalo. And see the dark stains upon it! Even in the moonlight did -they show red with the blood of the dead warrior. - -With talk of this kind the anger of the Delawares was inflamed. Most of -them now believed implicitly the charges of witchcraft Lone-Elk had -made, and a few words from him would be sufficient to cause an immediate -attack to be made upon Ree and the cabin. - -Kingdom saw his danger. He knew as well as if he had seen the thing done -that Lone-Elk had concealed the tomahawk beneath the shock of corn, but -what could he do or say? If only Fishing Bird would tell what he had -seen after following the Seneca to the white boys' clearing, it might be -enough to turn the sentiment of the Indians another way. They would see -that they were being trifled with and their ignorance played upon by one -who was not trusted even by his own tribe. The whole trouble might be -settled at once. - -But Fishing Bird did not speak and Kingdom would not betray the friendly -fellow's confidence, though his very life depended upon it. Still he -made light of the discovery of the tomahawk and told Lone-Elk to his -face that he knew perfectly well who hid the hatchet in the corn. - -So bold was Ree, indeed, in making this and other accusations against -the Seneca that the latter would have made an end of the young white man -then and there but for his fear of Captain Pipe. As it was, he satisfied -himself with inflaming the Delawares against Ree, as well as against the -"Paleface witch," and undoubtedly hoped in secret that some of the more -reckless ones would set fire to the cabin, or even kill its owner. So -long as he could tell their chief that the Delawares themselves, not he, -had committed the outrage and violated the promise made the young -Paleface, he could wish nothing better. - -Kingdom owed it to Fishing Bird and two or three others, but to Fishing -Bird most of all, that the exciting talk of the Seneca resulted in no -immediate harm to him. The counsel of these Indians was not of the loud -and angry manner of Lone-Elk's bitter speeches, but to the contrary, -quiet and persuasive. - -"The Delawares will bide their time. They will do nothing rash because -Lone-Elk seeks with talk to drive them to madness. Can it be the Seneca -has some reason that we know not of for desiring the trouble he seeks to -cause?" - -With many quiet remarks of this character, spoken in the Indian tongue, -Fishing Bird moved among the excited braves and warriors, and more than -one, chancing to hear his low spoken words, stopped in the midst of his -shouting and threatening demonstrations to consider if what Fishing Bird -said was not pretty wholesome counsel after all. - -Through all the uproar and while the savages ran here and there, -shrieking and excited, upsetting the shocks of corn and doing much other -annoying damage, bent on finding more hidden tomahawks or other evidence -of witchcraft, Kingdom stood in the cabin doorway. He could close and -bar the door in a second if it should be necessary to do so, he knew; -but until that time came he meant to give none of the Delawares, much -less Lone-Elk, any cause for believing that he was in any manner -frightened or at all seriously disturbed. - -When it became apparent that nothing more was to be discovered, the few -Indians who had not already taken heed of the words of Fishing Bird -quieted down and seeing that they would commit no greater or further -violence, the Seneca summoned all to gather round him. Close to the -cabin he led the band, and not knowing what the treacherous rascal might -have in mind, Kingdom gripped his rifle closer and even slung it up to a -position over his arm in which he could make quick use of the weapon. - -"The White Fox was to give himself as a hostage for the delivery of the -Paleface witch to the Delawares," Lone-Elk cried to the Indians who -gathered round him. "If the one that is called Little Paleface is not a -witch and did not kill Big Buffalo with his witch's hatchet, let the -White Fox say where the Little Paleface is, and come now as a hostage to -the great chief, Hopocon, till the murderer of Big Buffalo is found." - -"Even as the Great Spirit knows that Little Paleface did not kill Big -Buffalo, so does Lone-Elk know it. He knows it as well as he knows how -came that hatchet hidden in the corn," Kingdom answered loudly, and with -a tone of solemn certainty that could not escape the Indians' notice. -"And I, whom the Delawares call White Fox; I, who have been their friend -and enjoyed their friendship in return until Lone-Elk came among you, -now call upon all who are here, and all the people of Captain Pipe's -town, to witness this statement--that if harm comes to Little Paleface -or to me, every Delaware will regret it;-that the Great Spirit hears me -when I say that in the end we all shall know by whose hand Big Buffalo -was killed, and we shall see that it was not by witchcraft that he -died." - -"Much talk! A young buck's much big talk!" grunted Lone-Elk -contemptuously in English; but that Kingdom's solemn words and manner -had much impressed a majority of the Indians the young pioneer himself -well knew, and the Seneca must have seen it also. At any rate he started -off toward the Delaware town, swinging the blood-stained tomahawk over -his shoulder as he went. One by one the others followed. - - - - -CHAPTER XII--KINGDOM ALSO MAKES A DISCOVERY - - -Return Kingdom firmly believed that sooner or later the true cause and -manner of Big Buffalo's death must become known. It must be so, he -argued within himself. There had been times in history when the innocent -had suffered for the guilty, but the saying, "murder will out," had been -proved a true one always. Ree pinned his faith to it now. He did not so -much as question how the truth would become known. In unseeing -confidence he was willing to risk anything on his firm conviction that -right must win and would win in the end, however slight the chance might -seem. - -And it is not too much to say, just here, that in after time it came to -pass that all that Kingdom believed would happen, did happen; still, -could he have looked forward to, and have seen the end, as he stood -lonesome and nervous in the cabin door when the last of the -Indians,--even Fishing Bird,--had departed, there would have been no -more astonished young man in America that night. - -Hopeful that Fishing Bird would come back for a talk with him when the -Indians had passed into the woods and he could drop behind without his -absence being noticed, Kingdom left the door ajar and sat for a long -time before the smoldering embers of his fire. It was Saturday night, he -reflected. There would be no work tomorrow, no hunting, no trapping. He -would set off on foot, as if going for a stroll in the woods, and by -traveling two sides of a triangle come at last to the old hollow -whitewood and there wait for the coming of John. If the latter had made -particularly good progress and had not loitered about the "big lick" too -long, he should be arriving by early afternoon. Perhaps he had returned -even now. - -"And I'll wager a pair of boots that he'll be hungry enough, too!" -Kingdom said to himself as he concluded his reflections; and being -reminded by this that he was hungry, he ate some cold roasted venison, -then looked out of the door once more for Fishing Bird, before creeping -into bed. - -Believing now that he had not been watched or followed after leaving the -Indian town on the day of the council, Return concluded that Lone-Elk -was too busy with his own affairs to spend a great deal of time spying -about the clearing. Yet when he started from the cabin the following -morning he traveled in a direction at right angles with that in which he -wished to go, and moved very cautiously. He did not doubt that the -Indians were searching for John Jerome, but concerning his own movements -he reasoned that he would not be suspected of intending to go far, since -he went on foot. And at the worst, if he found himself followed, he -could gradually make his way home, leaving the spies no wiser than -before. - -For a considerable distance Kingdom walked along the old trail to the -east as if he were but strolling through the woods. The day was bright -and sunny and except for the raw north wind would have been of an ideal -Indian summer type. Overhead great flocks of crows were cawing lustily. -Eddies of the breeze whirled leaves here and there, and all in all there -were many sounds abroad to drown the noise of footfalls on the soft mold -and the leafy carpet of the forest. - -For two miles or more Kingdom followed the irregular course of the -eastward trail. Now he would turn abruptly to the north, he thought, and -soon be safe from discovery in the unmarked depths of the woods. He -paused and listened for a moment before leaving the path. - -Hark! The sound of footfalls soft as a cat's, but coming steadily -nearer, reached the boy's ears. He was followed. - -Quick as the thought which flashed across his brain, and without noise, -Kingdom stepped from the beaten trail and crouched behind a little knoll -thickly overgrown with low bushes. Now if his pursuer, whoever he might -be, would but pass on, he could effectually throw him off the scent -before the latter discovered that his game had left the traveled path -and so eluded him. - -The breathless interest with which Ree listened to the approach of the -stealthy footfalls can more easily be imagined than described. He had -little doubt that it was Lone-Elk who was, dogging his movements. But -soon he would know for certain. Whoever it was he would pass within a -yard of the knoll and the brush which screened him. Would he go on by, -and how far would he be likely to go before discovering that he had -missed the course? - -The pursuer came quickly forward. His body was bent in an eager attitude -of listening and careful watchfulness, as if he would look far ahead -despite the brush and trees and the low boughs which shut out his view. -A hound, following a scent so faint that he might at any moment lose it, -could not have been more intent or more keenly in earnest. - -Listening and watching with bated breath, Kingdom saw the fellow -approach and steal quickly on. It was Lone-Elk. - -Hardly had the Seneca passed the spot of Kingdom's concealment, however, -than he stopped, and stooping down, placed his ear to the ground. He -seemed perplexed and uncertain. For several seconds he intently -listened. But at last, still doubtful apparently, but anxious lest he -was allowing himself to fall too far behind, he continued on, rather -faster than before. - -In spite of the danger of his position, Kingdom could scarcely suppress -an audible chuckle as he saw Lone-Elk outwitted; but he realized that he -"laughs best who laughs last," and without losing an instant in -self-congratulation he rose and stepped into the path again. The Seneca -had passed out of sight. "And so goodbye to you for this time," the boy -thought, as he listened carefully and heard nothing, then exerting -himself to the utmost to move quietly, he sped back along the path in -the direction from which he had come. - -For a quarter of a mile Ree continued his flight, then with a sudden -broad leap left the path and traveled more moderately toward the north -and west. At every step through the unbroken woods he sought to avoid -leaving any trail which could be followed. Too cautious and too wise to -risk going straight forward to the hollow poplar, although he had every -reason to believe he had completely eluded the Seneca, Kingdom loitered -here and there and traveled quite a zig-zag course. - -By degrees, however, he came to the vicinity he sought and, to assure -himself that he was not now watched, he sat down on a big boulder to -rest and listen. As he waited he felt that somehow his sense of -satisfaction in having given Lone-Elk the slip was disappearing. Why was -it? Had he "counted his chickens before they were hatched," after all? -The feeling grew on him that he was not alone, that somewhere near there -were eyes which were on him constantly. - -It is a dreadful sensation to feel that you are spied upon. Even to -imagine that some one is secretly watching every breath you take, gazing -intently, as if to read your very thoughts, is painful. To Kingdom, with -the conviction growing in his mind that Lone-Elk had picked up his trail -and had at no time been far behind him, the feeling was almost enough to -unnerve him. - -There was one way to determine whether this new trouble was real or -imaginary, Kingdom told himself, and soon made use of it. Rising -quickly, he started off at a brisk pace, looking neither to right nor -left. Then, setting himself to catch the slightest sound, he suddenly -stopped. A thrill ran through him. The noise he heard was unmistakable. -There was a distinct rustling among the leaves. It stopped an instant -after he did. - -Ree well knew the wonderful power many of the Indians had for following -others in the woods, especially along unbeaten trails, without revealing -themselves. He knew, too, that Lone-Elk of all others was most certain -to be adept in such practices. To go on to the meeting place agreed upon -with John would be, therefore, the height of foolishness. - -Twice again Ree stopped to harken for his pursuer's footsteps. Once he -was certain be heard them. The other time he was sure he heard nothing; -but when he walked back along his own trail a little way, he was -conscious of a shadow having moved among the trees in the distance, -though he saw nothing more tangible. - -Ree's first impulse was to go in pursuit of the Seneca; for he did not -question the identity of the spy, but thinking better of it, he resolved -slowly to change his course so as to go at no time near the old poplar. -He would reach the river after a time and, following its banks, -eventually return to the cabin. A grievous disappointment it was to give -up the meeting with John, but there was no help for it if that young -gentleman's scalp was to be kept in safety where nature placed it. - -Constant as his own shadow always, Kingdom felt the Seneca's presence -steadily near him. He did not need to look around. He did not need to -pause or listen. In his heart he knew the redskin was close by, as well -as if they were walking side by side. He was getting into the rough and -broken country now, just back from the river valley. Soon he would alter -his course again to head more directly toward home. - -Thus was Ree thinking when in a little gully, nearly bidden by high, -precipitous banks, he suddenly beheld the ashes of a campfire and, -spread upon a few broad strips of bark, something white and glistening. -It couldn't be snow. There had been none. It was salt spread out to dry. - -Like a flash the thought came to Ree and with it the certain conviction -that John Jerome was just out of sight in the sheltered place below, or -gone, perhaps, to keep the appointment at the old poplar. - -Instantly Kingdom changed his course. His whole effort now was to keep -the Seneca from seeing what he had seen. He dared not run, lest he -create suspicion in Lone-Elk's mind; but he quickened his pace and held -to a direction which he hoped would result in the Indian, intent only on -watching him, cutting off the sharp corner he had turned and so not -approaching as near to the edge of the bluff as he had done. - -In his thoughts Ree scolded John Jerome sharply. What did the boy mean, -anyway, by so exposing himself? What was the drying of a little salt -from the "big lick" as compared to his own safety? And at a time when -his very life was at stake! - -At last the river was reached. Lone-Elk was still coming on behind. -There could be no doubt of it. Repeatedly Kingdom had heard the gravel -under his feet as the Seneca clambered down the steep banks after him. - -What a change his chance discovery of John's camp had caused, Ree -thought. A little while ago he was distressed because the Indian was -always coming after him. Now he would be worried, indeed, should he find -that the fellow had discontinued the pursuit. If the Seneca should give -up the chase now it could mean but one thing--that he, too, had seen the -camping place and was going there in search of more immediate results -than his present labor promised. - -A variety of tactics did Ree adopt to keep the pursuing Indian -interested in watching him. Often did he pause and pretend to look all -about with the greatest caution, and to listen closely, as if he had -come at last to the very place which he had set out to reach. Again, he -would suddenly hurry forward among the trees, or dart in here or there -amidst the bushes, as though trying to escape the observation of anyone -who might be near. - -Up to the cabin was the game played. Only when the clearing, was reached -did it end. Tired, alarmed, and more or less out of spirits, as he -reckoned the extent of time wasted--a large part of the day--Kingdom sat -down on a shock of corn which the Delawares had upset the night before. -As he did so, he caught sight of the Indian for the first time since -morning. The Seneca was moving silently from tree to tree, but -apparently watching all that the white boy did. - -Moved by the grim humor of the long, unavailing chase he had led the -redskin, Kingdom called out to the fellow: - -"Hi, there, Lone-Elk, haven't you had enough of that sort of thing for -one day?" - -In an instant the savage stepped into the clearing. - -"Paleface is a fool," he spoke in English, and raised his rifle -menacingly. - -"Put up that gun, Lone-Elk, and come sit down here! Come, sit down, and -let's talk matters over just by ourselves," Kingdom returned in a -friendly tone. The ugly manner of the Indian really alarmed him, but he -took this way of concealing the fact; and, moreover, if the Seneca could -be persuaded to discuss their differences just between themselves, much -might be accomplished. - -With a contemptuous "Ugh!" Lone-Elk threw his rifle over his arm again. -But instead of accepting Kingdom's invitation, he turned into the woods -and was soon gone from sight. - -Still Kingdom remained sitting on the bundle of fodder. He was thinking -of John Jerome and the camp in the gully near the river. The more he -reflected, the more inclined he was to believe that it was not John's -camp that he had discovered. How could John have brought salt from the -"lick?" He had not had time enough to make any. That he had obtained it -of some one whom he found there was possible, but hardly likely. But, on -the other hand, if the camp was not John Jerome's, whose in the world -was it? Who was spreading salt to dry in the depths of the Ohio -wilderness? - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--THE SENECA OUTWITTED - - -So long as he believed Lone-Elk to be near the clearing, Ree was little -better than a prisoner, so far as going to find John Jerome was -concerned; and as he realized that the Seneca might prolong his stay -indefinitely, he turned his thoughts to some plan by which he might be -rid of the fellow. He had no intention of letting Lone-Elk suspect what -was in his mind, however. On the contrary, he would endure a great deal -rather than give the Indian the satisfaction of knowing how greatly he -desired to be alone. - -Sauntering leisurely to the cabin, Kingdom sat in the doorway to eat and -drink, for he was still warm with the vigorous exercise of the forenoon. -Then he fed the horses and for a time busied himself about the stable. -Constantly was he alert to discover whether Lone-Elk was still in the -vicinity, and as he watched through a crack from inside the barn, he -several times saw the Indian. The unyielding savage was moving uneasily -from point to point, but his eyes were turned always in the direction of -the cabin, and his manner seemed to express a determination to look -nowhere else for a long time to come. - -Surely it was enough to bring despair to anyone, Kingdom told himself. -Then the thought came to him that maybe Lone-Elk was despairing quite as -much as he. He recalled a rule that good old Captain Bowen had once laid -down for him when he and John were planning their first trip -west--"Don't give up. When you are just about done for and you think you -can't hold out a second longer, just keep your hold the stronger; for -you can depend on it that the other fellow is more or less winded if you -are, and you don't know but he is more." - -Gaining encouragement in such reflections, Kingdom set his teeth and a -smile which was not pleasant to see came to his lips. Very quietly and -naturally, however, he carried a bucket of fresh water up from the river -and went into the cabin and sat down. If he could do nothing else, he -would slip through the barn and get into the woods in the darkness. He -could lie by in some secluded place until morning and for Lone-Elk to -find him, after he had obtained such a start, would be more than even -that determined redskin was likely to undertake. - -The shadows lengthened. With the thought of slipping away in the -darkness in mind, Kingdom let the fire die down and from loopholes -constantly watched the clearing to make certain the Seneca did not -approach the buildings and so be able to prevent his leaving. - -Slowly the gathering darkness deepened. It closed around the little log -house and stump-dotted open space in the forest's fastnesses. It closed -around Lone-Elk, the Seneca, unrelenting and vigilant. But it closed -around another, too, who watched the cabin on the bluff with patience -and with perseverance quite equal to the Indian's. - - -When John Jerome awoke from the deep sleep into which he fell beside the -log that protected him not only from the night wind but from sight as -well, if by any chance Indians or others should be passing, he stirred -uneasily and at last sat up. A yelp and a sudden rustling of the leaves -accompanied his movement. More startled than frightened, John leaped to -his feet. Two pairs of eyes shone yellowish-green in the darkness, and a -hungry growl came from the same direction. - -"Scatter, you varmints!" cried the boy, and clubbing his gun, sprang -toward the creatures. - -The wolves retreated, but only a few steps. Again John leaped toward -them and this time also sent a heavy, half-rotten limb from the old log -flying after them. Made bold by hunger, however, the brutes only growled -the more fiercely. - -"Looks as if I'd have to give one of you a little lead," the boy -remarked, and calmly sat down on the fallen tree trunk. Still he -hesitated to shoot, disliking both to waste the powder and to attract -attention toward himself. He was still rather nervous from the shock -received at the "lick." - -"Almost daylight, anyhow," John reflected. "I'll get an early start." He -sat quiet, therefore, calmly eyeing the shining balls which gleamed at -him until the first peep of light. Even then the wolves lingered near; -but, paying little further attention to them, the lad set off at a rapid -pace, once more on the homeward way and thankful for it. - -Before the morning was far advanced Jerome found himself among familiar -scenes. With boyish pleasure he greeted each fresh object that he -recognized. A gnarled old oak, whose oddly twisted branches he had -noticed more than once, seemed like an old friend. A tall stub of an -ash, long since dead, but plainly marked by the claws of bears, was -likewise a friendly landmark and he whispered, "Hello, there, you look -natural!" as he might have done in greeting a fellow creature. - -Making rapid progress now, for he hoped Ree would be waiting at the -hollow whitewood, the returned explorer arrived in the vicinity of that -rendezvous somewhat before noon. As his custom was, he made a wide -circuit to reconnoiter before going to the tree itself, taking every -step with care and keeping eyes wide open in all directions. - -John did not expect to see anyone or to find anything unusual in thus -spying out "the lay of the land." He never had found the coast otherwise -than clear; still he had no intention of revealing the fine hiding place -in the old poplar by lack of reasonable prudence and so walked guardedly -and with every sense alert. Something like a shadow moved among the -trees and bushes a hundred yards ahead. It might be only a bird, or a -squirrel or some larger animal, but John sheltered himself behind a tree -and looked again more carefully. - -"Lone-Elk!" - -The name he thought, but did not