left, as though expecting some person or the
occurrence of some event. The fact was, that, although the Indians who
made the rash attack had fled, the Shawanoe was by no means satisfied.
He reflected, that while only the four warriors had been seen, it was
more than likely that others were within call.

There was no good reason for tarrying on the slope, and, as soon as Otto
had finished loading his gun, Deerfoot signified they were to leave. For
a brief spell nothing was to be feared from the panic-smitten Indians,
but the Shawanoe glanced furtively down the gorge before leaving the
partial shelter of the excavation in the rocks. Then they moved hastily
to the top of the ridge, where a stop was made until all could take a
survey of the surrounding country. This was an important matter, and
Deerfoot did it in his usual thorough fashion, his eyes taking in the
whole horizon.

The elevation of the ridge, and the sparse vegetation on the crest, gave
the Shawanoe the best kind of an observatory, and he gained an extensive
knowledge of the vast expanse of surrounding country.

Looking toward the south-east, the three saw a somewhat similar ridge,
though less in extent. It seemed more than ten miles distant, and the
attention with which Deerfoot regarded it showed that he was meditating
some scheme in connection with it. It took him but a minute or two to
form a conclusion. Then he scrutinized the territory in the opposite
direction. Toward that point he was looking for enemies: it was there
the Pawnee party was in camp or hunting back and forth.

Deerfoot was able to trace the river, on the other shore of which had
been kindled the camp-fire of the Pawnees, but he could discover nothing
of the warriors themselves. More than likely some of them identified the
little party on the slope, and took good care to keep themselves out of
sight.

Both Jack and Otto wondered at the absence of Hay-uta, the Sauk. He had
been absent much longer than Deerfoot, and the report of guns and shouts
of the Pawnees must have told him the same story which brought the
Shawanoe in such haste to the spot.

Once more Deerfoot faced the distant ridge in the south-east Pointing
toward it, he said:

"Let my brothers make haste thither, and wait for the coming of
Deerfoot."

"What's the matter now?" asked Jack; "why don't you go with us?"

"The Pawnees are on our trail; they will follow fast; my brothers must
make haste while Hay-uta and Deerfo