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diff --git a/43864-0.txt b/43864-0.txt index ebb0e98..c949123 100644 --- a/43864-0.txt +++ b/43864-0.txt @@ -1,32 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Running Fox, by Elmer Russell Gregor - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Running Fox - -Author: Elmer Russell Gregor - -Illustrator: D. C. Hutchison - -Release Date: October 2, 2013 [EBook #43864] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUNNING FOX *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43864 *** RUNNING FOX @@ -6300,357 +6272,4 @@ their pride as they looked joyfully into each other’s eyes. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Running Fox - -Author: Elmer Russell Gregor - -Illustrator: D. C. Hutchison - -Release Date: October 2, 2013 [EBook #43864] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUNNING FOX *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank - - - - - -</pre> - +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43864 ***</div> <p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;font-size:1.4em;'>RUNNING FOX</p> @@ -8484,380 +8448,7 @@ looked joyfully into each other’s eyes.</p> <p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;'>THE END</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Running Fox, by Elmer Russell Gregor - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUNNING FOX *** - -***** This file should be named 43864-h.htm or 43864-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/8/6/43864/ - -Produced by Roger Frank - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Running Fox - -Author: Elmer Russell Gregor - -Illustrator: D. C. Hutchison - -Release Date: October 2, 2013 [EBook #43864] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUNNING FOX *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank - - - - - RUNNING FOX - - - - -[Illustration: The next instant his own arrow dropped his enemy to the -ground.] - - - - - RUNNING FOX - - BY - - ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR - - AUTHOR OF "WHITE OTTER," ETC. ETC. - - - [Illustration] - - - FRONTISPIECE BY - D. C. HUTCHISON - - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - NEW YORK--LONDON - 1918 - - - - - Copyright, 1918, by - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - - Printed in the United States of America - - - - - ACKNOWLEDGMENT - - I beg to gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to Schoolcraft's - works on the Eastern Indians, and to Morgan's "League of the - Iroquois" for much valuable information about the old-time Lenape - and Iroquois Indians, and to the Lenape-English Dictionary edited by - Daniel G. Brinton, and published by The Historical Society of - Pennsylvania, for many ancient Lenape words. - - Elmer Russell Gregor. - - - - - Table of Contents - - I--A LONELY VIGIL - II--INTO THE PERILOUS NORTH - III--A THRILLING ADVENTURE - IV--IN THE GRIP OF THE RAPIDS - V--WOLVES - VI--A PROWLER IN THE DARK - VII--THE MYSTERIOUS CANOE - VIII--A NARROW ESCAPE - IX--FORCED INTO HIDING - X--SPOTTED DEER DISAPPEARS - XI--A SKIRMISH WITH THE SHAWNEES - XII--SMOKE - XIII--SURPRISED - XIV--ANXIOUS DAYS - XV--A BATTLE WITH THE CHIPPEWAS - XVI--THE ESCAPE - XVII--PURSUED BY THE ENEMY - XVIII--THE IROQUOIS BLUNDER INTO A TRAP - XIX--THE ATTACK ON THE DELAWARE CAMP - XX--VICTORY - - - - - RUNNING FOX - - - - - CHAPTER I--A LONELY VIGIL - - -Having reached the age of sixteen winters, Running Fox, the son of Black -Panther, a famous Delaware war-chief, determined to establish his -reputation as a warrior. He knew, however, that before he could gain -admission into the gallant company of fighting men he would have to -prove his courage and ability in some daring exploit. Running Fox -believed that the Delawares would expect some extraordinary achievement -from the son of their most noted chief, and he resolved to surpass the -most noteworthy deeds of his tribesmen. He spent many days trying to -think of something sufficiently heroic to gain him the fame he desired. -As he could come to no decision, he finally went to his father, and -asked him to name the greatest possible achievement for a Delaware. - -The eyes of the stern Delaware war-chief lighted with pride as he heard -the bold request of his son. He spent some moments silently studying the -face of the eager lad before him. Then, convinced that Running Fox was -in earnest, he answered him. - -"My son, you have asked me to tell you the greatest thing a Delaware can -do. I will tell you. Far away toward Lowaneu, -The-Place-Where-The-Cold-Comes-From, in the Mohawk camp, lives a great -war-leader named Standing Wolf. You have heard our warriors talk about -him at the council-fires. He has killed many of our people. We have -fought many battles with him, but we cannot kill him. It must be that he -bears a charmed life. We believe that he has some mysterious power. Many -times our young men have surrounded him, but when they rushed in to -destroy him he always killed most of them and escaped. He has done some -wonderful things. It must be that he possesses some mysterious medicine -charm. If you can go to the Mohawk camp and find out how Standing Wolf -gets his power it will be the greatest thing you can do." - -"I will go," Running Fox cried, impulsively. - -"My son, you are brave enough, but you speak fast like a child," replied -Black Panther. "You must think about this thing. Then you will begin to -see how hard it is. Many brave warriors have tried to do it. Not one -found out about it. Most of them lost their lives. The Mohawks are as -keen as wolves. When you enter their country, you will be in constant -danger of losing your life. If they find your trail it will be hard to -escape. But if you feel brave enough to try to do this great thing, then -you must go and talk with Sky Dog. He is a great medicine-person, -perhaps he will be able to help you. Now I have told you what to do." - -"My father, I will do as you have told me," agreed Running Fox. - -He went at once to find old Sky Dog, the venerable Delaware -medicine-man. When Running Fox arrived at the medicine-lodge and drew -aside the huge bear robe that hung before the entrance, he saw the aged -medicine-man sitting upon the ground before a small fire. He was tossing -small handfuls of dried sweet-grass upon the embers, and droning some -sort of medicine-song. He took no notice of the lad standing uneasily in -the doorway, and Running Fox began to wonder whether he had better -withdraw. While he hesitated, however, Sky Dog raised his head and -looked to see who his visitor might be. - -"Hi, I see some one standing in the doorway of my lodge," he said, -peevishly. "The light is bad, and my eyes are old, so that I cannot tell -who you are. Come in here, and let me look at you." - -Running Fox entered, and stood before the medicine-man. Sky Dog nodded -understandingly. - -"Now I see who you are," he said, "You are the son of a great chief. -Well, what do you want?" he demanded, sharply. - -Running Fox suddenly felt bewildered in the presence of this great -medicine-person. For some moments, therefore, he maintained an awkward -silence. - -"Well, have you no ears?" Sky Dog cried, impatiently. "I have asked you -something. Has your tongue left your mouth? Come, I am not here to be -stared at." - -The sharp reproach instantly aroused Running Fox from his reverie. He -saw that his stupid silence had angered Sky Dog, and he hastened to -explain the reason for his visit. - -Sky Dog seemed astounded at his boldness. He shook his head, and stared -thoughtfully at the fire. It was a long time before he replied. - -"You have spoken big words," he said, finally. "You are only a boy, and -yet you have asked me to help you do something which our bravest -warriors have been unable to do. Do you think that I will listen to such -foolish prattle? No. You must show me that you are in earnest. Does your -father know about this thing!" - -"Yes, my father sent me here," replied Running Fox. - -"Well, then I may do something about it," said Sky Dog. "But there are -many things to be done before you can start on such a journey." - -"I am listening," declared Running Fox. - -"That is right. Well, first you must go to the sweat-lodge, and purify -yourself so that you can pray to Getanittowit, the Great One. Then you -must go away from the village for three days. You must go to a high -mountain, and ask Getanittowit, the Great One, to help you. You must -sing medicine-songs. You must not eat anything but a handful of parched -corn once each day. Perhaps if you do these things Getanittowit will -take pity on you, and send you a vision. If that comes to pass you must -come to me, and I will tell you the meaning of it. If you do not receive -a vision it will be useless to set out upon the undertaking, for you -will surely be killed. I have told you what to do. Go." - -Running Fox left the lodge in high spirits. He had little doubt that if -he faithfully carried out the commands of Sky Dog he would receive aid -and power that would enable him to achieve his ambition. He went to his -father and told him what Sky Dog had said. Then he hurried to the -sweat-lodge. - -The Pimoakan, or sweat-lodge, was a low, dome-shaped structure made of -willow boughs, and covered with several layers of animal robes. It was -located close beside the river. As Running Fox approached it he saw Sky -Dog and an aged assistant heating stones at a fire near the entrance to -the lodge. - -When the hot stones had been rolled into the lodge Sky Dog ordered -Running Fox to remove his clothing and crawl into the Pimoakan. Then the -medicine-man and his companion filled raw-hide buckets with river water, -and dashed it over the hot stones. When the lodge was filled with steam -they hung a number of heavy bear robes over the entrance, and left the -lad to his fate. - -For some moments Running Fox believed that he would smother in the -stifling clouds of steam. Gasping and choking, he was on the point of -crying out to be released when he suddenly realized what it would mean. -He told himself that such an act would not only disgust Sky Dog, but -that it might even arouse the anger of Getanittowit, the Great One. The -possibility frightened him. He endured the ordeal with the uncomplaining -fortitude of a hardened warrior. The hot, steam-laden atmosphere induced -profuse perspiration, and water streamed from every pore in his body. -Running Fox grew weak and dizzy. He fought to overcome his weakness, -however, for he realized that it was only by thus cleansing himself that -he might become fit to hold communion with Getanittowit, the Great One. - -While Running Fox was confined in the lodge, Sky Dog sat just outside -the entrance, chanting medicine-songs. He ordered Running Fox to repeat -them until he could sing them through without a mistake. Then Sky Dog -drew aside the bear robes, and commanded Running Fox to come out. The -lad staggered out, pale and faint. He presented a pitiful appearance. -Sky Dog pointed toward the river, and Running Fox stumbled down the bank -and threw himself into the icy water. The shock quickly revived him, and -in a few moments he clambered out quite recovered from his experience. - -"Now you can go away and rest," said Sky Dog. "But you must keep -thinking about the thing you wish to do. Then, when you feel strong, you -must take your robe and a little parched corn, and go away. You must do -that before two suns have passed. Go to some high place and stay there -three days. During that time you must continue to ask Getanittowit to -take pity upon you, and send you a vision. You must also keep singing -the medicine-songs. You must not take any weapons with you for that -would make Getanittowit very angry. At the end of three days come back -and tell me what you have seen. Now I cannot tell you anything more. -Go." - -Late the following day Running Fox took his deer-skin robe, and a small -bag containing parched corn, and left the village. He made his way -toward a high pine-clad mountain directly behind the great Delaware -camp. There were few who saw him go away, for Running Fox had carefully -guarded his plans. Two, however, his father and old Sky Dog, stood -together at the edge of the village and watched him disappear into the -shadows of the forest. Then they turned silently away, and walked -thoughtfully to their lodges. - -When Running Fox finally reached the summit of the mountain the sun had -disappeared, and the purple evening shadows were settling in the -valleys. Seating himself upon the trunk of a fallen pine the young -Delaware looked wonderingly upon the glorious panorama that lay before -him. Far below was the Delaware village beside a splendid river which, -like a great serpent, glided down from the north between parallel ridges -of low wooded hills. Behind those ridges were others, rising one behind -the other, like great billows, until they eventually ended in a long, -irregular line of ghostly gray peaks far away against the brilliant -sunset sky. The entire country was covered with a vast primeval forest -which continued in all directions as far as the eye could see. At -various intervals isolated woodland lakes flashed from its Bomber green -background and rushing mountain cataracts blazed narrow white trails -down the hillsides. It was an unspoiled picture of natural grandeur, a -land blessed by the bounteous generosity of Getanittowit, who had filled -it with blessings for his children. The waters teemed with fish, the -forests swarmed with game, and the air was perfumed with the fragrance -of the pines. Running Fox looked upon it with pride and affection, for -it was the home of the great Lenape nation, his people, the Delawares. - -Then the lad turned his eyes toward the north, and his face grew stern -and threatening. He realized that he was looking upon the hunting -grounds of his enemies, the fierce and warlike Mohawks. Somewhere in the -great silent wilderness that stretched for unknown leagues beyond the -headwaters of the river was the Mohawk village in which lived the famous -war-chief, Standing Wolf. Running Fox knew that to learn the secret -which would enable his people to triumph over their enemies he must find -and enter the hostile camp. For the first time he began to understand -the difficulty and peril of his task. It seemed like a foolhardy -undertaking for an untried lad of sixteen winters. Running Fox thought -of the experienced warriors who had sacrificed their lives in the -attempt. For a moment or so it weakened his confidence. He even wondered -whether he might not have chosen a feat beyond his ability. The idea -angered him. He told himself that no task was too great for the son of -Black Panther. - -Running Fox continued his reveries until darkness closed about the -mountain-top. Then, as the fires began to twinkle down in the Delaware -camp, he rose and turned his face toward the sky. He stood some moments -gazing at the starry heavens. Then he suddenly began his appeal to -Getanittowit, the Great One. - -Late in the night Running Fox was interrupted by the sound of something -moving stealthily through the forest. He was instantly alert, for he -recalled that more than one daring Iroquois scout had been detected -spying upon the Delaware camp from the summit of that very mountain. For -a moment Running Fox longed for his weapons. The next instant he -banished the thought for fear of angering Getanittowit. He believed that -as long as he sang the sacred medicine-songs, and repeated the words -which old Sky Dog had taught him, he would be safe from all danger. Thus -assured, he listened without fear to the mysterious sounds in the -darkness. At last a startled snort told him that it was only Achtu, the -deer. A few moments later he heard it dashing away through the woods. - -Dawn found the devout lad, heavy-eyed and weary, still gazing into the -sky and calling upon Getanittowit to help him. "O Getanittowit, take -pity on me and help me to do what I have set out to do. O Getanittowit, -send me a vision. O Getanittowit, I have sung the sacred medicine-songs -many times to make you glad. O Getanittowit, take pity on me and help -me." Running Fox continued to repeat the earnest appeal and sing the -sacred songs throughout the day. With the falling of darkness, however, -the exhausted lad ceased his exertions, and soon afterward fell into a -heavy slumber. - -The following day Running Fox hovered on the verge of collapse. The -scant daily ration of parched corn was insufficient to maintain his -strength, and the long, trying ordeal began to sap his vitality. He had -stationed himself on a bare granite ledge which formed the very peak of -the mountain. There, in the full glare of the scorching summer sun, he -stood and offered his prayers to Getanittowit. At times his head reeled -and his legs trembled beneath him, but when that happened he staggered -to the shade of the forest, and refreshed himself at an icy spring which -bubbled forth between the roots of a massive hemlock. Then he toiled -painfully up to the ledge, and continued the sacred ceremony which he -felt confident would eventually win him the favor of Getanittowit. - -More than half of the day had passed when Running Fox discovered -something which filled him with dismay. Far away toward the west -threatening black clouds were piling up above the hill-tops. The young -Delaware watched them with great anxiety. He knew that the Delawares -considered it a very bad omen to be overtaken by a thunder storm while -conducting one of their sacred ceremonies. It was considered especially -significant if one were praying to Getanittowit, the Great One. Under -those circumstances a thunderstorm was accepted as a sign of -Getanittowit's displeasure. The thought filled Running Fox with panic. -Keeping anxious watch of the darkening western sky, the superstitious -young Delaware continued to chant the sacred medicine-songs to avert the -ill fortune that threatened him. - -It was not long, however, before Running Fox realized that the storm was -actually approaching. The ominous black clouds had formed into a great -mass that was sweeping rapidly toward the sun, and the low, threatening -rumble of distant thunder echoed among the hills. The air grew hot and -stifling. A quick, darting line of fire cut the western sky. Running Fox -turned his eyes appealingly toward the sun, as he sang the -medicine-songs in a high, hysterical tone. Each moment he saw the storm -gaining greater force. The sky grew blacker, the thunder sounded louder, -and the lightning flashes became more frequent. Then the sun disappeared -behind the edge of the storm-clouds, and a peculiar yellow light flooded -the valleys. An uncanny hush had fallen upon the wilderness. Running Fox -was awed by the sound of his own voice. It sounded harsh and unnatural -for he was almost screaming the sacred songs in his eagerness to make -them effective. Then another sound reached his ears. The wind was -roaring over the ridge to the westward. A few moments later it swept -over the mountain-top. A hawk sailed across the sky on the crest of the -gale. Running Fox ceased singing to watch it. He wished that he, too, -might flee as easily. Before the bird had disappeared, the storm was -upon him. It began with a startling crash of thunder, and a crackling -flash of light. - -Believing that his long ordeal had been in vain, and that he had in some -way offended Getanittowit, the Great One, Running Fox wished to die. He -knew that if he returned to his people with the disfavor of Getanittowit -upon him he would be shunned as one in league with Medsit, the Evil One. -He might even be driven from the camp. His heart failed him as he -thought of the disgrace which he had brought upon his father. Then, as -the first great drops of rain began to fall, he turned his eyes toward -the village. A number of people were standing at the edge of the camp, -gazing at the mountain-top. Somewhat apart from the others stood a -solitary figure, whom the disconsolate lad thought he recognized as his -father. The possibility roused him. He believed that Black Panther was -there to give him courage and to urge him to continue his petition. The -thought filled him with hope. Running Fox told himself that perhaps -Getanittowit was only testing his faith and courage. Encouraged by the -idea, he determined to show himself worthy. A few moments later, -therefore, when the Delaware camp was swept from his sight by a terrific -deluge of rain, Running Fox turned his face fearlessly toward the sky, -and again sang the medicine-songs. He was a heroic figure as he stood -alone on the mountain-top in the fury of the storm, calling upon the -great being whom his people believed ruled over all their destinies. -Most of the time his voice was lost in the crashing of thunder and the -roaring of the wind, but in every lull it rose strong and confident with -the new hope that had entered his heart. - -"O Getanittowit, I am still here singing the sacred medicine-songs," he -cried. "O Getanittowit, take pity on me. O Getanittowit, do not send me -back to my people without something good to tell them. O Getanittowit, -when I first heard the dreadful Thunder Beings I was afraid. Now my -heart is strong again. O Getanittowit, take pity on me." - -A terrifying crash of thunder was followed by a blinding flash of -lightning that shattered a huge dead pine and filled the air with giant -splinters. Running Fox was less than three bow-lengths from the tree. -When it was struck he staggered backward with his hands before his face, -and fell to the ground. - -When Running Fox finally regained consciousness, he found himself -staring into darkness. For some moments he blinked his eyes to make sure -that they were open. When he had convinced himself, a great fear entered -his heart. He told himself that Getanittowit had destroyed his sight. -Raising his eyes toward the heavens in mute appeal he was astonished to -see the stars. He scarcely dared hope that they were real. He turned his -head and looked about him. He saw the dim, shadowy outlines of rocks, -and the shattered trunk of the giant pine. Then the truth suddenly -flashed upon him. It was night. Getanittowit had taken pity upon him, -and brought him back to life. Running Fox attempted to rise and give -thanks, but he was too weak. Besides, he was wet and cold. He longed for -his fire-sticks. Then, as he began to tremble, he suddenly remembered -his robe. He crawled about until he found it. It was quite dry on the -under side, and he wrapped it closely about him. Then exhaustion -overcame him, and he fell back unconscious. - -Running Fox had barely closed his eyes when he heard some one calling -his name. Then he saw Machque, the bear. For a moment Running Fox felt -uneasy without his weapons, for the bear was a huge creature and looked -very fierce. However, as he had heard it call his name he knew that it -must be a medicine-creature, and he believed that it had come to help -him. While he was looking at the bear, he heard some one behind, him -calling his name. He looked and saw Achtu, the deer. It showed no fear -of the bear, and walked up and stood beside it. Then Running Fox knew -that they must be medicine-creatures. As he was thinking what to say to -them, he again heard his name, and this time it was Woakus, the fox. It, -too, went and stood beside the others. Then came Quenischquney, the -panther, and Wisawanik, the squirrel, and Gokhos, the owl, and the -terrible Wischalowe, the rattlesnake, whom the Delawares called "The -Frightener." When they all were assembled, the bear was made the leader. - -"Running Fox, we have come here to help you," said this strange -medicine-creature. "You have stood the test, and now we are going to -help you. You are setting out to do a hard thing. If you do exactly as -we tell you, you will go through with it. What I have to say is short. -You know that my people are brave and powerful. You must fight and kill -one of my people. Then you must eat his heart, and wear his claws about -your neck. This will make you as strong and as brave as we are. I have -finished." - -"Running Fox, you have heard some one who is stronger and braver than I -am," declared Achtu, the deer. "But you must remember that strength and -courage will not always save you. When you cannot fight you must run. My -people are the fastest people who live in the woods. You are going out -to do a great thing. I will tell you that you must kill one of my -people, and eat his heart. Then you will be able to run faster than your -enemies." - -"Running Fox, you have heard Machque, who is strong and brave, and -Achtu, who is very swift, but you must also be very cautious. You are -going upon a dangerous journey. If you are not careful you will surely -be killed. My people are very hard to catch. If you can kill one of our -old men, and cut off his ears, you will be as sharp as we are," said -Woakus, the fox. - -"Running Fox, you have heard some great people," growled Quenischquney, -the panther. "Well, now I am going to help you. It is a good thing to be -strong, and brave, and swift, and cautious, but you must also be able to -steal up and surprise your enemies. No one can do that better than my -people. But I must warn you that our young men are very fierce, and you -will have a hard fight if you try to kill one of them. However, I will -give you power to do it. Then you must take the longest claw from each -foot, and keep them about you." - -"Running Fox, I am smaller and weaker than all these great people who -have talked to you," barked Wisawanik, the squirrel. "However, I am also -more nimble, and better at hiding. If you wish to travel safely to the -village where Standing Wolf lives, you must be nimble and good at -hiding. If you will kill one of our chiefs who wear the black robes, and -carry his scalp with you, you will be able to hide so well that your -enemies will not be able to find you." - -"Running Fox, you have been promised some good things, but I am going to -offer you the best of all," boasted Gokhos, the owl. "If you have all -the powers that these good friends are going to give you, it will all be -useless without my gift When darkness falls then it will be safer to -travel through the forest. But to do that you must have eyes that can -look through the night. My people have this gift. If you can kill one of -our great white leaders, who live far away in the country of the -Mohawks, you will not only be able to see as well at night as by day, -but you will also have magic power to overcome whoever may try to harm -you." - -"Running Fox, you know me; I am called 'The Frightener'," said -Wischalowe, the rattlesnake. "Whoever hears my warning trembles with -fear. If you will kill one of our old men, and tie his war-drum to your -belt so that it makes a noise when you walk you will frighten away all -who seek to harm you." - -When Wischalowe finished speaking they all remained silent, waiting for -some talk from Running Fox. For some moments he was at a loss as to just -how to address these strange medicine-creatures. While he was thinking -just how to thank them they suddenly disappeared. At that moment Running -Fox regained consciousness. Day had dawned, and the sun was well above -the eastern ridges. For a moment or so the bewildered lad looked -anxiously about him, expecting to see the strange creatures that had -appeared in his delirium. When he failed to find them his heart gave a -great hound of joy, for he believed that they had been -medicine-creatures sent by Getanittowit to help him. The idea gave him -strength, and he struggled to his feet and offered thanks to -Getanittowit. Then he toiled painfully down the mountainside. It took -him most of the day to reach the valley. When he finally staggered into -the camp he went directly to old Sky Dog, and collapsed as he reached -the door of his lodge. - - - - - CHAPTER II--INTO THE PERILOUS NORTH - - -That night Running Fox sufficiently recovered his strength to tell his -dream to Sky Dog, the medicine-man. The latter listened with much -interest as the excited lad described his conference with the strange -medicine-creatures. When he had finished his story, Sky Dog assured him -that the dream was a good omen. He declared that if Running Fox would do -as the medicine-creatures had advised he would pass safely through all -perils, and live to accomplish his purpose. - -Running Fox hurried to his father's lodge with a joyful heart. Having -been taught to believe all the simple superstitions of his people, he -had implicit faith in the assurances of the medicine-man. Still he -realized that his task was a difficult one. He knew that if the Mohawks -discovered his trail they would hunt him down as relentlessly as a pack -of wolves, and he felt sure that if he fell into their hands death at -the torture