Running Fox

to loiter for a swim. The water was cool and refreshing, and they splashed about in great delight. Spotted Deer especially enjoyed it, for the cold wate

denly looked up the river and discovered something wh

he lads watched it with great uneasiness. It appeared to be unoccupied and abandoned. Still the suspi

ble to find out about th

tell to what tribe it belonged. Running Fox had been well trained in the a

told Spotted Deer. "If any one was in

ted Deer. "But some one may be s

d Running Fox. "It does not tr

w they might gain possession of it without exposing themselves to discovery. They feare

ard land," Running Fox

was drifting directly toward it. They watched eagerly until the canoe finally struck upon the projecting point of

and catch it,"

ment it would be beyond his reach. Throwing caution to the winds, Running Fox rushed boldly into the water and seized the prize. As he had guessed, it was unoccupied. As he drew it toward him it left a tell-tale mark in the gravel. However

ed with the prize until they found a safe hiding place, and then they dragged it into the bushes. T

said Running Fox, as h

e of Iroquois design. Still they were not sure. They stared at them in amazement. The whole affair was a great m

in that canoe was very fo

e kept the paddle,"

id not see that,"

til they returned down the river on their way to the Delaware camp. It would have been a spl

d it, they will become suspicious. Perhaps they will look for our trail. We have a long journey to make, and

tted Deer said, resignedly. "But if some one co

m about that," la

ed as he saw the reason for the wily bit of stratagem which would make the owner of the canoe believe that his weapons wer

atch to see who comes af

they remained there, as alert and patient as a lynx waiting for prey. Nothing

me," said Spotted Deer, after the

t," Running

recognized even at a distance as Mohawk warriors. It was not the first time that the young Delawares had seen those fierce fighters, for several had been captured and brought to the village by Delaware scouts. Now, however, they looked upon them wi

ry quiet," cauti

e beach, and the Delawares wondered whether they would discover the mark in the gravel. They were not long left in doubt, for they saw the younger warrior pointing toward the spot, and talking excitedly to his companion. The latter seemed suspicious. It was apparent that he was watching the shore. Then he said something, and they moved slowly tow

hose warriors," l

an arrow into them,

back and told their people what had happened. No, we are in a dangerous country, and we must not let them know about us. If

Spotted Deer. "Well, I

will come back," said Runnin

he missing canoe. They passed close to the shore, and the Delawares had a splend

ar," said Running Fox, after the

s their faces," replied Spotted D

. "We must find out. Perhaps they are getting r

led. They had expected the Mohawks to stop at the end of the day. The fact that they still continued their journey made the lads believe that they were either in a great hurry, or else were making toward some familiar camp-site near at hand. The latter possibility induced the Delawares to follo

op, but if they do not make a fire we cannot find them. They are painted for war. Warriors on the war-trail do not make fires. If we

be the best thing to d

ess in search of a safe stopping place for the night. They finally found suitable shel

t gets light we will be able to see a long ways a

on guard while the other slept. Spotted Deer said that he would take the first watch. He had not been long on guard when he heard the weird serenade of Gokhos,

t?" he inquir

th Gokhos," laug

children when there are enemies about to hear. Perhaps what you heard was a signal. I have heard my

e suddenly realized the peril of his act. It f

thing," he said. "I did not think about it. Now I se

any more about it,

s again echoing through the forest. It seemed to come from farther up the

is Gokhos," sa

replied R

epeated nearer at hand, and Running

k with you," he said. "I believe

ain came to them through the darkness. Running Fox strained his ears t

ing wrong with it, but I do not feel right about it. We have seen the Mohawks

r a moment it allayed their suspicions, for they realized that only Gokhos himself could have moved

ne another," declared Running Fox. "We wil