rested against the tree, he saw Raven Wing between the tree trunks being
hurried away by two other Indians. As the arrow leaps from the bow Hawk
Eye sprang forward in pursuit. The Indians saw him coming, but having
dropped their guns in the scuffle with Raven Wing, they were unable to
fire at Hawk Eye as he approached. At this point the Indian who had
hidden behind the tree threw a heavy stick which struck Hawk Eye on
the back of the head with such force that he fell, bleeding and
insensible, upon the ground.

[Illustration: AS THE ARROW LEAPS FROM THE BOW HAWK EYE SPRANG FORWARD
IN PURSUIT.]

When Hawk Eye recovered from the effects of the blow, he found himself
lying on the cold earth in total darkness, and firmly bound hand and
foot.

In vain he tried to break the leather thongs. He called loudly for Raven
Wing, hoping his friend had somehow escaped and would come to his aid.
But only echoes of his own voice answered him. The dreadful thought now
flashed across his mind that the enemy had buried him alive in some dark
cave. At length the gray dawn shone in upon him and showed that he was
in a deep hollow in the bluff overhanging the river.

Again he called to Raven Wing. Scarcely had the echoes of his voice died
away, when a man's figure darkened the mouth of the cave.

"Raven Wing!" cried Hawk Eye.

"Slow Dog has heard your call," answered a sneering voice. Bending over
the helpless boy the Medicine Man drew a scalping knife from his belt
and cut the thong that bound his feet and hands, and signed for him to
rise.

[Illustration: "SLOW DOG HAS HEARD YOUR CALL," ANSWERED A SNEERING
VOICE.]

With difficulty Hawk Eye stood upon his legs, numbed by long binding. He
said nothing, however, observing that the sneer still played about Slow
Dog's lips.

"Come," commanded the Medicine Man. Hawk Eye obeyed and followed him to
the timber belt where the struggle of the previous night had taken
place. Presently they came to an Indian camp. There were no tepees, but
the several blankets that lay under the trees indicated where the party
had lain during the night. A Chippeway Indian squatted beside a fire,
holding Hawk Eye's dog by a leash.

[Illustration: {Equipment.}]

CHAPTER XIV

HAWK EYE'S REVENGE

From the fact that the camp was without tepees or squaws, and the
Chippeway's face was daubed with red paint, Hawk Eye knew that he had
fallen in with a small party on the warpath, but he could not account