Running Fox

en for signals. As the time passed, and they neither saw nor heard anything

potted Deer. "Now we wil

he Mohawks have gone away, but we must be sure. Perhaps they are keeping

stay here," agr

border of the swamp. As they neared it, they stopped and spent a long time listening and watching. The way seemed clear, however, and th

afe," laughed

great danger," Running Fox warned him. "This countr

t he and Spotted Deer were Shawnees, for he knew that those people lived in the great wilderness to the westward. The Delawares continued to travel until long after darkness had fallen, and fin

will be hard to get near th

But I do not believe they know who we are.

and lake, and they climbed to all the high places to look for it. Their efforts were in vain, however, for the vast wilderness continued unbroken as

the best thing to do

x continued northward along the ridge of hills which they had followed from the headwaters of the river. They planned

said Running Fox. "We will be in great da

h out," said

search of him. The thought depressed them. They realized fully the peril of venturing alone through the stronghold of their foes, but they saw no other way of learning the location of the Mohawk

ong time, and finally decided that it must be the lake of which he had heard. Then he examined the sky for a trace of smoke from the hidden Mohawk camp. Several times he thought he had found it, but each time

he told himself that perhaps Spotted Deer was somewhere out of range of the signal. To make sure of reaching him, he imitated the shrill quavering cry of Quenischquney, the panther. It echoed through the woods with startling force, and Running Fox knew that if Spotted Deer were anywhere near he would be sure to hear it. Still it brought no response, and Running Fox was perplexed. Twice more he sent the startling shriek ringing through the wilderness, and each time he feared that sharp Mohawk ears might hear it, and detect the counterfeit. Still he saw no other way of learning whether Spotted Deer was in the vicinity. However, as time passed and he heard nothing from his friend he became alarmed. He w

allen a victim to the Mohawks, and he began to blame himself for having sent him upon the expedition. Then his heart filled with anger, and he determined to search the wilderness until he had learned the fate of his friend. If Spotted Deer was a

untains which Spotted Deer had set out to explore, by midday. He climbed to the top of the ridge and continued toward the north. As he sped through the forest, the distr

ting place. Running Fox realized, therefore, that unless he, too, returned, Spotted Deer might go in search of him. He told himself that in that event they might never find each other. On the other hand if Spotted Deer ha

o further proof. He was sure that Spotted Deer had fallen into the hands of his foes. As he pictured his plight, Running Fox blamed himself for not continuing the search. He feared he had lost the chance of saving Spotted Deer. Running Fox knew only too well the hatred which the Mohawks held for his people, and he felt sure that they would lose little time in taking vengeance upon the unfortunate young captive. The

rd a cautious footfall near at hand, or a faint signal farther away, and his heart bounded wildly. Each, time, however, his imagination played him false, and his hope gave way to deeper despair. At other times he imitated th

opened his eyes, and sat up, he exclaimed with surpri

eer, as Running Fox continued to st

he moved over to Spotted Deer and seized his hand. "Well,

ened, for I thought you were dead. When you did not move I touched you. You did not feel it. Then I shook you. You did not feel that either. Then I got frightened again. Well, I stooped over and listened. I heard your breath. That mad

ed Deer had told him. He realized that utter exhaustion had placed him at the mercy of any

that you have escaped. I am feeling good again. But I must tell you that I am troubled about something else. You say that you came up

" replied Spotted Deer. "Perhaps it will

him, and Spotted Deer instantly understood the reason

trong you would have been dead. Yes, if you were not a good war-leader

you find?" inqui

ar-party," decla

," Running Fox

I hid myself between some rocks, and began to watch. After a long time I heard some one coming. Then two warriors went by very fast. I could not see what they looked like. Well, I kept watching, and pretty soon I heard many voices. Then I saw that those people were not following the trail. They passed behind me. I followed them. When

to be thinking about what Spotted Deer had told him. The latter watched h

w do you feel about it

hawk village. Perhaps it is near some other piece of water. You say that you could not tell who those warriors are. Then how do you know that they are Mohawks? We must not be too sure about that. There i

ed Deer. "Now I see that I did not find out enough about

find them," repl