s gradually
creeping nearer and nearer to the edge of the stream. Being in the
shade, he could not be seen by the stranger. Presently Winnemak rose to
his feet, and making a spring, almost cleared the stream. With a few
bounds he was on the opposite bank.

The spy saw him coming, and finding that he was discovered, rose from
his recumbent position. He, too, was fleet of foot, and lightly clad.
Away he rushed towards the level prairie; perhaps he expected to find
friends there, or had his horse staked in that direction, near some wood
or copse.

As soon as I perceived what Winnemak was about, I too sprang up, as did
several Indians, but as they were all worn out with fatigue they were
soon left behind. Being a good runner, I kept pace with the chief,
although still at a considerable distance behind him, as he had had the
start of me.

Day was just breaking, and there being no objects to impede the rays of
the sun as it approached the horizon, the light rapidly increased.
Although I had, at first, lost sight of Winnemak, I soon again saw him,
with the man he was pursuing at no great distance in front.

On the two went. Neither of them being armed, the fight was not likely
to be a bloody one; still it was evident that Winnemak attached great
importance to the capture of the spy. Perhaps he suspected who he was;
and he evidently entertained a bitter animosity against him. I could
not have supposed that he would have exhibited so much activity, judging
from his appearance when clothed in his usual robes. Although he
appeared to be a strong, muscular man, the other Indian, from his
movements, was evidently young and active. How he had ventured to
approach the camp without being armed, was a mystery. He could not, at
all events, have intended to injure any one, or he would have come with
his bow and arrows. As the light rapidly increased, and I saw him more
clearly than at first, it struck me that he was the young brave,
Piomingo, who had lately paid us a visit at the farm; but of this,
seeing him at the distance he was from me, I could not be certain.

The chase promised to be a far longer one than I had expected. The
stranger seemed as resolved to escape as Winnemak was to overtake him.
Few people, Indians or whites, except after long training, could have
continued running so fast and for so long a period as did the spy and
Winnemak.

I had the greatest difficulty in keeping near them; and, indeed, I had