stake would be his only alternative. The thought sobered -him. However, it soon fled from his mind, for he believed that the -mysterious powers which he had received from the medicine-creatures, and -his own courage and resourcefulness, would enable him to outwit his -foes. - -Black Panther was much impressed by the story of the dream. He, too, -declared that it was a good omen. He immediately sent criers through the -village inviting the people to a feast to celebrate his son's departure -upon the war-trail. - -When his plans became known Running Fox was besieged by a host of -youthful volunteers who begged to accompany him. He refused them, -however, as he was unwilling to assume the responsibility of a -war-leader before he had tested his own courage and ability. Still there -was one whom he found it difficult to deny. It was his friend, Spotted -Deer, a lad of his own age, and his constant companion through all the -happy years of boyhood. They had invariably shared every adventure, and -the thought of being barred from the first real war-journey drove -Spotted Deer into a frenzy of despair. He argued, he coaxed, he -reproached, but Running Fox refused to yield. - -"No, my brother, I will not listen to your words," declared Running Fox. -"A warrior must know how to fight before he leads his friends into -danger. I have never faced an enemy. I do not know what will happen to -me. Perhaps I shall do something foolish, and be killed. Spotted Deer, I -must go alone. No, I will not change it in my heart." - -"Running Fox, now I know that you will do this thing without me," -replied Spotted Deer. "Well, I will not say anything more against it. I -feel like a very old man." - -The night before Running Fox planned to set out upon his journey his -friends came to his father's lodge to talk with him. The last to leave -was Spotted Deer. The two friends sat together a long time. Running Fox -attempted to be light-hearted and gay, but Spotted Deer was moody and -depressed. However, when Running Fox brought forth the new war-equipment -which he had received from his father, Spotted Deer's eyes lighted with -enthusiasm, and he became lively and interested. Then, having inspected -the various articles, he immediately relapsed into gloomy silence. - -"My brother, when the next sun comes you are going away," Spotted Deer -said, solemnly, as he finally rose to leave. "Perhaps I shall never see -you again. It is bad. I will not talk about it." - -They clasped hands, and looked earnestly into each other's eyes. Then -Spotted Deer hurried away. When he had gone Running Fox seated himself -at the back of the lodge, and sat a long time staring moodily into the -darkness. - -That night Running Fox found it impossible to sleep. His mind was -tortured by the thought of parting from his friend. Spotted Deer's words -kept ringing in his ears: "Perhaps I shall never see you again." As the -night dragged slowly along Running Fox was tempted to steal away while -the inmates slept, to tell Spotted Deer that he might accompany him. He -was dissuaded, however, by the fear of causing his friend's death. Thus -the miserable lad fought his battle until the first gray light of dawn -stole into the lodge, and then he finally determined to venture into the -treacherous northern wilderness alone. - -When Running Fox appeared in the village equipped for the war-trail, he -received a stirring ovation from his tribesmen. As he left his father's -lodge he was immediately surrounded by a company of enthusiastic -friends, who paraded him about the camp to the accompaniment of shouts -and war-songs. Spotted Deer, however, took no part in the celebration. -Running Fox was greatly disturbed at his absence. When he finally asked -about him he learned that an old woman had seen Spotted Deer hurrying -away with his robe and weapons at dawn. She said that he had gone toward -the south. The news filled Running Fox with gloom. He feared that grief -might have driven Spotted Deer to some foolhardy resolve. However, -Running Fox had little chance to think of him at the moment, for he soon -found himself the center of a great throng of people who had gathered to -do him honor. - -The lad appeared to splendid advantage as he stood beside his father in -the center of the camp. He was tall and graceful, with a fearless face -and flashing black eyes. Unlike his father and the warriors, who wore -their hair cropped close to the scalp, Running Fox had hair that reached -to his shoulders. His dress was like that of the older men. He was naked -above the waist, and wore a short buckskin skirt or tunic which extended -to his knees. Fringed buckskin leggings covered his limbs. His moccasins -were of elk-hide gayly decorated with dyed sweet grass. His equipment -included an elk-skin robe, a hickory bow, a buckskin case filled with -arrows, a flint knife, a stone war-club, a set of fire drills and a -small bag filled with parched corn. - -"My friends, here stands a young man dressed for the war-trail," Black -Panther told the Delawares. "Look closely at him for you may never see -him again. He is going upon a dangerous journey, Yes, he is going into -the country of our enemies, the boastful Mohawks, to find out how -Standing Wolf gets his power. It is a great thing to do. If he lives -through it I will give away many good presents. I have finished." - -The Delawares greeted the announcement with words of approval. Several -prominent warriors made speeches praising the lad for his courage, and -urging him to kill many Mohawks. Then old Sky Dog sang a number of -sacred medicine-songs, and fastened a small buckskin bag containing -sacred herbs about the neck of Running Fox to protect him from harm. - -At the conclusion of the ceremony Running Fox set out upon his journey. -He followed a well-worn Delaware hunting trail that led northward along -the river. It was Kitschinipen, the summer planting season, and a great -primeval wilderness was at its best. The day was glorious. The sky was -cloudless, the air was soft and balmy and the earth was flooded with -sunshine. Wild flowers dotted the trail, and birds sang from the trees -and thickets. Running Fox found much to interest him. He stopped to -watch Tiskemanis, the noisy blue fisher bird, plunge into the water -after his prey. He called cheerily to Mehokuiman, the red bird. He -frightened ugly Gundaschees, the water-snake, from his sunny log at the -edge of the river. Then he heard the stealthy approach of Achtu, the -deer. As he had been advised to kill one of the old bucks by the -medicine-deer, Running Fox hastily prepared his arrow and concealed -himself behind a tree. In a few moments the deer approached the river to -drink. It was a doe, however, and the young Delaware withheld his arrow. -He knew that she had a fawn concealed in some nearby thicket, and he had -been taught to spare the mother and young of all creatures that there -might always be plenty of game for the hunters. He waited until the doe -had finished drinking, and then he showed himself. For a moment the -surprised creature stared at him with big frightened eyes, and then -hounded gracefully into the woods. - -"Go in peace, my sister, I will not harm you," cried Running Fox. - -Soon afterward Running Fox had an experience that filled him with gloomy -forebodings. He was seated upon a boulder at the edge of the water when -he heard the harsh cries of Woapalanne, the great white-headed -war-eagle. Looking into the sky he discovered the bird soaring in great -circles directly above him. He feared that it was a bad omen, for old -Sky Dog had told him that the sudden appearance of Woapalanne invariably -meant war. Running Fox wondered if he was about to meet his enemies. -Until that moment the possibility had never entered his mind, as he had -considered himself quite safe as long as he remained within the Delaware -boundaries. Now, as the war-eagle continued to hover over him, he became -suspicious. - -"Hi, Woapalanne, I see you flying around up there," he cried, as he -shook his bow at the eagle. "I hear you making a great noise up there. -Sky Dog says it is a sign of war. Well, Woapalanne, you do not frighten -me. I will not turn around. I have set out to do something, and I am -going ahead with it. Woapalanne, Sky Dog says that you are a good -friend. That is why I have told you what I am going to do. But you must -not tell the Mohawks about me. That would be bad. Come, if you are a -good friend you must help me. Now I am going up on top of that high -mountain to look around." - -However, as Running Fox turned to enter the forest the eagle suddenly -changed its tactics, and flew away toward the south. This unexpected -maneuver greatly upset the young Delaware. His thoughts instantly turned -to his friend, Spotted Deer. Having learned that the latter had departed -upon some mysterious mission to the southward, Running Fox read a -warning in the final action of the war-eagle. He believed that Spotted -Deer was in peril. The thought refused to leave his mind. - -When Running Fox reached the top of the ridge from which he planned to -reconnoiter the surrounding country, his sharp eyes quickly discovered -something which instantly aroused his interest, A thin wavering column -of smoke was rising against the sky some distance to the southward. The -sight of it filled him with emotion, for he knew that it came from the -Delaware camp. The day was almost ended, and in the distant smoke cloud -Running Fox saw a vision of the peaceful evening scene in the Delaware -village. In fancy he saw the happy groups about the fires, and heard the -songs and laughter. He wondered if he had been missed from the merry -little company before his father's lodge. Twilight was gathering, and -the smoke column was slowly fading into the shadows. Running Fox looked -upon it with longing eyes, for he knew that it would soon be gone. The -thought saddened him. That frail spiral of smoke seemed like the last -tie that bound him to his people, and he dreaded to see it broken. When -it finally faded out in the dusk Running Fox felt a great loneliness -surge into his heart. - -After he had carefully examined the country through which he intended to -pass on the following day, the young Delaware began to look for a safe -place in which to spend the night. He believed that it might be -dangerous to remain near the river, as he knew that hostile scouts often -followed the waterways under cover of darkness. Besides, he was still -upset by the actions of the war-eagle, and he determined to take every -precaution. He finally decided to camp beside a little spring, high up -on the mountainside. - -Having killed a grouse earlier in the day, Running Fox broiled it over -the embers of a tiny fire, which he was careful to conceal between two -large rocks. Then, after he had eaten, he drew his robe about him, and -sat with his back against a pine, listening to the night sounds of the -wilderness. He heard Quekolis, the whippoorwill, raising his doleful -lament down near the river. Running Fox had heard the old men tell weird -tales about that mournful bird, and as he listened to its monotonous -serenade he wondered if it really did possess all the mysterious powers -with which the superstitions story tellers credited it. Then he heard -shrill piping sounds from the grass, and he knew that the Zelozelous, -the little black cricket people, were singing their medicine-songs. Some -time later Running Fox was startled by a piercing scream that sounded -from a distant ridge. He listened anxiously until it was repeated, and -then he recognized it as the hunting cry of soft-footed Nianque, the -lynx. Then the brooding, mysterious night-hush fell upon the forest. - -Running Fox rose and raised his hands toward the heavens. After a few -moments of reverent silence he began to pray to Getanittowit. He asked -for courage and strength to perform his task. Then, after he had sung -one of the sacred medicine-songs to drive away any evil spirits that -might have discovered his fire, he prepared a couch of sweet-fern and -lay down to sleep. - -Two-thirds of the night had passed when Running Fox suddenly found -himself sitting up, with his bow in his hands, staring anxiously into -the dark. He did not know what had awakened him, and for a long time he -neither heard or saw anything to give him a clue. He began to fear that -he had been dreaming. Then a twig snapped, and he became suspicious. He -knew that Mohawk scouts often ventured far into the Delaware hunting -grounds, and he feared that one of those sharp-eyed foes had discovered -his fire. The thought alarmed him. The possibility of an unseen enemy -stealing upon him under cover of the night set his heart throbbing -wildly. Still he had no idea of running away. Lying close to the ground, -he fitted an arrow to his bow, and strained his eyes in an effort to -find the mysterious prowler. For some time the silence was unbroken, and -he began to think that he had been needlessly alarmed by some passing -beast of the wilderness. Then he heard sounds which led him to believe -that some one was cautiously approaching his hiding place. Convinced -that he was about to experience his first encounter with an enemy, -Running Fox waited with the calm reliance of a veteran. The noise had -suddenly ceased, however, and the young Delaware believed that his foe -had stopped to listen. A few moments later the soft querulous call of -Gokhotit, the little red owl, sounded through the night. It seemed -barely a bow-shot away, and Running Fox redoubled his vigilance. When he -heard it again he became greatly excited. Then it was repeated a third -time, and Running Fox breathed easier, for he recognized it as a signal -from his friend, Spotted Deer. - -Running Fox was undecided as to just what to do. His first impulse was -to reply to the familiar signal, but he overcame it and remained silent. -As he saw no reason to alter the decision he had made in the Delaware -camp, he planned to steal away and elude his friend under the protection -of the darkness. However, it soon became evident that sharp-witted -Spotted Deer had guessed his intention. - -"Hi, my brother, have you closed your ears to the greeting of a friend?" -Spotted Deer inquired reproachfully. "I know that you are somewhere -close by. Yes, I believe you are hiding away in the night. I have -followed you here, and I will not turn back. No. If I do not find you, -then as soon as it grows light I will follow your trail. Running Fox, I -am going into the country of the boastful Mohawks with you. It is -useless for you to say anything more against it. I have set out to do -this thing, and now I am going through with it. Come, my brother, let us -meet, and talk together. Now I am going to listen for something." - -Running Fox still remained silent. However, the loyalty and devotion of -his friend had greatly affected him, and his heart was filled with -conflicting emotions. He found it harder than ever to ignore the -stirring appeal, and yet it seemed foolish to renew the discussion with -Spotted Deer. At last, however, his great love for his friend forced him -to answer. - -"My brother, I have listened to your words. You have done a foolish -thing to come here. I was going to run away, but now I am going to stay -here and talk with you. I believe it is the best thing to do." - -A few moments afterward they clasped hands, while their eyes flashed the -welcome that neither could utter. Although he was still determined to -continue the journey alone, nevertheless Running Fox was delighted to -see his friend. He knew now that his fears concerning him had come to -nought, and it filled him with joy. It was evident that Spotted Deer had -turned toward the south to fool the Delawares, and then had circled -around to intercept his friend. Running Fox admired his stratagem. - -"Running Fox, I believe your heart is bad toward me," declared Spotted -Deer. "You say that I have done a foolish thing. Perhaps it is true, but -I will not turn back. If you do not listen to my words, then I will go -away and let the Mohawks kill me. Now you know what I am thinking about. -Yes, I am going through with it no matter how it comes out. I have -finished." - -"Spotted Deer, you are a good friend," Running Fox replied, warmly. "My -heart is not bad toward you, but I must tell you that you have done a -foolish thing. You must turn back. I am going ahead alone. I have told -you about it many times. Now I must go through with it." - -They argued the question throughout the night. Then, as dawn crept -slowly out of the east, Running Fox finally yielded to the persuasion of -Spotted Deer. - -"Spotted Deer, I see that you intend to do as you say," declared Running -Fox. "You say that if you do not go with me you will let the Mohawks -kill you. That is very bad. Well, that makes me feel different about it. -You are my friend, and I will not let you throw away your life. If you -feel like going with me I cannot say anything more against it. Perhaps -you will be killed, but I cannot help it. You have asked me to do -something, and now I have done it." - -"Running Fox, you have done a good thing," Spotted Deer cried, joyfully. -"Now I will sing again. I am going with you to find out about the great -chief Standing Wolf. Perhaps we will have many fights with the Mohawks. -You say that we may be killed. Well, my brother, we will die together. -It is enough." - - - - - CHAPTER III--A THRILLING ADVENTURE - - -The sun was well above the mountains before the young Delawares -descended to the river, and resumed the perilous journey into the north. -Running Fox told Spotted Deer about the strange medicine-creatures that -had appeared in his dream, and Spotted Deer became quite excited. - -"That was a wonderful thing to happen to a person," he declared, -impressively. "You must do whatever those mysterious animals told you to -do. I cannot help you. You must do those things alone. I have heard my -father say that." - -"It is true," agreed Running Fox. "If you try to help me it might do -great harm." - -As the lads were still well within the northern boundary of the vast -Delaware hunting grounds, they had little fear of an immediate encounter -with their foes-Still they were cautious, for they knew that such an -experience was not impossible, as both Shawnees and Iroquois frequently -invaded that territory to hunt and fish. The Shawnees were a powerful -nation living farther to the westward, with whom the Delawares had -fought many desperate battles. - -The day was about half spent when Running Fox suddenly dropped to his -knees, and called excitedly to Spotted Deer. The fresh trail of a bear -crossed a narrow strip of gravelly beach and disappeared into the woods. -The tracks were huge, and it was evident that the animal had only -recently crossed the river. - -"See, here is the track of Machque," said Running Fox, as he measured -the footprints with his hands. "He must be very big, and very fierce. He -cannot be far off. I will follow his trail, and try to kill him. Spotted -Deer, you must wait until I come back. Perhaps it will take a long time -to do this thing, but you must wait. It is the only thing to do." - -"I would like to go with you, but I believe it would be bad," declared -Spotted Deer. "You must do as it appeared in your dream. I will wait." - -A moment afterward Running Fox followed the tracks into the forest. The -lad had been well trained in the art of hunting by his father, and his -sharp eyes had little difficulty in keeping the trail. It led him along -the side of a rocky hillside, and then down into the bushy tangle of a -dark spruce swamp. The footprints looked very fresh, and Running Fox -moved forward as noiselessly as a lynx. He stopped after every few -strides to look, and listen and sniff. He had never killed a bear but he -had heard the hunters tell many stories about that crafty beast, and he -knew that it was only by using the utmost caution that he could hope to -get within bow-shot. He crossed the swamp without coming in sight of his -quarry, and followed the tracks over the top of another rocky hill. As -he was climbing carefully toward the summit he came upon an ant-hill -that had been dug open by the bear. The demoralized ants were still -rushing frantically over the wreck of their lodge. On the other side of -the hill Running Fox lost the trail on a steep ledge of smooth gray -rock. Circling carefully around the ledge he finally picked up the -tracks leading down into a narrow ravine that penetrated far back into -the hills. As the sides of the gully were covered with blueberry bushes, -the young Delaware understood why the bear had chosen that route. He saw -many crushed and uprooted plants which told him that the hear was -feeding upon the berries. Running Fox hurried along the ravine in the -hope of overtaking the bear at its feast, but although the trail seemed -continually to grow fresher the eager young hunter was unable to get -within sight of his quarry. - -The ravine at last led up to a wide grassy plateau closed in on three -sides by low hardwood ridges. It looked like an ideal feeding ground for -elk and deer, and Running Fox saw several well-trod trails leading -through it. Then he saw something more interesting. Far over in the -opposite corner of the plateau he discovered some animal lying down. It -was beyond bow-shot, and Running Fox began to study how he might -approach without being seen. When he had watched some moments he decided -that the distant object was either an elk or a deer. As it failed to -move he concluded that it was asleep. Then he suddenly thought of the -bear tracks. They led directly out into the open plateau, and toward the -mysterious object in the farther corner. Running Fox was perplexed. He -knew that what he saw was not the bear. Still he realized that whatever -it was it had come there after the bear had passed. The idea did not -satisfy him, however, for he told himself that unless the bear had gone -by a long time before, the keen nose of an elk or a deer would instantly -have found the dreaded scent. In that event neither of those wary -creatures would be likely to sleep on the fresh trail of their enemy. -Running Fox felt positive that the bear had but recently crossed the -plateau, for the grass which had been trodden down was still springing -upright. Then the solution flashed into his mind--the animal he saw was -dead. - -Having come to that decision Running Fox began to look for the bear. He -felt quite sure that it was somewhere near the carcass, unless it had -discovered him and rushed away. Still he rather doubted that, for the -wind was in his favor, and besides he believed that a bear as large as -the one he had followed would be in no great hurry to run off. He had -often heard his father tell how a bear would loiter in the vicinity of -such a bait for several days, feeding when hunger prompted and sleeping -in some nearby thicket between meals. Running Fox also realized that the -bear might have been feeding as he approached, and upon catching sight -or scent of him had retreated into the woods to watch. In any event he -told himself that the first thing to do was to go and examine the bait. - -Running Fox made his way cautiously along the edge of the plateau, -taking advantage of whatever cover offered itself, and advancing against -the wind. When he finally came within bow-shot of the bait he saw that -it was an elk. Then he sat down to watch and listen. After he had waited -a long time without seeing or hearing anything of the bear, he went -forward to examine the elk. It was an old bull that apparently had died -from old age. Running Fox was surprised to find that almost one whole -side of the animal had already been eaten. He also saw that something -had been tearing at the carcass but a short time previously. The grass -was well trampled all about the bait, and Running Fox identified the -tracks of many different animals. The freshest tracks, however, were the -huge footprints of the bear which he had followed from the river. -Running Fox believed that the bear was feeding upon the carcass when it -suddenly became aware of his approach, and retreated into the woods. He -felt quite certain that it would return, and he determined to conceal -himself and watch. - -The Delaware found much to interest him as he sat quietly in his hiding -place and waited for the bear to return. A flock of crows were the first -to appear. They made a great racket as they circled about the elk, and -the eyes of the young hunter flashed with anger. He knew from experience -that those noisy birds gave warning to all the wild things of the woods, -and he feared that their senseless commotion might arouse the suspicions -of the bear. They soon flew away, however, and Running Fox felt much -relieved. A short time afterward he saw something moving along the edge -of the timber at the other end of the plateau. In a few moments he -identified it as a deer. He took its appearance for proof that the bear -was not at the moment anywhere near. Then, as he watched the wary -creature browsing in the shadow of the woods, he heard soft, stealthy -footfalls directly behind him. Fitting an arrow to his how, Running Fox -turned in time to find himself facing a large red fox. Before the -surprised creature could bound to safety the expert young Delaware sent -his arrow through its heart. - -Recalling the advice of the medicine-fox which had appeared in his -dream, Running Fox crawled noiselessly through the brush, and cut the -ears from his victim. He saw that the fox was very old, as its teeth -were worn almost to the gums. The discovery filled him with joy, for he -felt sure that by carrying the ears of that wise old chief he would -become as sharp and crafty himself. - -Then for a long time nothing more appeared, and Running Fox began to -grow restless. The day was almost at an end, and he feared that Spotted -Deer would become impatient. Still he had no thought of leaving the -plateau, and was determined to spend the night there if the bear failed -to appear before dark. At sunset, however, he heard some large animal -moving through the woods. It sounded too heavy for a deer, and too noisy -for an elk, so that Running Fox believed it must be the bear. His heart -bounded at the thought. He had heard many stories about thrilling -battles with those great beasts of the wilderness, and he hoped that he, -too, might experience such an adventure. Then, as the sounds drew -nearer, all else was forgotten as the eager lad hurriedly fitted an -arrow to his bow, and fixed his eyes on the edge of the woods. - -Running Fox was not kept long in suspense. In a few moments he saw the -bushes swaying, and the next instant a bear walked into the open. It was -not the huge creature which Running Fox had pictured in his mind, but -his disappointment soon gave way to surprise as two half-grown cubs -immediately followed their mother from the woods. All three animals soon -walked within range, but the bewildered young hunter withheld his arrow. -He feared to kill the mother bear and her young lest he should offend -the great medicine-bear which had appeared in his dream. Besides, he -told himself that a warrior could scarcely boast of such a feat. He -watched, therefore, while the old bear led her cubs to the carcass of -the elk, and began to feed. - -Some time later when the mother bear raised her head and sniffed the -air, Running Fox instantly became alert. As the old bear continued to -watch the woods, the lad began to hope that the animal he had followed -might be returning. However, the bear soon resumed feeding, and Running -Fox believed that he was again doomed to disappointment. At that very -moment, however, a stick cracked over in the spot toward which the -mother bear had been looking. She again raised her head and sniffed. -Then she began to growl. Running Fox watched anxiously. For some moments -all was still, but the bear continued to growl, and sniff suspiciously. -Then a great black object appeared at the edge of the woods. Running Fox -knew at once that it was the bear he had trailed from the river. As it -walked slowly into the open and he saw how big it was he could scarcely -believe his eyes. It seemed to be very fierce, for it approached the -bait growling and snapping its jaws. As it drew near Running Fox saw a -round white spot, half as large as his hand, directly behind its -shoulder. It immediately fired the imagination of the superstitious -young Delaware. He believed that Getanittowit had placed that mark upon -the bear to guide the Delaware arrow. - -Running Fox had been so absorbed in watching the approach of the giant -that for the moment he had forgotten all about the mother bear and her -cubs. Now he heard her growling and gnashing her teeth. He had expected -to see her dash away at the first sight of the intruder, but she