utter, and the sight of its owner sent -a thrill through Little Paleface that made him hold his breath. The -Indian was moving through the woods with an easy, natural stealth, so -light, so silent, that if he had had the power of making himself all but -invisible it could not have seemed more wonderful. - -John's first thought was that the Seneca was looking for him; but he -quickly saw that this could not be, for his eyes were turned steadily -and keenly in another direction. - -"The lead mine! He is stealing up to the secret lead mine just like a -ghost!" was the boy's second mental exclamation. - -But again John was wrong, as the reader will have guessed. It was upon -Return Kingdom that the Indian had his eyes, and it was fortunate indeed -for Little Paleface that the Seneca was too occupied in that direction -to look in any other; for so intensely interested did the lad become in -watching the creature's cat-like movements that he stood fairly in the -open, an object of easy discovery had his presence been suspected. - -The temptation came to John to shoot his accuser down. Had he not the -right to kill one who at sight would kill him? he asked himself; and a -half minute later, when he found that it was his bosom friend that the -redskin was so secretly pursuing, he was doubly-tempted to make an end -of him. One bullet would do it. One bullet would settle this whole -miserable witchcraft business. But how? What good would it do to have -Lone-Elk out of the way if it became known that the "witch" was his -slayer? - -Then John saw, or thought he saw, that Kingdom knew he was followed. The -whole truth came to him. Ree had set out to go to the whitewood but, -being tracked by the Indian, had purposely refrained from going there. - -Resolving to keep Lone-Elk in sight to give Kingdom any assistance he -could, should the actions of the Indian become seriously threatening, -John followed after them. He allowed between himself and the Seneca as -great a distance as was possible, still keeping him in view, but so -swift and silent were the fellow's movements that it was a puzzle for -the eye to follow him. - -With increasing interest in the mysterious game his friend and the -Indian were playing, John did not at once realize that, after one sharp -turn he had made, Ree was headed homeward. When he did make this -discovery, however, it was only to decide that he would go, too, and -thus was presented in the wilderness depths the odd picture of one -person being unrelentingly trailed by another, who, in turn, was watched -and followed by a third. - -But even stranger things the unbounded woods of the early days full -often witnessed. Stranger dreams have never come to man than were many -of the realities of life in the wilds of the middle west a hundred and -odd years ago. - -While from one point at the clearing's edge Lone-Elk unceasingly bent -his eyes upon the little log house on the bluff, John Jerome did -likewise from another. John, however, had two objects to keep within his -scrutiny. One, and the most important one, was the Seneca. Still he had -ample opportunity to see what Ree was doing, and with particular -interest he watched his chum sit eating and drinking in the doorway. - -"And here I am, most starved, within sight of him!" the weary boy -reflected. "Just wait till it's dark, you lonely old Elk you, and if you -don't do something then, I will!" - -An hour had passed since night closed in. Return Kingdom still watched -from loopholes, wondering in vain, looking in vain, to know what the -Seneca's nocturnal tactics would be. No sign of the Indian had he seen -since darkness shut out the view across the clearing. - -What was that noise? Ree started violently. The horses moved as if some -one had come in the barn. In another second his ear was at a crack in -the wall between the lean-to stable and the cabin, and he knew that -something besides the horses was stealthily moving--yes, moving toward -him; he heard it plainly now. What could that miserable, sneaking, -malicious Indian be up to now! And then a whisper-- - -"Oh, Ree!" - -"Blessed stars, John!" was the startled, whispered answer. "How did you -come here? Don't you know Lone-Elk is watching the house this very -minute?" - -But nevertheless it was with a feeling of much relief and real pleasure -that, when Jerome had whispered back, "Well, I guess I do," Ree told him -to creep in through the "cat-hole," while he himself noiselessly -double-barred the cabin door. - -"Why, you had me scared into a catnip fit," said Kingdom, still -whispering, as he felt about in the darkness for John's hand. - -"Did I? But say, do you know it's snowing? And how I'm to get away -again, now that I'm here, without making a trail that a blind man could -follow, I'm blest if I can tell." - -"Never mind that now, old chap," was the hopeful answer. "Rest yourself -and I'll see what I can lay hands on for you to eat. I've got a few -things to tell you after awhile." - -"Things to tell, Ree? Cracky, so have I!" - -And Lone-Elk, sullen and ugly, determined and relentless, still watched -the cabin with unremitting perseverance from the deeper shadows of the -woodpile at the clearing's edge. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--THE MYSTERIOUS CAMP IN THE GULLY - - -"Honestly, my neck's out of joint, looking around trees all day," John -declared. But he was so light-hearted, so glad to be home again, that he -fairly giggled as he spoke. - -"Faith! I'm glad you're here, unhealthy as it is for you," Kingdom -answered. "What with Lone-Elk always just over my shoulder, and now with -the snow on the ground, I don't know how I'd ever have managed to get to -you in the woods!" And so the boys fell to telling each other all that -each had been doing and all that had happened since their last meeting. - -Kingdom showed the greatest interest in the discovery of the bodies of -the two men whom John had found dead under the brush heap at the salt -springs. He inquired for every shred of information possible for John to -give him, and tried his best to determine whether the murder had been -committed by Indians or white men. If it was done by white persons, he -declared, the slayer or slayers had at any rate tried to make it appear -that Indians were the guilty ones. The carrying off the scalps of the -dead and removing all valuables from the bodies indicated this. - -"Still, I don't see what it signifies, or how it makes any great -difference to us, one way or another," said John, as Ree intimated that -he would have looked into the matter more thoroughly had it been he who -made the discovery. - -"Why, of course you do, John! Just think a minute! I've told you about -seeing that camp in the little hollow and the salt spread out to dry. -Now, then, where did that salt come from if not from the big 'lick'? You -mark my word that when we find out whose camping place that is, or was, -we will know pretty well who did that killing. What we ought to do is to -carry the whole story to Wayne's men or to Fort Pitt; but it wouldn't do -any good to go there merely telling that we had found a couple of men -dead. Persons are found dead along the border, somewhere, every day in -the year. But if we could go to Wayne, or anyone else, and show them -that the murderers were white robbers, and not simply sneaking redskins, -there would be more of a chance to call somebody to account." - -"That's so," John answered rather thoughtfully, yet in a way which -showed Ree that he did not quite understand. - -"Why, certainly!" Kingdom exclaimed somewhat warmly. "If the camp I saw -was the camp of the murderers, who is it likely that they are? British! -That's what! British from Detroit, over in this part of the woods for no -good purpose--spying around Fort Pitt or stirring the Indians up to -hostilities! And that camp I saw was a white man's camp! Indians don't -care much about salt to begin with, and in the second place what white -men would be traveling in this direction and carrying salt with them but -some one headed for Detroit or some other settlement off that way?" - -But having reached a conclusion that Indians, and no one else, were -responsible for the two dead bodies beneath the brush pile, John could -not easily get the notion out of his mind, and his interest in Kingdom's -speculations was therefore much less than ordinarily it would have been. - -On the other hand Ree pieced together every scrap of evidence he could -find--the stained glove that John had picked up, the indications he -noticed that others had journeyed toward the "lick" from the west, and -the certainty his own find presented that some one had lately obtained -salt, presumably from the springs, in quite considerable quantities. - -Extremely tired and too drowsy, now that he was in the midst of warmth -and comfort again, to think much of the danger of his position, John -fell into a doze on his bunk while Kingdom still pondered upon the salt -springs mystery. In the darkness Ree did not at once notice that Jerome -was asleep. Later he made the discovery and it was quite like him that -he covered his friend over with a bearskin, and set himself to watch -till daybreak. - -It was fairly light when John awoke. Ree had already been out and the -tracks he found showed that Lone-Elk had abandoned his watch. He had -gone some time after it stopped snowing in the night, but there was no -knowing when he might return. - -Although the fact did not occur to either of the two boys at the time, -the coming of the snow was, under the circumstances, a blessing in -disguise. For the Seneca, after watching vigilantly until nearly -morning, and feeling confident that no one except Kingdom had entered -the cabin, was equally sure that no one would do so now that the snow -would at once reveal the trail. With this thought in mind he had quit -his post and, so far as his own trail showed, had returned again to the -town beside the lake. - -The perfect quiet within the clearing, and the sense of comfort and -greater security which Ree found in having companionship once more, -permitted him to be persuaded to lie down for the sleep and rest he so -greatly needed, while the younger of the lads did guard duty at the -loopholes in the cabin wall. At the first sign of anyone approaching, it -was agreed he should call Ree, then quickly conceal himself in the loft. -Sooner than the boys expected, the worth of their plan was put to the -test. - -A party of seven Indians, Wyandots from the region of Sandusky, -traveling up the river in canoes, landed that morning at the point where -the river met the portage trail, near the cabin of the young Palefaces. -As did most of the Indians for many miles around, they knew of the -presence of the two venturesome white lads in the wilderness, and did -not hesitate to stop for a warm bite to eat and to see what the Paleface -brothers offered in the way of trade. - -Little did the Wyandots guess as they drew near the cabin, however, the -flurry their presence caused inside. A mere whisper from John awakened -Ree. In a twinkling the latter sent Jerome climbing into the loft "like -a scared rabbit into its hole," as he afterward expressed it, and -pulling the little ladder up after him. - -Kingdom greeted the visitors in his pleasantest manner. They spread -their hands before the bright blaze in the big fireplace, and ate -heartily of the meat he set before them. Nevertheless, when the -strangers showed a disposition to look about rather more closely than -seemed natural, even standing on tip-toe to peer into the loft, the lad -grew decidedly uneasy. - -As for John, he watched through a crack all that went on below with a -great deal of interest, indeed. He was scarcely more than a foot above -the heads of the taller Indians. The least sound from his direction -would reach them and excite their suspicion. - -Would the Wyandots _never_ go? - -Before they had been five minutes in the cabin Ree was wondering why -they lingered so. Every second was magnified sixtyfold as he watched and -waited, doing his best to appear perfectly at ease. - -"Much skins up here," one swarthy young fellow with a single black and -red feather in his hair remarked, and with his foot on a stool climbed -partially into the loft. - -"Oh, not many--you come down now, brother! You'll bring poles and all -down on our heads," Ree answered, and quickly drawing the Wyandot down, -placed the stool in a place where it would not be so readily available -for such use again. - -"Have the Wyandots any salt to trade for knives or cloth or anything -else we have for them?" asked Kingdom, hoping to obtain information -which might be valuable. - -"No salt; Injuns got no salt. Paleface get big heap salt at big 'lick,'" -answered the leader of the band. "Paleface over yonder--him have salt. -Him trade, maybe." - -"Where? Where over yonder do you mean?" Kingdom inquired, pretending to -be little interested. - -"Over yonder--down river. Him have camp piece back from river, yonder." - -"Just one man, is it!" Ree asked. - -"Ugh! two--leben--four--cuss! Injun don't know!" the Wyandot returned, -and seeing that the redskin suspected that he was being "pumped," Ree -changed the subject as naturally as he could. - -Every moment that the Wyandots tarried the boy feared their next words -would be to ask where John was. All the Indians knew there were two of -the white boys, and that they were usually together. Had these travelers -learned of the charge of witchcraft against Little Paleface? Kingdom -dared not turn their thoughts in that direction by any words pertaining -to the subject, and he was glad enough to say goodbye to them, at last, -even though on this point he had gleaned no information. - -There was no need for Kingdom to tell what had been said and done by the -visitors when, after they were well out of sight, John came clambering -down from the loft. - -"I'm getting awful tired of being a witch, Ree," the latter began, -peeping out of a loophole. "What in the world's the use of our staying -here and living this way? I'm not complaining, old boy, you know I'm -not; but this sort of thing is likely to last all winter. You can't find -out how Big Buffalo was killed, and until you know, every mother's son -of those Delawares swallow all that Lone-Elk tells them. So how's it -going to end? Am I to jump and run like a whipped pup, all winter, every -time we hear a noise?" - -"Just you wait, my son," Kingdom answered, quite gaily. "We know that -the Seneca's hold on Captain Pipe is his secret lead mine. Suppose we -find that mine! Mr. Pipe will be glad to find out where it is. There! -Now you see what I mean. You're just feeling a little cross because you -had to stay out of sight. But here's another thing, John. We agree that -we don't intend to let any one Indian chase us away from here; but we -have some business on hand besides that. We've got to find out, if we -can, who killed those men at the salt springs. With all the reason we -have for believing that the murderers are camped out just about under -our very noses, we're bound to look after them, especially if they're -white men, and--well, you heard what the Wyandots said just two minutes -ago. Don't you think, either, John," the older lad concluded very -soberly, "that I don't see the danger we are in. I see it big and strong -all around us; but we've gone too far to turn back unless we have to. If -we can come out ahead of Lone-Elk just once, there will be no danger of -his ever troubling us again. Pipe and all the Delawares will be our -solid friends for all time. We don't want to sacrifice all we have done -here and the good start we've made, do we, John?" - -Ree's last sentence was an appeal. Jerome might have argued against -every other point, but not against that. "We'll stay here till water -runs up hill, Ree, before we'll budge an inch except we want to," he -declared with quiet emphasis. "So what are we going to do next?" he -added. - -"Wait till the snow's gone," Ree answered cheerily. "It's thawing fast -now and by afternoon we can hunt up that camp where I saw the salt -spread out. Until then we will have to watch out that Lone-Elk doesn't -come prowling around again." - -"Good thing it's all we have to do. It's enough to keep one man busy," -John returned, and undoubtedly he was right; but nevertheless their -labor was for nothing this time. The Seneca was not discovered, nor was -there a single visitor to the neighborhood of the clearing. - -Kingdom's prediction that the snow would soon be gone was quickly -verified; for the wind having changed to the southwest, a rain came up -by noon which completed the work of the sun very quickly. - -Call to mind the most gloomy, misty, wet and altogether disagreeable -fall day you can remember, and you will have a fair idea of the sort of -afternoon on which John Jerome and Return Kingdom tramped cautiously -through the woods in search of the camp of the suspected salt spring -murderers. The gloom in the thicker portions of the forest was little -short of actual darkness and the mist or fog became so dense, as time -went on, that objects were indistinguishable at a distance of more than -a few yards. - -The secret nature of their expedition and Kingdom's oft expressed belief -that the camp they sought was occupied by British traders, or even -soldiers from about Detroit, caused both the boys to feel a great deal -of importance attaching to their undertaking. Just what they expected to -discover, however, or what they intended saying regarding the purpose of -their visit, in case they found the birds in their nest, neither of the -two could very well have told. - -Time and its developments answer many questions and so were the -questions confronting Ree and John disposed of a little later. Kingdom -had little difficulty in leading the way to the camp he had so strangely -discovered. His familiarity with the woods for miles around would have -made any spot in the vicinity of the cabin easily located. - -Favored by the mist and semi-darkness, the two boys readily approached -very near to the edge of the little bluff from which they could look -down upon the camp without danger of their presence being discovered. -Then on hands and knees they went forward more cautiously. - -The birds, were gone. The nest was there, just as Ree had seen it, -except that the salt had been taken away; but the camp was unoccupied -and the ruins of the campfire were cold and water-soaked. - -With much curiosity the two young detectives inspected the deserted camp -and its surroundings. Nothing could they find to indicate who its makers -had been or whither they had gone. In vain did they examine the ground -within a radius of several yards from the heap of dead ashes. They -discovered not so much, as a footprint. - -Compelled at last to give up their search in disappointment, the boys -were about to climb out of the protected nook the bluff formed on three -sides of the camp, when John observed a small pile of wood such as would -be gathered for a campfire in the forest. It was partially covered with -leaves and being a rod or two from the site of the camp had not sooner -been noticed. - -"It may mean that they're coming back and it may not," the lad remarked. -As he spoke he saw Kingdom pick up something a few feet away and quietly -put it in his pocket. - -"At any rate they're gone," Ree answered. "We may as well go, too." - -The boys climbed the ascent to the higher ground without further -comment. When they had gone some distance John asked: - -"What was it that you found, Ree? I thought I saw you pick something -up." - -"What do you think, John? It was a glove, the mate to that other one. -What do you think of that?" was the low but earnest answer. - -And while the boys hurried quietly through the woods, there emerged from -a small cave, screened from view by sumac and other bushes, in the -little ravine, a roughly dressed man who climbed the bluff and gazed -after them. - - - - -CHAPTER XV--THE GIFT OF WHITE WAMPUM - - -The effect on the minds of the boys of the discovery Kingdom had made -was much the same as if they had seen a ghost. A vague fear of something -unexpressed and unknown took possession of them and they hastened -through the misty, sodden forest as though expecting every minute to be -pursued. Kingdom remarked about their apprehensiveness. - -"We act like a couple of thieves," he declared, "the way we are hurrying -to get away! But suppose we were seen hunting around that camp and it -was noticed that I picked up this glove; it wouldn't be exactly healthy -for us, I suppose? Still, it's not that that makes us both nervous and -fidgety as a fox in a trap; but what is it?" - -"I don't know about you, but I'm thinking of those two dead men under -the brush pile; just can't help it;" said John. "The man that wore those -gloves knows how the bodies came there, I'll bet a buckskin!" - -"Of course," was the answer, "but that's just what I have suspected all -along. The deuce of it now is to know what we're going to do about it." - -The darkness was coming on most rapidly. The dark, gray clouds seemed to -settle down to the very ground. In half an hour it would be quite -impossible to find one's way safely through the woods, for not a breath -of wind was stirring; there would be absolutely nothing by which to be -guided. - -Seeing the importance of quickly reaching the neighborhood of the -clearing, Kingdom proposed that John seek shelter for the night in the -old whitewood while he continued on to the cabin. They would meet again -soon after daybreak in the morning. - -Having had some such plan in mind when setting out from home, the boys -had blankets and provisions with them, and Jerome readily agreed to -Ree's suggestion. - -As the hollow poplar was now not far away, they parted company at once. -Kingdom promised to leave the cabin before daylight again, if he could -do so without discovery, and to meet John at the whitewood for another -visit to the camp in the gully. - -"And you wait for me, whatever happens," Kingdom said in admonition. -"I'll be worrying all night if I think you're prowling around by -yourself." - -"Worry fiddlesticks!" ejaculated the younger lad, with a laugh. "What if -I were to be worried about you?" - -So the good-byes were said and ten minutes later John was snugly settled -in the protecting trunk of the big hollow tree, glad enough to rest -after his long tramp. - -Kingdom, meanwhile, was hurrying on at increased speed. He aimed to -travel in a sort of semicircle so as to approach the cabin from a -direction which would give no clue to the locality from which he had -come. He had little doubt that Lone-Elk would be watching for him. -Indeed, it was only the great probability that the Seneca would be -prowling about the vicinity of the clearing that had made it seem -necessary that he return home instead of spending the night with John. -The boys wished to keep the Indian in ignorance of the fact that the -"witch" was in the neighborhood at all. If they could succeed in this -for a time, the redskins, Lone-Elk particularly, would conclude at last -that search for the missing boy was useless. - -The complete darkness, the thick, cold mist and utter silence which -pervaded the clearing and made it seem certainly the most desolate place -in the world as he entered it, would have depressed and frightened -bolder hearts than Kingdom's. He hurried up the familiar path, and -ascended the slope to the little log house with dread. A whinny came -from the stable. What a welcome sound it was! And when, five minutes -later, the blaze in the big fireplace was dispelling the shadows, it -seemed also to dispel the dreadful feeling of vague fear and -homesickness from Ree's mind. He was himself again. - -Worn out with much work and little rest for two days, Kingdom retired -early. He knew that the dispirited condition, which sapped his courage -and destroyed his peace of mind and self-confidence, was due to his -being completely tired out, and that sleep would make all the next day's -problems seem easy by putting him in shape to meet them. And so thinking -he fell asleep. - -It was near midnight, Kingdom thought, though really much earlier, when -he was awakened. Some one rapped at the door,--quietly, secretly. Again -he heard it,--thump, thump!