of him.

It may be said that the young Shawanoe was hopeful of finding the
stallion unharmed, and he had reasonable ground for such hope. He could
not help feeling displeased with the action of Amokeat, who certainly
had presumed in thus using the property of another. Still, if no harm
had befallen the steed, the Shawanoe would check the reproof he had in
mind.

Several facts caused Deerfoot uneasiness. The beauty and nobleness of
the stallion could not fail to excite envy wherever and by whomever
seen. His owner believed that Amokeat would steal him if he had the
chance, but it need not be explained that the circumstances rendered
that impossible. In venturing upon this raid, the Nez Perces were sure
to come in collision with hostile Indians. They had lost warriors and
horses before. Indeed, their enemies had invaded the homes of the Nez
Perces and robbed them. Suppose Amokeat and his companions got into a
fight with some of the northern tribes. As likely as not the Nez Perces
would be defeated. In that case, Whirlwind would be first of the spoils
gathered in by the victors.

Suppose again the Nez Perces were victorious. The possession of the
matchless stallion must be betrayed to their enemies, who would leave
no stone unturned to capture him. There was every reason, too, to fear
that the hostiles would be successful; for they would be in their own
country and have every advantage on their side. With all the charity
that Deerfoot could feel, he could not help condemning the Nez Perce
chieftain for taking the great risk of causing the loss of Whirlwind.

You need hardly be reminded that if Deerfoot found this had taken
place, he had no thought of giving up the hunt. If it was conceivable
that the steed had fallen into the hands of the Eskimos, and they had
journeyed to the Arctic circle with him, the Shawanoe would have kept
straight on until he overtook the despoilers.

The Shawanoe gave a fine exhibition of his consummate skill in tracking
a party of horsemen. When this party numbered a score, more or less, it
was no trouble to keep to the trail, which was plainly marked; but had
he done this his progress would have been delayed, for he would have
had to follow every turning and doubling, which would have made the
journey twice as lengthy as a straight line.

When Deerfoot was hardly a mile from the Nez Perce village he followed
the footprints to the top of a ridge, where he paused and scanned the
broad, moun