showed -no such intention. Instead she gave every evidence of disputing the -right of ownership which the big bear apparently intended to assert. -Running Fox looked upon her with admiration as she stood there snapping -her jaws, and growling defiance at the huge brute that threatened her. -For a few moments the big bear stood watching her in surprise. He seemed -puzzled by her unexpected show of resistance. Then it roused his -fighting spirit, and he rushed forward roaring furiously. - -As the cubs dashed for the timber, squealing with terror, the mother -bear prepared to meet the attack. She appeared scarcely more than half -the size of the monster that had attacked her, and yet she seemed quite -as fierce and eager to fight as he. When the big bear came within range -she rushed at him, and he reared and attempted to fall upon her. She was -too quick, however, and as he crashed down she rushed in and closed her -jaws upon a hind leg. Wheeling with the agility of a panther, he snapped -viciously at her neck, but she released her hold and jumped tuck in time -to save herself. Then he rushed at her in blind fury, and knocked her -off her feet. Turning upon her back, she clawed him like a wildcat. -Snarling, biting and tearing, the maddened beasts fought with a fury -that meant destruction to the vanquished. It soon became evident that -the mother bear was doomed to defeat. The tremendous bulk and strength -of her antagonist made him invincible. He was inflicting terrible -punishment upon his courageous foe, and it seemed only a matter of -moments before he would have her completely at his mercy. - -However, it was at that stage of the encounter that Running Fox joined -in the fray. Completely carried away by the fierceness of the fight, the -lad jumped to his feet and shot his arrow at the big bear. In his -excitement, however, he missed his aim, and the arrow struck about a -hand-width above the white patch behind the shoulder. The bear twisted -about and snapped off the shaft close to its body. Then both bears -caught sight of him, and immediately ceased fighting. For a moment, as -they stood glaring at him and snarling, it looked as if they intended to -unite in attacking their common enemy. Then, as Running Fox drove a -second arrow into the body of the giant, the latter rushed forward -alone. At that instant the cubs began whimpering at the edge of the -forest, and the mother bear, weak and suffering from a score of ugly -wounds, ambled painfully off to join them. As the great bear came -roaring down upon him the young Delaware realized that he was fighting -for his life, and the thought steadied him. Twice more he sent his -arrows tearing into the great muscular body, but they seemed to have -little effect. The infuriated bear stopped just long enough to snap at -the feathered shafts, and then it made a final rush at its foe. However, -during that momentary delay Running Fox had fitted another arrow to his -bow. He held it until the bear was only a few paces away, and then, as -it rose unsteadily upon its hind legs, he uttered the shrill Delaware -war-cry and drove the arrow deep between its fore legs. The giant -crashed to the ground, and the excited lad immediately rushed forward to -strike it with his war-club. At that moment, however, the bear suddenly -recovered and struggled to its feet. The surprised young hunter almost -collided with it. It struck savagely at him, but he jumped aside, and -shot an arrow into the fatal mark behind the shoulder. It finished the -fight. The bear sank slowly to the ground, and lay still. This time, -however, Running Fox was more cautious, and he remained at a safe -distance until the last signs of life had vanished. Then he ran eagerly -forward and began to cut off the great curved claws. - -By the time Running Fox had finished his task darkness had already -fallen, and as he was a considerable distance from the river he -determined to remain where he was until daylight. Then he suddenly -thought of the wounded mother bear. He feared that she was too badly -hurt to travel far away, and he had already seen enough of her temper to -make him cautious about risking an encounter in the dark. He left the -plateau, therefore, and spent the night farther down the ravine. - - - - - CHAPTER IV--IN THE GRIP OF THE RAPIDS - - -The sun was already above the tree-tops when Running Fox finally -rejoined Spotted Deer at the river. They seated themselves on a fallen -tree, and Running Fox showed his trophies and described his encounter -with the bear. When Spotted Deer heard about the peculiar white patch on -the bear's shoulder he suggested that it might have been caused by a -former arrow wound. Running Fox scoffed at the idea, however, and -insisted that the mark had been placed there by Getanittowit. - -"Yes, I believe that must be the way of it," Spotted Deer agreed, -finally. - -Running Fox said that they must eat the heart of the bear to comply with -the instructions which he had received in his dream. They kindled a tiny -fire, and broiled the meat on a willow branch. Then, after Running Fox -had sung several medicine-songs to pacify the spirit of the bear, the -superstitious young warriors divided the precious trophy and ate it with -solemn ceremony. - -"Now I will tell you something," said Spotted Deer. "After you went away -I began to look around. I walked along beside the water. Pretty soon I -heard a loud noise. Then I came to a place where the water goes very -fast. It makes a great noise and jumps up and down. Yes, it looks very -mad. I do not like that place. I believe the Bad Water Spirits live -there. I have heard my father tell about them. He says that they are -very fierce, and are always fighting down there under the water. Yes, -that is what makes the commotion. My father has told me that when any -one falls into such a place he is broken against the rocks, and eaten by -those Bad Water Spirits." - -"Yes, that is so, I have heard about it," declared Running Fox. - -"Well, I stood there a long time watching that place," continued Spotted -Deer. "Then I went ahead. Pretty soon I saw a long strip of woods out -there in the middle of the water. I heard many birds singing in the -trees, and I stopped to listen. Then I saw some big rocks sticking out -of the water. As I was looking at them I saw a very big fish jumping -along between the rocks and the woods. Pretty soon I saw another. My -eyes told me that it was Schawanammek, the great sturgeon. Well, I kept -watching and I saw many of those big fish passing along. Then I saw how -they came to be in that place. The water was very swift all around that -strip of land, but between the rocks and the woods it was not so bad. -Well, when I saw those big fish I wanted to spear some of them with my -arrows. I said, 'Hi, I will swim out to that place and kill some of -those fish.' Then I saw how swift the water was, and I heard the noise -of that bad place below. Well, I began to think about it. I said, 'I -will wait until Running Fox comes back, and then we will talk about it.' -Now we will go and see it." - -"Yes, let us go," proposed Running Fox, as his eyes lighted with -enthusiasm. - -As the lads hurried along the river they soon heard the sullen roar of -the rapids, and their hearts bounded at the sound. Then they came upon -the long stretch of tossing white-caps, and they stopped and looked with -superstitious awe upon the wild tumult of the waters. It was a -terrifying spectacle. As Spotted Deer had said, the river appeared to -have been roused into a fury. It raged past in great surging waves that -crashed against the rocks and sent drenching showers of spray high into -the air. In the calmer reaches the water whirled down into seething -black pools which sucked down into their dismal depths whatever the -torrent tossed into them. The Delawares shuddered as they looked upon -them, for they seemed like doors to that weird underwater world where -the Bad Water Spirits were supposed to dwell. - -"That is a bad place," Banning Fox said, solemnly. - -"Come, let us hurry away," proposed Spotted Deer. - -A short distance beyond the head of the rapids they came opposite the -wooded island which Spotted Deer had described. They had not watched it -many moments before they saw a great fish jump from the water between -the rocks and the shore. - -"See, there is Schawanammek!" Spotted Deer cried, excitedly. - -"Yes, I saw him," replied Running Fox. "Look, there goes another." - -They watched several large sturgeon fight their way through the narrow -channel that separated the rocks from the island. - -"Well, now you see how it is," said Spotted Deer. "Do you feel strong -enough to swim out there and kill some of those fish?" - -For some moments Running Fox continued to study the water in silence. -The river was smooth but swift at that spot, and the head of the rapids -was dangerously near. Their angry roar sounded an ominous warning, and -Running Fox hesitated. He realized that the adventure was filled with -peril, and wondered whether he ought to risk himself for the mere sport -of killing Schawanammek. It seemed foolhardy for one bound upon an -important mission to take unnecessary chances. However, as the great -fish continued to show themselves Running Fox began to waver. Then he -suddenly realized that Spotted Deer was awaiting his decision, and the -latter's proposal instantly seemed like a challenge. Running Fox -believed that Spotted Deer might be testing his courage. The possibility -made him reckless. Under those circumstances he would have tried to -reach the island even though he knew that the attempt was certain to -cost him his life. - -"Spotted Deer, I am going to swim out to that place, and kill some of -those fish," declared Running Fox. "Will you go with me?" - -"Yes, I will go," Spotted Deer replied, quietly. - -"It will be a hard thing to do," Running Fox warned him. "That water is -very strong. It will carry us along very fast. We must go farther ahead, -before we start to swim. If we get to that place perhaps we cannot get -away again. I do not know how it will be. Well, I am going to do this -thing no matter how it comes out." - -They walked along the shore until they were several bow-shots above the -island. Then, after they had concealed their robes and moccasins in the -bushes, they tied their bows and arrow-cases on their backs and waded -into the water. As it reached their knees they began to feel its -strength, Each stride forward made it more difficult to remain upon -their feet. When they had waded in waist-deep they threw themselves -forward and began to swim. - -Once started, the lads swam boldly toward the middle of the river. Each -stroke took them into swifter water, and they soon realized the -seriousness of their adventure. Still they had no thought of turning -back. The river swept them along at startling speed, and they swam -desperately to get in line with the island. As they neared it they were -dismayed to see great boulders directly ahead of them. They knew that -unless they could get beyond them they would be swept against them and -destroyed. - -"Come, we must swim harder," cried Running Fox. - -They redoubled their efforts. Every moment was precious. Running Fox was -the stronger swimmer, and he began to fear for Spotted Deer who was -several bow-lengths behind him. However, Spotted Deer saw his peril, and -was struggling desperately to place himself beyond the path of the -boulders. At last his efforts were successful, and he followed Running -Fox to the head of the island. They found a shallow place where they -managed to get upon their feet and scramble safely to the shore. - -"Hi, that was a hard fight," panted Spotted Deer, as they sat down to -recover from their exertions. - -"Spotted Deer, I see that we have done a foolish thing," Running Fox -said, soberly. - -"Are you thinking about those Bad Water Spirits?" inquired Spotted Deer, -as he looked toward the rapids. - -"No, I am not thinking about those mysterious people, but I believe we -have got ourselves into a trap," declared Running Fox. "It was a hard -fight to get to this place, but it will be harder to get away." - -The idea sobered them. For the moment they forgot all about -Schawanammek, the great sturgeon. As they watched the river sweeping -past them, and heard the angry challenge of the rapids, they suddenly -realized that they had placed themselves in a serious predicament. - -"Well, we have come here to kill some of those big fish," said Running -Fox, attempting to make light of the adventure. - -"Yes, let us go and find them," proposed Spotted Deer. - -They moved carefully along the wooded shore of the island until they -reached the narrow channel between the island and the boulders. The -water was comparatively quiet at that place, and they were able to wade -out to a large flat-topped rock upon which they seated themselves to -watch for sturgeon. As they waited for the first big fish to appear they -cast many uneasy glances toward the rapids. They appeared uncomfortably -near the lower end of the island. The noise seemed much louder. The lads -wondered whether they had underestimated the distance between the island -and that long stretch of white-crested waves. Then a sturgeon entered -the narrow channel, and all else was forgotten. - -"Hi, here comes Sehawanammek!" cried Spotted Deer, as he hastily -prepared his bow. - -As the great fish swam past the rock Spotted Deer drove his arrow into -it. It floundered helplessly for a moment or so, and Running Fox also -sent an arrow into its body. Then, to the surprise of the excited young -Delawares, the sturgeon turned and flashed down the channel with the -current. A few moments afterward they saw it drifting helplessly into -the rapids. - -"That is bad," said Spotted Deer. "We have lost two good arrows, and -Schawanammek has fooled us." - -"Well, we have sent some good food to Gunammachk, the otter," laughed -Running Fox. - -It was some time before another sturgeon appeared, and that, too, would -have been swept away by the river if Running Fox had not jumped -recklessly into the water and seized it. Aided by Spotted Deer he -dragged it to the island, and pulled it into the bushes. - -"Well, we have killed Schawanammek," said Spotted Deer. "Now we must eat -some of his flesh. Then we will be able to swim through the bad places -like he does." - -"Yes, I believe it will be a good thing to do," agreed Running Fox. - -Having left their fire-sticks with their robes, the lads were compelled -to eat the fish raw. Then they began to think about leaving the island. -They had no desire to waste more arrows on such easy game. - -"Now we must get away from here," said Running Fox. - -"I see that it will be a hard thing to do," declared Spotted Deer. "I -believe I was very foolish to talk about coming here. Now I have got you -into a bad place. I do not like that." - -"Spotted Deer, I came here because I wanted to show you that I was not -afraid. It was a foolish thing to do. Perhaps those Bad Water Spirits -will kill us. Then our people will say, 'Running Fox was not sharp -enough to escape from the Mohawks.' I am sorry I came here." - -They walked to the head of the island, and looked longingly toward the -forest on the river bank. It seemed a long ways off, and the water -looked very swift. Their task was to reach the shore before the current -carried them into the rapids. They knew that to do that they would have -to swim even harder and faster than they swam to reach the island. -Running Fox believed that he might be equal to the task, but he had -grave misgivings about Spotted Deer. The latter, however, felt quite as -confident as Running Fox. Before they entered the water Running Fox sang -several of the medicine-songs which old Sky Dog had taught him for just -such emergencies. Then, having asked Getanittowit to help them, the lads -began their perilous battle with the river. - -It was impossible to make any headway directly against the current, and -the lads swam at a sharp angle but with their faces turned up the river. -They had not gone far, however, before they saw that they were -exhausting themselves without gaining enough to make the effort worth -while. Then Running Fox turned and swam directly across the current. He -found himself sweeping rapidly down the river, and he had grave doubts -of reaching the shore before he drifted into the rapids. Each moment he -heard their angry roar growing louder in his ears, and it nerved him to -greater efforts. Calling upon Spotted Deer to increase his exertions -Running Fox began a furious fight against the current. Strive as he -might, however, he was unable to stay his mad flight down the river. The -rapids were now only half as far away as they were when he started, and -Running Fox began to lose heart. He had gone only a third of the -distance between the shore and the island and each bow-length he drifted -found him in rougher water. It suddenly dawned on him that it would be -impossible to escape the rapids. For a moment the thought overwhelmed -him, and he was on the point of surrendering. Then he heard a wild -despairing cry behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Spotted -Deer turning back toward the island. Running Fox knew at once that the -exhausted lad would never reach his goal. Twisting about he swam with -the current to intercept Spotted Deer in his wild plunge down the river. - -"Come, Spotted Deer, show your courage!" cried Running Fox. - -The challenge roused Spotted Deer to heroic efforts. He fought just long -enough to enable Running Fox to get in line with him, and then he ceased -struggling. - -"Come, follow me!" shouted Running Fox. "Do not waste yourself. Let the -water carry you. Watch out for the bad places." - -A moment later they were sweeping toward the rapids. Running Fox picked -the route, and Spotted Deer tried to follow him. There was little chance -to swim. All they could do was to keep themselves afloat, and try to -dodge the rocks and whirlpools. It was a desperate chance, and the odds -were all against them. However, it was the only chance for life and -Running Fox had decided to take it. When they reached the head of the -rapids they shot forward into a stifling smother of white-caps. Then -they swirled down through the raging inferno of water at terrific speed. -Monster waves surged over them, huge boulders flashed by within -bow-length. Running Fox found it impossible to pick a route, and, -terrified and bewildered, he confined his efforts to keeping his head -above the surface and left the rest to chance. As for Spotted Deer, he -lost sight of his companion as soon as they entered the rapids, and he, -too, thought only of keeping from going down into the clutches of the -Bad Water Spirits. Gasping, choking and struggling, the unfortunate lads -were carried down the river. Once Running Fox crashed into a boulder, -but fortunately it was a glancing blow and he escaped with nothing more -serious than bruises. Spotted Deer drifted into one of the sucking black -pools, and in some miraculous manner was whirled around the edge and -thrown back into the current. There seemed no hope that either of the -swimmers would escape with his life. - -Running Fox, however, finally reached the end of the rapids alive. When -he found himself afloat in calm water he could scarcely believe his good -fortune. His first thought was for Spotted Deer. He was nowhere in -sight. What had become of him? There seemed but one answer. He had been -pulled down by the Bad Water Spirits. Running Fox looked toward the -rapids, and his eyes glowed savagely. Then he saw something bobbing down -through the waves, and a great hope entered his heart. - -"Fight, Spotted Deer! Fight! I am here to help you!" screamed Running -Fox, as he saw the form of his friend sweeping toward the end of the -rapids. - -His words were useless, however, for Spotted Deer could not hear them. -As his limp body finally shot into the still water and sank from sight, -Running Fox dove after it and brought him to the surface. Then he swam -painfully to the shore with him, and placed him tenderly on the beach. -There was an ugly wound over his eye, and his limbs were bruised and -swollen. Running Fox himself was bloody and bruised, but he gave no -thought to his wounds. Bending frantically over his friend he worked -feverishly to expel the water from his lungs. He had seen his people -restore more than one unfortunate swimmer, and he had hopes of bringing -Spotted Deer back to life. However, his efforts seemed in vain and he -called hysterically upon Getanittowit for aid. - -"O Getanittowit, see what the Bad Water Spirits have done," he cried. "O -Getanittowit, take pity on me, and give me back my brother, Spotted -Deer. See, Getanittowit, he is sleeping. O Getanittowit, take pity on -him and wake him up." - -Then he worked with renewed energy. Still Spotted Deer showed no signs -of life. Running Fox was on the verge of collapse. He realized that he -would soon be unable to continue his efforts. The thought roused him. -Then, when he had given up hope, Spotted Deer sighed and opened his -eyes. He stared stupidly at Running Fox, and again lapsed into -unconsciousness. Still he was alive, and that was sufficient for Running -Fox. His strength returned, and he continued his exertions until Spotted -Deer regained consciousness. Then, as the latter smiled and whispered -his name, Running Fox fell exhausted beside him. - - - - - CHAPTER V--WOLVES - - -The following day found the Delawares too stiff and sore from their -battle with the rapids to proceed with their journey. They limped as far -as the spot where they had hidden their robes, and made no attempt to go -farther. Besides, they had lost a number of their arrows in the river, -and they spent the day making others to replace them. Toward evening as -Running Fox was stalking several grouse that had alighted in a tree, he -suddenly came upon a number of tracks that immediately claimed his -attention. Dropping to his knees he examined them with great care. Then -he rose and hastened to tell Spotted Deer, whom he had left resting upon -a couch of hemlock boughs. - -"Spotted Deer, if you feel strong enough you must rise and follow me," -said Running Fox. "I have found something to show you." - -"I will go," declared Spotted Deer, rising stiffly to his feet. - -They soon reached the spot where Running Fox had discovered the tracks, -and Spotted Deer examined them with much interest. - -"This is strange," he said after a few moments. "These tracks look like -the tracks of big dogs. How did they get here? Are we near a camp?" - -"No, Spotted Deer, these are not dog tracks," said Running Fox. "That is -what I took them for when I first saw them. Then I knew different. These -are the tracks of Timmeu, the wolf." - -"It is true," replied Spotted Deer. - -They noted that the tracks were several days old, and that the trail -turned toward the north. It was also apparent that there had been a -goodly number of wolves, for the lads saw tracks of various sizes. That -night as they sat beside a small fire broiling the grouse which Running -Fox had killed their thoughts turned to the wolf pack. - -"I have heard the hunters tell about those wolves," said Running Fox. -"They are very large and very fierce. They have fought with many of our -people. My father killed some of them when he was hunting along the -river." - -"Why are they down in this country?" inquired Spotted Deer. "This is not -the time for them to come down here. I have heard the hunters say that -in the time of growing things they travel far beyond the country of the -Mohawks." - -"What you say is so," replied Running Fox. "When it is cold our people -have found them down near our village. I do not know how they come to be -here now." - -"Perhaps we shall see them," Spotted Deer suggested, hopefully. - -"No, I do not believe it," said Running Fox. - -The next day they resumed their journey at daylight. They had quite -recovered from their trip through the rapids, and excepting a few minor -cuts and bruises showed little evidence of the rough treatment which -they had received from the river. They felt that they had escaped with a -very light penalty for their foolishness, and they were very grateful to -Getanittowit. However, they agreed that they would be more careful in -the future. - -"Pretty soon we will come to dangerous country," said Spotted Deer, as -they continued up the river. - -"Yes, we must keep a sharp watch for our enemies," replied Running Fox. - -They traveled through a splendid forest of massive oaks and chestnuts, -and they saw many signs of game. At one place they again saw wolf -tracks, but they were many days old and the lads gave them little -thought. Then they came upon a well-worn trail leading away from the -river, and as it showed fresh deer tracks they determined to follow it. -It soon led them to a shallow pool in the center of an open marshy -swale. From the numberless footprints, and the manner in which the -ground had been pawed, they knew at once that the place was a natural -salt-lick. They also knew that animals of all sorts frequented such -places, and as the day was less than half spent they determined to spend -some time watching for game. - -"Perhaps we shall see some of the creatures that appeared in my dream," -said Running Fox. - -The wish was soon gratified, for they had barely concealed themselves at -the edge of the woods when they heard something approaching. They -watched closely, and in a few moments a splendid buck appeared on the -border of the marsh. - -"Achtu," whispered Spotted Deer. - -"Sh," cautioned Running Fox, as he prepared an arrow. - -The wind was in their favor, and they had little fear of being -discovered. The deer made a splendid picture as it stood silhouetted -against the vivid green background of the forest. It was a big, graceful -creature, with horns still sheathed in the soft moss-like covering which -protects them until they complete their growth in the autumn. The buck -spent some moments listening, and sniffing for signs of danger. Then, -satisfied that all was well, he started toward the pool. At that moment, -however, the wind veered and brought him the danger scent. For one -fleeting instant he halted with his head raised in alarm. Then, having -located the danger, he wheeled and sprang toward shelter. Two arrows -sped after him. One flew high and stuck in a sapling, but the other -buried itself in his side. Then with a great bound he disappeared into -the woods. The lads heard him crashing away in mad flight, and they -looked at each other with disgust. - -"That was bad work," said Running Fox. "I was not ready. The wind fooled -us." - -"My arrow is sticking in that tree," laughed Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we must follow him," declared Running Fox. "My arrow struck too -far back, but perhaps it will make him lie down." - -They hastened to the spot where the buck had disappeared, and found a -number of large red splashes upon the leaves. It was evident that the -deer had been hard hit, and they started hopefully on the trail. The -buck was traveling in great bounds, and bleeding freely. It was not -long, however, before they noticed that he was slackening his speed. - -"We will soon come up with him," said Running Fox. - -Both lads were well experienced in the art of deer hunting, and they -instantly recognized the unmistakable signs that promised an early -collapse. They hurried along the trail, therefore, with high hopes of -overtaking their quarry before the end of the day. The tracks led them -into a vast hemlock swamp, and they advanced with great caution, for it -looked like an ideal hiding place for the wounded buck. They soon saw -that the deer had begun to walk, and at one place they saw that it had -stopped as if preparing to lie down. It had gone on, however, and the -lads hurried after it, keeping a sharp watch on all sides lest it should -suddenly spring from cover and escape. As they penetrated into the -gloomy depths of the swamp they saw many fresh tracks of lynx, and foxes -and rabbits, but they paid little attention to them for they knew from -experience that it was only by constant vigilance that they could hope -to overtake and surprise the animal they sought. - -"See, he is growing weak," said Running Fox, as he pointed to a place in -the trail which indicated that the buck had stumbled awkwardly over a -log that lay in his path. - -Then they saw him lying under a spruce a short distance ahead of them. -The buck saw them at the same instant, and struggled to his feet. -Running Fox shot his arrow and scored another hit, but as Spotted Deer -released his bow-string the buck dashed between the trees and vanished -from sight. - -"He will not run so far this time," prophesied Running Fox. - -The trail turned off at a sharp angle, and