--two short, quick taps, sounding as if made -with finger tips. - -"John!" was Ree's first thought; and he was out of his bunk in a second. - -"Who is it?" he asked in a low tone, before opening the door. - -"Fishing Bird has something to tell white brother," came the answer in -tones so guarded, that, filled with wonder and anxiety, Kingdom unbarred -and opened the door in a trice. - -Instantly the Indian entered and Ree closed the door again. He felt, -rather than saw, that the redskin was bedraggled, wet, cold and weary. -He drew the visitor to the fireplace and sat him down. Though covered -with ashes, the warm bed of coals gave off a comfortable degree of heat, -and while the Indian leaned over the warm hearth, his host, still -wondering, brought him meat and a dish of hominy. - -Fishing Bird ate heartily. As he was doing so, a tiny flame, which for a -second blazed up above the ashes, showed that his condition was even -worse than Ree had pictured it. From the soles of his worn-out moccasins -to the top of the uncombed hair falling in coarse, untidy strings about -his ears and down his back, he was very wet and very dirty. - -"What news, Fishing Bird?" Ree asked, when he had dressed and the -visitor had eaten all he wished. "I've been wanting to see you for many -days." - -"Ugh! Lone-Elk very bad!" the Indian replied, meditatively. "Fishing -Bird watch him all day, watch him in the night, too. He goes many -places, and don't go nowhere." - -Kingdom repressed a smile. He guessed at once that his friend had been -trying to follow the Seneca to the secret lead mine, and had only his -labor to show for it. A moment later the Indian confirmed this -supposition. - -"Lone-Elk gone all day long and comes to the Delaware village in the -night," Fishing Bird went on. "Lone-Elk brings no lead. Next -morning--today--Lone-Elk goes again and Fishing Bird follows behind. -Maybe Lone-Elk be going to where lead is; maybe going to watch young -Palefaces. But him walk, walk, walk, all the time going on and on and -never getting anywhere at all. Never looking back; never knowing Fishing -Bird comes on behind, so Lone-Elk went here, went there, all day. Night -came and in the dark Lone-Elk got away and Fishing Bird couldn't watch -him any more." - -"Maybe he was hunting for Little Paleface," Kingdom suggested. - -"Lone-Elk bad--a mean, bad Seneca Indian!" the weary and disgusted -Delaware made answer. "Now Fishing Bird will tell news he came for. -White Fox knows how Lone-Elk found tomahawk in the corn--how Lone-Elk -told that it was the witch's hatchet--same hatchet that killed Big -Buffalo. So Lone-Elk hangs the tomahawk at the door of his lodge and -says with that hatchet he will kill the witch that killed the Delaware -warrior. One time, two times, three times, did tomahawk fall down when -Lone-Elk had hung it up. One time Lone-Elk a little mad. Two times -Lone-Elk pretty mad. Three times, when hatchet fall down, Lone-Elk heap -much mad. - -"Neoliaw tell Lone-Elk not to hang tomahawk up like that any more. -Neoliaw knows much. No Delaware knows all things like Neoliaw; yet -Lone-Elk holds his head high and asks if Neoliaw thinks the Seneca is -but a squaw to be frightened by such talk." - -The Indian paused. Much interested, Kingdom waited with impatience for -him to continue, but at length asked: - -"And what did the medicine-man of the Delawares say to that? What did -Neohaw say?" - -"Neohaw tell Lone-Elk never mind. Some day tomahawk have more blood on -it than now. Maybe it be Seneca blood." - -"Do the Delawares still believe all that Lone-Elk tells them about how -Big Buffalo was killed by a witch, and believe that the witch was our -friend, John?" Kingdom inquired. - -Fishing Bird nodded. "White brother shall hear more," he said, a moment -later, as if having decided to reveal something he had at first thought -he would not tell. "Listen, White Fox. Lone-Elk knows where lead is. -Lone-Elk is a mighty warrior. Hopocon, that you call Captain Pipe, wants -Lone-Elk in the fighting that will come bime-by, and wants lead for -Delawares, Chippewas, Wyandots,--all the Indians that will be in the -fighting off yonder," waving his hand toward the west and north. "So -Hopocon sends white wampum as presents to the Seneca tribe for squaw of -the warrior Lone-Elk killed. Because Lone-Elk killed a warrior, White -Fox knows, he can go back never to his own people. Only if the presents, -sent by Hopocon, are taken by the squaw of the warrior that was killed, -will Lone-Elk be free to go here, go there, like other Indians. Then -Hopocon will make him a Delaware." - -Ree did not know until now the history of the outcast Seneca. He had -known that Lone-Elk was a fugitive, but never before more than suspected -the reason. In a general way he understood the Indian custom that if the -nearest relative of one who was murdered received and accepted from the -murderer or his friends a present in token of regret and sorrow--usually -white wampum--it meant that the crime was forgiven and fully wiped out. - -He knew, also, that if such a present was refused by the relatives or -friends of the dead, that it meant but one thing--that at the first -opportunity they would have their revenge by taking the life of the -murderer. The custom had prevailed among the Iroquois and many of the -other Indians for generations. It was implicitly followed. - -The refusal of the peace offering usually meant eternal unforgiveness. -It meant the exile of the murderer from his own tribe and the villages -of his fathers forever. It meant death whenever one or more of the -friends of the person killed started out to seek vengeance,--death swift -and certain--unless the murderer succeeded in escaping them; but, once -on the trail, the avengers knew no pause, no rest, no hardship too great -to be undertaken, until their mission was accomplished. - -Instantly realizing the great importance of Fishing Bird's information, -Ree asked him to go on and tell more of the Seneca's history. - -The friendly Delaware, however, seemed to believe that he had told -enough. Maybe he regretted that he had already been so confidential. He -sought to speak of other things, therefore, until Kingdom asked point -blank: - -"Will the friends of the one whom Lone-Elk killed be likely to accept -the presents that have been sent, Fishing Bird?" - -The Delaware nodded decidedly in the affirmative at first, then shook -his head. He didn't know and couldn't guess, he stated, what view the -dead man's relatives would take of the matter. It was the usual thing to -receive such presents and grant forgiveness. A great deal depended on -the nature of the crime, and the details of the murder Lone-Elk had -committed, Fishing Bird did not know, or if he did, he pretended -ignorance. - -He believed the Seneca had struck another down with a tomahawk, and had -afterward hidden the hatchet near the Delaware town to which he had -originally escaped, and whither he had again come after the battle with -St. Clair's army. At least that was the story the squaws had whispered -to one another. The warriors were too proud to take notice of such -matters, especially since Lone-Elk, by his prowess, by his constant -activity, and afterward by his knowing of the lead mine, had become a -leader among them. - -All this information Fishing Bird rather reluctantly imparted. He was -very tired and just a little cross. In response to some further -questioning he said, plainly showing his impatience: - -"Fishing Bird has told the white brothers they must not stay here. Still -it has done no good. Fishing Bird is the friend of the two young -Palefaces, yet they must not ask of him what no Delaware can do." - -"Come, Fishing Bird," Ree answered kindly, "we are not going to ask you -to endanger yourself or any of your people on our account. We know and -appreciate how much you have helped us, and but for one thing we would -probably go away as you suggest. And now there is only one more question -I want to ask you; then you must lie down and rest till morning. Does -Fishing Bird know of any other Palefaces, besides White Fox and Little -Paleface, who are in the woods here; any who have been getting salt -somewhere?" - -The Delaware had lost his spunky feeling entirely when he answered. He -did not, he said, know of any other white persons in the woods anywhere -about. He was quite sure there was none; for the Indians were very -watchful now, lest Paleface spies come among them, and would be quite -sure to discover any white persons who came near. - -A little later Ree spread a blanket and some skins upon the floor and -urged Fishing Bird to lie down; but instead, the Indian rose to go, nor -could he be prevailed upon to remain. Thinking that perhaps he wished to -be back to the village before the Seneca returned, Kingdom reluctantly -opened the door for him, and he went forth into the cold and darkness, -and the thick, raw mist swallowed him up immediately. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI--A MIDNIGHT SUPPER - - -Seated on a bed of dry leaves in the snug shelter of the old whitewood, -John Jerome ate his supper. Kingdom had made fresh corn bread and hominy -and roasted a whole quarter of a deer during his otherwise enforced -idleness a couple of days earlier, and all these things were very much -to John's taste. He enjoyed his supper so much, indeed, and felt so -strong and hearty after he had eaten and rested for a time, that he -crept out from his retreat and stood upright among the bushes concealing -the hiding place. - -It lacked a little of being totally dark. Except for the dense fog, or -mist, it would still be almost daylight, John thought, as he looked -about him. He didn't feel like lying down to sleep at once. No, he -wouldn't either. He would go out just a little way beyond the thicket -and see if he could not discover some sign of a campfire down in the -gully. That pile of wood which he and Ree had found was not there for -nothing. It meant that the camp was not permanently abandoned. At any -rate, he would see what he could see. - -With some such reflections, by way of excusing himself for doing what -Kingdom had told him not to do, John made his way cautiously and slowly -toward the protected valley and the mysterious camp there hidden. No -light of any kind shone in that direction, however, and he reasoned with -himself that it was useless to go further. Still, he thought, there -could be no harm and no danger either when veiled by such a mist in -going clear up to the edge of the bluff. - -Even while making excuses to himself John was edging stealthily onward. -Soon the brink of the steep descent was just before him. He could not -see into the valley but his familiarity with the trees and general lay -of the land assured him that he had to go only a little farther to -obtain a view of the mysterious camping place. - -In his eagerness the venturesome young man was quite forgetful of -danger. Making scarcely an effort to conceal himself, indeed, he was -pushing steadily forward when suddenly he was recalled to a realization -of his carelessness in a manner he long remembered. - -With one foot on a fallen log, in the act of rising up to step quietly -down on the other side, John unconsciously paused for an instant to get -his balance. As he did so a scarcely audible sound of light but rapid -footfalls greeted his ears, and the same moment there came into view the -erect and muscular figure of the Seneca. - -The Indian was hardly more than five yards distant. Even in the thick -mist and semi-darkness he must have seen John immediately had he paused -or so much as turned his head for an instant. Fortunately he did neither -and in another second he was out of sight. - -"The lead mine!" Jerome whispered, and immediately his imagination -pictured some hidden cavern near, and the Indian in the midst of the -treasure. - -Intent on following the redskin, if possible, the foolhardy boy did not -stop to reason or reflect. After Lone-Elk he went and with such speed -that soon the savage was only a few paces before him. The Indian halted -for a moment. Again brought to the use of his sounder judgment with a -jerk, John Jerome stopped no less quickly. Whether some sound, or the -prompting of some other of his keen senses had caused the Seneca to -pause, the white boy could not determine. But when the Indian moved on, -changing his course and heading more directly toward the river, the lad -thought twice before he followed. - -Could it be that Lone-Elk, well aware that he was being trailed, was -only leading his pursuer on, suddenly to turn and kill him when the time -and place were to his liking? The thought made John quite uncomfortable. - -Then, boy-like, he thought of the lead mine again, thereby deliberately -putting temptation before himself; and the next moment he was again in -pursuit of the Indian. He heard the fellow now and then, some distance -in advance, but did not catch sight of him. It was quite dark now. He -must be careful or he would come quite up to the savage without -discovering him. - -Continuing cautiously, John had traversed nearly a quarter of a mile -when he noticed that he no longer heard any sound of the Indian's -movements. In vain he listened. The dark, mist-soaked forest was still -as death. How in the world could the slippery redskin have disappeared -so suddenly? - -Afraid to go on lest he fall fairly into the Seneca's arms, hesitating -to turn back, the mystified boy stood pondering. - -"There's nothing for it but to make a note of this place and come again -by daylight. The mine may be very near here," John told himself at last. -"It might be all right to wait and see if I don't see a light, after -awhile. I most likely would see one if the mine is close by; but it's -getting so dark now, and--" - -And John Jerome was lost. He looked about, as he reached the conclusion -that he must return to his tree, but it was only to realize that he knew -not which way to go. How careless he had been! Why had he not observed -more carefully the turnings of the chase he had been led? The darkness -was deepening fast. He could not see the trees which but a brief time -since were distinctly visible. - -"Of all the scatter-brain idiots that ever followed a wagon off, I'm the -worst,--I am for sure!" the anxious lad told himself, but with quiet -determination set about to retrace his steps as best he could. - -Not a dozen steps had John taken, however, when he came in contact with -a mass of low tangled underbrush. It had not obstructed the way before. -Plainly then, he was headed in the wrong direction. Turning, he groped -his way first to the right, then to the left. It was all to no purpose; -for not one familiar object could he discover, not one thing could he -find which would help him to get his bearings. - -To be confused and uncertain which way to go in the darkness in one's -own home is a most unpleasant predicament. North seems south and right -seems left. - -On a larger scale and with the calculating part of the situation -entirely removed, it was just such a predicament as this in which John -was forced at last to acknowledge himself. Worn out, and filled with -disappointment and the increasing despair which came with his every -attempt to find the direction in which he wished to go, the lad sat down -at the foot of a large tree to think. If he could but rid himself of the -bewilderment that made him unable even to study out the probability as -to which way was which, he would fare much better, he was sure. But the -more he tried, the more uncertain he became. - -The ground was cold and very wet. The coarse bark of the tree, against -which his hand was placed, was moist and clammy to the touch. From the -branches above, drops of water came dripping at intervals making what -seemed a loud noise as they fell upon the leaves. The security and -comparative comforts of the old whitewood seemed very pleasant indeed, -now that they were so far from reach, and more than once John wished he -had not left them. If the mist would but clear away and the clouds break -enough to let him see the stars, he would be able to find his way. Until -then, he concluded at last, he would do well to remain where he was. - -For a long time. John had remained close to the tree at whose base he -had first sat down. Sometimes sitting, sometimes standing, always -listening and watching, he believed he had spent the larger part of the -long night, when he heard at no great distance the sounds of an axe. -Instantly his attention was centered on the noise. It came from the -right, the direction in which he felt the hollow poplar to be, though he -knew, from trying, that his impression was wrong. - -Who could be using an axe in the depths of the forest at midnight? There -could be but one answer to the question--the men at the camp in the -gully or Lone-Elk. - -Thoroughly aroused, John vowed he would learn more. He would see, if he -could, what the noise meant. Visions of the lead mine came to him, too, -and without more ado he began to feel his way among the trees and -through the darkness in the direction from which the sounds reached him. -But in scarcely more than a minute the chopping ceased. From the first -it had not been loud, sounding rather as if only small bits of wood were -being broken up. Now the same awful quiet as before pervaded all the -woods. - -Only a little way did John venture to go, with nothing to serve as a -guide. Very recent experience had taught him the uselessness of trying. -But as he stood still, listening for some further sound, he became aware -of a certain brightness in the mist some distance off. He guessed at -once its meaning. "They were cutting wood to kindle a fire, of course," -he told himself. "Now, then, my hunkies, we'll see who you are, at any -rate!" - -Slowly and with much care to move quietly, John drew nearer the light. -Very dull at first, it brightened not a great deal as he approached, so -thick was the mist, and indeed it was not until the lad was at the very -brink of the bluff above the little gully that he was sure of the -location of the fire. As he had supposed, however, the abandoned camp -was now occupied. A kettle was hung upon a rude tripod and the cheery -blaze was mounting up above it on all sides. - -Nothing but the fire and the kettle above it could John see, however, -and if anyone was about he was hidden by the fog. No sound reached the -watching boy either. Surely, he thought, there was something mysterious -here, which hinted of dark secrets and of crime. "But that kettle will -boil dry if no one touches it; I'll see something if I wait long -enough," John reflected, and he was not kept a great while in suspense. - -A tall, uncouth figure of a man dressed in ragged coat and trousers, and -wearing a shapeless slouch hat, all of which contrasted oddly with the -moccasins on his feet, stepped suddenly from the outer darkness close to -the blaze and stooped down, holding his arms about the fire as if he -would hug it to him. He shivered and shook himself, then lifted the lid -and peeped into the kettle. Sniffing, and nodding his head as though the -kettle's contents pleased him, he returned the cover to the pot, then -arose and in another second the mist and darkness had swallowed him up -again. - -To say that John Jerome was greatly interested in what he saw would not -be telling the whole truth; for the fact was that he was not only -interested, but excited beyond measure. His heart beat fast, and so -strongly was he tempted to call out to the fellow that he thought he -must hurry away, lest he yield to the strange desire with results which -would almost certainly be unfortunate. - -There was no doubt in John's mind that here was the murderer of the two -men found dead at the "lick." He looked the part, seemed to have -"murder" stamped in every fold of his tattered clothing, and on each -separate hair of his stubby beard. Even without the evidence which Ree's -discovery of the glove had furnished, Jerome would have been certain, he -declared within himself, that this man was a vile wretch at best, and -capable of committing murder, even if he never had done so. Why was he -here? Why did he hide in so secret a place and come out like a fugitive -criminal at night to kindle his fire and prepare his food? Where did he -stay by day? - -These and many more questions came to John as he watched and waited. He -wondered, too, whether the fellow was alone. It must be so. He would -hear voices otherwise. However, if there were others present he probably -would see them soon. They, also, would draw near the fire. - -Again the mysterious man came into the firelight. John had a better view -of his face this time, but the stubby beard and the long, coarse hair -which fell about the fellow's ears concealed his countenance from -scrutiny. As before, the man looked into the steaming kettle. Then he -rolled a small log nearer to the blaze with his foot and sat down upon -it. Presently he lifted the pot from the fire and placed it beside him, -as if to cool. - -"Ready for you, Lone-Elk, my boy," the fellow called quietly, and in -answer to his hoarse voice the outcast Seneca stepped into the circle of -light. As if perfectly at home, he, too, seated himself upon the log, -and together the repulsive pair began to eat: The white man cut the meat -in the kettle with a heavy hunting knife and, using their knives as -spears, the two fished out pieces of the boiled leg of venison, for such -it appeared to be, and ate greedily. - -The sight of Lone-Elk caused John much more alarm than he had yet felt. -In a direct line the Indian was but eight or nine yards distant. -Fortunately his back was turned, and yet the slightest sound would reach -him. Scarcely daring to move, therefore, the lad who watched the strange -feast of the redskin and the scarcely less savage-appearing white man, -continued a silent spectator of their repast. But when Lone-Elk rose, as -if he cared for nothing more, and the white man also got up from the -log, as if to say good-bye, John waited no longer. Cautiously as he -could, he crept away, lest before he could do so, the Seneca might be up -the steep slope and fairly upon him. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII--THE EXPLOSION - - -Thoughts of Simon Girty and of other renegade white men, cut-throats and -robbers who had affiliated themselves with hostile Indians, and become -more wicked, more merciless, more treacherous than the savages -themselves, came to John's mind as he made what haste he could away from -the haunted ravine. His reflections did not increase his mental comfort. -Far from it; for now he was more anxious than ever for the coming of -daylight, or at least a clearing of the weather which would enable him -to find security while he pondered on what must be done. - -Fearing to go too far lest he again lose himself in the fog, John sat -down upon a little log, over which he had partially stumbled, to await -the morning. He had listened as best he could but had heard no sound of -the Seneca leaving the camp. He thought he had, perhaps, made more haste -to get away than was really necessary, after all, and as his excitement -cooled, he was tempted again to take a peep at the strange scene he had -witnessed. This notion, however, the lad put steadily behind him. He -would not be too venturesome, he told himself. Even as it was he would -get a good-natured scolding from Kingdom for having left the old poplar. - -The light in the distance, dimly visible through the mist, slowly faded. -The campfire was dying out. Lone-Elk was gone now, no doubt, but which -direction had he taken? John hoped he would not go to the clearing and -by hanging about there keep Kingdom from setting forth. It would be -remarkable if the Seneca could find his way. Moreover, Ree would be -leaving the cabin before daylight. Maybe he had started even now. - -[Illustration: HE WHEELED AND SENT THE REDSKIN SPRAWLING.] - -The dawn came just when John bad ceased to look for and momentarily -expect it. Indeed, he was quite surprised to notice suddenly that -objects near were again visible. He made out nothing clearly, but he -could see a few feet in each direction and it was enough. Without -hesitation, and almost without stopping to note the way he was taking, -he headed instinctively toward the old poplar and without the least -trouble reached its shelter not many minutes later. - -His nerves still at high tension after the night's experience, Jerome's -efforts to catch a wink of sleep were quite unavailing. He fell to -thinking of the probable results which would have followed his shooting -Lone-Elk as the Indian sat beside the campfire. He thought more of the -secret lead mine and wondered if the villainous appearing white man and -the Seneca were not partners in that enterprise. Surely there was reason -to believe such to be the case. What other explanation of the white -man's companionship with the Indian could be presented? - -At last, when the daylight had fully come, John fell asleep. He was -still dreaming when Ree Kingdom came and the latter, little guessing -that he had not been sleeping just as soundly the whole night through, -roused him with: - -"I declare, old chap, you seem to find this old tree as comfortable as a -feather bed!" - -"Guess you would, too, Ree, if you'd been watching midnight feasts, and -didn't know but they were cannibal feasts at that, and had been kept up -all night." - -With a grin John noticed the surprise his words caused, and a -determination he had formed earlier to break the news of his discoveries -gently was forgotten. In another minute he had related the substance of -his night's adventure. - -"Well, say! I think you did have a busy night!" Ree exclaimed. "We've -found the mine, John! There's no two ways about that! If that lead mine -is not within a mighty short distance of the camp of those fellows, then -I'm no prophet!" - -Kingdom's interest and pleasure in the discovery John had made could -scarcely have been greater. But putting the subject aside for the -moment, he gave his companion all the interesting information obtained -from Fishing Bird, and the two then set about to plan their next -movements. Quite naturally both wished to pay another visit to the -strange camp in the gully. To do so, however, involved much risk. -Lone-Elk might be, in fact, probably was, still loitering near. Again, -if the occupant or occupants of the camp discovered that their presence -was known to other white men, they would be very likely to change their -location, and, no doubt, do all in their power to conceal every evidence -of the lead mine's existence. - -"We've got to come upon them by surprise and not only capture the -murderers of the men at the salt springs, but find the mine at the same -time," said John. - -"If the mine is there, which we don't know, but only believe," Ree made -answer. "Still," he went on, "there's only one other way to do it, and -that is to keep a watch on the camp all the time till we find out more -about it. Lone-Elk,--bless him!