Running Fox

The thought spurred them to greater efforts, and they scrambled frantically to the top of a low hardwood ridge to reconnoiter

ill be hard for the Mohawks

n their ears, and an arrow hummed angrily between them. Spotted Deer instan

may be surrounded!

"Saganaga! Saganaga!" It was the name by which the Delawares were known to the Iroquois, and Spotted Deer could not guess his reason for procl

ll that warrior," pr

we get to the swamp,

nly ceased, and the Delawares knew that their foes were hurrying along in silence in the hope of surprising them. The lads dared not slacken their pace, and when they finally

ome up with us so fast?

ng along that ridge when he heard the danger cry of his people. Then he stopped to listen. Pretty so

aganaga'?" demanded Spotted Deer. "No

l take us for Shawnees. Yes, he will say, 'Hi, the frightened Shawanos took me for a Sagan

ve done a good thing. But we must kill that warrior who found us on the ridg

d alone," replied Running Fox. "Perhaps he was with a war-party. I beli

to find them before it grew dark. Then they hoped to steal away under cover of the night. However, the Mohawks seemed determined to transform the swamp into a trap, for instead of following the fugitives

lish thing," he said, bitterly. "Yes, I bel

d us here," Spotted Dee

," replied Running Fox. "But

they began a cautions advance toward the edge of the swamp. They moved through the darkness as silently as phantoms. They had gone a con

g is coming," cau

?" inquired

athed Run

They had little doubt that it was one of their foes. They wondered if it was the warrior who had surprised them on the ridge. A moment later a pair of

Achtu," said

hen they will say, 'Something has frightened that deer. Perhaps it was the people we ar

d be a good thing to do

hey heard the call of Gokhos, the owl. They felt quite sure it was a signal. In a few moments it was answered by the husky harking of Woakus, the f

find us," said Running

lmost within bow-shot, and the lads realized their peril. They stopped and waited for the Mohawk scout to pass them. In a few moments they heard him. Then he seemed to stop, and the Delawares wondered if he had discovered them. Long,

om," whispered Running Fox. "The Mohawks

il they go away,"

often seemed within bow-length of them, but each time the danger passed, and they finally gained the depths of the swamp i

of dawn penetrated their hiding place. "Pretty soon the Mohawks will come

potted Deer. "If we keep still it

"The Mohawks will be sure to look into this tree-top

we go?" asked

d a place," Runni

climb, he asked Spotted Deer to remain upon the ground. When Running Fox finally settled himself

" replied Spotted Deer, after he h

Running Fox. "Now you

al. It sounded a short distance south of them. In a few moments

. "Pretty soon they will draw together. Well, I do

ow to hide, and we will fool

ance to the right of them, and the Delawares believed that the noisy birds had discovered one of the Mohawk scouts. They took deligh

whispered Running Fox.

friend," repli

. Then the noise began again, and this time the crows were much nearer. Peering carefully through the branches, the Delawares saw them circling about above t

lies this way it will be bad. Yes, he will see us, and make

e," agreed S

t circles, and making a great racket. Then some of the crows swung off, and fl

t is going to happen

ill," caution

e, and sat as motionless as statues. The crows passed so near that the lads distinctly heard t

away," Spotted Deer whispered, e

ey believed that Getanittowit had suddenly chased them away. However, the lads knew that the danger was far from over, for at that moment they heard a s

e here," whispe

ey realized what would have happened if they had remained in that hiding place. The Mohawks stooped and looked carefully into the dense tangle of branches, and then they seated themselves upon the prostrate trunk. It was not long, however, before another signal sounded close at hand, and one of the warriors raised his hands to his mouth and imitated the gobble of the wild turkey. It brought an immediate response, and soon afterward a third warrior appeared. It looked as if the Mohawks had selected that very spot for a meeting place, and the alarmed Delawares feared the

e had suddenly learned their whereabouts. Their hearts almost stopped beating at the thought. The Mohawk was still looking up at the tree, and saying something to one of his companions. That warrior, too, seemed to have discovered something of interest in the top of the spruce. The Delawares were almost af

s kill them before they tell their fri

are sure they have found

urned and disappeared after their comrades. The Delawares looked after them

Running Fox. "Yes, Ahas flew over us, and could not find us. Then

their friends about us," suggested Spot

rrior was looking at this great tree. Yes, I believe he was telling his friend somethin

t the swamp. They had little doubt that other Mohawks were stationed along the boundaries of the swamp, and they believed it would be folly to attempt to leave their hiding place before their foes had abandoned the search. They felt quite cert

t hear anything of us when it grows dark, then I believe they will give u

ared, loyally, "You have fooled the Mohawk