soon brought them to the edge -of the swamp. They followed it through the woods to a pretty woodland -stream, and there they found the buck lying dead beside the water. - -"Well, I have done what the great medicine deer told me to do," said -Running Fox. - -"It is good," replied Spotted Deer. - -When they finished skinning and quartering the deer the twilight shadows -were falling upon the forest, and they decided to spend the night beside -the stream. As they were some distance from the river, they believed it -might be safe to make a tiny fire and dry some of the meat to take with -them. They worked at the task until long after darkness had fallen. -Then, as they wrapped themselves in their robes, and were preparing to -sleep, Spotted Deer suddenly sat up and listened anxiously. - -"What is that?" he asked Running Fox. - -For a moment or so they heard only the gentle murmuring of the breeze -through the tree-tops. Then, far away in the night, they heard a sound -that thrilled them. It was the hunting cry of the wolf-pack. They had -heard it more than once in the winter near the Delaware village, and -they recognized it immediately. - -"Timmeu has found the blood trail," said Running Fox. - -The sounds came from somewhere beyond the swamp, and the lads had little -doubt that the wolves were following the trail of the wounded buck. The -thought stirred them, for they believed that they were about to have an -encounter with the savage brutes about which they had heard so many -wonderful tales. The sounds soon united in a wild babel that grew louder -and more distinct each moment. - -"They are coming fast," said Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we will wait for them," declared Running Fox. "Come, we will -bring in some brush for the fire, so that we can see them." - -They hurried to gather several armfuls of dry wood. Then they raked -together the embers of their fire, and fanned them into a flame. By that -time it was evident that the wolves were almost through the swamp. They -were making a great din, and it seemed as if there were many animals in -the pack. The eyes of the Delawares flashed as the wild baying drew -nearer. - -"Now they are getting close," cried Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, they have come out of the swamp," replied Running Fox. - -The lads had heard enough about that famous pack to feel sure that they -would be attacked. Still the possibility failed to alarm them. They felt -confident that they would be able to defend themselves, and they were -eager for the fight. Then, as they waited anxiously for the wolves to -appear, the commotion suddenly ceased. - -"Perhaps the fire has frightened them away," Spotted Deer said, -regretfully. - -"No, I do not believe it," replied Running Fox. "Timmeu is very -cautious. Perhaps they saw our fire. Perhaps they found the man scent. -They are sneaking up to have a look at us. I have heard my father tell -how they do that. We must keep a sharp watch." - -They listened anxiously, and peered eagerly into the darkness in the -hope of locating the wolves. They felt quite certain that the wily -brutes were close at hand endeavoring to learn the strength of their -enemies before exposing themselves. For a long time, however, the alert -young hunters could find no evidence of them. Then they heard a snarl -almost in front of them. A moment afterward a pair of shining green eyes -flashed in the darkness. The next instant they were gone. - -"Come, we must put some brush on the fire," said Running Fox. - -As the flames flared up and threw a circle of yellow light some distance -into the woods, the lads fitted arrows to their bows and watched for a -chance at the wolves. However, it appeared that those crafty beasts were -wise enough to keep beyond the glow. The Delawares heard them trotting -about through the undergrowth, but they were unable to see them. The -caution displayed by the wolves seemed like cowardice to the eager lads -who waited impatiently for them to attack, and they began to doubt some -of the stories they had heard concerning their ferocity. - -"These animals are not brave," sneered Spotted Deer. "Come, let us run -out and chase them away." - -"That would be a foolish thing to do," cautioned Running Fox. "We must -not take any chances. I believe what we have heard is true. Perhaps they -are getting ready to make a big fight. Listen. Do you hear that? It is -their war-cry. Now we must be ready." - -A long, quavering howl sounded through the night. It was the rallying -cry, and it was immediately answered by a wild din from the pack. It was -evident that the wolves were growing bolder. They trotted about at the -edge of the firelight, and the lads caught fleeting glimpses of dim, -shadowy forms slinking through the shadows. - -"Perhaps they will get brave enough to fight," laughed Spotted Deer. - -"They will fight," Running Fox assured him. - -The carcass of the deer was between the lads and the wolves, and it -appeared that the latter were preparing to fight for possession of it. -Still, it was some time before they grew hold enough to expose -themselves in the firelight. At last, however, one great wolf more -reckless than its companions rushed toward the prize. As it came into -the glow Spotted Deer shot his arrow, and the wolf rolled into the -hushes, howling dismally. Elated at his success, Spotted Deer raised his -voice in the Delaware war-cry. - -"That was a bad thing to do," said Running Fox. "Perhaps that will reach -the ears of an enemy." - -"It is true, Running Fox, I was very foolish," Spotted Deer -acknowledged, guiltily. - -At that instant the wolves charged in a body, and the lads saw that they -would have all the fighting they desired. They killed several of the -leaders, and for a moment the others hesitated. Then they divided and -formed a circle, and the Delawares realized that they had been -surrounded. Once roused to the attack, the wolves showed little fear, -and the lads soon found themselves engaged in a desperate encounter. -Standing back to back to prevent being attacked from the rear, they -fought furiously to keep the ferocious animals from reaching them. More -than one wolf was stopped in mid-air as it leaped forward to drag them -to the ground. Once Running Fox was compelled to use his war-club to -crush the skull of a wolf that had eluded his arrow. A moment later he -heard a warning cry from Spotted Deer, and wheeling about he saw the -latter borne to earth by a huge wolf that had two arrows sticking in its -side. Running Fox drove a third arrow into the fatal spot behind the -shoulder, and Spotted Deer leaped to his feet unharmed. Then the wolves -suddenly became demoralized, and retreated into the shadows. Spotted -Deer was eager to follow them, but Running Fox cautioned against it. - -"We have had a hard fight, but we have come out of it," said Running -Fox. "If we follow the wolves into the darkness we may be torn to -pieces." - -"Perhaps that is so," agreed Spotted Deer. - -They piled more brush on the fire, and kept a sharp watch for another -attack. However, as the time passed and the wolves failed to appear, the -lads believed that they had skulked off. Still it was a long time before -they dared to leave the fire to recover their arrows from the bodies of -the wolves they had killed. While they were engaged in the task they -heard savage snarls coming from the darkness, and saw the flash of angry -eyes. They realized, therefore, that they were in constant danger of -attack by the wounded wolves that had been unable to retreat with the -pack. - -"This is dangerous work," said Running Fox. "I believe the best thing to -do would be to wait until the light comes." - -He had barely uttered the warning, however, when a great black form -rushed from behind a rock and attacked him. It snapped savagely at his -legs, but he jumped aside in time to avoid the cruel white fangs. Then -he wheeled at bay. He saw the hateful green eyes glaring at him through -the night, and he aimed his arrow a short distance below them. As he -released the bow-string the wolf attempted to spring at him, but the -arrow plunged deep into its chest and ended its life. After that narrow -escape the lads decided to withdraw to the fire. They gathered enough -wood to last them through the night, and planned to take turns watching -until daylight. - - - - - CHAPTER VI--A PROWLER IN THE DARK - - -The night passed without further attack, and at dawn the lads scouted -carefully about the scene of the battle and found the bodies of twelve -large timber wolves. They found another wounded wolf hiding under the -top of a fallen tree, and they rushed upon it and killed it with their -war-clubs. Well pleased with their victory, the young Delawares spent -some time chanting war-songs and dancing about the bodies of their -victims. Then they broke off the tusks of the largest wolves as trophies -to be proudly exhibited when they finally returned to the Delaware -village. - -On the way back to the river Running Fox saw a small dark animal -bounding along ahead of him. He immediately ran in pursuit of it, and as -it flashed up the trunk of a tree he saw that it was, as he had guessed, -a black squirrel. The squirrel hid on one side of the tree, and as -Running Fox moved cautiously about the tree-trunk the crafty little -creature moved with him, so that he was unable to surprise it. At last, -however, Running Fox took his bow and stirred the leaves on the opposite -side of the tree. It was an old hunting trick which he had learned from -his father, and it proved entirely successful. Thinking that its pursuer -was coming around on that side the bewildered squirrel edged around in -full view of Running Fox. A moment afterward it fell at his feet with an -arrow through its body. - -"Well, Wisawanik knows how to hide, but I fooled him," laughed Running -Fox, as he held up the prize. "See, Spotted Deer, I have killed a chief -who wears the black robe. Yes, I have done what the medicine creatures -told me to do." - -Running Fox removed the black pelt with great care, and fastened it to -his belt. Then they continued toward the river. As they neared the water -they climbed to the top of a hardwood ridge to reconnoiter. They knew -that they were almost at the end of the Delaware hunting grounds, and -the thought made them cautious. - -"Pretty soon we will enter the country of our enemies," said Running -Fox. "Many of our people have been killed in that country. We must be -very watchful." - -"We will be as sharp as Woakus, the fox," replied Spotted Deer. - -They were able to see a long way up and down the river from the top of -the ridge, and they studied the water with great care. However, as they -failed to discover anything to arouse their suspicions, they soon -resumed their way into the north. The day was more than half gone when -Running Fox suddenly stopped, and pointed to a high rocky cliff on the -opposite side of the river, and then to a massive dead pine directly -ahead of them. - -"Do you see that high rocky place over there?" he inquired, turning to -Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, I see it," replied Spotted Deer. - -"Do you see that big tree ahead of us?" - -"Yes, I see it." - -"Well, we have reached the beginning of the great Iroquois hunting -grounds," declared Running Fox. "It begins over there on that side where -you see those rocks, and it begins on this side where you see that big -tree ahead of us. Do you know anything about those rocks?" - -"No, I do not know about them," replied Spotted Deer. - -"Well, I will tell you about something that happened there," said -Running Fox. "I will tell it just as my father told it to me. Our people -call that place Laktschellan, which means the-jumping-over-place. Now I -will tell you how it got that name. A long time ago a Delaware hunter -was chased up on those rocks by some Mohawks. Well, when they saw him up -there they began to laugh because they thought he could not get away. -Pretty soon they heard him calling down to them. He told them that he -was going to jump down into the water. Well, when they heard that they -began to laugh some more, because they thought he would surely be -killed. Then some of the Mohawks began to climb up the rocks. When the -Delaware saw them coming he gave a loud shout and jumped away from the -rocks. He made a great noise when he fell into the water, and a white -cloud flew high up into the air. Well, the Mohawks began to watch the -water. They watched a long time, but he never appeared. Then they -thought he was dead. Some of them began to jump into the water to find -his body. Well, while they were doing that the Delaware was hiding in -the bushes a little way off. He was laughing about how he had fooled the -Mohawks. He waited there until the Mohawks got tired and went away. Then -he ran to the Delaware camp, and told what he had done. The name of that -brave man was Striking Hawk, and he lived a very long time ago." - -"That is a good thing to know about," declared Spotted Deer. "Whenever I -pass that place I will always think about that brave hunter." - -A few moments afterwards the lads entered the hunting grounds of their -foes. The real war-journey had actually begun. The thought thrilled -them. Still they were serious and thoughtful. They knew that many foes -lurked in the vast wilderness which they were about to explore, and they -realized the difficulty of avoiding them. Besides the Mohawks there were -several other tribes of the great Iroquois nation who wandered into that -country to hunt and fish with their tribesmen. These visitors were -mostly Oneidas and Onondagas, whose villages were comparatively near the -Mohawks, but the fierce Cayugas and the still fiercer Senecas -occasionally came from the lakes and mountains far away toward the -setting sun. Then there were also the Shawnees, who frequently ventured -into the Iroquois country in large numbers. Such an array of enemies -might have made the most courageous warrior hesitate about entering that -perilous region, and the young Delawares knew that they must keep -constantly alert to their danger if they hoped to escape. - -The lads continued along the river until near the end of the day, and -then they turned deeper into the forest to find a safe hiding place in -which to spend the night. They were making their way carefully over a -rocky piece of ground covered with blueberry bushes, when they heard a -loud buzzing sound close beside them. - -"Hi, that is Wischalowe, the Frightener," cried Running Fox. - -They recognized the sound as the angry buzzing of a rattlesnake. It -seemed to be in a dense thicket of blueberry bushes, The lads realized -that they must approach it with caution, for they knew that its bite was -very deadly. Running Fox picked up several stones, and advanced -carefully into the thicket. When he came near the sound he stopped and -looked for the snake. At last he saw it several bow-lengths ahead of -him. It was coiled to strike. - -"Hi, Wischalowe, I have found you," cried Running Fox. "You look very -ugly. Yes, you are called 'The Frightener.' Well, I am not afraid of -you. Your war-cry does not frighten me. I have killed some of your -people. Now I am going to kill you. But I am going to give you a chance -to fight. Come, let me see how brave you are." - -Running Fox advanced directly toward the angry snake. He parted the -bushes carefully with his bow, and walked almost within bow-length. Then -he stopped, and continued to taunt Wischalowe. However, the rattlesnake -made no attempt to strike, and Running Fox tossed one of the stones -within a hand-breadth of it. The snake instantly lowered its head and -flattened its body against the ground--it was evidently about to strike. -Running Fox advanced a step nearer, and the snake uncoiled two-thirds of -its body and struck at him. He saw the ugly open mouth and the deadly -fangs as he sprang aside. - -"Well, Wischalowe, you are very slow, like an old man," laughed Running -Fox. "Yes, I see that you are very mad about it. You are making a great -noise. Perhaps it would frighten the women and children. Is that how you -got your name? Well, Wischalowe, this will be your last song. Now I am -going to kill you." - -However, as Running Fox threw the rock the snake struck, and he missed -it. Then to his surprise the snake partially coiled and struck again. It -was an unexpected maneuver, and the reckless young Delaware barely -escaped. He struck savagely with his bow, and hit the reptile a stunning -blow behind the head. Before it recovered he stooped and crushed it with -his war-club. Then he cut the string of bony scales, or rattles, from, -the end of its tail. - -"Well, that was an easy fight," laughed Running Fox, as he rejoined -Spotted Deer. "Wischalowe tried to frighten us, and now I have killed -him." - -"Wisehalowe was foolish," replied Spotted Deer. - -At the end of the day they stopped for the night beside a splendid -little woodland spring, in the midst of a wonderful forest of towering -hemlocks. The trees were so large and stood so close together that -perpetual twilight reigned beneath them. Night came swiftly after sunset -in that dense stand of timber, and the lads missed the cheery glow of -the little camp-fire, for they believed that it would be foolhardy to -run the risk of lighting it. They sat close together in the darkness, -therefore, conversing in low, guarded tones and listening anxiously at -the slightest sound. However, the great wilderness was unusually still, -and they heard only the night wind whispering softly in the tree-tops. - -"Schawanachen, the warm wind, is singing the sleep song," said Running -Fox. - -"It is a pretty song," replied Spotted Deer. "Come, we will pile up some -of this long grass, and let Schawanachen sing us to sleep." - -They gathered several armfuls of the long feathery ferns that grew in -great abundance at that spot, and made couches of them. Then they -wrapped themselves in their robes and lay down to sleep. - -"Perhaps it would be a good thing for one of us to watch," suggested -Running Fox. - -"No, I do not believe we are in any danger here," said Spotted Deer. "We -have not seen or heard anything to trouble us." - -"That is true," agreed Running Fox. "Well, we will not do anything about -it." - -They had not been long asleep when Running Fox awakened with a feeling -that all was not well. He raised himself cautiously upon his elbow, and -spent many moments looking and listening for signs of danger. Spotted -Deer was slumbering soundly, and Running Fox determined not to awaken -him unless he discovered something to verify his uneasiness. - -"This is a strange thing," Running Fox whispered to himself. "I do not -see anything, and I do not hear anything, but I feel something wrong. I -believe we are in some kind of danger. Well, I will watch." - -For a long time, however, he found no reason for his suspicions. Still -the peculiar premonition of danger persisted. It troubled him. He -believed it was a warning from Getanittowit, and yet he did not know how -to interpret it. Then he thought he heard something moving through the -ferns. He held his breath to listen, but the silence was unbroken. At -last, convinced that his fears were groundless, Running Fox again lay -down to sleep. He had barely closed his eyes, however, when he was -roused by the same stealthy sound in the ferns. - -"Now I know that something is wrong," Running Fox told himself. - -As he sat up and stared anxiously into the night he again heard the -gentle rustling of the ferns. For a moment he wondered if it might not -be the wind. All was still, however, and even the murmurs in the -tree-tops had died away. Running Fox felt that he was being watched. A -few moments later his suspicions were verified, as a pair of glowing -eyes shone from the darkness. Aware that they were threatened by some -savage prowler of the wilderness, Running Fox leaned over and touched -Spotted Deer. - -"Do not make any noise," cautioned Running Fox, as Spotted Deer -awakened. - -"What has happened?" Spotted Deer inquired, anxiously. - -"I do not know what it is, but something is watching us," declared -Running Fox. "Yes, I heard it, and I saw its eyes." - -"Perhaps the wolves have followed us," whispered Spotted Deer. - -"No, it is something different," replied Running Fox. "Listen." - -They heard something circling softly about them through the ferns. Then -they caught the momentary flash of a pair of eyes. The next instant they -vanished, and a twig snapped somewhere within bow-shot. - -"I believe it is Timmeu, the wolf," declared Spotted Deer. "Perhaps he -has come back to fight us." - -"No, it is not Timmeu," replied Running Fox. "The eyes are different, -and this thing moves slower." - -They heard a low growl, like that of an angry dog. Then they again saw -the weird shining eyes watching them. - -"Perhaps some Evil Spirit lives in this place," Spotted Deer suggested, -uneasily. - -"No, I do not believe it," Running Fox assured him. "I believe it is -Quenischquney, the panther. Yes, it is the sound I heard in my dream. -Now I will tell you what to do. I will shoot my arrow. Then if -Quenisehquney jumps in to fight you must send your arrow into him. By -that time I will be ready with another arrow." - -"I am ready," said Spotted Deer. "See, there are his eyes. He sounds -mad." - -Running Fox discharged his arrow. They heard it strike, and then a -terrifying scream rang through the night. A moment later a long dark -form crouched before them. They heard the tail swishing rapidly among -the ferns, and read a warning in the flashing eyes. - -"Do something!" cried Running Fox, as he prepared another arrow. - -Spotted Deer had hesitated an instant too long, and as he released his -bow-string the panther sprang. It missed him by less than a bow-length, -and disappeared into the night. They heard it coughing and snarling, and -thrashing about in the ferns. Then it suddenly became quiet. - -"It is dead," said Spotted Deer. - -"Perhaps," replied Running Fox. "Quenischquney is very cute, we must be -careful." - -They watched anxiously, but the eyes failed to appear. Then, as the -silence continued, Running Fox began to grow uneasy. He feared that the -panther might have sneaked away, and the possibility made him reckless. - -"I do not like this," he told Spotted Deer. "Perhaps, as you say, -Quenischquney is dead. But perhaps he has sneaked away. That would be -very bad. I must follow him and kill him. Yes, I must take his claws, -and wear them as the mysterious Medicine Creatures told me to do. If I -do not obey them something bad may happen to us. Now I am going over -there to find out if Quenischquney is dead." - -"That is a very dangerous thing to do," protested Spotted Deer. - -"Well, I cannot help it," replied Running Fox. "I must not let -Quenischquney get away." - -"I will go with you," proposed Spotted Deer. - -They waited some moments, watching and listening for a clue to the -whereabouts of the wounded panther. Then, as the baffling silence -continued, they advanced cautiously toward the place where they had last -seen the glare of its eyes. They went forward very slowly, about a -bow-length apart. It was very dark, and they realized that they must -depend more upon their ears than their eyes to warn them of danger. -After every third or fourth stride, therefore, they stopped to listen, -while they peered anxiously on all sides of them for a tell-tale flash -of those ugly green eyes. However, they neither heard or saw anything of -the animal they sought. - -"I believe that fierce Quenischquney is dead," declared Spotted Deer. - -"We must not be too sure," Running Fox warned him. - -He had barely finished speaking when they heard a warning growl directly -ahead of them. They stopped and watched for a chance to shoot their -arrows. The growling continued, and they heard the ferns rustling, but -they were unable to locate the panther. They knew it was close to them, -but for some reason they were unable to discover its eyes. For a moment -they were puzzled. Then Running Fox guessed the truth. - -"I know how it is," he whispered, excitedly. "Quenischquney is crouching -down in the high grass. I believe he is getting ready to jump." - -"Shall I send an arrow over there where we hear him?" asked Spotted -Deer. - -Quenischquney himself answered the question, for at that very instant he -made his spring, and bore Spotted Deer to the ground. Running Fox saw a -long black shadow pass before him, heard a short angry snarl, and then -the quick startled voice of Spotted Deer. For an instant the suddenness -of the attack bewildered him. He hesitated a moment to recover his wits, -and then as Spotted Deer called to him he sprang to his assistance. - -"O Running Fox! Running Fox!" screamed Spotted Deer. - -"Use your knife!" cried Running Fox. - -The next instant he was upon the panther. He plunged his flint knife -deep behind the shoulder. - -Then, as the infuriated beast turned upon him, he drove an arrow into -its body. Quenischquney leaped, but crashed to the ground within a -bow-length. For some moments he thrashed wildly about in the ferns, -coughing and snarling furiously. Then he became still. The lads -approached cautiously, and saw him lying quietly upon his side. Running -Fox drove another arrow into him, but he failed to move. Then they went -up to him, and saw that he was dead. - -"Did Quenischquney do much harm to you?" Running Fox asked Spotted Deer. -"Come over here and let me look at you." - -"No, Quenischquney did not harm me," Spotted Deer replied, bravely. "I -felt his claws, but I stuck my knife into his throat, and he could not -bite me. Yes, I am bloody, but most of it came from Quenischquney. It is -a good thing you were with me. If I had been alone I might have been -killed." - -Running Fox saw that Spotted Deer had escaped without serious injury. He -had a number of painful gashes on his arms and the upper part of his -body, but Running Fox hurried him to the spring and soon stopped the -bleeding by soaking small pieces of sphagnum moss in the cold water and -inserting it in the wounds. - -"Well, you will have some marks on your body to tell about when we get -back to our people," laughed Running Fox. - -"I will tell them how you killed Quenischquney," replied Spotted Deer. - -As Spotted Deer declared that he felt little pain from his injuries, -they returned to the dead panther and cut off the claws. Then they sang -medicine-songs, and danced about the body of Quenischquney until well -along toward the middle of the night. - -"Now we will stop," Running Fox said, finally, "It will soon be light. -Come, we will go back and lie down again." - -"Yes, we can sleep easy, fierce Quenischquney will not trouble us now," -replied Spotted Deer. - - - - - CHAPTER VII--THE MYSTERIOUS CANOE - - -The Delawares had not gone far the following day before they came upon -an inviting eddy in the river, and as the day was unusually warm they -determined 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 water felt very soothing to the burning gashes he had -received from the panther. In spite of their frolicking, however, the -lads kept a sharp watch for foes. They soon saw the necessity of it, as -Running Fox suddenly looked up the river and discovered something which -caused them to scramble frantically to the shore. - -A bark canoe had suddenly appeared around a bend of the river, and was -drifting slowly toward them. The lads watched it with great uneasiness. -It appeared to be unoccupied and abandoned. Still the suspicious -Delawares feared a trap. "Perhaps some one is lying down inside of it," -suggested Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we will soon be able to find out about that," replied Running -Fox. - -They studied the approaching canoe with great attention, but were unable -to tell to what tribe it belonged. Running Fox had been well trained in -the art of observing, and his sharp eyes soon told him enough to quiet -his fears. - -"See, it sits high in the water," he told Spotted Deer. "If any one was -inside it would be low down and heavy." - -"Yes, that is true," agreed Spotted Deer. "But some one may be swimming -on the other side of it." - -"No, I do not believe it," said Running Fox. "It does not tremble, and -it leaves no trail." - -Satisfied, therefore, that the mysterious canoe was deserted, the -Delawares wondered how they might gain possession of it without exposing -themselves to discovery. They feared that crafty foes might be watching -from ambush, and they hesitated to show themselves. - -"See, it is moving toward land," Running Fox whispered, excitedly. - -A short distance below them a narrow gravelly beach reached far out into -the water, and they noticed that the canoe was drifting directly toward -it. They watched eagerly until the canoe finally struck upon the -projecting point of land. Then, as the canoe swung slowly about with the -current, they realized that they must act quickly to secure it. - -"I will go out and catch it," said Running Fox. - -He skulked through the bushes as cautiously as a fox. When he reached -the spot where the canoe had struck he stopped to search the river for -foes. Then he saw the canoe swinging stern foremost down the river. He -realized that in another moment 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, he made no -attempt to erase it, for he hoped that any one following on the trail -would find it and be deceived. It made it appear that, having lodged for -a time at that spot, the canoe had finally floated free and drifted down -the river. - -Once in actual possession of the canoe, Running Fox signaled for Spotted -Deer to join him. They waded with the prize until they found a safe -hiding place, and then they dragged it into the bushes. They had found a -long hickory bow and a buckskin quiver filled with arrows in the bottom -of the canoe. - -"This is very strange," said Running Fox, as he examined the weapons. - -The lads saw at once that they were different in pattern from their own, -and they had little doubt that they were of Iroquois design. Still they -were not sure. They stared at them in amazement. The whole affair was a -great mystery. They would have given much to know how far the canoe had -come, and how the weapons happened to be in it. - -"Whoever left these things in that canoe was very foolish," said Spotted -Deer. - -"Well, I see that he kept the paddle," replied Running Fox. - -"That is true, I did not see that," said Spotted Deer. - -At first the Delawares were inclined to keep the weapons, and hide the -canoe in the woods until they returned down the river on their way to -the Delaware camp. It would have been a splendid trophy, and they -dreaded to lose it, but Running Fox finally decided to set it adrift. - -"This canoe has floated away, and some one will come down here looking -for it," he said. "If they do not find it, they will become suspicious. -Perhaps they will look for our trail. We have a long journey to make, -and we are in great danger. We will not take any chances. Come, we will -keep the weapons, and give up the canoe." - -"You are the leader, I will do as you say," Spotted Deer said, -resignedly. "But if some one comes after this canoe they will miss the -weapons." - -"We will fool them about that," laughed Running Fox. - -They carried the canoe to the water, and as they set it adrift Running -Fox overturned it with his foot. Spotted Deer laughed as he saw the -reason for the wily bit of stratagem which would make the owner of the -canoe believe that his weapons were somewhere at the bottom of the -river. They watched until the canoe floated slowly from sight around a -bend of the shore. - -"Now we must hide, and watch to see who comes after it," said Running -Fox. - -They concealed themselves in the bushes, and began to watch the river. -All day they remained there, as alert and patient as a lynx waiting for -prey. Nothing escaped them. Their eyes caught every movement, their ears -heard every sound. - -"I do not believe any one will come," said Spotted Deer, after they had -watched a long time in vain. - -"We must wait," Running Fox told him. - -Then, toward the end of the day, their patience was rewarded. They saw a -second canoe coming swiftly down the river. They saw at once that it was -similar in pattern to the one that had preceded it. It was guided by two -sturdy paddlers, whom the lads 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 with -different emotions. The lads felt their hearts pounding wildly against -their ribs as the Mohawks approached, but they had concealed themselves -with great care and they had little fear of being discovered. At any -rate there was no chance to retreat. - -"We must keep very quiet," cautioned Running Fox. - -The Mohawks kept to the middle of the river, while they watched the -shore for signs of the missing canoe. As they passed, the lads studied -them closely. The warrior in the stern of the canoe was a powerful -middle-aged man of threatening appearance, but his companion looked more -youthful and pleasing of countenance. They turned the canoe toward the -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 toward -the beach. They spent some time studying the mark in the gravel, and the -Delawares watched them in painful suspense. They wondered whether the -crafty Mohawks would really be deceived by the stratagem of Running Fox. -However, they soon saw that it had been successful, for the paddlers -pushed out into the current and disappeared down the river. - -"We have fooled those warriors," laughed Running Fox. - -"I could have sent an arrow into them," said Spotted Deer. - -"That would have been very foolish," Running Fox told him. "Perhaps you -would not have killed them, and they would have gone 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 they see us it will be hard to get near -their camp. The fox does not jump at the bear when he steals to his -lodge for meat." - -"That is true," agreed Spotted Deer. "Well, I will be very cautious." - -"Pretty soon those warriors will come back," said Running Fox. "We must -watch sharp." - -As the evening shadows were settling upon the forest the Mohawks -returned with the missing canoe. They passed close to the shore, and the -Delawares had a splendid view of them. They saw that the faces of the -canoemen were streaked with black. - -"Those warriors are painted for war," said Running Fox, after the -paddlers had passed from hearing. - -"Yes, I saw the black marks across their faces," replied Spotted Deer. -"Who are they going to fight?" - -"I do not know," Running Fox declared, uneasily. "We must find out. -Perhaps they are getting ready to fight our people. We will follow -them." - -They waited until they felt sure that the Mohawks were a safe distance -ahead of them, and then they left their hiding place, and followed -cautiously up the river. They soon came in sight of the canoes, and -trailed them until darkness finally blotted them from sight. Then the -Delawares were puzzled. 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 follow on the trail. They hurried along within -sound of the water, straining their eyes to catch the warning flicker of -a camp-fire. However, as the night wore on, and they failed to get any -trace of the mysterious canoemen, the Delawares began to realize that -they were exhausting themselves in vain. - -"It is foolish to keep going," declared Running Fox. "Perhaps those -warriors will not stop before it gets light. Perhaps they will stop, 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 try to go ahead, -we may pass them. That would make things bad for us. I believe the best -thing to do is to stop until it gets light." - -"Yes, I believe it will be the best thing to do," agreed Spotted Deer. - -They turned from the river, and reconnoitered carefully through the grim -black wilderness in search of a safe stopping place for the night. They -finally found suitable shelter in a thick stand of pines on the summit -of a rocky knoll directly above the river. - -"This is a good place," said Running Fox. "When it gets light we will be -able to see a long ways along the water. Perhaps we will find the -Mohawks." - -They determined to keep a sharp watch until daylight, for they feared -that their foes might be nearer than they supposed. It was agreed that -one should remain 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, the owl. Acting upon the impulse of -the moment he placed his hands to his mouth, and gave a perfect -imitation of the call. Running Fox sprang up at the sound. - -"What was that?" he inquired, anxiously. - -"I am talking with Gokhos," laughed Spotted Deer. - -"You are very foolish," said Running Fox, as his eyes flashed angrily. -"Warriors do not cry out like children when there are enemies about to -hear. Perhaps what you heard was a signal. I have heard my father tell -how the Mohawks use the voice of Gokhos to call one another. You have -done a bad thing." - -Spotted Deer accepted the rebuke in silence. He suddenly realized the -peril of his act. It filled him with shame. He could offer no excuse. - -"Running Fox, I see that I have done a very foolish thing," he said. "I -did not think about it. Now I see that it may get us into trouble. I -feel very bad." - -"We will not talk any more about it," said Running Fox. - -They listened anxiously, and in a few moments they heard the call of -Gokhos again echoing through the forest. It seemed to come from farther -up the river. The notes sounded perfectly natural, but Running Fox was -suspicious. - -"I believe it is Gokhos," said Spotted Deer. - -"Perhaps," replied Running Fox. - -A short time afterward the cry was repeated nearer at hand, and Running -Fox looked at Spotted Deer and smiled. - -"Perhaps Gokhos is coming to talk with you," he said. "I believe it will -be better to move away." - -As they retreated cautiously into the night, the weird, mocking cry -again came to them through the darkness. Running Fox strained his ears -to find a flaw in it, but it sounded genuine. Still he was distrustful. - -"Well, perhaps it is only Gokhos," he told Spotted Deer, "I do not hear -anything wrong with it, but I do not feel right about it. We have seen -the Mohawks. They were painted for war. We are in their country. We must -not be too bold." - -As he finished speaking they were surprised to hear Gokhos calling from -somewhere down the river. For a moment it allayed their suspicions, for -they realized that only Gokhos himself could have moved so rapidly. Then -they heard the other cry farther to the northward, and their fears were -strengthened. - -"Now I believe it is the Mohawks calling one another," declared Running -Fox. "We will stay here, and watch until it gets light." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII--A NARROW ESCAPE - - -At daylight the lads continued along the ridge upon which they had spent -the night, until they found a spot which offered them a long, -unobstructed view of the river. Then they settled themselves to watch -for their foes. The mysterious owl calls on the previous night had -convinced them that some of the Mohawks were still down the river, and -they hoped before long to see them. They waited patiently until half of -the day had passed, but no one appeared. - -"Perhaps they are moving through the woods on foot," suggested Spotted -Deer. - -"Perhaps," replied Running Fox. "We have watched a long time, but we -have not seen any one. I believe the Mohawks have passed some other way. -Come, we will go ahead." - -They advanced through the forest with great caution, for they knew that -they might come face to face with their foes at any moment. Watchful, -and alert to their peril, therefore, the lads took every precaution. -Nothing escaped their notice. They stopped suspiciously each time the -wind stirred the leaves; they strained their ears to catch a warning in -the most familiar sound. The fact that the Mohawk canoemen were painted -for war suggested the possibility of a large war-party somewhere near at -hand. The Delawares knew that under those circumstances many sharp-eyed -scouts were roaming through the woods on all sides of them. - -Toward the end of the day the lads heard a wild turkey calling. It -seemed to be somewhere on a ridge to the eastward, and they stopped to -listen. It was a common sound in the woods about the Delaware camp, and -under other circumstances they would have given little attention to it. -However, with the owl calls fresh in their minds, the Delawares -immediately became suspicious. Running Fox placed his finger across his -lips, and looked warningly at Spotted Deer. - -"I will keep as still as Achpoques, the wood mouse," laughed Spotted -Deer, as he recalled his blunder with the owl calls. - -They listened some time before the call was repeated, and then they were -unable to discover anything suspicious about it. Nevertheless they -determined to wait until they heard it again. The next time, however, -Running Fox thought he detected an unfamiliar note. He had hunted wild -turkeys since he was old enough to pull a bowstring, and he was an -expert at imitating their call. - -"I do not like that," he told Spotted Deer. "No, I do not believe it is -Gulukochsun." - -"Well, we will listen again," said Spotted Deer. "I did not hear -anything wrong about it." - -However, as the familiar gobble again rolled through the woods Running -Fox was compelled to acknowledge that he found it entirely natural. -Still he was not satisfied. - -"This is not the time when Gulukochsun sounds his war-cry," he declared, -suspiciously. - -"I have been thinking about that," replied Spotted Deer. - -Then as they continued to listen they heard an answer. It sounded as if -it came from the opposite side of the river. The lads looked at each -other and nodded significantly. When they heard the call a second time -they detected several strange notes that proclaimed it false. They felt -certain that it came from a human throat. - -"Perhaps some hunter is trying to draw Gulukochsun over there," -suggested Spotted Deer. - -"No, I do not believe it," said Running Fox. "A hunter would come over -here to find Gulukochsun." - -"Yes, that is true," agreed Spotted Deer. - -The counterfeit call was soon answered, and then the gobbling ceased. -The lads were filled with suspicion. They began to mistrust that both -calls were false. They believed that Iroquois scouts were again -exchanging signals. - -"Perhaps these are the same people who talked with the words of Gokhos," -said Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, that may be true," replied Running Fox. "Well, I believe they are -going to meet down there at the water. We will steal down there and have -a look at them." - -"That will be a dangerous thing; to do," said Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, we must be very careful," Running Fox told him. - -Then they began a daring advance toward the river. They believed that -the scout whom they had heard first was still somewhere behind them, and -they hoped to reach the river ahead of him, They moved swiftly, -therefore, watching and listening for the first warning of danger. When -they finally got within easy bow-shot of the water they concealed -themselves in a dense thicket of willows. Then they watched anxiously -for their enemies to appear. It was not long before they again heard the -turkey call on the other side of the river. A few moments after it had -ceased, an answering gobble sounded from the woods directly back of -them. It was so perfect that if they had heard it under any other -circumstances they would have been entirely deceived. - -"Now watch sharp," cautioned Running Fox. - -At that instant they saw a solitary warrior moving swiftly along in the -shadow of the trees on the opposite shore. In a few moments he dragged a -canoe from the bushes, and paddled rapidly across the river. He had -barely landed before another warrior passed noiselessly within several -bow-lengths of the concealed Delawares, and joined him at the edge of -the water. - -"They are Mohawks," whispered Running Fox. - -Spotted Deer was about to reply when one of the warriors suddenly turned -and looked directly toward their hiding place. The lads felt quite sure -that they had been discovered, and their hearts bounded wildly at the -thought. Still it seemed impossible for the low whisper from Running Fox -to have reached the figures at the edge of the water. However, after a -moment or so the warrior had again turned to his companion, and the lads -breathed easier. Then they heard a bird stirring about noisily in the -undergrowth, and they understood why the warrior had looked toward their -hiding place. They instantly realized the danger that threatened them, -for both warriors were now looking intently toward the willows. The -Delawares feared that in another moment their suspicious foes might -decide to investigate the sound. Discovery seemed near at hand. They -realized that they must do something to quiet the fears of their -enemies. There was not a moment to spare. The lads looked anxiously into -each other's eyes. Then the bird resumed its noisy search for food. One -of the warriors prepared to send an arrow into the willows. At that -moment Running Fox discovered the bird scratching among the leaves. The -bird saw him at almost the same instant, and as he moved cautiously it -sounded an alarm and flew above the bushes. The Mohawk laughed and -lowered his bow. The danger had passed. - -Spotted Deer started to say something, but Running Fox placed his finger -across his lips and warned him to be still. Their narrow escape had made -him doubly cautious, and he feared that the lightest whisper might reach -the sensitive ears of those alert scouts. They were conversing -earnestly, and although they talked in guarded tones the lads distinctly -heard the low unintelligible hum of their voices. They listened eagerly -for they would have given much to know what was being said. However, the -Mohawks were talking too cautiously to give them a clue. Besides, the -Delawares doubted that they would have understood the Iroquois dialect -even if they had heard it. Once the warrior who had crossed the river -swept his arm toward the west, and the lads believed that he was -describing something of importance which he had discovered in that -direction. The Delawares studied the two men closely. They saw at once -that they were not the warriors whom they had seen the previous day. -These Mohawks were both great stalwart men in the prime of life. Their -faces, too, were painted black in token of war. It was evident that they -were scouts searching the forest for signs of their foes. In a few -moments they entered the canoe, and poled it rapidly up the river. - -"Come, we must follow them," declared Running Fox. "I believe the -Mohawks are gathering a great war-party. We must find out where they -are." - -Once the canoemen had disappeared around a long wooded arm of the shore, -the Delawares left the willows, and hurried through the woods in pursuit -of them. They kept a safe distance from the water for they feared that -the crafty Mohawks might suddenly return on their trail to make sure -that no one was following them. The lads had a vague idea that they were -nearing the headwaters of the river, and they began to look for several -prominent landmarks which had been described to them. Toward evening -they saw the first of them, a great granite-topped mountain on the -opposite side of the river. They had often heard it mentioned by the -Delaware scouts, and they realized that they were close to the great -Mohawk trail, which began at the headwaters of the river and extended -many leagues into the north. They also knew that the Shawnees entered -that region from the westward, and their trails, too, were to be found -somewhere in the vast forest beyond the river. The young Delawares -realized, therefore, that each stride was taking them into more perilous -ground, and they advanced with great care. - -As the long evening shadows finally began to reach out over the water, -the Delawares feared that their foes were again about to escape under -cover of the darkness. The possibility made them more daring, and they -hurried along closer to the river. They had not gone far, however, when -they discovered the Mohawks moving slowly along near the shore. Just -before dark they landed, and dragged the canoe into the shadows. - -"I believe they will stay at that place until it gets light," said -Running Fox. - -"We will watch for their fire," said Spotted Deer. - -"They will not light a fire," declared Running Fox. "Now I will tell you -what to do. It would be foolish to go any nearer to them, before it gets -light. We will stay where we are. When the light comes I will tell you -something else." - -"Well, you are the leader," replied Spotted Deer. "I will listen to your -words." - -When it grew dark they crawled beneath the drooping branches of a large -spruce. Then as the night wore on, and they heard nothing from their -foes, they stole silently to the river. All was black, and still, and -mysterious, and they were glad to return to their hiding place beneath -the spruce. - -As the first gray hint of dawn appeared in the east Running Fox awakened -Spotted Deer, and led the way to the river. They waded carefully into -the water and swam to the opposite shore. Then they stole silently -through the woods until they were opposite their enemies. Dropping to -their hands and knees, they crawled into the fringe of bushes that lined -the water. Then, as the light strengthened, and they peered eagerly -between the branches, they saw three overturned canoes dimly outlined in -the shadows on the other side of the river. - -"That is strange," whispered Spotted Deer. - -"The Mohawks have found one another," said Running Fox. - -A short time afterward they saw a lone figure at the edge of the forest. -They felt certain it was one of the Mohawk scouts. He stood in the -shadows watching the river. Then he hastened across the narrow beach, -and dropped at the edge of the water to drink. As he rose he looked -across the river, and the lads thought they recognized him. - -"He is one of the warriors who found the canoe," said Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, now I see what has happened," replied Running Fox. "When we heard -the calls of Gokhos, then that warrior and his friend were talking with -the warriors we followed here. Now they are all together. Pretty soon -they will meet the war-party." - -The Mohawk had already returned to the woods, and the lads watched -anxiously. Then they saw four figures gather about the canoes. They had -little difficulty in identifying them as the four scouts whom they had -seen previously. The Delawares were somewhat puzzled, however, when the -Mohawks carried two canoes to the water, and left the third lying at the -edge of the woods. Then three of the warriors entered the two canoes and -paddled up the river. The fourth Mohawk, whom the lads recognized as the -younger of the two who had searched for the canoe, remained behind. He -stood some moments looking after his companions, and when they passed -from sight he turned up the beach and disappeared into the forest. - -"I believe the Mohawks have found some signs of the Shawnees," declared -Running Fox. "They have left that warrior to watch. It is bad. Now we -cannot follow them. We must wait and see what he is going to do." - -"Perhaps he will wait there until the war-party appears," said Spotted -Deer. - -The possibility disturbed them, for they knew in that event they would -be in a serious predicament. It was a long time before their suspense -was ended. Then the Mohawk carried his canoe to the water, and -disappeared down the river. The Delawares had not expected that -maneuver, and they were unable to guess a reason for it. - -"Perhaps the Mohawks have found the Shawnees, and that warrior has gone -to watch them," suggested Spotted Deer. - -"Perhaps," replied Running Fox. "I do not like it. Perhaps there are -more Mohawks behind us. Yes, the war-party may be moving the other way." - -The thought alarmed them. As soon as the solitary warrior had passed -from sight, therefore, the Delawares hurried up the river on the trail -of his companions. When half of the day had passed they reached the -headwaters of the river. They had failed to overtake the Mohawks, and -they were somewhat at a loss to know just what to do. - -"It is bad," declared Running Fox. "We have come to a dangerous place. -We have lost sight of the Mohawks. We must be very careful until we find -their trail." - -"Perhaps they are watching this place," said Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we will creep around as softly as Quenischquney, the panther," -replied Running Fox. - -They scouted cautiously about the headwaters of the river until they -found a narrow trail leading toward the north. When they stooped and -examined it they found evidence which convinced them that some one had -passed over it that very day. They had little doubt that it was the -three Mohawks whom they had followed up the river. - -"Perhaps this is the trail that leads to the great Mohawk camp," said -Spotted Deer. - -"No, my father told me different," declared Running Fox. "This trail -leads to a big lake. Beyond that there are no trails. It will be hard to -find the Mohawk camp." - -They were moving carefully along the trail when they were halted by the -sound of voices directly ahead of them. It was evident that the speakers -were almost upon them, and the startled lads darted into the bushes and -dropped to the ground. In a few moments they saw two of the Mohawk -canoemen returning along the trail. They were walking slowly and looking -intently at the ground. It looked as if they had dropped something, and -had come back to find it. The Delawares were on the verge of panic, for -they believed that the sharp-eyed scouts would be almost sure to -discover their trail. However, when the Mohawks passed by within -bow-length of them the lads took hope. When they had gone from hearing, -Running Fox sprang to his feet and called upon Spotted Deer to follow -him. - -"Come, we must fool those warriors, and get a good start," he said. - -They ran directly along the trail, being careful to leave plenty of -tracks. They had not gone far, however, before they heard the shrill cry -of Nianque, the lynx, ringing through the woods behind them. - -"That is a danger signal," Running Fox declared, excitedly. "Those -warriors have found our trail. Now we must run far back into the woods -and hide." - -They turned from the trail, and sped through the forest like frightened -deer. Then the lynx cry again sounded from the trail, and in a few -moments they heard it answered from the north. They knew that the -warriors who had discovered their trail had warned their comrade, and -they believed that they would soon be pursued. - - - - - CHAPTER IX--FORCED INTO HIDING - - -The Delawares had not gone far when they heard sounds which convinced -them that the Mohawks were already searching for them. The thought -spurred them to greater efforts, and they scrambled frantically to the -top of a low hardwood ridge to reconnoiter. They saw what appeared to be -a large spruce swamp directly ahead of them, and they determined to make -it their hiding place. - -"If we reach that place it will be hard for the Mohawks to find us," -said Running Fox. - -As they started down the ridge, however, the piercing Mohawk war-cry -rang in their ears, and an arrow hummed angrily between them. Spotted -Deer instantly turned to fight, but Running Fox seized his arm and -dragged him forward. - -"Run! If we stop we may be surrounded!" cried Running Fox. - -They tore through the undergrowth at top speed and another arrow flew -harmlessly above their heads. As they ran Running Fox continued to -shout, "Saganaga! Saganaga!" It was the name by which the Delawares were -known to the Iroquois, and Spotted Deer could not guess his reason for -proclaiming his identity. They heard the Mohawk yelling savagely -somewhere behind them, and they knew that he was leading his comrades to -the trail. - -"Let us wait, and kill that warrior," proposed Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, yes, as soon as we get to the swamp," replied Running Fox. - -However, as they neared the swamp they heard other cries still farther -behind them, and they realized that more Mohawks had joined the chase. -Then the cries and signals suddenly 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 -reached the border of the swamp they were almost exhausted. Then they -turned at bay, and waited in ambush to kill the Mohawk who had attacked -them on the summit of the ridge. - -"How did that warrior come up with us so fast?" inquired Spotted Deer, - -"Well, I believe that warrior was there all the time," declared Running -Fox. "Perhaps he was traveling along that ridge when he heard the danger -cry of his people. Then he stopped to listen. Pretty soon he heard us -coming through there. Then he tried to kill us. I do not believe he -knows who we are." - -"Then why did you keep calling out 'Saganaga'?" demanded Spotted Deer. -"Now he will know that we are Delawares." - -"No, he will not know it," laughed Running Fox. "I called out that way -to fool him. He will take us for Shawnees. Yes, he will say, 'Hi, the -frightened Shawanos took me for a Saganaga.' Yes, he will tell his -people about it. They will take us for the boastful Shawnees." - -"Running Fox, you are very sharp," said Spotted Deer. "Now I see that -you have done a good thing. But we must kill that warrior who found us -on the ridge. Yes, he will lead his people to this place, and perhaps -they will find us." - -"Well, I would like to kill him, but I do not believe he will rush ahead -alone," replied Running Fox. "Perhaps he was with a war-party. I believe -the best thing we can do will be to go into this big swamp and hide." - -They watched and listened a few moments longer, and then they retreated -into the dreary depths of the swamp. Two-thirds of the day had passed, -and they believed that it would be impossible for the Mohawks 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 they scattered and -surrounded their hiding place. At nightfall the Delawares heard them -signaling on all sides of them, and their hearts filled with gloom. -Running Fox began to fear that he had blundered. - -"Spotted Deer, I believe we have done a foolish thing," he said, -bitterly. "Yes, I believe we should have kept out of this place." - -"The Mohawks cannot find us here," Spotted Deer declared, confidently. - -"Well, I am not sure about it," replied Running Fox. "But it will be -hard to get away." - -It was too late for regrets, however, and the Delawares determined to -make the best of their predicament. When it grew dark, therefore, they -began a cautions advance toward the edge of the swamp. They moved -through the darkness as silently as phantoms. They had gone a -considerable distance when Running Fox suddenly stopped and whispered a -warning to Spotted Deer, who was following a bow-length behind him. - -"Listen, something is coming," cautioned Running Fox. - -"Where is it?" inquired Spotted Deer. - -"Sh," breathed Running Fox. - -Then, as they hastily prepared their arrows and stood there endeavoring -to identify the sound, they heard stealthy footfalls somewhere ahead of -them. 