as "informal" as possible. All
through the winter the Shawanoe had impressed upon the Blackfeet that
this separation in the nature of things would be brief. The time was
certain to come, at no distant day, when they would all be together
again. So he smiled, the boys bade good-bye to the numerous lads with
whom they had played and hunted, and were so happy over the prospect of
soon seeing their own home again that they could not repress their
delight nor pay much attention to the regret, if not sadness, of the
aboriginal youngsters.

Deerfoot's last hour in the village was spent alone with Taggarak in
his lodge. What took place there and what was said by each were never
known to anyone beside themselves.

By the middle of the afternoon our friends had penetrated a number of
miles to the eastward. A good deal of snow remained, and they had to
pick their way with care. They would have been wise had they remained
another month, as they were urged to do; but Deerfoot himself was as
homesick as his companions and as willing as they to face the hardships
that had to be faced for several weeks to come.

Jack, Prince, Zigzag and even Whirlwind showed the effects of their
long confinement, but all appeared to share the enthusiasm of their
owners and worked royally to get forward. When they had traveled the
distance named, the rest given them by their masters was not unwelcome.

Naturally, upon halting, all turned their eyes westward. A moderate
mountain spur hid the village from sight, but each knew where it lay.
George and Victor scanned the field of vision with the aid of the
glass, but noted nothing unusual. When Deerfoot took the instrument he
stood for a long time directed toward a certain spot. He expected to
see some object, and was not disappointed. On the top of the same bare
brown rock where he had caught sight of Mul-tal-la when Deerfoot was
coming to the village for the first time, he descried another form. It
was not that of Mul-tal-la; it was Taggarak, who had climbed alone to
the place, and, silent and motionless as a statue, was gazing after the
little party of horsemen as they slowly faded from view in the
distance.

George and Victor kept their eyes on their friend, and when they noted
the length of time he held the glass leveled they suspected the cause.

"He sees some one," said George, in a low tone.

"It must be Taggarak. Look!"

Deerfoot had lowered the instrument and was peering westward with hi