ere the fact, something must have
occurred to cause them to linger on their return to their villages.

While he was speculating as to whether this was probable, smoke began
filtrating through the tops of the pines, behind the couple. A fire had
been started, though the hour of day was one when the party naturally
would have been in motion.

The question remained as to whether the horsemen intended to stay where
they were until the morrow or would soon resume their journey. The last
supposition seemed the most likely.

The decision of the Shawanoe was to lessen the distance between him and
the horsemen while such a fine opportunity offered. Flinging the glass
over his shoulder he set out to overtake the party in advance, doing
his best to decide upon the right policy, now that the important
information had come to him.

The most puzzling phase of the situation has been explained. But for
the certain recognition that Whirlwind would make of his master, the
latter would have gone direct to the Assiniboine camp and watched for
his opportunity; but as nearly as he could determine there must be
fully a score if not more of the warriors. To "cut out" the stallion
from among them when the sun was shining was clearly an impossibility,
though, as has been intimated, Deerfoot was ready to make the attempt
if no other chance offered.

Discretion warned him to keep out of sight of the party until
nightfall. He could then reconnoiter the camp with good prospect of
getting Whirlwind away. If the Assiniboines placed a sentinel on duty,
Deerfoot was confident he could get the better of him in the darkness.
The raiders would not be looking for any attack, though when on the war
trail they were sure to adopt the usual precautions.

The Shawanoe, therefore, had not gone far when he decided upon his plan
of action. He would stay out of sight of men and animals until the
gloom gave him his opportunity. Meanwhile it was well to decrease the
intervening distance so far as was prudent.

It was yet early in the afternoon when the interval was cut in half.
While doing this he stopped and made frequent surveys of the lake and
wood. It would have made no great difference had he been observed by
the horsemen, for it was impossible for them to suspect his identity or
his business. Still, it was just as well to have his presence in the
neighborhood unknown and unsuspected.

All this time the vapor was climbing through the tree tops. Those who