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 great glassy eyes glowed in the darkness, and then they -heard a frightened snort. The next instant a deer crashed off toward the -border of the swamp. - -"It was only Achtu," said Spotted Deer. - -"It is bad," declared Running Fox. "If the Mohawks are watching they -will hear Achtu. Then they will say, 'Something has frightened that -deer. Perhaps it was the people we are looking for.' Yes, they will know -where we are. We must turn and go a different way." - -"Yes, I believe it would be a good thing to do," agreed Spotted Deer. - -The lads immediately changed their course, and planned to leave the -swamp farther to the west. They were moving cautiously in that direction -when they 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 fox. Both calls seemed to come from somewhere in the swamp, -and the Delawares feared that the Mohawks had sent scouts to explore -their hiding place. - -"The scouts have come to find us," said Running Fox. "We will fool -them." - -They were almost at the border of the swamp when they were turned back -by voices directly ahead of them. Then, as they retreated into the -night, they again heard the short, quick yapping of Woakus, the fox. -This time it seemed to be almost 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, anxious moments -passed while they stood there, with arrows ready, peering expectantly -into the night. At last, however, they heard their foe moving toward the -edge of the swamp, and they knew that for the moment at least they were -safe. - -"We must go back to the place we came from," whispered Running Fox. "The -Mohawks are all around us. We cannot get away." - -"We will hide until they go away," said Spotted Deer. - -They began a slow, cautious retreat toward the middle of the swamp. They -were stopped many times by mysterious sounds which often seemed within -bow-length of them, but each time the danger passed, and they finally -gained the depths of the swamp in safety. Then they concealed themselves -in the dense top of a fallen hemlock, and determined to stay there until -daylight. - -"Now we must find a better place," said Running Fox, as the soft gray -light of dawn penetrated their hiding place. "Pretty soon the Mohawks -will come here to look for us. Then we must hide as close as Wisawanik, -the squirrel." - -"This is a good place," replied Spotted Deer. "If we keep still it will -be hard to see us in here." - -"No, I do not like this place," declared Running Fox. "The Mohawks will -be sure to look into this tree-top. We must hide where they will not -expect to find us." - -"Where shall we go?" asked Spotted Deer. - -"Come, I will find a place," Running Fox assured him. - -Running Fox led the way to a great black spruce with low sweeping -branches. Then, as he began to climb, he asked Spotted Deer to remain -upon the ground. When Running Fox finally settled himself well up toward -the top of the tree, he called down to Spotted Deer and asked if he -could see him. - -"No, I do not see anything of you," replied Spotted Deer, after he had -walked carefully about the tree. - -"That is good," said Running Fox. "Now you must climb up here." - -As Spotted Deer began to climb they heard the first Mohawk signal. It -sounded a short distance south of them. In a few moments they heard -other signals from the east, the west and the north. - -"The Mohawks have made a circle," said Running Fox. "Pretty soon they -will draw together. Well, I do not believe they will find anything in -their trap." - -"No, Wisawanik has told us how to hide, and we will fool them," laughed -Spotted Deer. - -It was a long time before the lads heard anything further from their -foes. Then a flock of crows made a great commotion a short distance to -the right of them, and the Delawares believed that the noisy birds had -discovered one of the Mohawk scouts. They took delight in picturing the -rage of the helpless Mohawk as he heard the crows proclaiming his -advance to all within hearing distance of them. - -"Ahas is warning us," whispered Running Fox. "We must watch sharp." - -"Ahas is a good friend," replied Spotted Deer. - -When they had watched a long time without seeing any one they decided -that either Ahas had fooled them, or else the Mohawk had turned in some -other direction. 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 the tree-tops. As-they watched them, and -realized that the Mohawk scout might move directly toward their hiding -place, the lads suddenly understood their peril. - -"I do not like that," Running Fox said, uneasily. "If Ahas flies this -way it will be bad. Yes, he will see us, and make a great noise. Then -the Mohawks will know where to find us." - -"That is true," agreed Spotted Deer. - -They watched the crows with great anxiety. The birds were flying about -in short circles, and making a great racket. Then some of the crows -swung off, and flew directly toward the stand of spruces in which the -Delawares had taken refuge. - -"Now we will see what is going to happen," said Spotted Deer. - -"Keep very still," cautioned Running Fox. - -As the crows approached their hiding place the Delawares huddled close -to the trunk of the tree, and sat as motionless as statues. The crows -passed so near that the lads distinctly heard the sound of their wings. -They escaped discovery, however, and the thought gave them confidence. - -"See, those other birds are going away," Spotted Deer whispered, -excitedly, a few moments afterward. - -The crows had suddenly ceased their noise, and were flying off toward -the opposite end of the swamp. The Delawares watched them with thankful -hearts. They 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 signal within bow-shot of their tree. A few moments -afterward they heard an answer. Then they heard twigs snapping, and they -looked at each other in alarm. - -"The Mohawks are here," whispered Running Fox. - -They looked carefully down between the branches and saw a Mohawk warrior -emerge from the shadows. He stopped within bow-length of the spruce, and -the lads breathed fast with excitement. Then they heard him speak, and -they saw that another Mohawk had joined him. The newcomer had approached -so quietly that they had failed to hear him, and they realized how -easily one of those soft-footed scouts might steal upon them under cover -of the night. The two Mohawks exchanged a few words, and then they moved -cautiously toward the top of the fallen hemlock. The lads trembled as -they 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 result. They knew that at any moment one of the keen-eyed -scouts might decide to look into the tree-tops, and the possibility kept -them in painful suspense. Signals were constantly being exchanged -between the scouts who had met, and those who were still searching the -swamp, and the crafty Delawares were careful to memorize the calls. When -the signaling finally ceased the lads courted ten Mohawks sitting in -council near the base of the spruce. They were stern, fierce looking -men, and the Delawares could easily guess what their fate would be if -they fell into their hands. - -Finally, after what seemed an eternity to the anxious lads in the -tree-top, the Mohawks rose and prepared to leave. However, at the very -moment when the Delawares were rejoicing in their good fortune, one of -the scouts turned and looked toward the big spruce. The lads believed -that in some mysterious way he 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 afraid to breathe. They -knew that the slightest move would betray them. Then as the moments -passed, and the Mohawks showed no intention of attacking them, they -began to hope that they had not been seen. Still the two Mohawks -continued to talk, and watch the tree. The other scouts had already -passed from sight. - -"Come, these warriors are alone, let us kill them before they tell their -friends about us," whispered Spotted Deer. - -"No, we must wait until we are sure they have found us," cautioned -Running Fox. - -A moment afterward they saw the wisdom of his advice, for the two -Mohawks turned and disappeared after their comrades. The Delawares -looked after them in wide-eyed astonishment. They could scarcely believe -that they had gone. - -"See, the robe Wisawanik gave us hides us from our enemies," said -Running Fox. "Yes, Ahas flew over us, and could not find us. Then the -boastful Mohawks looked into this tree, and could not see us." - -"Perhaps the Mohawks have gone to tell their friends about us," -suggested Spotted Deer. "Perhaps they will come back." - -"No, they would not leave us here to get away," replied Running Fox. "I -believe that warrior was looking at this great tree. Yes, I believe he -was telling his friend something about it. Perhaps something happened to -him at this place. I do not believe he saw us." - -However, the lads watched anxiously for some time after the Mohawks had -disappeared. More than once they thought they heard them returning, but -as the time passed and they failed to appear the Delawares began to hope -that they had actually left 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 certain that the -Mohawks would loiter along the edge of the swamp through the night, -hoping that the fugitives would attempt to escape under cover of -darkness. Therefore, the wily Delawares determined to remain in the -swamp until the following day. - -"It is the best thing to do," declared Running Fox. "If the Mohawks do -not hear anything of us when it grows dark, then I believe they will -give up the hunt. Yes, I believe they will go away before the next sun -appears." - -"You are a good leader," Spotted Dear declared, loyally, "You have -fooled the Mohawks. Now I believe we will get out of here." - - - - - CHAPTER X--SPOTTED DEER DISAPPEARS - - -The night passed without alarm, and at daylight the Delawares began to -listen for signals. As the time passed, and they neither saw nor heard -anything of the Mohawks, they believed that they had finally abandoned -the pursuit. - -"It is good," declared Spotted Deer. "Now we will hurry away from here," - -"No, we must wait a little longer," Running Fox warned him. "I believe -the Mohawks have gone away, but we must be sure. Perhaps they are -keeping quiet to fool us. Yes, they may be waiting along the edge of the -swamp." - -"Well, we will stay here," agreed Spotted Deer. - -They waited until the day was half gone, and then, having heard nothing -to rouse their suspicions, they again moved cautiously toward the border -of the swamp. As they neared it, they stopped and spent a long time -listening and watching. The way seemed clear, however, and they -determined to risk all on the chance. A few moments afterward they -crossed the boundary of the swamp, and disappeared into the forest. - -"Now we are safe," laughed Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we got out of that trap, but there is still great danger," -Running Fox warned him. "This country is filled with our enemies. We -must keep watching." - -Running Fox turned toward the west, as he believed that the Mohawks were -somewhere to the eastward. Besides, if his enemies should discover his -trail he hoped to mislead them into believing that 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 finally stopped in a dense forest of -pines. They were greatly elated over their successful escape, but they -were somewhat worried by the thought that the Mohawks might have learned -their identity. - -"If they know who we are, it will be hard to get near their camp," said -Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, that is true," replied Running Fox. "But I do not believe they -know who we are. I believe they took us for Shawnee scouts." - -The next day the Delawares turned toward the north. They had been told -that the Mohawk village was somewhere within a day's journey of a large -woodland 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 far as they could see. The following day, therefore, Running -Fox proposed that they should separate, and explore the country in -different directions. - -"Yes, I believe it is the best thing to do," said Spotted Deer. - -It was agreed that Spotted Deer should reconnoiter from a range of -mountains farther to the westward, while Running Fox continued northward -along the ridge of hills which they had followed from the headwaters of -the river. They planned to meet at the end of the second day at the base -of a large pine-clad mountain about a day's journey toward the north. - -"Well, we are going away from each other," said Running Fox. "We will be -in great danger. We must not let the Mohawks catch us." - -"We will watch out," said Spotted Deer. - -They agreed that if either of them failed to appear at the meeting place -at the appointed time the other was to wait there a full day longer. -Then if his comrade failed to appear he was to go in 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 camp. As Running Fox had said, it -seemed to be the only thing to do, and they determined to make the best -of it. Therefore, they parted without further ceremony, and hurried away -on their mission. - -Early the second day, as Running Fox reconnoitered from the summit of a -high mountain, he discovered what appeared to be a large body of water -several days' journey farther toward the north. He watched it a long -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 it -turned out to be clouds, and he finally decided that it would be useless -to waste more time looking for it. Well pleased with his discovery, he -hastened down the mountain and set out to meet Spotted Deer. - -As Running Fox drew near the meeting place he stopped to reconnoiter. -Then, after he had circled carefully through the woods to make sure that -no enemies were lurking in the vicinity, he continued toward the spot -where he and Spotted Deer had planned to meet. Daylight had faded into -dusk, and night was near at hand. They had agreed to meet before dark, -and Running Fox felt quite sure that Spotted Deer was already at the -meeting place. To make sure he whistled the plaintive notes of the -white-throated sparrow. It was one of the signals which they had agreed -upon, and Running Fox listened anxiously for the answer. When he had -repeated the song many times without getting a reply he began to worry. -Then 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 wondered what had detained Spotted Deer. The -question suggested many alarming possibilities, and Running Fox tried to -drive them from his thoughts. He told himself that Spotted Deer would -appear before the night passed, and soon after it grew dark he began to -signal with the call of the little red owl. He called many times, but no -response came out of the darkness. Then, when half of the night had -passed, Running Fox began to lose hope. He feared that Spotted Deer had -been killed or captured by the Mohawks, and the thought drove him to -despair. His first impulse was to rush recklessly away in search of -Spotted Deer. Then he suddenly remembered that he had agreed to wait a -full day at the meeting place. - -Running Fox spent the following day in an agony of suspense. He neither -saw or heard anything of Spotted Deer, and by the time night came the -miserable lad had worried himself into a frenzy of despair. He had -little doubt that Spotted Deer had fallen 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 -prisoner he vowed to rescue him, and if he had been killed he promised -to avenge his death. Then, sleep being out of the question, Running Fox -spent the night singing his medicine-songs and praying to Getanittowit -for the safety of Spotted Deer. - -Day had barely dawned when Running Fox started away in search of his -friend. He turned toward the west, and traveled at a pace that brought -him to the rugged range of mountains 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 distracted lad kept -a constant watch for the trail of Spotted Deer. However, he was unable -to find the slightest clue, and at dark he abandoned the search with a -heavy heart. - -Having failed to discover any evidence of his friend, Running Fox was in -doubt as to just what to do. He still hoped that Spotted Deer might be -safe, and in that case he believed that he would eventually return to -the meeting 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 had been captured each moment was precious, and Running Fox -dreaded to think what might happen if he blundered into a wrong -decision. At daylight, however, he determined to return to the place -where they had agreed to meet. - -The day had ended when Running Fox finally arrived at the appointed -rendezvous. He approached the spot with high hopes. At each stride he -expected to hear the familiar signal from his friend. When he failed to -hear it, he stopped and again whistled the notes of the white-throated -sparrow. Then he waited, straining his ears for the reply. There was no -answer, however, and Running Fox gave way to despair. He needed no -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 -thought drove him to distraction. He determined to return at once to the -distant mountain range, and continue the search until he found the -Mohawks and learned the fate of his friend. However, his strength was -unequal to the task, for two days of forced traveling had completely -exhausted him. He realized, therefore, that it would be folly to attempt -to do anything further until he had recovered from his exertions. - -Night had already closed down, and the disconsolate young warrior threw -himself upon the ground, and moaned out his grief for his friend. At -intervals he roused himself, and sat up to listen. More than once he -fancied he heard 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 the call of the little red owl. It was a -favorite signal which he and Spotted Deer had used since their first -hunting expedition, and his heart ached as it went unanswered. Then his -tortured brain finally sought relief in sleep. - -The sun was shining when Running Fox awakened. As he opened his eyes, -and sat up, he exclaimed with surprise. Spotted Deer was seated within -bow-length of him. - -"Yes, I am here," laughed Spotted Deer, as Running Fox continued to -stare at him in speechless amazement. - -"I cannot believe what I see," stammered Running Fox, as he moved over -to Spotted Deer and seized his hand. "Well, now I see that you are not a -ghost. How did you get here?" - -"I came to this place while it was dark," explained Spotted Deer. "Then -I gave the call of the little red owl. I did that many times, but no one -answered. Then I moved around looking for you. At last I found you. At -first I was frightened, 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 made me feel good. Then I said, 'I -will sit here beside him, and pretty soon he will open his eyes and see -me.' Well, you kept on sleeping, and pretty soon I fell asleep. When it -grew light I opened my eyes. Then I waited. Now you see me." - -Running Fox spent some moments in silent meditation. He was greatly -disturbed at what Spotted Deer had told him. He realized that utter -exhaustion had placed him at the mercy of any foe who might have -happened along. The thought worried him. He felt ashamed of his -weakness. - -"Spotted Deer, I see you here alive--it is enough," Running Fox -declared, warmly. "I believed that the Mohawks had caught you. Now I see -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 and took -hold of me. That is bad. A good war-leader would not let that happen. I -do not know how it happened, but I feel bad about it." - -"Running Fox, you must not talk that way," replied Spotted Deer. -"Perhaps it will never happen again. You were very tired." - -Then Running Fox told of his exhausting search to find him, and Spotted -Deer instantly understood the reason for the helpless condition in which -he had found him. - -"Now I see how it happened," said Spotted Deer. "If you were not very -strong you would have been dead. Yes, if you were not a good war-leader -you would not have come back here. We will not talk any more about it." - -"Well, what did you find?" inquired Running Fox. - -"I found a big war-party," declared Spotted Deer. - -"Tell about it," Running Fox said, eagerly. - -"Well, after I went away from here I went right to those mountains where -you tried to find me," said Spotted Deer. "I could not see any water so -I kept going ahead. Soon after the second sun I heard some signals. Then -I heard some more. That made me very cautious. Well, pretty soon I found -an old trail. It turned back this way. Then 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 the next sun came I saw that they were moving -toward The-Place-Where-The-Cold-Comes-From. Then I climbed a high hill, -and saw a big piece of water. It was about two suns' travel ahead of -those people. Then I said, 'Hi, they are Mohawks, and their village is -near that water.' Well, I found out what I wished to know. Then I came -here." - -When Spotted Deer finished speaking Running Fox remained silent. He -seemed to be thinking about what Spotted Deer had told him. The latter -watched him closely. He wondered if he had displeased him by remaining -away so long. - -"Well, Running Fox, how do you feel about it?" asked Spotted Deer. - -"You say that you have found out what you wished to know," replied -Running Fox. "I am not sure about that. I, too, saw that piece of water. -I came back to tell about it. I did not see any signs of the Mohawk -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 is only one way -to find out. We must catch up with them. Spotted Deer, I am not saying -anything against what you have done. This is our first war-trail. You -found those people. It was a good thing to do." - -"Running Fox, you have spoken good words," declared Spotted Deer. "Now I -see that I did not find out enough about those people. Well, I will do -whatever you tell me to do." - -"We will go and find them," replied Running Fox. - - - - - CHAPTER XI--A SKIRMISH WITH THE SHAWNEES - - -The Delawares immediately set out to find the distant lake, and learn -the identity of the people whom Spotted Deer had seen. They followed the -route which Running Fox had taken several days before, and late the -second day they climbed to the top of the high mountain from which he -had discovered the lake. They judged that the water was about two days' -journey away. - -"Does that look like the water you saw!" Running Fox asked Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, it is the same," replied Spotted Deer. - -Then he turned toward the west, and pointed out the route which the -unknown war-party had followed. - -"Well, if they did not turn off some other way they must be at the water -by now," declared Running Fox. "It would be foolish, to try to catch up -with them. We must go ahead carefully, and see if we can find their -camp." - -"Yes, that is how I feel about it," agreed Spotted Deer. - -They spent the night on the mountain-top, and at dawn resumed their -journey toward the lake. Later in the day, as they were making their way -through a dense swamp, they heard a harsh cry over their heads. Looking -up they saw a large bald eagle circling slowly above the tree-tops. -Running Fox immediately became excited. - -"See, there is Woapalanne!" he cried. "That means a fight. Yes, I saw -him flying around like that before I had the battle with the bear. Do -you hear him calling? Well, that is the war-cry of his people. Spotted -Deer, I believe we are going into some kind of danger." - -"Well, I do not know about those things, but I believe that what you say -is true," said Spotted Deer. - -They watched the eagle with gloomy forebodings, and as it chanced to -disappear into the north their suspicions were strengthened. Running Fox -felt confident that they were about to have an encounter with their -foes. - -"We must keep together, and watch sharp," he warned Spotted Deer. - -At the end of the following day they reached the lake. Having seen -nothing of the roving company of warriors that Spotted Deer had -encountered, the lads wondered whether they were encamped somewhere -along the shore of the lake. They determined to take every precaution, -and instead of advancing directly to the lake they stopped on the top of -a low ridge some distance back from the water. - -"We will wait here until it gets dark," said Running Fox. "Then we will -crawl down there, and see if we can find out anything." - -The lake was large, and the Delawares had little doubt that it was the -body of water for which they had been cautioned to watch. They wondered -where the Mohawk camp was located. They believed it was somewhere toward -the north. Still they saw no evidence of it. They searched the sky until -dark, but were unable to find a trace of smoke. Then, as night finally -shut down, they determined to go to the shore of the lake to search for -the war-party. - -The Delawares stole down through the silent black woods as softly and as -cautiously as Woakus, the fox. When they reached the edge of the water -they immediately sat down to watch and listen. They had little hope of -finding the telltale gleam from a camp-fire, for they knew that if the -Mohawks were actually on the war-trail they would not dare to expose -themselves in that manner, even in the heart of their own stronghold. -Therefore, when the lads found nothing to alarm them, they advanced -carefully along the shore of the lake. They had gone some distance when -they were astonished to see the light of a fire shining out over the -water. It was far ahead of them near the other end of the lake, and for -some moments the Delawares watched it in silence. - -"It must be that those warriors have stopped there," said Spotted Deer. - -"It is mysterious," replied Running Fox. "If those people are on the -war-trail why do they make a fire?" - -The lads were unable to explain it. They had seen the Mohawks painted -for war, and under those circumstances it seemed incredible that they -would dare to make a fire. It appeared as if it must have been lighted -by some one else. Still, that too seemed beyond belief. The Delawares -realized that even a large war-party of enemies would scarcely be so -bold in the domains of their foes. Then Spotted Deer suggested that it -might be a company of warriors from one of the western villages of the -Iroquois. - -"Yes, that may be true," agreed Running Fox. "But there is something -strange about it." - -"What is it?" inquired Spotted Deer. - -"Well, these people may he Oneidas or Onondagas," said Running Fox. -"Perhaps they have come here to talk with their brothers, the Mohawks. -Perhaps they do not know that the Mohawks are on the war-trail. Perhaps -they have not seen any enemies on their journey. Well, if this water is -near the Mohawk village, why did these people stop here? If they are the -same people you saw, then they must have arrived here before the last -sun appeared. Why did they wait here? If they had gone on they would be -pretty close to the Mohawk camp by now." - -"What you say is true," replied Spotted Deer. "But I will tell you how -it might