was among the group, also smoking his pipe with
as much pleasure as Lone Bear himself. He did not seem to attract any
attention, and was as much at home as any of them.

His case was a singular one, but Deerfoot concluded that he had had some
quarrel with the members of the company. He had probably killed his
antagonist, and had fled without stopping to catch up his gun. After his
experience on the other side of the stream, he had opened negotiations
at long range with the company, and, finding them ready to receive him,
had passed over and joined them.

Suddenly Lone Bear stood upright, like a man who recalls a forgotten
engagement. He took his pipe from his mouth and stared around in the
woods, as if looking for some one. Deerfoot's heart fluttered with the
hope that he meant to start off alone.

At this moment, the battle on the other side of the river opened. The
whoops, report of a gun and cries caused much excitement among the
Pawnees. All of them sprang to their feet and looked toward the river
(too far off to be seen), as if they expected to learn by observation
the meaning of the hubbub.

The Shawanoe frowned with impatience, for, as has been stated, it looked
as if the imprudence of his friends across the stream would destroy the
purpose which had brought him to the vicinity of the Pawnee camp. The
probabilities indicated great danger, so far as Hay-uta and Jack were
concerned, and Deerfoot was on the point of rejoining them, when he
decided to wait. Whatever their peril, the end was likely to come before
he could reach them.

The sound of the turmoil borne to the war party in camp soon ceased, and
a long silence followed. Two of them walked toward the river, and a
third sauntered in another direction--all apparently in pursuit of
information. Deerfoot's eyes sparkled. Ah, if that third man had only
been Lone Bear!

The warrior on whom the young Indian had his attention fixed, however,
seemed to be partial to his former attitude, and, still puffing his
pipe, he leaned once more against the tree, as if lost in meditation.

By and by the red men from the other side came over in the canoe, and,
as may be supposed, they had a stirring story to tell. Deerfoot watched
them from his concealment, but heard nothing from which he could gain
any information.

Among the dozen selected to make the return in the canoe was Lone Bear.
Suspecting their intention, Deerfoot kept his eye on them until the
craft left th