time he had set, would not be likely to go near the
tree until the close of the day. Then, when he was armed again, it would
be too late for him to work Deerfoot ill. Possibly, however, he might
take it into his head to return earlier; but the Shawanoe cared very
little if he did, for even then he felt there was little, if any, cause
for fear.

That which Deerfoot now wished to do was to proceed westward with all
speed. He had learned from Lone Bear a description of the camp where
Otto was left, so that he was confident he could find it with little
trouble. Although considerable time had passed, yet when such a party
moved through the wilderness they left a trail which could be followed a
long time. Deerfoot was confident he and his friends could reach the
spot in a couple of days, but his plan was that he should press on
alone, leaving Hay-uta and Jack Carleton to follow at a pace more
suitable to them. By putting forth his amazing speed, he knew that the
three days' journey of the Pawnees could be covered between the rising
and setting of a single sun.

Had he been alone, he would have crossed the river at once, and by the
time night was closing in would have been many miles on his way; but the
first step was to rejoin the Sauk and his young friend. A perfect
understanding must exist between him and them, and that could be done
only by an interview.

Furthermore, though a quiet seemed to hang over wood and river, it could
not be doubted that Hay-uta and Jack were in much personal danger. They
were on the same side of the stream with the hostiles who were hunting
for them, and it would be no trifling matter to extricate themselves.

And again, Lone Bear would be sure to give a "pointer" to the rest of
the warriors, by which they would suspect that the purpose of the little
party was to push on and hunt for the boy that had been left alone to
die in the woods. Thus, while Hay-uta and Jack were following their
friend, the Pawnees would be trailing them and another curious
complication of affairs was likely to result.

Deerfoot had seen enough, while along the river, to satisfy him that his
friends were further down the stream than the hostiles whom they were
seeking to avoid. His first step, therefore, was to circle to the left,
so as to pass around the spot where he had seen them gather near their
canoe. On his way, he discovered one of the scouts prowling through the
wood; he easily avoided him and took care that