be. I do not believe these people are Mohawks. I believe I was -wrong about that. I believe that they are Oneidas or Onondagas. Perhaps -they are Cayugas or Senecas from far away toward the place -Where-The-Sun-Goes-To-Sleep. Well, perhaps they have made a long -journey. Perhaps they want to rest. Perhaps the Mohawks do not know they -are here. Then they must wait. Yes, they must send scouts to tell the -Mohawks that they are coming to see them. Then the Mohawks will get -ready a big feast. It is the proper way to do. I believe that is why we -have found them here." - -"Well, I see that it may be as you say," said Running Fox. "But we will -not find out about it by sitting here and talking. We see a fire. Well, -we must creep up close, and find out who made it." - -"I am ready," declared Spotted Deer. - -They rose and began a daring advance along the edge of the lake. They -moved with great caution, stopping frequently to listen for a warning of -danger. However, the fire was a considerable distance ahead of them, and -they believed that they would be comparatively safe until they got -within bow-shot of it. Then they were startled by a loud splash in the -river. - -"What was that?" Spotted Deer whispered, anxiously. - -"Sh," cautioned Running Fox. - -They listened many moments but the silence was unbroken. - -"Perhaps it was some one paddling a canoe," said Spotted Deer. - -"I believe it was a big fish," replied Running Fox. "Perhaps it was -Maschilamek, the trout." - -Then, as they heard nothing more, they continued toward the fire. They -had not gone far before they smelled smoke. They knew that the wind was -in their favor. It gave them confidence, for they realized that there -was less likelihood of being heard. A short time afterward they saw a -small light flash across their path. A moment later it appeared at one -side of them. Spotted Deer stopped. - -"It is only Sasappis, the fire-fly," whispered Running Fox. - -"He is carrying his torch to frighten the witches out of the woods," -declared Spotted Deer. "My mother has told me about him. We must be -careful not to harm him." - -A short distance farther on they were halted by the deep ringing notes -of the big horned owl. The call seemed to come from somewhere to the -right of them. It was repeated three times in rapid succession, and the -Delawares immediately became suspicious. A few moments afterward they -heard another owl calling directly behind them. It was so near that they -easily detected a number of false notes in it. They knew it was a -signal, and their hearts filled with alarm. - -"We have run into a trap," Running Fox whispered, savagely. "Come, we -must get to the water. It is the only chance." - -They were close upon the river, but as they turned to reach it they -heard twigs snapping directly ahead of them. Then they realized that -they had been surrounded, and that they must fight against heavy odds to -save themselves. They saw now that the fire was a clever ruse of their -enemies to draw their foes into an ambush. The lads had little doubt -that they were again face to face with the hated Mohawks. - -"Stand still!" whispered Running Fox, as they heard some one passing -through the bushes at the edge of the river. "It is dark, and they may -go by us. Then we must rush into the water, and swim to the other side." - -"Let us climb into a tree," proposed Spotted Deer. - -"No, that would be foolish," replied Running Fox. "These people have -surrounded us. They are close. If we climb into a tree they will know -where we have gone. Then they will wait until it gets light, and kill us -like Wisawanik, the squirrel." - -The next moment a piercing yell rang through the night, and the -Delawares heard their foes rushing forward on all sides of them. For an -instant they stood there, filled with panic. Then Running Fox recovered -his wits, and took command. - -"Come, we must fight our way to the water!" he cried. - -Fitting arrows to their bows they hurried toward the river. They had not -covered half of the distance, when two stalwart figures rose out of the -darkness to oppose them. An arrow sped close to Running Fox, and the -next instant his own arrow dropped his enemy to the ground. Turning to -call Spotted Deer, he heard him thrashing about in the undergrowth. -Rushing to his assistance, Running Fox found him fighting valiantly for -his life. Running Fox drove an arrow between the shoulders of his -assailant, and as the warrior rolled over the young Delaware stooped and -peered eagerly into his face. He felt sure that he was not a Mohawk, but -he was unable to identify him. Running Fox noted, however, that the -warrior's face was streaked with charcoal, in token of war. Then the -lads heard their foes closing in upon them, and they realized that they -must be off. As they sped toward the river they heard some one behind -them shouting, "Mengwe! Mengwe!" at the top of his voice. - -"Now I know who these people are," cried Running Fox. "That person -behind us is shouting the Shawnee name for the Mohawks. Yes, this is a -Shawnee war-party. They take us for Mohawks. It is good." - -The Delawares reached the edge of the water in safety, and had waded in -knee-deep when the first Shawnees appeared on the shore. Then, as an -arrow hummed ominously above their heads, the lads plunged forward and -swam furiously to escape from bow-shot. They heard the Shawnees rushing -into the river in pursuit of them, and as soon as they reached deeper -water the Delawares dove from sight. They rose to the surface within -several bow-lengths of each other, far out in the river. They listened a -moment to make sure that none of their foes were within reach of them, -and then they turned and swam toward the opposite shore. They passed -through the water as silently as Winingus, the mink, for they knew that -sharp-eared foes were listening to catch the faintest sound. They heard -a number of signals from the shore they had left, and once they thought -they heard voices within bow-shot of them. It drove them to greater -efforts, and they raced through the water at top speed. However, as they -drew near the shore and found themselves in shallow water they moved -more cautiously. They believed that, having lost sight of them in the -darkness, their crafty foes were listening to hear them leave the water, -and they determined to take every precaution against giving a clue. - -"We will swim ahead until we are a long ways above this place," proposed -Spotted Deer. - -"No, that would be a bad thing to do," Running Fox told him. "If the -Shawnees reach land they will travel faster than we can move through the -water. Perhaps they will send scouts along the edge of the water. Then -it would be hard to get into the woods. We will swim ahead a little -ways, and then we will walk out." - -They swam some distance farther, and then waded ashore. They waited a -moment at the edge of the forest to listen for the Shawnees. The fire -was still burning brightly on the opposite shore, and the Delawares -smiled grimly as they realized how easily they had blundered into the -trap that had been set for their enemies, the Mohawks. Then, as they -feared that the Shawnee swimmers had reached land and begun to search -for them, they turned and sped away into the night. - - - - - CHAPTER XII--SMOKE - - -Running Fox immediately took the lead, and turned toward the north. He -believed that the Shawnees would hesitate to follow them far in that -direction for fear of being led into an ambush. Besides, it was the only -direction in which the Delawares could go without sacrificing their -lead. It was not long, however, before they heard signals ringing -through the night a short distance behind them. - -"The Shawnees are close, we must travel faster," said Running Fox. - -Dawn was breaking when they reached the end of the lake. Having heard -nothing further from their pursuers they believed that they had turned -back. However, the fact that both the Mohawks and the Shawnees were -painted for war kept them alert to their danger. They believed that a -big battle was impending, and they felt sure that the wilderness was -filled with hostile scouts. Shortly after sunrise, therefore, they -stopped to rest, and hold a council-of-war. - -"I believe the best thing to do is to keep going ahead until the sun -goes down," declared Running Fox. "Then we will climb to a high place, -and look for smoke. If we do not see it, then we must circle around. -Yes, we must climb to all the high places, and look every way. I do not -believe the Mohawk camp is beyond two suns' journey away. Perhaps it is -nearer." - -"I do not see any other way to do," replied Spotted Deer. - -They resumed their way into the north, keeping a sharp watch for their -foes, and climbing to the tops of the ridges to search the sky for -smoke. At the end of the day, however, they had seen nothing which would -give them a clue to the location of the Mohawk camp. - -"Perhaps it is not near that water," suggested Spotted Deer. "Perhaps we -have gone the wrong way." - -"No, I do not believe it," said Running Fox, - -"I am thinking about something different. The Mohawks are at war with -the Shawnees. Perhaps they are afraid to make fires." - -"Then how can we find the camp?" inquired Spotted Deer. - -"I believe it will be a hard thing to do," replied Running Fox. "We must -ask Getanittowit to help us." - -The following day they again decided to separate--Running Fox to make a -half circle toward the east, while Spotted Deer made a similar detour -toward the west. They agreed to meet at dark at a great spire-shaped -rock on the summit of a low hill directly ahead of them. - -"No matter what you see, come back when it gets dark," said Running Fox, - -"I will do as you tell me," agreed Spotted Deer. - -Running Fox made his way toward a ridge of hills less than a half day's -journey to the eastward. He had traveled about two-thirds of the -distance when he suddenly came upon the remains of a small fire. It had -been made between two rocks, and cleverly concealed by a screen of -brush. A few embers still glowed from the ashes, and it was evident that -whoever had camped there had only recently departed. Running Fox circled -carefully about the spot, trying to learn the identity of the firemaker. -He found some tracks leading toward the east. However, he was only able -to follow them a short distance, as the country was rough and rocky, and -they soon disappeared. Running Fox believed that the crafty scout had -purposely left a plain trail for a short distance to baffle his foes. -The Delaware felt quite sure that farther on the unknown traveler had -turned in another direction. - -"I must watch out for that person," Running Fox told himself. - -He reached the ridge of hills a short time afterward, and looked -anxiously toward the north for evidence of the Mohawk camp. The sky was -clear and cloudless, however, and there was no trace of smoke. Running -Fox felt troubled. He feared that the unexpected appearance of the -Shawnees threatened the success of his expedition. Still he had no -thought of turning back. Having made his boast to his father he -determined to make it good, or sacrifice his life in the attempt. - -The day was well advanced, and Running Fox had about decided to leave -the ridge and return to Spotted Deer, when he suddenly discovered a -heavy column of smoke rising above the tree-tops a short distance south -of him. It suggested many interesting possibilities, and Running Fox -studied it closely. For a long time it puzzled him. He could scarcely -believe that it came from the Mohawk camp. In the first place he felt -sure that the camp was farther from the lake. Besides, there was but one -dense column of smoke, while smoke from a village usually rose in -several thin columns, or hovered above the camp in light hazy clouds. -Running Fox decided, therefore, that the smoke which he saw must be a -signal. The possibility quickened his interest. Then the smoke column -began to waver and break. In a few moments he saw it separate into a -number of puffs or clouds. They followed one another at short intervals, -and Running Fox became convinced that some one was sending a message. He -would have given much to have been able to read it. He searched the sky -in all directions, hoping to see an answer but none appeared. - -"I believe some one is talking to the Mohawk camp," said Running Fox. - -The Delaware realized that if his guess was true it was quite probable -that the signal would go unanswered. He believed that it would be read -by sharp-eyed sentinels who had been stationed on the high places to -watch for it, but he felt sure that no tell-tale spiral of smoke would -be permitted to betray the location of the village. If an answer were -sent, Running Fox believed it would appear somewhere far away from the -camp. Still, the mere sight of the signal filled him with hope, for he -told himself that the Mohawk village was surely somewhere within sight. -He waited until the smoke faded from the sky, and then as he saw nothing -to indicate that the signal would be answered he hurried away to meet -Spotted Deer. - -Darkness had already fallen when Running Fox approached the rock where -he was to meet his friend. This time, however, his signal brought an -immediate response, for Spotted Deer was waiting for him. - -"We have found each other--it is good," said Spotted Deer. - -"It is good, my brother," replied Running Fox. "Have you looked around?" - -"Yes, I have circled all around this hill; there is no one hiding here," -Spotted Deer assured him. - -"Then we will sit down and talk," said Running Fox. - -Running Fox told what he had seen to the eastward, and Spotted Deer -listened with great attention. The smoke particularly impressed him. He -agreed with Running Fox that it must have been a signal. However, -Spotted Deer was not so sure that it had anything to do with the camp. - -"Perhaps that smoke was sent up by the Shawnees," he suggested. "Perhaps -a Mohawk scout was talking with the war-party." - -"Well, it may turn out that way, but I feel different about it," -insisted Running Fox. "Now you must tell me what you found out." - -Spotted Deer said that he had gone a considerable distance toward the -west without discovering any signs of his foes. Then he had climbed to -the top of a mountain to reconnoiter. He had watched a long time when he -finally saw what he believed was smoke far away toward the north. He had -strained his eyes to make sure, but it faded from the sky before he -could convince himself. Then he had set out to meet Running Fox. - -"That is what happened," concluded Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we have not done much," Running Fox declared, gloomily. "I -believe the Mohawk camp is close. There is only one thing to do. We must -keep moving around until we find it. We will wait here until the next -sun comes. Then we will look around some more." - -The following day they again scouted carefully through the woods in -search of the Mohawk camp. This time, however, they remained together -and turned toward the north. Running Fox felt convinced that the village -was somewhere in that direction, and as he was the leader Spotted Deer -was content to rely upon his judgment. - -"I believe there must be a trail going toward that camp," declared -Spotted Deer. - -"Well, I did not hear our people say anything about it," replied Running -Fox. - -Nevertheless they determined to keep a sharp watch for anything that -looked like an opening through the forest. They continued toward the -north for half of the day, and then Running Fox proposed that they -should circle toward the west. - -"That will bring us near the place where you saw something that looked -like smoke," he told Spotted Deer. - -"Well, I am not sure about what I saw, but I believe it would be a good -thing to go over there, and look around," said Spotted Deer. - -Then for a long time they traveled in silence. Running Fox seemed moody -and thoughtful, and Spotted Deer made no attempt to rouse him. The -latter realized that a war-leader had many responsibilities, and he felt -quite sure that Running Fox was meditating upon some plan for bringing -success to his undertaking. - -"Spotted Deer, there are two things that trouble me," Running Fox said, -finally. - -Spotted Deer remained silent. He knew that it would not do to question a -war-leader unless the latter chose to enlighten him. - -"First I am troubled because I have not found Gokhos, the great white -Medicine Owl," continued Running Fox. "If we had the skin of that -mysterious bird I believe much good would come of it. But I am troubled -about another thing. Yes, I am troubled about the Shawnees. They have -come into this country to fight the Mohawks. It is a bad thing for us. I -believe the Mohawks will keep many warriors around the village. Well, -now I will tell you something different. I have set out to do this -thing, and I am going through with it no matter what happens to me." - -"Those are good words," Spotted Deer declared, admiringly. "You will -soon find Gokhos, the great white Medicine Owl, and then we will be able -to do some great things. I am not thinking about the Shawnees----" - -"Stop!" Running Fox interrupted, excitedly. "I see smoke rising behind -that ridge." - -They saw a misty blue haze drifting above the top of a low ridge -directly ahead of them. - -"That is the place I was looking at," said Spotted Deer. "Yes, I know it -by that big mountain over there." - -"I believe we have found the Mohawk camp," declared Running Fox. "We -must watch sharp. If the village is on the other side of that ridge we -are very close. Spotted Deer, I believe we are in great danger." - -They immediately concealed themselves in the woods to watch. It was not -long, however, before both of them agreed that the smoke came from the -Mohawk camp. The thought filled them with joy. They believed that they -were almost within sight of their goal, and they were eager to verify -their hopes. However, Running Fox realized that it would be the height -of folly to attempt to look over the ridge before dark. He had little -doubt that, if the camp really was on the other side, the crafty Mohawks -had stationed scouts along the crest of the ridge to guard the village -against surprise. Therefore, he decided to wait until night came to his -assistance. - -"We must stay here until it gets dark," he told Spotted Deer. "Then we -will creep up on that ridge, and find out if the camp is over there." - -"I believe we will find it," Spotted Deer replied, confidently. - -"Well, that smoke looks like camp smoke, but I am not sure about it," -said Running Fox. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII--SURPRISED - - -Shortly after dark the impatient young Delawares set out on their -perilous search for the Mohawk camp. When they reached the base of the -ridge they stopped to listen. Then, as they heard nothing to arouse -their suspicions, they climbed carefully up the steep brushy slope. They -were almost at the top when Running Fox thought he heard something -moving through the bushes. They immediately dropped and lay close to the -ground. They waited a long time, but nothing appeared. At last they -decided that they had been needlessly alarmed, and they rose and -continued up the ridge. - -Once on top the Delawares' first thought was to look for the glow of the -Mohawk fires. When they failed to find them they began to lose hope. It -was evident that the Mohawk camp was not where they had expected to find -it. - -"I do not see what I expected to find--it is bad," whispered Spotted -Deer. - -Running Fox made no reply. He appeared to be listening. - -"That smoke must have been another signal," said Spotted Deer. - -Running Fox still continued silent. He sat with his bow across his -knees, staring moodily into the night. Having been unable to draw him -into conversation, Spotted Deer, too, subsided into silence and waited -patiently for Running Fox to announce a plan of action. - -They sat there for a long time, and then they were suddenly roused by -the sound of a dog barking somewhere near the spot where they had looked -for the Mohawk camp. Running Fox instantly became alert. Cautioning -Spotted Deer to silence, he listened eagerly. In a few moments the -barking changed to sharp cries of pain, and it was evident that the -animal had been cowed into silence. Then for a long time all was still. - -"Now I know what I came here to find out," said Running Fox. "My ears -have told me what my eyes could not see. Spotted Deer, the great Mohawk -camp is down there where we heard that dog." - -"Where are the fires?" demanded Spotted Deer. - -"Perhaps there are no fires," replied Running Fox. "Perhaps they are -hidden by the trees. Perhaps the camp is closed in by high stakes. I do -not know how it comes that we cannot see the fires, but I believe the -camp is there." - -"Then we will go down there and find it," Spotted Deer proposed, -impulsively. - -"No, I have a different plan," Running Fox told him. "I am going down -there alone. I will look around. Then I will come back and tell you -about it. You must wait here." - -"Running Fox, that is not a good thing to do," protested Spotted Deer. -"I must go with you. Perhaps you will get into a fight down there. Yes, -I must be there to help you." - -"Spotted Deer, I am the leader," Running Fox reminded him. "I am doing -this thing because it is the best way to go about it. If we both go down -there and get caught then there will be no chance to get away. If I go -down there alone and get caught then you must get me out of it. I will -not go into the camp without you, but I must go and look around. It is -the only way to do. I will not talk any more about it." - -"Running Fox, you say that you are the leader, it is true," replied -Spotted Deer. "Yes, I will do what you tell me to do. I believe it is -the best way." - -"That is good," said Running Fox. "Now I will tell you something -different. If anything had happens to me down there I will make the call -of Quenischquney, the panther. If you hear that then you must come down -there and do what you can. But perhaps you will get into danger. Then -you must make the call of Quenisehquney. Then I will come to help you. -Now I am going away." - -"I will keep singing the sacred songs to help you," said Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, that will be a good thing to do," agreed Running Fox. - -A moment later he disappeared into the night. Running Fox moved down the -ridge with great caution, for he felt quite sure that Mohawk sentinels -were somewhere within bow-shot of him. He stopped many times to listen, -but heard nothing to alarm him. When he reached the bottom of the ridge -he turned directly toward the place where he had heard the dog barking. -As he advanced he kept a sharp watch for the warning glow of the Mohawk -fires. The forest was very dense, however, and as he believed that the -Mohawk village might be walled about by a log stockade he had little -hope of discovering the fires. Then he thought of a better plan. -Moistening one of his fingers, he raised it above his head and learned -that what little wind there was came from the north. As he was traveling -almost due west, he made a wide detour to get the wind in his face. Soon -afterward he saw the value of the wily maneuver, when the unmistakable -odor of smoke was borne to his nostrils. It filled him with joy, for he -realized that at last he had found an easy trail to the hostile camp. - -Running Fox followed the tell-tale smoke scent with the eager -persistence of a famished wolf. As long as the breeze held steady he -hurried along with little fear of going astray. However, when the wind -weakened, or shifted, his task became more difficult. Under those -conditions he invariably lost the trail, and was compelled to circle -about until he found it. Thus he felt his way toward his goal, until at -last he was halted by the familiar sounds from the camp itself. He -stopped and raised his eyes to Getanittowit. - -"O Getanittowit, I have come near to the camp of my enemies, the proud -and boastful Mohawks," whispered Running Fox. "O Getanittowit, I am in -great danger. O Getanittowit, make me as sharp as Woakus, the fox, and -as brave as Machque, the bear. O Getanittowit, take pity on me and help -me." - -Having made this earnest appeal to Getanittowit, the Great One, the -devout young Delaware resumed his daring advance toward the Mohawk camp. -As he neared it the sounds increased, and he knew that the village -contained many people, The thought made him more cautious, and he -stopped to reconnoiter. Running Fox felt sure that he was within a few -bow-shots of the village, and yet he could see no trace of it. He -scouted cautiously through the woods looking for it, but although the -sounds warned him that the camp was dangerously close at hand the night -effectually hid it from his sight. - -"This comes of not following the advice of Gokhus, the Medicine Owl," -the superstitious young Delaware told himself. "Gokhus is the only one -who can see through the dark. Yes, if I had the skin of the great white -Medicine Owl I believe I would be able to see this camp." - -Nevertheless he determined to continue looking for the Mohawk village. -He knew that to come within sight of the camp he must run the risk of -capture and death, but he felt little fear. He believed that -Getanittowit would help him, and the assurance gave him courage. He -advanced, therefore, with every faculty keenly alert, determined to -actually see the hostile camp before he thought of turning back. - -Running Fox was moving slowly through the woods when he suddenly found -himself on the edge of a large clearing. Corn and squashes were growing -there, and the Delaware instantly realized that he had found the Mohawk -camp. The thought set his heart beating wildly. Then he heard a number -of persons chanting a song, and looking toward the sound he saw a long -high, shadow stretching across one side of the clearing. He knew at once -that it was a log stockade enclosing the camp. He saw a pale yellow glow -above it, and he believed it came from the Mohawk fires. - -Having finally got within arrow-range of his goal, Running Fox shrank -back into the shadows of the forest, and looked upon the great Mohawk -camp with awe. For a moment or so it frightened him, and he found -himself trembling with nervousness. It looked like a huge trap from -which it would be hard to escape. The thought weakened his confidence. -He heard a dog barking, and he wondered if it had caught his scent. He -raised a moistened finger into the air to test the wind. It was in his -favor, and he felt much relieved. A few moments afterward a small square -of light appeared in the long black wall. Something black flashed across -it, and then the light vanished into the night. Running Fox was -perplexed. He wondered if it had been a signal of some sort. Perhaps he -had been discovered. The possibility brought sweat to his brow. For an -instant he thought of retreating. However, the very suggestion filled -him with shame. He asked himself if Running Fox, the son of the great -war-chief, Black Panther, were a coward. - -"No, I will not run away," he whispered, savagely. "I will stay here, -and see what is going to happen to me." - -Then, as he continued to watch the grim black outline of the stockade, -the square of light again appeared, and this time it was some moments -before it vanished. In the meantime a number of dark objects had flashed -across it. Running Fox was unable to explain it. It seemed as if it must -be a signal to some one outside of the village. Still he could not -understand how it was done. He knew that there was no fire outside of -the stockade, else he would have seen the glare. Then where did the -light come from, and what made it? For a long time Running Fox was -unable to guess. At last, however, the truth flashed across his mind. - -"Hi, now I know about it," he told himself. - -"There is a hole in that log wall. Yes, some one pulled something away, -and made it open. Then some one moved something across that place. Then -some one closed it up again, and made it dark. Pretty soon some one -opened it again. Then some one moved something across that place many -times. Perhaps it was a signal." - -Having guessed that much, it was only a few moments until the -sharp-witted young scout learned the full truth. He realized that the -opening must have been an entrance or door into the village, and that -the mysterious black objects which had momentarily shut out the light -were people either entering or leaving the camp. That, however, was the -only point about which he had any doubt. He would have given much to -know whether the people who had passed through the opening were warriors -returning from the war-trail, or scouts going