ll.

"I was a grown man when, with Mul-tal-la as my companion, I rode down
from the Blackfoot country and we set out on the long journey he had
made more than twenty years before. He remembered every river, stream,
mountain and prairie, though the settlements had brought many changes,
and on the way to the Ohio he met several acquaintances.

"It would be of no interest to tell of our journey, though we had more
than one adventure. The first place we visited was the little town of
Woodvale, so familiar to Mul-tal-la, and which had grown to that extent
that it had taken a new name.

"There we found George and Victor Shelton, almost in middle life, both
married and among the leading citizens. They were filled with joy to
see Mul-tal-la, and did all they could to make our visit pleasant. But
we had talked only a little while when we were grieved to learn that
Deerfoot, who had moved to the west of the Mississippi, had been dead a
good many years. Not only that, but the manner of his death was the
saddest of which I had ever heard. (See "The Last War Trail.")

"We stayed for several weeks in Ohio and met many old friends of the
Shawanoe. The one whom I best remember was Simon Kenton, who had great
fame as a hunter, and who had always been a close comrade of Deerfoot.
He was an old man when I saw him, but as strong and active as many who
had lived only half his years. He came to Woodvale the night before we
left on our return and stayed with Victor Shelton. His eyes filled with
tears when he spoke of Deerfoot, and said that the memory of the brave,
blameless life he lived in all circumstances had more to do with making
Kenton himself a Christian than did the camp meeting at which he
professed conversion.

"Well, we set out for home, and though a part of the journey was made
in winter we met with no mishap. When we arrived, Mul-tal-la went
straight to his lodge to see his wife and children and I hurried to my
home, where I knew the chief had long expected me. I was greatly
relieved to find him and my mother well.

"When I came into my father's presence, and before I had time to do
more than speak my pleasure, he raised his hand as a command for me to
keep silent.

"'I know what you would say, but you need not tell me. Deerfoot has
been here and told me all.'

"'But Deerfoot is dead,' I replied; 'that cannot be.'

"'Did I not say he has visited me since you were gone, and told me
all?'

"And then, forbidding me to