--is in the way of that program. And -there's another thing to think about, which is, what are we going to do -with the murderers when we capture them!" - -"Well, we can hardly say,'Come along now, and be hanged, as you -deserve,'" Jerome suggested. - -For some time Kingdom was silent. At last he said, very thoughtfully and -slowly: - -"John, you must go to Fort Pitt or to Wayne's army. You must tell -whoever is in charge just what has been found at the 'lick' and in the -woods here. Bring back four or five good men and we'll seize the camp -down there and everything and everybody in it. The men you bring can -take the murderers back for trial, and I only hope we can find some -evidence that will send the Seneca along with them." - -"But if we do, we may as well pull up stakes and go along ourselves, -Ree. The Delawares would say we had been acting as spies for Wayne, -sure!" - -"We can tell what to do about that when the time comes," was the answer. -"We know now that it won't do for us to attack the camp alone. We'd have -a whole pack of warriors down on us before we could get a day's march -away. We know that a murder has been committed and I hope we know what -our solemn duty is, even if the finding of the lead mine be left out of -consideration altogether." - -"Wouldn't you rather find the mine without letting everybody else know -about it? I would," John argued. "Not but what I like your plan all -right," he added, "but if Wayne's army gets to find out there is a lead -mine, and finds out where it is, too, I don't see how the fact that we -know of it, the same as Lone-Elk, is going to do us any good with King -Pipe." - -This reasoning puzzled Kingdom. In one way John was right, and he was -forced to admit it. But he argued that, as law-abiding citizens, it was -their duty to expose the murder that had been committed; that if they -did not do so, they were parties to the crime, the more particularly so -since they held in their possession evidence so positive against the -slayers of the two men at the springs. - -"I don't see why we need tell Wayne about the mine at all. It hasn't -anything to do with the case anyway," Jerome made answer. - -"All right. For we know of the one thing, and the mine is just our -supposition, after all," was Ree's decision. "What we should or -shouldn't tell we shall know when the time comes. You start for -Pittsburg today, and I'll manage somehow to keep yonder robbers' roost -under my eye till you are back with some reliable men. And I tell you, -John, don't bring green militia men, but good fighters--men who know the -woods." - -"I feel it in my bones, Ree, that this is going to be the end of the log -house on the Cuyahoga," John remarked somewhat later. "Mind you, I'm not -scared, and I'm not particularly caring if such a thing does happen, but -the time has come when we've got to be either with the Indians or -against them. Sure as the world, the Delawares will go against us for -good, if we bring Wayne's men here." - -"Maybe so; but we can only do what we think is the right thing to be -done. Then we can face Captain Pipe or anybody else with a clean -conscience. Don't be so glum, though! We've come through trouble far -worse than this, and with flying colors!" - -It may have been that John Jerome received for a moment a glimpse of the -future which Kingdom did not have. The latter took a cheerful view of -the outcome of their plans. John could not do so, though usually -optimistic. He did not hang back, however, nor question further the -wisdom of his companion's desire to put into the hands of the law the -fact that two apparently peaceable salt boilers had been most wickedly -slain. - -Kingdom had brought to the hollow whitewood a generous supply of -provisions, also fresh powder, lest John's stock had become damp and -useless from the wet weather of the day before. There was no reason, -then, why Jerome should not start at once with his message to Wayne, or -to Fort Pitt, if "Mad Anthony" should be found no longer in his camp -lower down on the Ohio. Thus, soon after a definite decision was reached -by the boys, the younger lad set out. - -It was left to John to choose his own time and course, but he told Ree -he would aim to strike the direct trail to Fort Pitt about a day's -journey eastward from the cabin. With care, he hoped to avoid all -possibly hostile Indians, and he would reach the Ohio in less than a -week. Wayne's men would wish, no doubt, to visit the salt springs to see -the bodies of the murdered men before undertaking to apprehend the -murderers, and so nearly two weeks must elapse before he would see -Kingdom again. The latter agreed to be waiting for him, no matter when -he came, and was hopeful he would have good news of some kind to impart -by that time. Encouraged thus, and more cheerful than he had been for a -time, John began his long journey just as the shadows indicated the hour -of noon. - -A south breeze and the sun had scattered the mist and the weather gave -promise of being fine and warm for many days to come. John felt the -influence of nature's brighter aspect at once when fairly under way, and -would have looked upon his journey as upon a pleasant holiday had he had -Kingdom's company. But that was not to be and he could only resolve to -cover as much ground as possible every day. As he thought of the object -of his journey, too, his interest in it increased and he anticipated -with much satisfaction his pride in guiding a small company of soldiers -through the woods on the important mission, for which, he was sure, Gen. -Wayne would at once cause men to be detailed. - -Anxious to avoid a possible meeting with Lone-Elk, the young woodsman -traveled with much caution, especially this first day. Later, when he -had left the cabin far behind, he made less effort to conceal his trail -and ceased to watch as vigilantly as before. To an accident, as much as -to any recklessness on his part, however, was due the sudden ending of -John's expectations. - -The boy had been three days upon the well-marked trail leading to the -Ohio river and thence along that stream to Fort Pitt. It was the evening -of his fourth day since parting from Kingdom. He kindled a small fire -close beside a large rock, thinking to have some warm meat for supper, -then go on a half mile or more and sleep wherever chance offered. He -would thus be well away from the scene by the time his fire attracted -attention, if attract attention it should. - -John had placed his blanket and other surplus baggage upon the big rock -and walked some distance away to gather fine, dry wood. Suddenly a -terrific explosion occurred. The young traveler saw his fire go flying -in all directions, while a perfect shower of leaves, small sticks and -bits of earth was dashed likewise into the air. He knew instantly what -had happened. The extra pouch of powder Ree had brought for him had -rolled from the big stone directly into the blaze. - -There was only one thing to do and that must be done quickly. The -tremendous noise of the explosion would be heard for a long distance. So -much louder than the report of a rifle was it that if Indians or others -were within hearing they would most certainly make immediate -investigation. Without losing a moment, therefore, John seized his -blanket and other baggage which had been jarred off the stone, but away -from the fire, fortunately, and rushed away through the woods at high -speed. - -Now, anyone coming up to the place, drawn thither by the great noise, -would be most likely to come by way of the trail, from one direction or -the other, John Jerome quite properly reasoned so, leaving the path at a -sharp angle, he struck through the forest to the north. - -Fortune plays strange tricks with all of us. The whimsical dame played -one on John which he long remembered; for as he ran on and on among the -trees, dodging in and out among the bushes in the dim twilight, he -almost collided with a party of Indians hurrying almost as fast in one -direction as he was fleeing in the other. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII--FISHING BIRD IN TROUBLE - - -The days were always long to Kingdom when John was gone. From their -childhood they had been much together. Even in the time of his bound-boy -experience, with a harsh master to serve, Ree had found time for play -occasionally only because John helped him with his work. He had never -known any other intimate companion; had never cared for any. Now, far -from all other friends, he valued John Jerome's friendship all the more -and counted the days until the cheerful, helpful lad would be returning. - -Yet Kingdom had much to do even while he watched and waited. Lone-Elk -frequently hovered near. He had grown more sullen and ugly than at first -and Ree had little doubt of the fate the cabin would suffer if the -Indian were but given a chance to act without danger that he would be -discovered. To watch for the Seneca's coming, then, and to keep an eye -on him while he flitted about the edge of the clearing, disappearing, -reappearing, coming and going like the ominous shadow he was, became as -much a daily task as the care of the two horses. - -Twice in a week's time Ree found opportunities to visit the vicinity of -the mysterious camp in the gully. He saw no one, but he never remained -long, for the freshness of the ashes and the altered position of the log -in front of them each time were assurance that the tenants were not far -away. - -It was the lead mine which kept the camp occupied, Kingdom now was -certain. The hidden treasure could not be far away. He had no doubt of -his ability to find it if but given the chance to make unmolested -search. - -It was while on little hunting trips into the woods to the north that -the boy had visited the strange camping place. Though he made it a rule -never to go a great distance from the cabin, game was plentiful and he -rarely, if ever, returned empty-handed. The season for hunting and -trapping was now at its beginning. Each taste of its pleasures made the -young pioneer long for the end of the trouble with Lone-Elk and a return -of the days of security and care-free happiness which both he and John -had so much enjoyed in the past. The thought that they would not -return--not, at least, until after many days and many dangers that he -little anticipated,--did not so much as come to his confident, -self-reliant brain. - -Not since the "talk" with the Delawares had Kingdom been near Captain -Pipe's village. He seldom left the clearing to go even a little distance -in that direction, though often he wished he might do so; often wished -he could talk the whole trouble over with Captain Pipe alone; often -wished Fishing Bird would come, even if he brought no news. The friendly -Delaware, he felt certain, feared for his own safety every time he -visited the clearing. He must have given up his watching of the Seneca, -too. Perhaps he had been warned to do so. Time would tell. - -Thinking of these things, thinking of John, thinking of the work before -him, Kingdom was busily occupied one afternoon, tying choice ears of -corn together by the husks to hang them from the roof poles, when rapid -footsteps near the open door caused him to spring hastily up. - -"Hello, here! Howdy, little brothers!" he exclaimed heartily, for before -him stood Little Wolf and Long-Hair, two Indian boys, both of whom had -shown for the young white settlers a warm friendship. - -With the true Indian showing of unmoved indifference, the Delaware lads -returned the greeting and Kingdom at once led them into the cabin and -set before them the choicest bits of meat and bread the larder afforded. - -As the youthful braves ate, Ree inquired kindly concerning Captain Pipe, -Neohaw and others of the Delawares, and presently asked about Fishing -Bird--desired to know if the spirits prospered him and where he had been -so long that his Paleface friends had seen nothing of him. - -Ree did not recall the fact at the moment, but he remembered a few -seconds later that Long-Hair was a brother of Fishing Bird,--a -relationship which soon explained the object of the visit of the Indian -lads. - -"Fishing Bird--him Long-Hair and Little Wolf come to tell White Fox -about," the former said. "Fishing Bird was hunting. Long-Knives caught -him and Long-Knives going to kill Fishing Bird dead." - -"Long-Hair! What are you saying? What do you mean!" cried Kingdom with -such solemn but keen earnestness that the Delaware boy was quite -startled. "Who will harm Fishing Bird?" - -"Yep; just as Long-Hair says," put in Little Wolf. "Palefaces made -Fishing Bird prisoner, where Paleface army is at the River Ohio, and -going to kill him." - -"Tell me, brothers, how do you know this? Were you sent to tell the -White Fox?" asked Ree, calling himself by the name the Indians had long -ago given him. "This is terrible news you bring me! It cannot be!" - -Both the little redskins slowly nodded their heads in solemn -confirmation of all they had said. - -"From Fort Pitt a runner came, telling Hopocon how Fishing Bird a -prisoner is--made a prisoner by Captain Wayne's warriors," said -Long-Hair with the air of being a full-fledged warrior himself. "Gentle -Maiden said Long-Hair must come fast and tell White Fox." - -"Little Wolf come too," said the other youngster, bound to be included. - -"You both did just right. Gentle Maiden did right also; for White Fox -will not for a great deal let harm come to Fishing Bird, if he can help -it," Kingdom briskly replied. "White Fox is going right away to -'Captain' Wayne's men. Little Brothers will go back and tell Gentle -Maiden this. Tell Gentle Maiden, and any others who ask, that Fishing -Bird shall be set free if White Fox and Little Paleface can possibly do -it." - -Even as he spoke, Ree's mind was made up. In fifteen minutes he had -saddled Phoebe, turned Neb out to graze and was closing the cabin -preparatory to a rapid ride to Wayne's encampment. The Indian boys -watched him gallop across the clearing, his rifle hanging before him -from the saddle, his powder horn and bullet pouch, both freshly -refilled, slung from his shoulder, his blanket and a hastily collected -supply of provisions taking the usual place of saddle bags. - -"White Fox is a mighty warrior," said Little Wolf admiringly. - -"White Fox is too good to be a Paleface. Fishing Bird says the same -thing," Long-Hair made answer. - -But Lone-Elk and a white man who was with him, crouching in the bushes -by the river, watched the young horseman speed into the woods with -altogether different feelings. - -Fishing Bird had been a prisoner in the strong, log guard-house more -than four days at the time Kingdom dashed away to his rescue. The -friendly Delaware, together with three others, had made the journey to -the Ohio, drawn thither by curiosity, and perhaps, too, with some -expectation of gaining intelligence of the increasing strength of the -white commander's forces. - -Friendly Indians were coming and going in the vicinity of Wayne's -"Legion" constantly, and the Delawares undoubtedly counted upon being -classed among the neutral savages. But "Mad Anthony" was not asleep. -While he waited to receive new recruits from the east, and drill his men -to a point of proper efficiency, before making a start into hostile -Indian country, he was constantly informing himself of the doings of the -redskins in the interior--in the northwest country, where, he knew, the -inevitable battle would eventually be. - -Wayne's staff of loyal scouts and trained woodsmen were likewise alert. -Every day they gathered from one source or another some news of the -preparations all the northwest tribes were making for a fight, which, -they told one another, would sicken the Palefaces more than the defeat -of St. Clair had done, and check the advance of the settlers upon their -forest lands forever. - -Unfortunately for Fishing Bird, it so happened that, just at the time he -and his friends were spying about in the vicinity of the white army, -Gen. Wayne ordered that some Indian from the interior be brought in and -questioned. Six men went out to find and capture such a redskin. - -They came upon the little party of Delawares, encamped several miles -from the river, just at daybreak. All were sleeping, but they heard the -white men stealing upon them, and dashed into the woods without firing a -shot. Three made their escape. One was caught and the unhappy Fishing -Bird was he. - -Matters were made worse for the captive, too, by the redskins who had -eluded capture returning and firing upon the white scouts. They -intended, no doubt, to assist Fishing Bird to get away. But they caused -him only so much the more trouble; for his captors made him bear the -brunt of the wrath the hostile act excited in their minds. The still -further result was that Fishing Bird, being mistreated, became ugly and -obstinate. He refused to talk. He would tell the Palefaces nothing. Let -them beat him, abuse and torture him as they would, he bore it all in -sullen, defiant silence. - -"Chuck him in the guard-house! Starve him! Let him know that he's got to -talk or die! Hang all the rascals, anyhow!" a captain had exclaimed, and -the unoffending Delaware was hustled off in no very tender manner. - -Gen. Wayne soon learned of what had taken place and caused Fishing Bird -to be brought to his own cabin. He talked kindly to the Indian, but the -latter was still smarting physically from the injuries, and smarting -still more mentally from the bitter injustice of the punishment he had -received, and remained obstinate. - -"He evidently knows something. If he had nothing to tell he would be -talkative enough," "Mad Anthony" thought, and ordered Fishing Bird taken -back to the guard-house. "Let him understand that he will not be harmed -if he'll tell the truth," he said, "but if he won't talk--" - -In a short time the peaceable redskins in the vicinity learned what had -been done with the Delaware and so before a great while the information -reached the three warriors who had been his companions. Immediately they -carried word to Captain Pipe. The latter was too proud to call upon -Return Kingdom to exert himself in Fishing Bird's behalf, after the -manner in which he had allowed the white boy to be treated, but Gentle -Maiden did not hesitate. She sent Long-Hair and Little Wolf to the cabin -at once. - -None of the Indians really knew, however, the many reasons Kingdom had -for showing his friendship for Fishing Bird in the latter's hour of -need. They may have known that the two were more than usually friendly, -but they did not guess how the young white settlers had often been -assisted by the Delaware; nor did anyone besides Ree and John and -Fishing Bird himself know of the terrible struggle in the woods that -night two years ago, when Kingdom was so near to killing the young -savage. - -The circumstances of the capture and detention of Fishing Bird were not, -of course, known to Kingdom until he reached Wayne's camp. Indeed, he -puzzled his mind a great deal with the subject, as he traveled rapidly -along the old trail to the east. Sometimes at a gallop, sometimes at a -walk, he kept to the course, but wherever the path would permit of it, -he let Phoebe take her fastest gait and urged the docile and only too -willing mare on and on. - -Ree camped at evening beneath some heavy, overhanging bushes at the foot -of a steep hill. The night passed without incident and was followed by a -long, hard day in the saddle. Every minute seemed most precious to the -anxious boy and every delay of any kind vexed and worried him. He feared -constantly that he would reach his destination too late. The very -thought that he would arrive only to learn that the good, loyal Fishing -Bird had been put to death filled him with anguish and alarm. - -Hardly could Kingdom endure to spend another night in camp. He wished to -be pushing forward. The delay of many hours was more than irksome. But -he could make little progress in the darkness, he knew, and Phoebe would -be the better the next day for the rest. Luckily the weather remained -pleasant. Fortune favored him in this respect, at least. The second -night of his journey, therefore, Ree spent in a sheltered spot beside a -little stream, where a fine growth of grass afforded his horse abundant -feed. - -Twice in the hour of darkness the lad heard far off an Indian's -war-whoop. The sound alarmed him a great deal; not for his own safety so -much as for the reason it gave him for believing the trouble along the -border was far worse than he had supposed. And such, in fact, was the -case, as the youthful pioneer was soon to learn. - -For the time, however, the threatening, distant cries served only to -make the solitary traveler somewhat uneasy in his lonely camp. But with -the coming of morning, he thought little more of the matter, and it was -not until he reached Wayne's outposts and found that John Jerome had not -arrived there that the night's disturbing sounds caused him any further -anxiety. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX--AN INTERVIEW WITH "MAD ANTHONY" - - -The satisfaction and pleasure Kingdom felt in finding that Fishing Bird, -though a prisoner, was still unharmed, was mixed with much distress by -the knowledge that nothing had been seen of John Jerome at Wayne's camp. -True, it might be that John had gone directly to Fort Pitt; but even in -doing so he would pass in the immediate vicinity of the military -encampment and it would be strange if he did not stop. - -Not the least light could any of the scouts or others with whom Ree -talked throw upon the mystery of the missing boy. They agreed with his -friend that he should have arrived at the Ohio several days ago, at -least. Their views of the whole matter were most discouraging. Kingdom -did not realize, they insisted, that the woods were full of hostile -Indian bands; that all up and down the Ohio and for many miles in all -directions, there was burning, pillaging and murder almost every day, -and no man was safe when alone. - -Neither did Kingdom receive the least encouragement when he suggested -that a rescue party be formed to search for his missing chum. Gen. Wayne -would not think of it, the men said. It was no unusual thing for a man -to be taken prisoner, no unusual thing for a lone hunter to be scalped. -If the army were to undertake the rescue of every captive, or the -punishment of every party of Indian marauders, there would be time for -nothing else. - -"Still, I must see Gen. Wayne himself," Kingdom insisted. "Even if I can -do nothing else for John Jerome, perhaps I can obtain freedom for -Fishing Bird, and he and I can do something." - -Still the party of petty officers, scouts, and soldiers with whom -Kingdom talked shook their heads, and it was only after considerable -urging that one of the men said he would try to arrange matters for Ree -to see the commander. - -Kingdom had reached the encampment of Wayne's "Legion" at about mid-day. -It was late in the afternoon when his new-found friend, a sergeant named -Quayle, consented to see if Ree could not have a talk with Gen. Wayne -himself. The delay seemed past all understanding to Kingdom, little -acquainted with army customs and discipline. And when the sergeant -returned, bringing a superior officer with him, who, after talking with -the anxious lad, told him that the general would see him in the morning, -Kingdom's patience was sorely tried indeed. He did, however, obtain an -assurance from the officer that Fishing Bird would be well treated and -injured no further until he could present his petition for the Indian's -release, and with this he endeavored to be content. - -Unwilling to tell his whole story to anyone but "Mad Anthony" himself, -Kingdom was unable to give the men with whom he mingled a great deal of -information. They plied him with countless questions concerning the -movements and general attitude of the Indians of the interior, and his -experiences with them, but the heart-sick boy felt little disposed to -talk and gave them no more than civil answers. In vain he tried to get -permission to visit Fishing Bird in the guard-house. Serg. Quayle told -him it would be of no use, but not until one higher in authority had -kindly but very definitely refused did Ree give up. - -Every hope Kingdom ventured to entertain now centered in Gen. Wayne, and -time and again he went over in his mind all that he meant to say to the -commander when the time came. - -He saw to it that Phoebe was given a place among the horses in the camp -and properly fed and cared for, then accepted an invitation extended by -his friend, the sergeant, to have supper and spend the night with him. - -Had his thoughts been less occupied with the strange disappearance of -John, and with his anxiety concerning the outcome of his interview with -Gen. Wayne, Ree would have spent a jolly evening among the care-free -spirits,--woodsmen, adventurers, regular soldiers and raw recruits who -made up the bulk of the "Legion." - -There was romance in the life of nearly every man about him. There were -stories untold, but to some extent readable, in the faces and figures -and ways of all the scouts, the hardened Indian fighters, and the -seasoned soldiers. There was much of interest, too, among the great -variety of fellows who were plainly not long from the east. Some were -outcasts and downright criminals undoubtedly; some were sons of highly -respected fathers, banished from home, perhaps, or here only in search -of adventure and excitement. Their stories, their songs, their speech -and their dress all told of the strangely different walks of life from -which they had come; and gathered together here on the border of the -great wilderness, while the campfires brightly burned, they made a truly -romantic picture. - -It was a picture which would live in history, too, as time in due course -told; for in the end it proved that no more efficient force ever invaded -hostile Indian territory than Wayne led to final victory over the -savages who had vowed to make the Ohio river the boundary between -themselves and civilization for all time. - -The-men with whom Ree came in contact were, in their rough way, very -kind to the young man from the depths of the woods. They urged him to -join them and go down the Ohio and thence march into the woods with -them, and they assured him that he would never find a better chief than -"Old Mad Anthony." To all these proposals Kingdom answered that he could -think of nothing of the kind until John Jerome was found, living or -dead, for which sentiment Sergeant Quayle heartily commended him. - -For the most part the men of Wayne's command slept in the open air, but -Sergeant Quayle and his intimate associates had erected a shelter of -bark laid up against a pole placed across two forked sticks. Although -one side of this crude structure was entirely open to the weather, the -campfire made the fact scarcely unpleasant, and Kingdom found the -soldiers' quarters quite comfortable. The lad was astir by the time the -first early risers of the army were moving about, however, and -impatiently waited the coming of the aide who was to lake him to Gen. -Wayne's quarters. - -At last came the lieutenant whom Ree had seen the day before. With -scarcely a word he signaled with a nod to the lad to accompany him, and -silently conducted the young frontiersman to a substantial log house. -With a word to a sentry near, the officer opened the door and motioned -to Kingdom to enter. - -"Mad Anthony" sat at breakfast alone. He looked up with sharp but not -unkind scrutiny of his visitor as, cap in hand, the boy softly closed -the door and stood awaiting his notice. - -"Sit down there and tell me your story," said the commander rather -brusquely, indicating a three-legged stool near his table. Although he -spoke in a quick, decisive way his voice was the kind which inspires -confidence and the young visitor, though somewhat nervous, at no time -was disconcerted by the business-like manner of the great soldier. - -"Gladly, sir," said Kingdom, seating himself, but for a moment -hesitating just where to begin. - -"Well, well, proceed then!" the general urged with a smile, and without -further loss of time the boy told briefly who he was and what had -brought him to the soldiers' camp. He mentioned John Jerome's connection -with his story and John's disappearance, alluding only briefly, for the -time, to the murder at the salt springs, and to the charge of witchcraft -that had been the beginning of the trouble. Of the lead mine he did not -speak. - -"I see no reason why we cannot give this Indian you are interested in -his liberty," said the general, when Ree had concluded. "But I am much -afraid we can do nothing for your friend. Very likely he will turn up -safe and sound before long. I am bound to say, though, that my advice to -you would be that you do not go back to your cabin until these troublous -times are over. How would you like to come with my men--be one of my -scouts and interpreters? Come, now?" - -Poor Ree, sadly disheartened, could only reply that if circumstances -were different he would very much like to do so; but as it was, well, he -simply couldn't do anything until John Jerome was found. Then he told -more fully of the trouble with Lone-Elk and how it had happened to -result in the discovery of the two murdered men at the big "lick." - -Made more confident by Gen. Wayne's interest, he told of the strange -camp in the gully and his reason for believing that the salt springs -murderer or murderers were there. - -"You may be right," said the commander, "and you may be wrong. That two -men,--apparently men not fully accustomed to the woods,--should have -been killed and their bodies concealed in the brush, is, in these times, -not surprising. And the fact being that these men are to us unknown, -while it does not make the murder less distressing or less a crime, does -present a reason for our not being duty bound to unravel the mystery and -attempt to punish the perpetrators of the deed. In short, if we begin to -follow up singly each red-handed outrage committed along the border, we -shall not have men for anything else. We can only bide our time and -strike the savages collectively--strike a blow that will bring both them -and their British supporters to their senses--a blow with something of -suddenness about it." - -Kingdom's hopes had dwindled to nothing. He wanted help, help to find -John Jerome, help to carry out his plan to capture the salt springs -criminals, and while he was about it, help to show Lone-Elk that he had -powerful friends at his back who might make very costly to the Seneca -any injury which was done the two young settlers on the land for which -the Delawares had received a fair price. - -Of course Gen. Wayne saw the whole trend of Kingdom's thoughts. There is -a power possessed, as a rule, by great generals in every walk of life, -by which they see at a glance the workings of the minds of the less -mature or less able men about them. Kingdom, however, was bright enough -to understand all this perfectly, even while "Mad Anthony" talked with -him. He felt that an injustice was done him. He knew that his motives -were not by any means as selfish as they seemed. But how could he make -himself better understood? He hesitated to try, and in his extremity, he -played his last card--the lead mine. - -Who can blame Return Kingdom if, when he told Gen. Wayne of the Seneca's -secret, he went just a little beyond actual facts in his representation -of the certainty of the mine's existence! That he had never seen the -mine, he was forced, as the commander questioned him, to admit. Yes, it -was true, he acknowledged, that he had never heard of the lead mine -before Lone-Elk came among the Delawares. Neither had he seen any lead -from the mine, nor could he tell positively of any Indian who had seen -any. The story Fishing Bird had told was the whole basis of his -assertion that there was a lead mine somewhere along the Cuyahoga, and -presumably it was not far from the mysterious camp in the ravine. - -"Now have I all the information you can give me on this subject?" asked -Gen. Wayne, with something of a twinkle in his eye. - -"Yes, sir," Kingdom answered, the twinkle somehow making him feel more -comfortable than he did before. - -"All right, then," and the general stepped to the door. "Have that -Indian, Fishing Bird, brought to headquarters," he said to the man -outside. - -"Mad Anthony" paced thoughtfully up and down the earthen floor of the -single room of the cabin while he waited. Wondering, and more hopeful -now, Kingdom tried to determine what the commander meant to do by -glancing often at his knitted brow. - -In five minutes the Delaware, with a sullen air of pride, stepped into -the cabin. In an instant, however, his manner changed. A look of -pleasure came to his eyes and he held out his hand to Kingdom. - -The greeting between the young woodsman and the Indian was pleasant to -see. As soon as they had silently shaken hands, however, Gen. Wayne -said: - -"Now, Fishing Bird, what can you tell me of a lead mine near your -Cuyahoga river!" - -"The lead mine is the secret of Lone-Elk--Lone-Elk, the Seneca," the -Delaware made answer. - -"Well, if I give you your liberty, will you go with this young man, your -friend here, and some men I shall send with you, and see if you can find -this mine? And will you help my young friend, whom you seem to know -rather better than I do, find the boy who is accused of witchcraft?" - -"Anything White Fox asks will Fishing Bird do," the Indian replied, with -quiet dignity. - - - - -CHAPTER XX--DELIVERED TO THE DELAWARES - - -The effort it cost John Jerome to conceal his astonishment and his -chagrin as he encountered the savages hurrying toward the scene of the -explosion, from which he was hastening away, would be hard to describe. -But he controlled himself sufficiently to say: - -"Hello, here, brothers! Don't go up there or you may get blown sky high! -My powder pouch fell into the' fire, and it tore things up to beat the -Dutch." - -With this greeting and hastily given explanation of his being found -running away, the boy was starting on, thinking to be gone before the -Indians had recovered from their own surprise; but in this he was -disappointed. One fellow seized his hand, as if merely to shake it in -friendly salutation, but continued to hold it and would not let him take -it away. Quickly the other savages gathered near and, though but a few -seconds had passed, John saw that he was a prisoner and that his escape -was intentionally cut completely off. - -The situation seemed to give the Indians vastly more pleasure than it -gave Jerome. Their amusement and delight made itself manifest in curious -ways. One, with a great show of interest, took the boy's rifle from him -and pretended to examine it as though it were some very rare specimen. -Another did likewise with his pistols, while a third bore off his powder -horn. Still others playfully rapped their victim's shins and head with -their gun barrels, driving him at last to such desperation that when one -particularly playful fellow pricked him suddenly from behind with a -knife-point, he wheeled and with clenched fist sent the redskin -sprawling among the leaves. - -The savage retaliated with the butt of his rifle, but now the party -started on, two of them leading John between them, and for the time the -annoyances ceased. The Indians went at once to the spot where the -explosion had occurred, plainly marked in the gathering gloom by the -remnants of the campfire. They inspected the locality with considerable -interest. There was little to see, however, and in a short time they -were under way again. Their course, John was sorry to see, was in the -direction of the Delaware village on the lake. - -Not until darkness made it quite impossible to go further did the -savages pause. They chose as a camping place a slight depression in the -ground, among some maples. The wind had gathered a deep drift of autumn -leaves here, and as the captive lay down between two of the captors, he -found his bed not otherwise uncomfortable. A long piece of untanned -buckskin had been tied about his waist, however, and as its loose ends -were tied to the waists of the Indians beside him, he realized that -escape would be all but impossible. - -John had had abundant opportunity to study the Indians while on the -march, but the fading light had made it impossible to see them -distinctly. There were seven in the party, all young, active fellows, -and all strangers. They were Shawnees, John decided. Where they had -been, and whither they were going he could not guess. He did know that -it would be pleasanter lying between the two redskins who guarded him, -if they would but give him more room, and he knew that the paint -bedecking the band was no sign of good. Not wholly hopeless, however, he -fell asleep at last, wondering what Ree was doing. - -With daylight's coming the Indians kindled a fire and broiled some -venison. They allowed their prisoner to eat all he wished, nor for the -present was he tortured further with such antics as had been indulged in -the night before. No haste was made to break camp and be on the move -again by the band, but to the contrary, they were very deliberate in all -they did. During the morning they held a council and, though they spoke -in guarded tones, John knew that he was the subject of their talk. - -The captive was glad to believe that none of the Indians knew him. They -would be for taking him directly to the Delaware town, to place him at, -the mercy of Lone-Elk, if they were aware of the charge against him, he -was certain. If the savages asked him anything, he would in self-defense -be bound to deceive them. Thinking of this made John think of deceiving -the band still further. He would cause the savages to believe that he -was from Detroit, a British spy sent to ascertain the extent of Wayne's -forces, and, of course, friendly to the Indians. - -The boy's opportunity to put his plan into practice came rather sooner -than he expected. Within a few minutes one of the redskins who had their -heads together in conference, came to him and asked in very fair English -who he was and what he was doing in the woods so far from the -settlements. - -"It's about time you were finding out, I think," John answered, with a -show of injured innocence. "At Detroit we are taught to believe that the -English and the Indians are brothers. We both hate the Americans, who -are robbing all the tribes of the Northwest just as they robbed the -Eastern tribes long ago, yet when my chief sends me to find out what -moves the Americans are making to march into the forests of the Indians, -lo! a party of my red brothers seize me and treat me as a prisoner!" - -The savage to whom John addressed his words of well-feigned righteous -wrath looked puzzled, then a grin spread itself slowly over his lips. He -summoned the other Indians and told them, in substance, what the captive -said. Then in a tongue John did not understand he added a few words -which made them all smile. - -Very much afraid that in some way he had gotten himself into a -predicament, with his hastily concocted story, the lad felt at heart -that he might have fared as well if he had told the truth; but having -made a start upon a different road he was unwilling to turn back. - -Even when one of the redskins began to question him as to when he had -left Detroit, and with whom and by what route he had traveled, he -maintained his air of offended friendship, and answered as best he -could. Asked the name of the person in command at Detroit at the time he -left, he promptly answered, "Col. John Jenkins, and you ought to know -it, if you know anything about Detroit at all." - -John used the first name which came to him in replying to this question, -and he answered many others just as rashly. From appearing puzzled the -savages now seemed mightily amused. The prisoner noted the fact with -chagrin, but stuck resolutely to his original story. The climax came, -however, when he was asked if there had been much snow at Detroit when -he left. - -"Why, no; not much to speak of," he promptly answered. - -The Indians looked at one another and grinned. Then one of them turned -to him. - -"Paleface heap big liar," he said. - -"Why? Why am I? Because I said that there wasn't much snow? Well there -wasn't! Of course there was lots of snow, but it wasn't any seven or -eight feet deep!" - -"One heap big fool liar," the redskin reiterated. - -The Indians seemed to have satisfied themselves completely as to the -truthfulness of the prisoner. They gave his words no further attention, -and how bitterly crestfallen, and in his heart ashamed and disgraced, he -felt, no one knew so well as he, as they turned away to resume their -conference. - -John realized that he had probably made bad matters worse. Seeing how -anxious he was to deceive them, the redskins would be more than -ordinarily distrustful of him and perhaps conclude that he was one who, -for some reason, was particularly hostile to them. They asked him no -more questions now, but appeared to guard him even more closely than -before. - -John thought so, at least, for his mind was turning with increased -attentiveness to the possibility of escape. Not the slightest prospect -that a favorable opportunity would come to him did he see, however, and -when the Indians resumed their journey a little later, he was put -between the two most villainous looking fellows in the band. - -The course the savages took, in starting off this time, was slightly -different from that pursued the night before. As nearly as John could -reckon it would, if continued, land them, at the end of two or three -days, at the "Crossing Place of the Muskingum," the point at which the -Great Trail from Pittsburg to Detroit crossed the Muskingum river. Where -this particular party of savages did eventually find themselves, though, -John Jerome never knew, nor did he ever learn definitely that they had -come from Detroit, as he suspected. - -The reason for this presented itself the second day after the -cross-questioning of the prisoner and the wretched failure of his effort -to deceive. The Indians encamped at noon, after a leisurely journey -through a fine forest country, beside a little spring bubbling from -under the very trunk of a mammoth oak. They lingered here several hours -and while they waited a party of five bucks from Captain Pipe's town -chanced suddenly upon them. - -John recognized the fellows immediately. He knew, too, that they -recognized him, though they did not at once pay any attention to him. It -was not until after quite extensive greetings between them and the seven -warriors in the Shawnee party, in fact, that they bestowed even a look -upon the prisoner. Then they turned toward him with grins of malicious -pleasure. - -Having learned that their prisoner was none other than the "witch," of -whom they had heard as having been the cause of the death of that well -known warrior, Big Buffalo, the Shawnees plainly regarded him now as a -dangerous individual. A little later he was the subject of a long -conversation between the young Delawares and his captors and the -wretched boy quickly discovered that his worst fears were realized. For -the five from Pipe's town were anxious to have him taken to their -village, and the Shawnees appeared not to object. - -At some length the Delawares told of the certain evidence Lone-Elk had -discovered--the hatchet found in the corn--the very hatchet with which -Big Buffalo was killed, and of the long and fruitless search that had -been made for the "witch." They urged the Shawnees to come and see the -Paleface burned, and the killing of one of the greatest warriors of the -Delawares avenged. - -In turn the band into whose merciless hands poor John had fallen told of -the exciting times along the border, of burning and killing both by -night and by day. They told, too, of much powder and much lead which the -Indians could obtain at Detroit, and two of them exhibited brand new -rifles. While they were anxious to see the "witch" destroyed, they said, -they did not wish to go to Pipe's town as they were on their way to a -fruitful source of plunder. - -As John heard and understood a considerable part of the conversation, a -determination to escape or die in the attempt rapidly grew within him. -And when he heard an agreement reached that he should be turned over to -the Delawares, while the Shawnees continued on their way, he set his -mind intently upon the problem of getting away, or making an effort at -least, let the cost be what it might. - -The Shawnees turned John over to the Delawares, after binding him -securely, with many a kick and cuff. They particularly denounced him as -a "forked-tongued witch," and worked themselves into such passions of -hatred that the prisoner was in imminent danger of being killed then and -there. - -With his hands tied behind him, and led and dragged by a long rope of -rawhide about his neck, the captive was taken in charge by the -Delawares, and the two Indian bands set off in different directions. The -mission of the Shawnees, as has been stated, John never learned; but he -well knew the destination of the five young Delawares, and a lump of -pain and bitterness grew big in his throat as he thought of the -cowardice and wretched injustice of it all. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI--THE BURNING OF THE CABIN - - -Indian troubles along the border were perhaps never worse in the history -of the Northwest territory than in this year (1792) when Return Kingdom -and John Jerome daily lived surrounded by dangers, the true, awful -extent of which they little realized. - -The scalping knife was never sharper, seldom bloodier. The torch was put -to cabin after cabin. At mid-day and at midnight the flames which -consumed the scattered evidences of civilization west of the Ohio river -leaped skyward. The fierce war-whoop rang defiantly from Detroit south -to the settlements in Kentucky and no white man was safe. Harmless -traders, and peaceable hunters as well as settlers were murdered and -their scalps hung high on the lodges of the Delawares, Shawnees, -Chippewas, Wyandots, and all the tribes between the Wabash river and the -Allegheny mountains. - -And all the while the British at Detroit were urging the Indians on, and -all the while the authorities of the American government were urging -moderation on Wayne's part and trying hopelessly to bring about peace. - -Some peace commissioners who were sent to treat with the Indians were at -first received kindly, but without warning, a few days later, slain. - -News traveled far less rapidly in those days than now. A family might at -midnight hear the redskins' dreadful yells and die fleeing from the -fierce savages, even while flames devoured their home. But neighbors -only a few miles distant would continue to dwell in supposed security, -knowing nothing of the outrage, and so only the more readily fall -victims of the same ferocious Indian band a little later. - -Indeed, it is not remarkable that Return and John had felt little fear -among the Indians, while living so far from the frontier that news of -the terrible tragedies along the border did not reach them. Their entire -plan for the future had been from the first to make the redskins their -friends. They had, with some rather serious exceptions, in which they -were not at fault, succeeded admirably until Lone-Elk incited Captain -Pipe's people to hostility. But now, even had both the boys been at -their cabin, and seemingly at peace with every tribe, as they had once -been, they could not have failed to discover evidence of the warlike -activity about them. They would not only have seen but, very likely, -have felt, the increasing hostility of every redman the vast wilds -contained. - -No longer did the head men, such as Chief Hopocon or Captain Pipe, seek -to restrain the bloodthirsty young warriors. They were allowed full -sway. Treaties still fresh in their minds, such as that fixing the -Cuyahoga and the portage trail as a definite boundary between the white -men and their red brethren, were forgotten or no more regarded than the -leaves which drifted before the autumn winds. - -The arrival of John Jerome; bound hand and foot, at the Delaware town on -the lake was the signal for an outburst of ferocious savage hilarity, by -no means comforting to that young gentleman. - -Twice had John attempted to escape from the five young bucks--Indians -scarcely older than himself--and each time had he failed. First he had -tried to buy his liberty and exerted every effort to prevail upon the -youthful braves to give him his freedom, to give him at least a chance -for it, a start of three yards, then the use of his hands and feet and -no start at all. His endeavors and his pleading were all fruitless. - -Determined to escape, then, John made a bold-dash while the little party -was on the march; but the strap which held him was strong, and he was -stopped in a moment. His second attempt to get away was scarcely more -successful. The Indians had paused to rest and refresh themselves beside -a little lake which lay but a few miles from the Delaware town. One of -the fellows, the one who held the long strip of rawhide tied to the -captive's neck, lay down on the beach to drink. For a moment he released -his hold on the strap and instantly John took advantage of it. But he -ran only a few rods before two of the braves caught him, and the -punishment they and the others administered was severe. Then it was that -the prisoner's feet as well as his hands were bound and so was he -dragged into the village at last. - -In vain did John look about for Fishing Bird, for Gentle Maiden or some -of the other Delawares who had been especially friendly in the past. -Fishing Bird, of course, was not there, and Gentle Maiden remained out -of sight. That she felt sympathy for the prisoner, however, is certain. -She saw to it that proper food was carried to him, and exerted all her -influence to prevent harm from coming to him. Especially did she urge -that the sentence of death for witchcraft should not be executed until -the return of Captain Pipe, who was gone to the Delaware town on the -Muskingum. - -As Lone-Elk, also, was away, and as he had a strong personal interest in -the infliction of the punishment the Little Paleface must suffer, no -more was done to end the captive's life at once. But one by one the -Delawares informed John of what he must expect. Some told him his fate -would be death at the stake. Others said that Lone-Elk would end -everything with one mighty blow with the same hatchet that had caused -Big Buffalo's death. - -Even these gloomy assurances, however, did not alarm poor John so much -as the wild hostility he saw everywhere about him--nearly all the -Indians in war paint, their war-whoops ringing out at every hour of the -day and night, as they contemplated the extinction of both the settlers -and later the whole Paleface army, gathering as they knew, to march -against them. Much of the threatening demonstration was due to the keen -zest of the younger savages. In the absence of their chief they were -under no restraint and the ferocious delight with which they scented -from afar the expected fighting was but a part of their nature. - -Day after day slipped by and Captain Pipe did not return. Confined in a -rude hut, without fire and without comforts of any kind, excepting -sufficient food, such as it was, John Jerome suffered both in body and -in spirit. But he was to suffer more later. Indeed, each day brought its -additional burdens of grief and pain. - -Constantly watched as he was, the sorrowful boy found not one reason to -believe that a chance to escape might come to him, and now was anxiety -for his own safety more than doubled by the conviction forced upon him -that Return Kingdom was gone forever--murdered, tortured, shot from -ambush. He knew not how his life had been taken, but the certain -evidence that Ree was dead was presented to him in the course of a night -of savage barbarity the like of which few white men ever had equal -opportunities of seeing. - -It was late in the afternoon of an ideal Indian summer day that Lone-Elk -returned to the Delaware town. He brought bullets and this time powder -also. Only a shrug of his bare shoulders marked his interest in the news -when told that the "witch" was captured; that Little Paleface was even -at the moment safely held captive beyond all possibility of escape. - -He did not so much as go to see and gloat over the unhappy prisoner; but -a murderous gleam came in his eyes and he told Neohaw and several others -that the stake and the fire would be the "witch's" portion when Captain -Pipe came. He would not execute the death sentence before the chief's -return, for then they would have a celebration which would be a lesson -to all the Palefaces for many days to come, just as the burning of the -"White Chief," Crawford, had been. - -Nevertheless Lone-Elk quickly laid his plans to torture and torment the -young captive, and to instill in the minds of all the Delawares a hatred -of every Paleface, and a belief in the certain ease with which their -country might be rid of them. He arranged a war dance. Every warrior, -every buck and brave in the village answered his summons. Gentle Maiden -guessed at once the meaning of it all, as in the early twilight the -fighting men of her father's people began to gather. It was useless for -her to remonstrate, and as the fierce, sharp cries that accompanied the -horrid dance swelled in volume and in number, John himself was scarcely -more apprehensive of the outcome than was she. - -Bound and round the campfire the savages danced. Their contortions of -face and body, their violent shrieks and awful fervor were terrible to -look upon. Fiercest of all was Lone-Elk. Louder than all the others was -the war-whoop of the Seneca, and at midnight he had wrought to the -highest pitch of bloodthirsty ardor every Delaware participating in the -horrible revelry. - -"Come!" called the outcast loudly at last, "Come! Will the Delawares -close their eyes in sleep when so near them is a house of the Palefaces? -A house that will draw others to it till the forests of the Indians are -all cut down and they themselves driven away and killed? Come! Who will -come with Lone-Elk!" - -A fierce chorus of war cries greeted his words. Drunk with excitement, -the Delawares paused not to consider. With terrible yells they surged -after the Seneca and like a shrieking band of fiends hurried rapidly -through the moonlit forest. - -"Hold! Let the Delawares bring the Paleface witch!" cried Lone-Elk. "Let -the murderer of the brave Big Buffalo see the nest where birds of his -kind are hatched go up in fire!" - -No sooner said than done. A dozen of the fiercest of the band, mad with -the passions that had been aroused within them, rushed back and in five -minutes came dragging John Jerome after them. By a rope around his body, -and by another about his neck, they both drove and pulled him. Their -awful yells could have been heard for miles. - -Following the portage trail to its end and crossing the river, the -savages broke into the clearing about the cabin a little further on at a -run. Up the hill they went and with whooping and yelling of impassioned -fury they attacked the cabin, so humble, so quiet and so home-like and -unoffending in its appearance that its destruction seemed the foulest -crime in all of border warfare's awful annals. - -With tomahawks the door was beaten in, though but to have pulled the -string would have raised the latch, and the mad race of pillage and -plunder began. Everything breakable was thrown down and destroyed. -Table, stools, bedding and all the little conveniences that Ree and John -had been at such pains to plan and construct were thrown -indiscriminately about. - -"Let the witch burn his own foul nest," the Seneca yelled in his native -tongue, but the captive, trembling with anger and sickened by the awful -scenes he was compelled to witness, understood and drew back. In vain -two Delawares who held him sought to force him to take and apply the -torch that a third held out. They burned his bare hands, set fire to his -clothing and his hair, but to no purpose. He could not fight, but he -could resist if it killed him, and resist John did, let the consequences -be what they might. - -"Ugh! Ugh!" loudly ejaculated one of the older Indians impatiently, at -last, and grabbing the burning hickory bark from the one who tried -vainly to make the prisoner take it, he carried it quickly into the -lean-to stable. - -In an instant the dry hay and fodder were in flames. In another minute -the fire had reached the cabin. Soon the terrible glare filled all the -clearing and while the home the boy pioneers had held so dear, and all -the things within it which long association made them fondly cherish, -turned black, then red and yielded at last to the crackling, roaring -destroyer, the Indians danced about in savage celebration, brandishing -tomahawks and scalping knives, yelling and shrieking like the untamed -demons that they were. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII--THE MAN IN THE RAVINE - - -Very little time indeed was required for Return Kingdom to make clear to -Fishing Bird the work he wished to do. The Delaware was decidedly -surprised to learn that a white man, or men, of whom he knew nothing, -were encamped near the Cuyahoga and he also exhibited the liveliest -interest in the information Ree gave him concerning the two men murdered -at the salt springs. - -The probability that John Jerome had been captured, however, interested -the Indian more than all else, though it distressed him, too. Repeatedly -he shook his head with an air of utmost gravity and regret. - -Gen. Wayne was a man who did things. Once his plans were formed, their -execution went ahead without a moment's unnecessary delay, and in a very -short space of time he had caused men to be detailed to accompany -Kingdom and his loyal friend. - -The boy's request that Sergeant Quayle be sent with him was promptly -granted and that good-natured son of Erin with three others, all -experienced woodsmen, gladly undertook the duty assigned them. They -agreed with Kingdom, too, that a large force of men would not be needed, -and that by care a small party would be able to accomplish more than a -greater number. They would be far less likely to attract attention or -invite an attack from ambush. - -Late in the afternoon the well-armed band set out. By common consent -Kingdom was given general command, though he took counsel always with -the others. Only one circumstance marred his perfect confidence in the -expedition. This was the distrustful manner in which two of the woodsmen -constantly regarded Fishing Bird. They were Indian haters and Indian -fighters. They could "see no good in 'ary a single red mother's son of -'em," as one of them expressed it, "and didn't care who knowed it." - -The Sergeant, however, was more charitably inclined. Being of buoyant -spirits, too, when somewhat relieved of the camp's restraints, he kept -everyone in a good humor with his droll remarks. - -Even over the badly decomposed bodies of the two unfortunate men, killed -at the "big lick," his manner was the same. - -"Sure, they'd ha' be'an far better presarved if put in the brine! An' so -much o' it, handy like, 'tis a shame, it is!" said he. - -But notwithstanding, Quayle, as well as all the others, was much -affected by the awful sight the removal of the brush heap disclosed. Ree -knew from John's description just where to look for the bodies of the -murdered men, and he hoped to find something that his friend might have -overlooked, which would reveal the men's identities. Sergeant Quayle and -the woodsmen had also been anxious to see if they could not tell who the -unfortunates were, and it was for these reasons that the springs were -visited, though they lay somewhat away from the direct trail. - -Nothing did the little party find to shed any light on the mysterious -murder. The older woodsmen declared that both the dead men must have -come from some distant point. If either had belonged anywhere in the -vicinity of the Ohio river, they would have seen them at some time, they -were sure. Sergeant Quayle was of the opinion, from the dress and -general appearance of the murdered pair, that they had come from some of -the British posts in the Northwest, probably Detroit. Yet he expressed -the belief that Indians had committed the murder, and only when Kingdom -reminded him of the evidence afforded by the pair of gloves that had -been found, did he say: - -"Leastwise, we'll agree to this, lad; savages done it. White men or red -men, they was blackhearted savages that done such a dirty deed!" - -The party spent a night in the vicinity of the salt springs. Though -regretting the least delay, and anxious always to be pushing on, Kingdom -was greatly interested in the evidences of civilization having at one -time had a foothold at the "lick," as John had been. He was fortunate in -learning more about the matter than Jerome had learned, however, for one -of the woodsmen--a great, broad-shouldered young fellow, whose name, -oddly enough, was Small,--knew much about the springs. - -In camp at night he told the others how, several years earlier, Gen. -Samuel H. Parsons had come from Connecticut and attempted to establish a -salt factory at the place. He undertook to purchase twenty-five thousand -acres of land, embracing the springs and the territory about them, and -expected to reap a great fortune. He was greatly disappointed in the -quantity of salt the water contained, but might have carried out his -plan, anyway, had it not been that, in returning from the springs to the -east, he was drowned by the upsetting of his canoe at the Beaver falls. -The purchase of the great tract he had intended buying, was, therefore, -never completed. - -"But as a rule, lad, ye'll note as ye go through life," said the -Sergeant to Ree--he nearly always addressed his words to Kingdom "as a -rule, ye'll note that parsons are more partial to poultry than to salt. -Still, ye'll do well to tie to the parsons, Lord bless 'em! It's a -preacher I'd ha' be'an me ownsilf but fur----" - -The Sergeant left his exclamation unfinished and with a sigh, which was -also a chuckle, lay down and drew his blanket close about him. - -Kingdom planned to lead his party directly to the cabin on the Cuyahoga. -He was hoping he would find John Jerome in that neighborhood or in -hiding at the old poplar, even while he told himself how little ground -he had for such a thought. - -Men coming to Wayne's camp from Fort Pitt had brought word that John had -not been there, and where to look for him, excepting near the cabin, or -among the Delawares, Ree did not know. He was depending on Fishing Bird -to obtain information for him, however, and repeatedly, on the journey -west, the Indian would go a long distance from the others of the party -to find, if possible, some wandering redskins who might be able to give -him news of the capture of the lad they sought. - -Although at no time was the Delaware in any way successful, he never -failed to rejoin Ree and his white friends at night. In every way, both -then and later, he proved himself thoroughly trustworthy and loyal, -despite the daily predictions of Jim Small that he would turn up missing -when he was most wanted, and be found hostile when his friendship was -most desired. - -The march through the forest wilds was interrupted by no incident of -importance. Ree had left his horse at Wayne's encampment, as he had no -wish to ride while others walked, and, under the circumstances, the mare -would be a hindrance. Rapid progress was made by the "expedition," as -Sergeant Quayle always called the little band of six, however, and the -increasing severity of the weather was almost the only hardship of the -undertaking. - -At the middle of an afternoon much pleasanter than the raw, cold days -which had preceded it, the expedition reached a point only a few miles -from the clearing and the river. A council of war was held and it was -decided that Ree and Fishing Bird should go forward to look for John at -the cabin, while Sergeant Quayle and the others turned off to the north -to await their report at a certain rocky ledge of which both Kingdom and -the woodsmen knew. - -The chief reason for this action was the secrecy which must be observed -to prevent knowledge of the presence of so large a party reaching the -mysterious camp in the gully. The camp itself would be inspected under -cover of darkness and a decision could then be reached concerning the -best time and manner of surprising the murderers, and effecting their -capture. If it were found that the camp seemed permanently occupied, and -the occupants intending to stay indefinitely, they would be allowed to -rest in supposed security while John Jerome was being located. - -Ree had seen from the first that the men who accompanied him were more -keenly interested in the lead mine than anything else. He would rather -have made the finding of John Jerome the first object to be achieved, -but he gave way to the wishes of the Sergeant in this instance, and now -he and Fishing Bird hastened on to the cabin. - -Cautiously Kingdom and the Delaware approached the clearing. The sun -shone lazily, the air, though cool, was soft and still. Peace seemed -everywhere. It was hard to believe the reverse was true. And then came -the shock. - -From the edge of the woods Ree saw the awful work Lone-Elk and his -warriors had done. Not a muscle of his face moved. Though even Fishing -Bird sorrowfully shook his head and put his arm before his eyes to shut -out the most unhappy scene, the boy remained cool and collected. No sign -of the tempest of grief and boiling anger that raged within him was -visible on the surface. With surprise the Delaware observed his calm -demeanor and heard him say: - -"Whose work this is, Fishing Bird, we don't know. Just what has been -done, though, we can plainly see. I am afraid it means something worse. -So what I want you to do, good Fishing Bird, is to hurry to the Delaware -town. Hurry to the village and learn anything and all you can about what -has happened to Little Paleface. Whether the Delawares know much, or -nothing, come to me at the rocks where I am to meet my friends, tomorrow -morning. Come early, Fishing Bird, and bring good news if you can. Bring -bad news if you must. But most of all don't fail me." - -"Every word Fishing Bird understands," the Indian answered, and in -another minute was gone. - -For a very short time Ree lingered at the clearing's edge. Tears came to -his eyes, now that he was alone, when he looked at the fire-stained -chimney rising like a spectre above the ruin of ashes around it,--the -only thing left of his home. Quickly, however, he wiped the evidence of -his sorrow from his face. He glanced around for old Neb, the cart horse, -but saw nothing of the animal. "They've taken him too, no doubt," he -thought, and his heart grew more bitter and his face more stern, as he -turned away. - -The ease with which Kingdom traversed the forest, up hill and down hill, -and his familiarity with the country for miles around, enabled him to -reach the meeting place at the rocky ledge almost as soon as Sergeant -Quayle and his companions. Briefly he told them what he had seen. They -asked questions which he could not answer, as he had not minutely -inspected the clearing, but he did not tell them his reason for not -having done so, though he knew it well. It was because he could not bear -to undertake the heart-breaking task. - -"Anyway," said Sergeant Quayle, "our business tonight is t' see this -queer camp ye've tould us of, an' hear what the redskin tells in the -mornin'." - -So were plans made accordingly and after a cold supper all hands set out -stealthily to inspect the haunt of the mysterious man in the gully. Ree -led the way, nor was his task difficult. The light of a small campfire -was seen reflected on the branches of the trees, even before the ravine -was reached. - -Stooping low, and taking every step with care, all five approached the -edge of the bluff. For a few minutes nothing more than the small blaze -could be seen. But the fire had lately been replenished with fresh wood -and, with this evidence that some one was near, the watchers were -content to wait. - -Soon a man came into view. He carried several slices of meat and, -sprinkling them freely with salt from a pouch at his belt, prepared to -broil them. Little did he suspect how intently his every movement was -scrutinized, for he mumbled to himself, and spread his great hands out -to the warmth of the blaze, as if he had no thought but to enjoy the -meal he was preparing. When the meat was cooked he ate greedily, then -disappearing for a few seconds, returned with more. This he disposed of -in the same way. - -For perhaps half an hour he continued to sit near the fire, but rising -in a regretful manner, at last, he covered the embers with ashes, then -disappeared and returned no more. - -Until far into the night Ree and his four companions remained watching, -then cautiously withdrew. The moonlight filtered through the leafless -branches of the trees and the air was very frosty. For warmth and rest -Kingdom led the party to the hollow whitewood. Here a conference was -held and the decision reached to return to the camp in the gully just -before daybreak. - -Whether the others slept Ree did not know. They all were wrapped in -their blankets and very quiet. But he knew that he did not sleep, nor -could he had he tried. The loss of John, the burned cabin, the whole -sorrowful end of all the bright hopes of a few weeks before kept his -thoughts too unhappily occupied, and he was glad of the darkness that it -concealed his grief and pain. - -Sometime before dawn Sergeant Quayle stretched himself and sat up. -Kingdom did likewise and the others were also soon astir. With the same -care as before, they moved upon the haunted ravine, and chose their -places, each a little distance from the others, but all where they could -hurry down the steep hillside at a moment's notice. - -The sun was just rising as the tenant of the lonely camp came suddenly -into the light, stretching himself and yawning. - -The click of the Sergeant's rifle as he cocked it was the signal, and it -sounded loud enough. Silently, swiftly and almost noiselessly the five -men descended the bluff, and, almost before the murderer's yawn -permitted his mouth to close, it was open again, but this time in -extraordinary astonishment. He was surrounded by stern, strange faces. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII--ONE MYSTERY CLEARED AWAY - - -It was daylight when with parting war-whoops the Indians left the scene -of the terrible fire they had kindled, dragging John Jerome by the -thongs which bound him. But they took with them flames which threatened -even greater danger to the Paleface boy--the fires of excitement, hate -and merciless cruelty which the night's barbarities had kindled in their -brains. John realized this full well. Though the savages had been rough -and brutal in their treatment of him before, now they were still more -so. No indignity, no suffering was too great to be inflicted upon him. - -Little wonder is it that on his own account poor John wished for but two -things--the slightest opportunity to escape, or the end of it all -quickly. Only the thoughts of Return, and how his friend would be -searching for him everywhere, as soon as news reached his ears, buoyed -up the wretched lad's drooping spirits and gave him strength to endure -the cruelties heaped on his defenseless head. - -Tired out after their night's carousal, most of the savages lay down to -rest upon their arrival at the village, and John was allowed also to -sink into a troubled sleep, though watched constantly. It was about noon -when he fully awoke, to find that something out of the ordinary was -taking place. By degrees he discovered what it was, learned that Captain -Pipe had returned and that explanations were being made concerning the -burning of the cabin. - -Lone-Elk took upon himself the whole responsibility for the offense. The -Little Paleface was a witch, he declared, and his brother, the White -Fox, was a spy upon the Indians, and on the pretext of befriending -Fishing Bird, had gone to Wayne's camp to carry word of the movements of -the Delawares. - -The Seneca would have put the loyalty of Fishing Bird himself to the -Delawares in question had he dared to do so, but he gained his point -without it; gained all he sought--praise for his own loyalty to the -cause of the Indians as a whole; no censure for the pillage and -destruction of the white boys' cabin, and last and greatest of all, the -assurance that the captive, Little Paleface, would be put to death. - -Let him be burned at the stake, Lone-Elk argued. Some of the younger -Delawares had never seen a prisoner suffer by fire. It would warm their -blood and teach them how to punish their enemies. - -"By fire, then, let the witch be killed," Captain Pipe had ordered, and -the terrible sentence reached John Jerome in his guarded hut a little -later. - -Four warriors came. They roughly stripped him of all clothing excepting -his fringed buckskin trousers, and painted his face and body black. Thus -he was left for the time, as the hour of his torture was to be the -following morning. But he was told to prepare for death and formed -bluntly that with the rising of another sun he would bid farewell to -earth forever. - -In vain did John ask to see Captain Pipe. The chief would not go near -him. He asked for Gentle Maiden, knowing that she would intercede for -him if she could. No word was taken to her. He asked for Neohaw. The old -medicine-man came. He heard the lad's appeal, and shook his head. - -"Neohaw can do nothing," he declared. "Lone-Elk is in favor with all the -Delawares and with their great chief, Hopocon. No one can help the -Little Paleface. Neohaw believes not that the Paleface brother killed -Big Buffalo. Yet all the Delawares have harkened to the tale of the -Seneca and the white boy must die. Let him then go bravely to the fire. -Let him sing boldly to the last the death songs that his fathers taught -him." - -John thanked the aged Indian for his sympathy and said no more. He did -feel better, somehow, to know that there was one friend left in the -village, where so many times he had been received with greatest favor in -days gone by, and resolved that if die he must, it would be bravely. - -Something very like tears, however, dimmed his eyes as he thought of his -unhappy end. He held them back with an effort and, lest they come again, -and be taken as evidence of fear or cowardice, he prayed for strength to -meet the awful fate he must suffer like a man. He breathed a prayer for -comfort for Ree Kingdom and for the dear ones in far-away Connecticut, -when the news of his death should reach them. - -It was night now. The Indians made the most of it. Their war cries, as -once again they engaged in the terrible dance, led, as always, by the -bloodthirsty Seneca, were frightful. But to John Jerome a peace which -passeth understanding had come, and with thoughts of all the happy days -his young life, so soon to close, had known, and in his heart a trusting -faith that One who died for others would be with him to the end, he fell -at last into soothing, restful slumber. - -At dawn John awoke. The village was quiet. The two savages who stood -guard over him seemed to be the only ones not still asleep, save for a -trio of squaws rekindling the fires before their wigwams. The air was -chill and raw, but crows were cawing lustily, and a bluejay screeched -his harsh song near by. Soon the sun rose, pale but clear. It was a -pleasant morning to be alive, a most gloomy one to die. - -Patiently the prisoner of the Delawares awaited the executioners. They -soon would come, he thought, and nerved himself to meet them without a -tremor. His lip quivered the least bit and a lump came in his throat, -but outwardly he was so calm that the Indians watching him marveled at -his courage, and told one another in whispers that witches were more -than human. - -The morning went quickly by. Expecting each minute to see Lone-Elk and -others coming for him, time seemed to John to go both slow and fast; -slow, that no one came; fast, because each minute was so precious. Hope -had not wholly left him, either. It might be, even now, he thought, that -Neohaw or Gentle Maiden, or maybe Long-Hair or Little Wolf, had -successfully interceded in his behalf. - -At last two Indians came to relieve those who guarded the prisoner. The -Delawares were stirring about in numbers now. John asked the new guards -for food and it was brought to him. Then Neohaw came. In a kindly way he -told the boy that the time of the burning had been changed and the -torture fire would not be lighted until night. Against Lone-Elk's -wishes, Captain Pipe had decided on this, as he had no wish to -participate in the terrible festivities. He planned to go away near -evening and leave everything to the Seneca. - -All day the more cruel of the Delawares exhibited their impatience. All -day squaws were busy adding to the collection of wood about the -burning-post, set firmly in the ground at the edge of the collection of -huts and wigwams that comprised the town. Between the logs of his prison -John could plainly see all that went on. - -It was late in the afternoon. Night's shades were deepening. The sun had -nearly sunk from view and a soft, golden light rested for a time on the -bosom of the little lake. - -With a glad cry an Indian came leaping into the village. Fishing Bird it -was, and his joy at being safe at home once more was great. In a moment, -however, his happiness vanished. In a trice he discovered the -burning-post and the fagots piled near it. He guessed its meaning -instantly, and his fears were immediately confirmed as he made inquiry. - -Captain Pipe was just leaving the village but stayed a few seconds to -give Fishing Bird greeting. He listened gravely to the younger Indian's -plea that the Little Paleface be spared. He shook his head. Then Fishing -Bird told of the rapid ride Return Kingdom had made through the woods to -save a Delaware's life, and called Long-Hair and Little Wolf to tell of -the part they had had in that undertaking. - -"A council shall be held. The Delawares will give the one accused of -witchcraft a fair trial," said the chief at last. "If then it is found -that, as a witch, the Little Paleface killed a warrior of the Delawares, -he must suffer the penalty. Fishing Bird can ask nothing more." - -Very soberly the friendly Indian approached the place of the white boy's -confinement and told him that for the present his life was spared. - -John's happiness in seeing the loyal fellow once again, and in having -another friend at hand, was inexpressible. Soon he had learned all that -the Delaware could tell him concerning Ree and what the latter had been -doing. - -"One thing, then, Fishing Bird, you must do for me," he said. "Let Ree -Kingdom know that I am to have a trial. Get Captain Pipe to let you -bring him and his friends here." - -"Fishing Bird will bring them. Tell nobody," the Indian whispered, and -withdrew. - -Before the coming of another day the Indian friend of the boy pioneers -had left the village. He had found that the time of the council the -Delawares would hold to place Little Paleface on trial would be the -following afternoon. The torture fire would be lighted in the evening, -if the boy was found guilty, as was very certain to be the case. It was -with great news to tell and many conflicting thoughts in mind, -therefore, that he sped through the woods to meet Return Kingdom at the -spot agreed upon. - -Thus while Fishing Bird hastened to the meeting place from one point, -Ree was making his way toward the same ledge of rocks from another. -Without the least difficulty the lone occupant of the mysterious camp -had been captured and taken away. While Jim Small and another of the -woodsmen watched the camp from the bushes to surprise and make prisoners -of any confederates of the fellow, should such put in an appearance, -Sergeant Quayle and the fourth of his squad held the murderer in close -quarters at the hollow whitewood. Search of the camp would not be made, -it was agreed, until Kingdom's return with Fishing Bird. - -Ree and the Delaware reached the place of meeting at about the same -time. As the redskin came up, Kingdom searched his face anxiously for -some clue to the tidings he brought. It was vain to do so. Indian-like, -he could conceal his thoughts completely and he wanted the pleasure of -telling what he had accomplished before its substance was surmised. - -He soon did tell, however, all that had happened and very soberly, -indeed, did Ree receive the news. How glad he was that Fishing Bird had -reached the village so opportunely need not be told. The great question -was what could be done to rescue John Jerome? - -"We'll ask the Sergeant what he thinks about it," said Kingdom as the -Delaware told more fully of the desperate situation their friend was in. -"Come, we must hurry. There'll be not a minute to lose." - -Another surprise awaited Ree when the old poplar was reached. - -"Whist! The dirty British pig has tould iverything!" whispered Sergeant -Quayle, meeting Kingdom and the Indian at the edge of the thicket. "A -foine thing it is, too, so it is!" And with these words the disgusted -Irishman led the way forward. - -Within the hollow tree there lay a great bulk of a fellow groveling on -the leaf-strewn earth, bewailing his fate, pleading for mercy, and -altogether making of himself a most miserable, loathsome spectacle. - -"Oh, if I'd knowed it would come to this!" he blubbered. "Don't let them -punish me! Oh, kind gentlemen, save me! Let me go away and sin no more! -Won't some one speak a kind word to me?" - -The abject fear of the craven, now that his crime had found him out, -would have been pitiable had his whole manner not been so utterly -contemptible. - -Giving little heed to the guilty wretch, however, Ree at once apprised -the Sergeant of the news Fishing Bird had brought and the latter was -immediately sent to summon Jim Small and his companions for a -conference. - -While he was gone Sergeant Quayle told, with many expletives and many -invectives against the British, the confession the murderer had made. -The fellow's name, it developed, was Lobb. He had been connected in an -unofficial way with the British garrison at Detroit and had served a -number of times as a go-between for the English officers in certain of -their more or less secret dealings with the Indians. In consequence of -these services he was chosen to accompany two men sent to encourage -hostilities among the savages to the south of Lake Erie and as near the -border of the American settlements as they should deem it prudent to go. - -The party traveled by canoe, Lobb had said, and coasting along the -southern shore of Lake Erie, readied and ascended the Cuyahoga river. In -the course of this trip they fell in with Lone-Elk, roaming the woods -alone, as his frequent custom was. The Seneca was not unknown to the -men, for he had visited Detroit and offered his services to the British -when forced to flee from his home among his own people. - -For various reasons, but principally because they feared some news of -their presence would reach Fort Pitt or Gen. Wayne, the men concluded to -do all their business with the Indians of the locality through Lone-Elk. -He would distribute their bounty, the powder and the bullets they -brought, also gold for those who cared for it. - -Not long had the men been in the vicinity when they decided to visit the -salt springs of which they had heard a great deal. To conceal their -identity they concluded, also, that they would make some salt while -there, pretending that such was the sole purpose of their presence. - -It was at the springs that Lobb's cupidity got the better of his natural -cowardice and what little decency he possessed. With a view to obtaining -the gold in the party's possession, and thinking then to escape to the -east in disguise, he concealed himself and shot both his comrades just -as they were preparing to leave the springs. To convey the impression -that Indians had done the awful deed he scalped both men. Then, filled -with fear lest the bodies be found before he could get away, he had -dragged them into the woods and covered them with brush. - -"Well, why did he hang around here? What did he say about the lead -mine?" asked Ree, as the Sergeant finished. - -"Sure, it's all the farther he wint with his black yarn, fer with 'ye -dirty cur, ye!' I give him a push an' a shove an' he landed where he's -still layin', hard an' fast ferninst the ground there." - -Lobb was questioned further by Kingdom immediately. The boy believed he -saw in the loathsome creature's story reason to believe that the -Delawares had been grievously deceived by the Seneca. - -Whining and groaning, the self-confessed murderer continued his story. -He had been afraid to go on east from the springs, he said, and made all -haste back to the Cuyahoga, where he and his companions had established -headquarters in a small cave, originally pointed out to them by -Lone-Elk. - -From here he dared move in no direction. He was afraid to return to -Detroit--afraid to go east, west, north or south. Knowing of the -presence of the two boy pioneers, a few miles away, his fears were -greatly increased lest they discover him and guess his guilty secret. -Day after day, then, he had lived in the hole in the hillside, coming -out only at night to prepare food, or when forced to go in search of -fresh meat. - -Imploring mercy and begging for freedom, the fellow concluded his -statement. - -"You've told everything, have you!" Kingdom asked with as little -harshness as his feelings would permit. - -"Aye, master, aye--everything," Lobb whined. - -"So it was you, then, who supplied Lone-Elk with lead and bullets, and -his story of a lead mine was a story and nothing more?" the boy -demanded. - -"I guess so. I don't know anything about a lead mine, master. Truly I -don't know anything about it. I do remember though, come to think, that -Lone-Elk said once that I was his lead mine and I must look out that the -Palefaces didn't find it out." - -"You hear that, Sergeant?" exclaimed Ree, with some excitement. "Now let -us see whether that sneaking Seneca will continue to rule the -Delawares!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV--WHO KILLED BIG BUFFALO - - -Even before Kingdom finished questioning the murderer, Fishing Bird had -come up bringing the two woodsmen from the gully. All three were quickly -informed of Lobb's confession and of the discovery of John Jerome and -the great danger surrounding him. The entire party looked to Ree for a -suggestion. - -"We've got to act and act quickly," the lad said in a low tone. "If -Fishing Bird will be our escort, I propose that we go to the Delaware -town as fast as we can go. If Captain Pipe can be made to understand -that Lone-Elk has deceived the Delawares in one way, we can, with -Fishing Bird's help, and Lobb's confession, bring him to his senses -about this witchcraft business." - -"Lone-Elk's a bad 'un. He killed a Seneca and had to leave home," put in -Lobb, who had listened attentively. - -"Huh!" snorted Sergeant Quayle. "Cain killed Abel an' had to leave home; -but he didn't go bush-whackin' two men from behind!" - -"And what about Mr. Lobb, anyhow! We can't leave him, once we've had the -pleasure of his company?" put in Jim Small, with sarcasm. - -"Take him along," said another of the woodsmen. - -"Yes, that is what I had in mind," Ree answered. "He can tell Pipe what -he has told us. But we must be moving, men! It's a long tramp and time's -flying!" - -Without loss of time the party got under way. No one questioned the -wisdom of Kingdom's plan, although, if the truth were known, two of the -men at least, looked for a lively scrimmage as a result of the -undertaking. But they did not falter. Indeed, it is a question if they -did not rather relish the prospect of a brush with the Delawares. Lobb -was completely disarmed but he was not bound. - -"I give ye my word, master, I'll not try get-tin' away," he said. - -"Whist! Give me yer chances in the hereafter; one's as good as 'tother," -retorted the Sergeant contemptuously, and then informed the murderer -further that the slightest attempt on his part would result in his being -shot first and asked as to the meaning of it afterward. - -The fellow made some very humble answer but he grew decidedly thoughtful -and rather sullen as the marchers hurried rapidly through the woods. -There was a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, too, when the party -passed the clearing and saw only a heap of ashes and the chimney where -the boys' cabin had stood. He was thinking. He was planning to betray -his captors and with Lone-Elk's help to turn the tables upon them. How -well he succeeded will soon be told, for now comes a part of this -history which all participants therein remembered throughout their -lives, and which left its impress upon the people of Captain Pipe's town -long after the village itself had ceased to be. - -The day was bright and clear. Though not warm, neither was it very cold, -and the south wind which sighed in the leafless branches of the trees -and gently rippled the waters of the little lake seemed soft as velvet. -The Delawares were in fine spirits. With savage rapture they looked -forward to the terrible celebration the night would bring. - -From the lower towns on the Muskingum Captain Pipe had brought -encouraging news of Indian successes along the border and almost without -exception his warriors were enthusiastic for the final conflict with -Wayne's "Legion," which, they believed, would not be long in coming. -They felt perfect confidence as to the outcome. They had seen his raw -recruits. They did not know then that "Mad Anthony" had no intention of -marching upon them until his troops were trained. This and much else -they learned in time and to their sorrow. - -But there was another reason for a feeling of happiness in the Delaware -town, and particularly was Lone-Elk, the Seneca, in a good humor. This -very day there had arrived the two warriors whom Captain Pipe had sent -with an offering of white wampum to the friends of him Lone-Elk had -slain. Not as compensation, not as damages for the injury done, had the -gift of wampum pure and white been sent, but as a plea for forgiveness; -as a symbol of the slayer's penitence and sorrow. - -It was somewhat unusual for an offering of peace to be accepted so long -after the crime had been committed, and it was known, too, that -Lone-Elk's offense had been particularly cruel. So was there very good -reason for the Seneca to shake hands with his Delaware friends and -receive their congratulations. - -Captain Pipe thought the outcast seemed less truly sorry for his crime -than he should have been. He little liked the haughty manner in which -the one so lately restored to a place of honor and respect in his own -tribe and nation bore himself. Perhaps he thought, also, that the Seneca -was less appreciative of the service rendered him than he should have -been. Nevertheless he gave the bold warrior his hand and told him that, -though he was now free to return to his own people, he would have a -place of honor among the Delawares as long as he chose to remain with -them. - -John Jerome heard by degrees of what had happened. He wondered if the -Seneca would not now be less bitter toward him, and more fair and -honorable. But he was grievously disappointed. Lone-Elk showed himself -more hostile, if possible, than before; more keen to carry out his plot -to avenge the pretended killing of Big Buffalo by witchcraft; more -intense in his hatred. - -As he learned just how matters stood, John's only hope for escape lay in -Return Kingdom and the men of whom Fishing Bird had told him. He knew -they would attempt to rescue him, but seeing how greatly they were -out-numbered, fear of the outcome worried him more and more. It was bad -enough for him to suffer, he declared within himself, again and again, -without dragging Ree and others to the same fate. - -The hour of the council to inquire into the guilt of the prisoner -arrived. The Indians assembled and once again John found himself in the -long, low bark house where always in the past he had met the Delawares -as friends. Captain Pipe and every buck and warrior of the village was -in attendance; but more conspicuous than any of them, more proud and -more erect, was Lone-Elk, the Seneca. In his hands he held the hatchet -brought by him from the cornfield of the young Palefaces, the hatchet -with which, he said, Big Buffalo had been slain. It was the evidence -that-would substantiate his story of the witch's work. - -Captain Pipe stated the purpose of the council briefly and quietly. Then -he informed the prisoner that the Delawares would hear what he had to -say, but urged him to confess his sin and not, on the eve of death, be -guilty of a lie. - -With face and body blackened, his hands bound to a stick behind him, the -accused boy arose. He tried to be bold and fearless, but, though he -looked the Indians squarely in the eyes, he could not speak as he wished -to do. His voice did not falter, but the words seemed somehow to refuse -to come. - -The charge against him was false, he said, and time would prove it. -Never except in fair fight had he harmed any Indian. He would leave it -to Captain Pipe to judge if he had not always conducted himself as a -friend of the Delawares. He reminded them how, only the past winter, he -had brought their women and children food while the able men were away -for the fighting that had taken place. With a suppressed sigh as he saw -how little impression he had made on the hostile faces round him, John -sat down. - -In an instant Lone-Elk was on his feet. With head thrown back and -flashing eyes he repeated the story of the cloud which drifted over the -lake--repeated again the whole miserable tale he had told so many times -before. Then he exhibited the hatchet taken from the shock of corn on -which a crow of most strange appearance had the same day been seen. - -[Illustration: THEY ASKED HIM TO GO WITH THEM.] - -"Lone-Elk well knows who put the tomahawk where he got it, Captain -Pipe," the prisoner found courage to say. But for doing so the warriors -beside him smartly rapped his head with their knuckles, and the Seneca -gave him a look of hate so fierce, so vindictive it startled him. - -"The white brother's time for speech is over," the chief made answer -coldly, and Lone-Elk now resuming his seat, he said: "The Delawares will -hear any who wish to speak further." - -A travel-stained figure glided swiftly from the door to Captain Pipe's -side and spoke to him in quick, low tones that few could hear. It was -Fishing Bird. - -"There are Palefaces who wait with a white flag, Palefaces who wish to -be heard," the chief announced, in the Delaware tongue. "Fishing