rees and bushes, and he reckoned that it was made now
by at least twenty warriors who had no wish to conceal their traces.
Presently he came to one of the little prairies, numerous in that
region, and as the trail led directly into it he paused, lest he be seen
and be trapped when he was in the open.

But as he examined the prairie from the shelter of the bushes, he became
convinced that the warriors must have increased their speed when they
crossed it, and were now some distance ahead. At the far edge, two
buffaloes, a bull and a cow, and two half-grown calves, were grazing in
peace. Two deer strolled from the forest, nosed the grass and then
strolled back again. The wild animals would not have been so peaceful
and unconcerned, if Indians were near, and, trusting to his logic, Henry
boldly crossed the open. The four buffaloes sniffed him and lurched away
to the shelter of the trees, thus proving to him that they were
vigilant, and that he was the only human being in their neighborhood.

He entered the forest again and followed on the broad trail, increasing
his own speed, but neglecting nothing of watchfulness. The country was a
striking contrast to the great swamp, firm soil, hilly and often rocky,
cut with many small, clear streams. He judged that the swamp was the
bowl into which all these rivulets emptied.

Reaching the crest of one of the low hills he caught a red gleam among
the bushes ahead of him and he sank down instantly. He knew that the
flash of scarlet was made by a fire, and he suspected that the warriors
whom he was following had gone into camp there. Then he began his
cautious approach after the border fashion, creeping forward inch by
inch among the bushes and fallen leaves. It was necessary to use his
utmost skill, too, as the dry leaves easily gave back a rustle. Yet he
persisted, despite the danger, because he needed to know what band it
was that sat there in the thicket.

A hundred yards further and he looked into a tiny valley, where was
burning a fire of small sticks, over which Indian warriors were broiling
strips of venison. But the majority of the band sat on the ground in a
half circle about the fire, and Henry drew a long breath when he saw
that Red Eagle, the Shawnee chief, was among them. Then he no longer had
the slightest doubt that the hunt was at its full height, that the
Shawnees were still using every device they knew to destroy the five who
had troubled them so much.

Red Eagle