not a day
nor an hour to be wasted? Deerfoot would die many times while waiting
for Amokeat; he cannot do it."

This was another way of declaring that the young Shawanoe meant to set
out to recover his steed without an hour's unnecessary delay. All felt
in the circumstances that it was the best thing to do. No one offered
further suggestion. Mul-tal-la, who had spoken hardly a word, now told
Deerfoot he would find out all that was to be learned of Amokeat and
his party.

Left alone with the lads, the Shawanoe explained the plan he had
formed.

"Mul-tal-la will take my brothers to his home among the Blackfeet,
where they will stay until spring comes; winter is too near for them to
travel any farther toward the Ohio. Mul-tal-la will make them welcome
and they will not want for food and comforts."

"And what of _you_?"

"When Deerfoot meets Whirlwind, the two will join his brothers and all
will be together till the sun begins to melt the snow on the sides of
the mountains. Then they will set out for the Ohio which they left so
many months ago."

"Will you make this search for Whirlwind on horseback or on foot?"

"On foot; there is no horse that can help me. Whirlwind would be
offended if he saw me come after him on any other of these animals.
Deerfoot can travel better on foot than any other way."

"You wish us to take our horses with us to the Blackfoot country?"

The Shawanoe nodded.

"Take the four and keep them among the Blackfeet; they will be needed
by us when spring comes."

"You have plenty of bullets and powder. Is there anything of ours that
you would like?" asked Victor.

"Yes,--_that_; it may be of help to Deerfoot."

The dusky youth pointed to the spyglass suspended by a cord around the
neck of George Shelton. The owner instantly slipped the string over his
head.

"You are welcome to it and to anything else of ours."

"Deerfoot thanks his brothers, but there is nothing more he wishes. He
has his rifle, his powder horn, his bullet pouch, his flint and steel
and his hunting knife. Anything more would be a burden, but his heart
is warm with gratitude to his brothers."

At this point in the conversation, Mul-tal-la returned with news of
what he had learned by his inquiries among the Nez Perces.

The knowledge amounted to little. Chief Amokeat had led his warriors
northward three days before, starting just as the sun appeared. He gave
no word as to when he would come back, and none could do