Bird -may bring them here." - -Lone-Elk, with glaring eyes, rose hastily and would have remonstrated -but with a kindly, yet imperious wave of his hand Captain Pipe motioned -to him to sit down, and he obeyed. - -In another minute Return Kingdom, followed by five other white men, -stepped into the Council House. - -"Captain Pipe," said Kingdom at once, "we have put down our guns and -come here without arms to say a few words to the Delawares which they -may be surprised to hear. The Delawares are in council and it is a -proper time to speak to them. We ask nothing more than that you let us -be heard." - -"The Delawares will listen to White Fox," the chief answered. "While the -council lasts we shall be as friends. When it is over the Paleface -brothers may go their way." - -"We thank Captain Pipe and all the Delawares," Kingdom answered in -clear, loud, friendly tones. "We have come to you with important news. -We are received as your friends and we shall be such while in your -village. The news we bring will not be pleasant to all of you. For the -Delawares have been deceived. There is one here who has led Captain Pipe -and many of his people to believe he knew of a secret mine from which he -could supply them with much lead and with bullets." - -Kingdom paused for an instant, and as he did so Lone-Elk for the first -time caught sight of Lobb standing between two of the woodsmen. The look -he darted toward the fellow was venomous. There is no doubt but what he -thought the Englishman had revealed his secret, then led the white men -thither to betray him. - -But after the one quick, black look the Seneca seemed quite indifferent -to the presence of any of the white men. He concealed his thoughts -completely and the Delawares who cast questioning glances toward him -were amazed at his composure. Not so with Captain Pipe, however. He had -seen on Lone-Elk's brow the awful scowl which came and went so quickly, -and to him it spoke volumes. - -The pause in Kingdom's speech was very short, and few of the Delawares -noticed for a time the effect his words had produced upon their chief. -It was not until later that they saw on his face the fixed expression of -stony coldness dreaded by all of them. - -"There is one among you who has sought to advance himself and his own -ambitions by taking advantage of the other Indians," Kingdom went on. -"Three white men were sent from Detroit with lead, bullets, powder and -gold for the Delawares and other warriors hereabouts. To one Indian only -were the lead and bullets and powder given. True, he gave them to the -Delawares, but he led them to believe that from a secret mine did he -obtain the supplies he brought them. So did he gain power and influence -with Captain Pipe's people. - -"Now, hear me further. Two of the three men sent by the British to carry -stores from Detroit for the Delawares and others have been murdered. The -third man killed them. He has confessed his crime and told the whole -story of why the Indians did not all share equally in the goods brought -for them. This man is here!" - -Putting all the emphasis he could muster into his closing sentences, -Kingdom signalled his friends as he concluded, and Lobb, trembling and -ashy pale, was pushed into the foreground. - -"You have heard what I have told the Delawares," Kingdom quietly said. -"Do you know if it is true?" - -The boy's voice was calm and low, but in the death-like silence of the -Council House every word was plainly heard by all, and with intensest -interest the savages awaited the answer. - -"Yes; it's true," muttered Lobb with a look half of terror, half of -appeal and apology toward the Seneca. - -"Now point to the one who received the gifts intended for all the -Indians, not for him alone," Kingdom commanded. - -The murderer looked anxiously about him. He trembled so he could hardly -stand, but made no other move. - -"Point!" thundered Kingdom. "You know him well!" - -"There!" came with a groan from the frightened fellow's lips, and his -outstretched finger indicated Lone-Elk. - -On the Seneca's face there was an expression so threatening that even -Kingdom was alarmed. But he continued his talk boldly. - -"He who has deceived the Delawares in one way will deceive them in -another. Will they listen when his voice is raised against one who has -always been their friend? Will the Delawares allow him to shield himself -from suspicion by telling them Big Buffalo was killed by witchcraft? -Will they do this? Are the Delawares men? Have they not honor and -fairness?" - -Kingdom would have said more, and trouble would most certainly have -followed, had Captain Pipe permitted it. The Indians were becoming -dangerously excited. Jim Small and the other woodsmen, too, were -anticipating a row, while John Jerome was on the verge of cheering. - -The Delaware chief may have seen what the talk was leading toward; at -any rate he quickly rose, commanding silence, and straightway began an -address such as his people never before had heard and which no one -present could ever forget. His voice was not loud. His tones were those -of sorrow rather than anger, but he put into them so much of stern -honesty and both reproof and reproach, that his every word was like a -knife point. He said: - -"There came to the Delawares a fugitive and an outcast. In a moment of -anger he had taken the life of one who was raised up over him by his -people, the noble Senecas. Still he proved himself in heavy fighting a -loyal Indian and a mighty warrior. So did the Delawares open their doors -to him. He was given places of honor. When time had passed, and the scar -of his crime was old, a present of white wampum was sent to the kindred -of the dead Seneca asking their forgiveness. - -"This very day have the messengers of the Delawares returned bringing -pardon full and free for the stranger among them. Yet this very day do -the Delawares learn that they have been treated as children; deceived -and misled by him they helped. - -"They would have adopted him as one of their own nation, but he has -returned their hospitality with lies, their kindest thoughts with evil. - -"Of the death of Big Buffalo the Delawares will now inquire among -themselves. Witchcraft is an enemy if it exists. The Delawares will -learn the truth. But the Seneca must go. Let him leave the town and the -hunting grounds of our people forever. Go!" - -Waving his right hand haughtily toward Lone-Elk, Captain Pipe concluded, -and a flush of anger awful to see came to his face as the Seneca sat -still, his whole attitude one of indifference and contempt. - -As the chieftain was about to repeat his stern command in even sterner -tones, Lone-Elk rose to his feet. For a second or two he toyed with the -tomahawk he still held in his hands. Then in insolent tones, both -contemptuous and contemptible, and, glaring up and down the rows of -faces upturned to him, he said: - -"Lone-Elk is a Seneca. Never had he a thought of becoming a Delaware. -Why should a Seneca warrior put himself among squaws? For food; for -rest. Nothing more. Lone-Elk did not so much as ask that the belt of -white wampum be sent to the friends of a Seneca that is dead. He asked -no favors of any Delaware. Some of your foolish young men pointed their -fingers at Lone-Elk when Big Buffalo was found dead in the bushes by the -water. For his amusement Lone-Elk told them of a witch. Like squaws they -heard every word. Like children they must hear over and over again and -could not have enough. Like children, too, did the Delaware's open their -ears and their eyes to hear a legend of a hidden mine of lead. Ugh! A -warrior sickens over them and is glad to go." - -For a full second the Seneca paused and looked disdainfully about him. -There was anger in every Delaware's face. - -But suddenly Lone-Elk's demeanor changed. An exclamation of wrath awful -to hear burst from his lips. - -"There stands the two-tongued Paleface squaw who killed your dead Big -Buffalo!" he cried, and shook his fist toward the quaking Lobb. -"Lone-Elk trusted a two-faced black dog of a Paleface! That is the -Seneca's crime! When the Harvest Festival was held this dog was hiding -in the brushes. Big Buffalo stumbled upon him there and kicked him, like -the dog that he is. They seized each other by the throats. The grip of -the dog was stronger than the warrior's grip. Big Buffalo was killed. -Lone-Elk has long known this. But why should he tell the Delawares? Why -tell the Delawares, to save two Paleface spies, cheating and lying to -the Indians and hunting on their land? - -"Still, the Delawares are but squaws. They have no place among the -mighty nations. Lone-Elk is glad to leave them. The Delawares will never -see him again. Let them, then, tell their children that once a mighty -warrior lived among them." - -Not deigning to glance again toward Captain Pipe or any of the others -present, but with his eyes fixed on Lobb alone, the Seneca quickly -turned toward the door. - -Before his intention was suspected, he swiftly raised the tomahawk in -his right hand, high above his head and brought it down on the skull of -the white murderer. - -With a stifled cry that ended in a sickening groan, Lobb sunk to the -ground, and the Indian strode haughtily into the open air, still -clutching the blood-stained hatchet. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV--FAREWELL FOREVE - - -The killing of Lobb was as nothing to the Delawares in comparison to the -words Lone-Elk had spoken, and the greatest confusion followed his -sudden departure. Many Indians and two of the woodsmen rushed out as if -to seize the Seneca, but he was gone. For an instant they caught sight -of him among the trees, walking rapidly away, with head erect and -shoulders squared. Not once did he look back. - -Why no one went in pursuit of Lone-Elk might be hard to explain; but -certain it is that neither Indian nor white man so much as called after -him. Perhaps what was every one's business was no one's business. At any -rate the Seneca went his way unmolested, and those who had hurried out -after him soon returned to the Council House where, between them, -Captain Pipe and Kingdom had succeeded in restoring quiet--the former by -ordering the Delawares to be silent; the latter by cautioning his -friends to beep cool. - -Sergeant Quayle had sought to lift the unfortunate Lobb up the moment he -fell, but found his task useless. The murderer was dead, and no wonder, -for the gaping wound in his head was both wide and deep. - -Quayle still knelt over the lifeless body when the confusion had -subsided; but seeing with what horror even the savages regarded the dead -man's fallen jaw and staring eyes, truly a most terrible sight, he -covered the corpse with his coat. - -An embarrassing silence followed the noise and commotion the tragedy had -occasioned, and for a few seconds the quiet was dreadful. The Indians -were in no good humor. The woodsmen were ripe and ready for trouble and -Kingdom understood only too well the gravity of the situation. But he -grappled with it boldly and successfully. - -"Captain Pipe," he said, with quiet dignity, "A murder has been -committed. A white man has been killed while under the flag of truce. It -is not enough to say that he deserved his death. Of course we realize -that the Delawares are not exactly to blame. Still we have all learned -how Big Buffalo died and we have seen the murderer punished. Now will -the Delawares not agree that they no longer have a reason for holding -Little Paleface a prisoner?" - -"Like the Delawares have the young Paleface brothers suffered for the -sins of another," Captain Pipe made answer. "They will yield the -prisoner to his friends. Yet do the Delawares urge the Paleface young -men to leave the lands of the Indians and, until there is peace, come -back no more. They know, as the Delawares know, that it is not safe. The -blood of our warriors is heated. The braves are in warpaint. For the -Little Paleface and for White Fox the Delawares will have only kind -thoughts. They have been good friends. The Indians have been glad to -visit them and trade with them. - -"Yet is it wise that they travel their separate paths alone. The ways of -the Paleface are not the ways of the Indian. The Great Spirit has made -them both as they are and they cannot be otherwise. Time and the -conflicts that every day take place will at last draw a line between -them and there will be peace and happiness. To the west will live the -Indians as the Great Spirit has taught them to do. To the east, the -Palefaces will cut down trees, drive off the game and build and dwell in -noisy towns. It is as they have been taught. Still, only by war can the -line of separation be drawn, and it is well for the Delawares and their -Paleface brothers to go in different ways. Today the trail they have -followed together divides. They say farewell. They hope for friendship's -sake their paths may never meet in war." - -With a few words in reply Kingdom hurried to John Jerome, whom the -warriors quickly loosened from his bonds. The two boys clasped hands in -silence. - -Fishing Bird had already sent Long-Hair and Little Wolf for John's rifle -and other belongings and when the lad had shaken hands with Neohaw, -Gentle Maiden and Captain Pipe, his property was handed him. - -Ree also took leave of the Indians whose friendship he had once enjoyed -and, two of the woodsmen bearing the body of the Englishman, all the -white men left the village. - -Silently, their untamed spirits for the time subdued, the Indians -gathered near the Council House to watch the departure of the Palefaces. -To the portage trail Ree and John were accompanied by Fishing Bird. They -asked him to go with them--to remain with them permanently. He shook his -head. - -"Paleface brothers heard the words of Captain Pipe," he said, -significantly but sorrowfully, and they said good-bye forever. - -An hour later, beside the portage path, the great highway of the -wilderness, the body of Lobb was buried; and the sun went down and -darkness enveloped the vast forest and all within it. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI--DOWN THE SUN-KISSED SLOPE TOGETHER - - -Beside their campfire, near the spot where a mossy stone marked Lobb's -last resting place, the two boys and their friends discussed their -future movements. All were interested in visiting the murderer's camp in -the ravine, and Jim Small declared his intention of making search for -the Seneca's lead mine. He believed the Indian had some good reason for -telling the Delawares he knew of such a mine, and, though the others did -not agree with him, he held to his theory. - -In substance Small's idea was that, inasmuch as out-and-out lying was -not an Indian trait, Lone-Elk must have had some basis for his story -more than had been discovered. However, time proved that this theory was -not well founded. Jim was right in his assertion that Indians did not -make lying a practice, but in this as well as in his ambition to be a -leader, whatever the cost, the Seneca was less honorable than Indians -were as a rule, before trickery and firewater had corrupted them. - -Despite their fatigue and the day's exciting events, the woodsmen and -the two boys remained awake far into the night. They were alert and -watchful, however, for the older men placed no confidence whatever in -the savages, and all screened themselves from sight by lying down among -the bushes near which their fire was built. - -Besting thus, and speaking in low tones, John told the story of his -adventure and in turn heard with great interest the story of Lobb's -capture and confession. There were tears in Ree's eyes when Jerome -described the burning of the cabin, and for the first time he felt in -his heart a hatred deep and endless toward the Indians as a whole. - -The Sergeant and his men were astonished to learn of the many lively -skirmishes the two pioneer boys had had with the savages at different -times, and expressed their wonder that both had not been scalped long -ago. - -"Ye'll desarve it, too, if ever ye come to these hostyle parts ag'in," -Quayle told them. "Whist! It beats all, so it do, that mere spalpeens -get through where whiskers a full foot long can't go!" - -The morning came, cold and raw, with a feeling of show in the air. With -some haste the little party ate a breakfast of roasted smoked meat and -resumed the march toward the gully. They paused for half an hour in the -clearing and Ree and John soon found Neb, sheltering himself from the -wind, back of a clump of bushes. Every particle of harness had been -destroyed by the fire, and only a strip of buckskin could be found -wherewith to lead the horse. Neb was very docile, however, and upon his -willing back a roughly fashioned pack was soon placed. It contained corn -and potatoes from the fields the boys had cultivated, and various -articles of baggage of which the woodsmen were glad to be relieved. - -Before leaving the clearing Ree and John went again to the heap of ashes -which marked the cabin site. Together they surveyed the ruins and were -glad of the opportunity to speak to each other some words of sympathy -their companions would not hear. As they did so, John noticed sticking -in the half-burned end of a log a blood-stained tomahawk. - -"Look! Lone-Elk came here!" he said. - -"I declare," returned Kingdom solemnly, "his hatred is something almost -more than human. Venting his feelings by leaving that hatchet at this -spot! I suppose he intends it as a warning!" - -Neither boy was disposed to touch the weapon and they left it--left it -and the remnants of their fallen hopes and castles among the ashes of -the cabin. Ree sighed as they turned away. "But still," he said, -brightening, "we have enough to be thankful for, after all." - -It was nearly noon when the camp in the gully was reached. Apparently no -one had been near since the capture of Lobb, and no reason to doubt the -truthfulness of the story the guilty wretch had told could be -discovered, excepting that no gold was found. - -"We'd orter got that 'fore we took the heathen away," said one of the -woodsmen, and the others agreed. - -Ree and John, however, did not greatly care. With the others, they made -careful search of the vicinity, however. Nothing did they find except a -few articles of food, some cooking utensils, a bullet mold and a -quantity of lead and powder in the low, shallow cave concealed among the -bushes. All the afternoon was given up to hunting for the lead mine and -the gold thought to be hidden near by. But the Seneca's mine, if he had -one, remains undiscovered to this day. Neither was the slightest trace -of the treasure sent for the Indians, but who never received it, found. - -The searchers made camp at night near the hollow whitewood, whose -sheltering trunk protected Ree, John and the Sergeant. The others -scoffed good-naturedly, saying the first three were no better than -bears. Nevertheless the tree was a very comfortable place, and -especially on this occasion, for during the night much snow fell. - -The desirability of reaching Wayne's camp as soon as possible was -apparent to all members of the party and rapid marching was agreed upon. -A halt of a half day for hunting, with the result that a quantity of -fresh venison and several turkeys were carried into camp, was the only -delay in the journey to the east, and the distance of nearly one hundred -miles was covered in a little more than five days. - -Gen. Wayne sent for both Kingdom and Jerome the day following their -arrival and from them heard a full account of the salt springs murder, -the death of Lobb, and the indisputable evidence that the British at -Detroit were extending aid to the redskins throughout the Northwest -territory. He cautioned the boys that they must not think of returning -to their clearing, and, thinking perhaps of the military ambitions of -his own boyhood, the sham battles he had arranged and fought, and the -sieges he had planned, asked them if they would like to join his -"Legion." It was by this name that he always called the army he was -assembling. - -Thanking him, and saying they would like to think of his offer and talk -it over, the lads took leave of the great soldier, feeling very well -satisfied with themselves. - -In the end, however, Ree and John did not join the "Legion." They were -not lacking in courage, nor in patriotism. But within the next few days -John was taken very sick. The injuries and exposure he had suffered were -the cause of it, the army surgeon said. He was removed to Fort Pitt and -the winter was half over before he was again able to be out of doors. He -regained strength slowly and with the coming of spring he and Ree, -mounted on Neb and Phoebe, made the trip by easy stages to Connecticut. - -Three years passed before the boys went west again, and along the whole -frontier peace reigned supreme. Wayne's victory over the savages at the -Battle of Fallen Timbers effectually ended their resistance to -civilization's advance in the Ohio country, and never again did a -serious outbreak occur in the region named. By the treaty of Fort -Greenville in 1796 the extreme eastern boundary between the settlers and -the Indians was definitely fixed at the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers -and the portage path. It so remained until the treaty of Fort Industry -in 1805 when the Indians sold the lands west of the path and the rivers -named. - -The village of Captain Pipe on the little lake had by this time long -since disappeared. As a nation the Delawares were scattered and their -numbers were small. Eventually they found homes in a far western -reservation. - -Although Ree and John never saw the honest, loyal Fishing Bird again, -they heard of him as taking a gallant part, on the side of the Indians, -of course, in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Report reached them also of -a most bitterly hostile savage who was among the killed in this battle. -He fought with his last breath. Though shot twice through the body, he -raised himself on his elbow and sunk his knife into a wounded soldier -who had fallen near him. That this redskin was Lone-Elk, the Seneca, -there can be little doubt. - -There is a tradition that the beautiful daughter of Captain Pipe so -attracted a young warrior, whose admiration she did not like, that he -poisoned himself when she rejected his attentions. Another tradition -states that Gentle Maiden was cruelly shot by two white men, while -walking alone in the woods. I do not know whether these legends are -supported by fact nor do I know if there is any truth whatever in the -tradition of there having been a lead mine in the Cuyahoga valley, the -existence of which was known only to the Indians. - -Return Kingdom and John Jerome did not settle again where their original -clearing had been. There was a reason and it was that pretty Mary -Catesby, a very early friend of Ree's, having become Mrs. Return -Kingdom, was a party to the plans for the permanent removal west. She -wanted to be somewhere within reach of neighbors. Woman-like, she had -her way, and Ree bought land near Marietta. Where Kingdom was John -Jerome was sure to be, and he owned the adjoining farm. - -Both the boys, now to manhood grown, were active in the public affairs -of the state of Ohio, organized a few years later, and many a day and -evening found them together in conference concerning matters of mutual -interest. They did not always agree, but it is certain they never -quarreled. Their lives were blessed with many quiet joys and even when -sorrows came they also were shared and each grief and burden seemed the -lighter. - -More and more often in later years, as the two went down the sun-kissed -slope of lives well spent did they speak of the adventures of their -youth. Maybe John was inclined to brag a little. Some say so. But both -were liked by all. - -To the end of his days John looked up to Ree as to an elder brother, and -if he did brag it was of Kingdom's exploits, rather than his own, and -the latter was wont to smile, "Well, well! They were days quite brisk -enough, and pleasant now to talk about; but in quite a different way the -present days are brisker, after all." - - THE END. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TRAIL OF THE SENECA *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42032 - -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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