w before.

The waiting Shawanoe heard the sound of hoofs, and a minute later saw
the form of the stallion as he galloped up and paused with his nose
thrust forward, asking for another caress.

He received it and in his mute way expressed his own pleasure at being
with his master again. The danger was not yet over, and the Shawanoe
deferred further petting until the opportunity was more fitting.
Resting one hand upon the neck of the stallion he leaped lightly
astride of him, still keeping the blanket about his own shoulders, for
the night was keen and the horse did not need the protection.

Whirlwind yearned to stretch his limbs and speed away with his master
on his back. But it would have been unsafe. After leaving the vicinity
of the lake the country was rough, and in the darkness the
surest-footed horse was liable to fall. Moreover, there was no need of
haste.

So the stallion passed out into the night at his usual graceful walk,
while his rider for the time listened and peered into the darkness
behind him for sound or sight of the Assiniboines who would have given
much for a chance to revenge themselves upon the daring youth that had
outwitted them.

At the end of half an hour Deerfoot slipped from the back of his steed
and pressed his ear to the earth. If the Assiniboines were following
and were near he would learn the fact through this better conductor of
sound. He heard nothing and once more vaulted upon Whirlwind.

Relieved for the time of all cause for fear, Deerfoot now gave grateful
attention to the proud stallion that was bearing him southward. He
first tested his recollection of the words of command which he had
taught him, and which you will remember were in a peculiar language
known only to the two. Whirlwind proved his excellent memory by
promptly responding to every order addressed to him. Then the Shawanoe
guided him by pressure of his knees, and by a certain manner of
striking the heels of his moccasins against his sides. The result could
not have been more satisfactory.

"Whirlwind is a bad horse," said Deerfoot, feeling that it was time to
have a little sport with him. "He ran away from Deerfoot on purpose. If
he had had any sense he would have left the Assiniboines and set out to
find Deerfoot instead of making Deerfoot travel so far to find him."

It would be absurd to pretend that a horse, even with the rare
intelligence of Whirlwind, could grasp the meaning of these words.
However, he u