out to look for the enemy. -Then, as a great commotion suddenly broke out in the camp, Running Fox -believed that the answer had been given by the Mohawks themselves. - -"Yes, I believe some warriors have come back from the fight with the -Shawnees," said Running Fox. - -Each moment the noise increased, and it was evident that a celebration -of some sort was in progress. Then the glow above the stockade -brightened, and Running Fox believed that the fires were being rekindled -in preparation for some important ceremony. The thought pleased him, for -he believed that with the Mohawks absorbed in celebrating a victory, it -would be easier to approach the village. Having discovered the entrance -into the camp, the reckless lad resolved to have at least one peep at -his foes before he returned to Spotted Deer. - -Running Fox waited until the noise indicated that the celebration was -well in progress, and then he moved toward the camp. He had carefully -noted the location of the opening in the stockade, but he feared to -approach it, for he knew that at any moment he might encounter some one -leaving the village. He turned toward the end of the stockade, -therefore, and was almost within leaping distance of the camp when he -was halted by a challenge directly behind him. Acting upon the impulse -of the moment, Running Fox stopped for an instant, and mumbled an -unintelligible reply. Then, as the night hid the person who had hailed -him, he tried to hurry away. He planned to dodge around the end of the -stockade and dash into the woods. The ruse failed, however, for the -suspicious Mohawk followed him. Aware that further attempts to deceive -would be useless, Running Fox ran off at great speed. The Mohawk -immediately raced after him, yelling at the top of his voice. - -As Running Fox dodged around the end of the stockade he crashed into two -Mohawks who were running up at the call of their tribesman. The surprise -was mutual, and all three fell to the ground. A moment afterward the -young Delaware found himself lying helplessly upon his back with two -stalwart warriors holding him down. As he attempted to shout a warning -to Spotted Deer one of the Mohawks seized him by the throat and began to -choke him unmercifully. However, Running Fox had no idea of -surrendering. He fought with the fury of a wildcat until one of his foes -struck him a stunning blow on the head with a war-club. - -When the lad regained his senses some moments later he found himself -surrounded by a number of Mohawk warriors. His arms had been tightly -bound behind him, and a heavy piece of buckskin had been tied over his -mouth. As Running Fox opened his eyes, the warrior who had choked him -kneeled and glared fiercely into his face. Then he seized him roughly by -the shoulder, and motioned for him to rise. As the Delaware obeyed the -Mohawks crowded excitedly about him, peering eagerly into his face, and -threatening him with their weapons. Running Fox showed no fear, however, -and in a few moments they ceased tormenting him and led him into the -camp. - -The Mohawk village was lighted by several large fires, and Running Fox -saw a great many people gathered in the center of the camp. They were -mostly women and children, with a small company of old men and guards -who had been left behind to protect the village when the warriors had -rushed out at the cry of alarm. As Running Fox was led into the -firelight the Mohawks quickly recognized him as a Delaware, and -immediately began to taunt and abuse him. The old women and the boys -were particularly vicious, and several of the latter ran up and began to -beat him with sticks. The Delaware's eyes flashed threateningly, but he -knew better than to resist for he realized that it would only expose him -to still harsher treatment from his tormentors. - -When Running Fox and his guards reached the center of the village they -were beset by a great throng of people who seemed intent upon reaching -the prisoner. They appeared so hostile that the Delaware feared they -intended to kill him there and then. They surged wildly about him -shouting their war-cries, and striking at him over the shoulders of his -guards. The latter were struggling valiantly to protect him, but it -looked as if they would be overpowered at any moment. At the height of -the tumult, however, Running Fox saw several warriors hurrying forward -from the other end of the camp. As they approached, the foremost warrior -called out, and at the sound of his voice the Mohawks immediately fell -back. It was evident that the warrior was a man of great authority, and -Running Fox wondered if it could be Standing Wolf, the famous Mohawk -war-chief. - -A few moments afterward the Mohawk stood before him. He was a tall, -broad-shouldered man of middle age, with a cruel face and restless black -eyes. For a moment Running Fox felt afraid of him. Then, as the Mohawk -looked searchingly into his face, the lad suddenly remembered that he -must uphold the honor of his tribe. He raised his head and met the -challenge unflinchingly. They gazed steadily at each other for several -moments, and the vast assemblage of Mohawks watched them in silence. -Then the Mohawk laughed scornfully, and turned to his people. He -addressed them in a few sharp sentences, and his words were received -with what seemed to be expressions of approval. At any rate the Mohawks -made no further demonstrations against the prisoner, and Running Fox -wondered whether the warrior had spoken in his behalf. It seemed too -much to expect, however, and the young Delaware feared that his relief -was only the prelude to a more trying ordeal yet in store for him. Then -he saw the man whom he took to be Standing Wolf, talking to the three -warriors whom Running Fox had encountered outside of the camp. A moment -later one of them approached him, and untied the buckskin bandage which -had been placed over his mouth. For an instant Running Fox was tempted -to shout a warning to Spotted Deer. Upon second thought, however, he -abandoned the idea. He doubted that Spotted Deer would hear it, and -besides, he believed it would be foolish to acquaint the Mohawks with -the fact that he had a companion. In the meantime the Mohawk leader had -again approached him. Running Fox was greatly astounded to hear him -speak in the Delaware dialect. - -"Do the boastful Delawares send boys to fight their enemies?" he -inquired, sarcastically. - -Running Fox made no reply. - -"Well, do Delaware children remain silent when they are spoken to?" the -Mohawk demanded, angrily. "I do not like that. When Standing Wolf speaks -he must be answered. Come, speak fast or I will teach you how to obey." - -"I will answer you," Running Fox said, angrily. "Standing Wolf, you have -asked me something. Well, I will tell you what you wish to know. My -people keep their men to fight the brave Shawnees. My people send their -boys to kill the Mohawks." - -It was a reckless speech, and Running Fox immediately realized that he -had sealed his doom as he looked into the angry eyes of Standing Wolf. -For a moment the great Mohawk war-chief looked upon him in unconcealed -amazement. Then he mumbled something, and advanced threateningly. -Running Fox showed no signs of weakening, however, and Standing Wolf -struck him a stinging blow across the mouth. It was the signal for a -wild outbreak from the onlookers, for they realized that their famous -war-chief had been insulted by a mere lad. The thought drove them into a -frenzy, and only the prompt interference of Standing Wolf himself saved -the Delaware from instant torture and death. When he had quieted the -people, the Mohawk chief called several trusted warriors to lead Running -Fox away. - -The unhappy lad was taken to a square bark lodge or shack. It contained -a single room or compartment, and appeared dark and uninhabited. Once -inside the building, the Mohawks threw Running Fox to the ground and -bound his feet, which until that moment had been free. Then they left -him. - -The two guards had barely gone from hearing when Running Fox heard -something stirring over in a corner of the lodge. However, darkness made -it impossible to tell what it was. He listened anxiously, and finally -thought he heard some one chanting a medicine-song. It was low and -indistinct, but still there was something about it that sounded -familiar. A few moments later Running Fox identified it as one of the -songs which he had learned from old Sky Dog, the Delaware medicine-man. -Then the startling truth suddenly confronted him. - -"Spotted Deer!" Running Fox cried in a tense whisper. - -"Yes, Running Fox, I am here," replied Spotted Deer. "This is very bad. -Now I know that there is no chance for us." - - - - - CHAPTER XIV--ANXIOUS DAYS - - -Spotted Deer said that he had been surprised and captured soon after -Running Fox left him. At first the Mohawks mistook him for a Shawnee, -and his appearance in the camp was the occasion for a wild commotion. He -was taken to the center of the village and tied to the torture stake. -Then the Mohawks suddenly discovered that he was a Delaware. They seemed -greatly surprised, and it was evident that they feared the presence of a -Delaware war-party somewhere near the camp. Thinking to frighten the -young captive into telling them what they wished to know, Standing Wolf -threatened him with all sorts of terrible tortures if he refused to give -the information they desired. However, Spotted Deer scorned the threats, -and the Mohawks were unable to make him talk. At last they unbound him, -and threw him into the lodge in which Running Fox so unexpectedly found -him. - -"Now I have told you how I came here," concluded Spotted Deer. - -"Well, I see that you could not help it, but it is very bad," replied -Running Fox. - -Then he related his own experiences. When he told how he had defied the -great Mohawk war-chief, Spotted Deer exclaimed in astonishment. - -"That was a foolish thing to do," he declared. - -"Yes, I see that I did a bad thing," acknowledged Running Fox. "I -believe I will be killed, but you may live to get away and tell our -people what they wish to know." - -"No, Running Fox, I believe the Mohawks will kill me, too," said Spotted -Deer. - -At that moment Running Fox thought he heard some one moving cautiously -away from the entrance of the lodge, and he feared that spies had been -stationed there to listen. The Delawares immediately ceased talking. -They lay there a long time listening, but all was still. The night-hush -had fallen upon the camp, and it was evident that the Mohawks had -retired to their lodges. However, the lads felt quite sure that the -entrance to their own lodge was closely guarded. Still it seemed like an -unnecessary precaution, for they had been so skillfully bound that they -would have been unable to escape even if the way had been open. - -Left to their thoughts, the lads immediately began to speculate upon -their chances. Running Fox believed that for himself at least death was -inevitable, and he tried to become reconciled to the thought. However, -his great fear was that by antagonizing the Mohawk chief he had also -sealed the fate of Spotted Deer. The possibility filled him with -despair. If only Spotted Deer might be spared to eventually learn and -carry away the secret which had brought them to the Mohawk camp, Running -Fox would have been willing to suffer and die without complaining. Now, -however, he believed that his sacrifice would be in vain. The idea drove -him into a frenzy. Carried away by emotion, he fought desperately to -free himself from his bonds. His efforts were useless, however, and he -soon saw the folly of wasting his strength, for the present escape -seemed impossible. - -"It is no use to fight that way," Spotted Deer told him. "No, we must -wait until we get a better chance." - -"That is true," agreed Running Fox. - -The long night finally passed, and as day dawned the lads looked -anxiously about the lodge to learn if they were guarded. They appeared -to be alone, but they mistrusted that sharp-eared sentinels were just -outside the entrance. However, the lads took advantage of their privacy -to study the details of their prison. It was a square, one story -structure about four bow-lengths high. It was made of slabs of bark -which were held in place by two rows of upright saplings or poles. The -roof, which was peaked, was also of bark, and had a small square opening -in the center to let out the smoke of the camp-fire. The lads found -themselves in a room about four bow-lengths square, with a shallow -fire-pit in the middle, and low willow bunks or platforms along two -sides. The lodge would have accommodated six or eight persons, and was -similar in design and material to those erected by the Delawares. It -showed no signs of recent occupancy. - -It was not long before the Delawares heard some one approaching. Their -hearts quickened at the sound, for it suggested a number of disturbing -possibilities. Then the robe which covered the doorway was drawn aside, -and a warrior entered the lodge. He was a great powerful fellow, and he -stared so fiercely at the captives that they felt quite sure he meant -them no good. They returned his glances without wavering, and in a few -moments he turned and called to some one outside. An aged woman answered -the summons, and the lads saw that she brought food and water. - -The warrior kneeled and unbound their hands. Then the old woman placed -meat and water before them, and hobbled away. The guard, however, -instantly began to annoy them. Pointing at the bones and scraps of meat -which had been set before them, he imitated the whining of a dog, and -laughed boisterously. The Delawares knew that he was trying to make them -understand that they had been fed with the leavings from the camp which -ordinarily were given to the dogs. The lads gave no sign that they -comprehended the insult. Realizing that refusal to eat the food might -subject them to a brutal attack, they consumed it in sullen obedience. -Then they looked expectantly toward the Mohawk. He was laughing and -making significant gestures with his knife to make them realize the -punishments that awaited them. They watched him without the slightest -trace of emotion. Their indifference seemed to anger him, and he began -to talk fiercely in the Mohawk dialect. The lads showed plainly that -they did not understand his threats, and he suddenly seemed to realize -that he was making himself ridiculous. A moment afterward he tied their -hands behind them, and drew the buckskin thongs deep into the flesh. -Then he laughed gleefully, and left the lodge. - -"That warrior is very fierce," said Spotted Deer, as the footfalls died -away. - -"Well, he did not frighten us," boasted Running Fox. - -"That made him mad," laughed Spotted Deer. - -It was not long before they began to feel the effects of his cruelty. -The tight buckskin thongs ate slowly into their flesh, and caused them -great agony. However, they bore it in silence. Each knew what the other -was enduring, but neither of them was willing to acknowledge that the -Mohawk had made him suffer. - -As the day progressed they heard considerable noise and confusion in the -camp, and they believed that the Mohawks were preparing for some -important ceremony. The thought filled them with gloomy premonitions. -Running Fox, especially, read a warning in the sounds. He knew that his -bold defiance of the famous war-chief would not be permitted to pass -unpunished, and he feared that at any moment he would be called out to -pay the penalty. He had heard many stories about the awful tortures -which the Mohawks inflicted upon their prisoners, and he wondered if he -were about to experience them. The possibility tried his nerve. - -"Running Fox, what I hear makes me feel bad," Spotted Deer said, -uneasily. "Perhaps the Mohawks are getting ready to kill us." - -"We must be brave," Running Fox told him. - -Soon afterward several fierce looking warriors entered the lodge, and -stared at the captives. However, they made no attempt to annoy them, and -left without speaking. The lads were at a loss to explain the visit. -Then other warriors came, and several women and children. As none of the -visitors showed any inclination to harm them, the Delawares felt -somewhat reassured. They knew that the Iroquois tribes often adopted -young warriors whom they captured, and they wondered if they, too, were -to be spared. The thought gave them hope, for while they would not have -thought of pledging allegiance to their foes, still they believed that -they might be able to turn the opportunity to good advantage. - -"Yes, we will fool the Mohawks until we find a chance to get away," -whispered Spotted Deer. - -"They are sharp," Running Fox warned him. - -Then they heard criers going about the camp calling the people to -assemble. Their fears immediately returned. They listened anxiously as -the Mohawks began to sing, and shout their war-cries. Then the noise -suddenly ceased. The Delawares heard some one talking excitedly. They -thought they recognized the voice of Standing Wolf, the Mohawk -war-chief. At the end of the talk a great shout went up from the camp. - -"I do not like that," said Running Fox. "I believe some one is turning -the Mohawks against us." - -"Perhaps they are talking about something different," Spotted Deer -replied, hopefully. "Perhaps a war-party is going out to fight the -Shawnees." - -"No, I do not believe it," said Running Fox. "Spotted Deer, I believe we -will soon be killed." - -However, no one came to disturb them until the end of the day, and then -the warrior and the old woman again entered the lodge with food and -water. When the Mohawk unbound their wrists the lads found that they had -temporarily lost the use of their arms. They made several attempts to -reach the food that had been placed before them, but for some moments -they were unable to raise their hands from their sides. The Mohawk -seemed to take great delight in their discomfort. He jeered, and -laughed, and insisted upon their eating the food. The lads feared that -if they were unable to comply with his demands he would take away the -food, and tell the Mohawks that they had refused it. They made heroic -efforts, therefore, and finally succeeded in getting the food to their -mouths. Then the guard again bound their wrists, and left them to -suffer. - -As the evening shadows fell upon the camp the Delawares once more heard -sounds of hustling activity. The Mohawks were breaking wood for fires, -and the lads felt a vague premonition of danger. In a few moments they -heard the crackling of the flames, and saw the light through the hole in -the roof of the lodge. They waited in anxious suspense. - -"Pretty soon we will know what is going to happen to us," said Running -Fox. "Do you feel brave?" - -"I believe we are in great danger, but I am not afraid," replied Spotted -Deer. - -An ominous hush had fallen upon the camp. Then the covering was drawn -from the doorway of the lodge, and three warriors entered. The lads knew -at once that these men had been sent to get them, and they feared that -their hour of trial was at hand. For a moment they weakened. Then as the -Mohawks came toward them, they recovered their courage, and waited -calmly to learn their fate. - -"Be brave," said Running Fox. - -"I am a Delaware," Spotted Deer replied, proudly. - -One of the Mohawks stooped and freed Running Fox from his bonds. - -Then they motioned for him to rise. It was evident that they had no -intention of taking Spotted Deer. The latter struggled furiously to rise -and accompany his friend, but the Mohawks laughed and pushed him back. - -"Keep still," said Running Fox. "You must keep alive to finish this -thing. I am not afraid to die. Tell my father those words." - -Before he had finished speaking the Mohawks were leading him toward the -door of the lodge. He walked with difficulty, however, for his legs had -been so tightly bound that circulation had been entirely stopped. Each -step was agony, but the courageous lad fought hard to conceal his -suffering. As he was pushed roughly from the lodge he heard Spotted Deer -frantically singing the medicine-songs which old Sky Dog had taught him. -Running Fox wondered whether they would save him in the present -emergency. - -Running Fox saw the Mohawks gathered about a great fire in the center of -the camp. They greeted his appearance with a wild outburst of yells, and -he realized that he could expect no mercy. His guards led him toward the -fire, and stood him with his back against a stout stake, a short -distance from the flames. Then Standing Wolf and a number of important -looking warriors walked up to him. For some moments they stared at him -in silence, and Running Fox looked fearlessly into their eyes. He knew -only too well the severity of the punishment which was about to be -inflicted upon him, but he determined to endure it without flinching. He -felt that the honor of his tribe was at stake, and the thought gave him -courage. The last trace of fear had left him, and he found himself calm -and unafraid. In a few moments he heard the Mohawk chief addressing him -in the Delaware tongue. - -"Well, you were very boastful when you came here; do you feel brave -now?" demanded Standing Wolf. - -"A Delaware is always brave," replied Running Fox. - -"Well, we will see about it," Standing Wolf declared, warningly. - -He turned and spoke a few words to the warriors behind him, and Running -Fox saw them smile contemptuously. Then Standing Wolf began to address -the great throng of people who had gathered about the fire. His speech -seemed to greatly excite them, and when he finished they began to shout, -and jeer, and threaten the captive. However, Standing Wolf and his -escort kept them in control. Then the chief spoke to the warriors who -had brought Running Fox from the lodge, and they immediately bound the -lad to the stake. - -"Young man, you are about to see how the Mohawks treat their enemies," -said Standing Wolf. "You, alone, are to blame for whatever happens to -you. You are young, and I might have saved you. But you talked very -boastful. Yes, you have made my heart black against you. Now you must -pay for it." - -Running Fox remained silent. There was nothing to say. He realized that -he had blundered, and that the blunder was to cost him his life. - -Standing Wolf gave the signal, and a noisy company of women and boys -formed about the prisoner, while the warriors looked on. Then several -old men raised their voices in a weird chant, and the Mohawks began to -dance about the post. Running Fox saw that they were armed with supple -willow wands or whips, and he easily imagined what they intended to do -with them. They beat him unmercifully, but he endured it without a -tremor. Many diabolical old women tried to blind him by striking him -across the eyes, but he foiled them by slightly raising his head so that -the blows fell short. Standing Wolf and his warriors looked on with -sullen indifference, and Running Fox wondered if they intended to have -him beaten to death. Not until many of the women had exhausted -themselves did the Mohawk chief finally interfere, and stop them. Then -he again confronted the prisoner. - -"Have you any words now?" he inquired scornfully. - -Running Fox was covered with welts and gashes, but his eyes flashed as -defiantly as ever. He ignored the taunt, and remained silent. - -"Well, I see that you are afraid to speak," said Standing Wolf. "When -your mouth is closed your ears must be open. Listen to what I am about -to say. What you have just gone through is only the beginning of what is -going to happen to you. The women and boys have beaten you. Now we will -show you something different." - -When Standing Wolf finished speaking he called to the warriors, and they -formed a great circle about the prisoner. Most of them carried knives -and war-clubs, but a few had bows and arrows. When they had taken their -places Standing Wolf pointed at Running Fox, and spoke briefly in a -fierce tone. What he said seemed to rouse the Mohawks to a fury, and as -soon as he finished they began to dance wildly about the captive. - -"O Getanittowit, help me," whispered Running Fox. "O Getanittowit, make -me strong." - -As they danced past the stake each warrior crouched and yelled fiercely -into the ears of the erect young Delaware. Several struck him across the -face with their open palms, but he gave no evidence that he felt the -blows. Convinced that he was about to receive the full fury of the -hatred which the Mohawks held for his people, Running Fox resolved to -die like a hero. The Mohawks were rapidly rousing themselves into a -frenzy. They had drawn their knives, and were making vicious passes -within a few inches of his body. Some who carried war-clubs rushed -forward and struck the post within a handbreadth of his head. Running -Fox bore it all without flinching. - -Then Standing Wolf once more interrupted the proceedings. This time, -however, he did not address the prisoner, but called several of his -escort aside and began to talk earnestly. A number of fiendish old women -immediately took advantage of the opportunity to attack the prisoner. -They rushed upon him with their sticks, and began to beat him over the -head and shoulders. Standing Wolf saw them, however, and promptly -ordered them to stop. A moment or so afterward he spoke to the warriors. -Running Fox watched him closely. He was unable to guess whether Standing -Wolf was talking for or against him. The Mohawks received his words in -silence, and the Delaware imagined he read disappointment in many of the -faces. At the conclusion of the talk two warriors left the circle, and -approached the prisoner. They stopped in front of him, and one drew his -knife. He stood a moment staring fixedly into the eyes of Running Fox. -The great crowd of Mohawks watched in ominous silence. Standing Wolf was -standing with his arms folded across his breast, smiling grimly. Running -Fox felt that his end was at hand, and he straightened proudly to -receive the knife-thrust in his heart. A murmur of approval rose from -the Mohawks. Many moments passed. Still the warrior hesitated to carry -out his command. Running Fox felt himself weakening under the suspense. -It was evident that the wily chief was hoping to break down his courage -before he killed him. The thought gave the lad new strength. Having -endured that far, he determined to maintain his nerve to the end. He -waited, therefore, smiling scornfully into the eyes of the warrior who -confronted him. - -Then the Mohawk darted forward to perform his mission, but instead of -driving his knife into the heart of the prisoner he passed behind him, -and severed the thongs which bound him to the stake. A moment afterward -two guards led the astounded Delaware back to the lodge in which he had -been imprisoned. - -"Well, my brother, Getanittowit has listened to the medicine-songs!" -Spotted Deer cried, joyfully, as soon as the Mohawks had passed out. "I -believed the Mohawks killed you, and I wanted to die. Now my heart is -filled with songs. Tell me how you come to be alive." - -"I cannot tell you that," Running Fox said, confusedly. "I believed I -would be dead by now, and here I am alive. It is very mysterious." - - - - - CHAPTER XV--A BATTLE WITH THE CHIPPEWAS - - -For a long time the lads were kept in continual doubt as to whether they -were to live or die. Then they unexpectedly found a friend in the young -son of one of the Mohawk medicine-men, a man of great influence with -Standing Wolf. From that time their uncertainty was set at rest. The -young Mohawk made them understand that they were not to be killed. Some -time later, when he had learned to express himself in the Delaware -tongue, he told why Running Fox had been spared. - -The Mohawk said that Standing Wolf had determined to kill Running Fox, -but the medicine-man interfered. The latter had had a dream concerning -the youthful prisoners, and declared that a great calamity would fall -upon the camp if they were put to death. At first Standing Wolf paid -little attention to him, and prepared to carry out his revenge. However, -at the very moment when Running Fox was tied to the torture stake -misfortunes began to fall upon the camp. First an old man fell and broke -his leg. Then a child of one of the women who was participating in the -attack on Running Fox died suddenly while the mother was in the act of -beating the prisoner. As a climax the medicine-bundle fell from its -tripod in the sacred lodge, as the warriors were dancing about the -stake. Word of the strange coincidences was instantly carried to the -Mohawk chief, and when the alarmed medicine-man himself rushed up and -told what had happened to the medicine-bundle even Standing Wolf became -filled with superstitious awe, and immediately altered his decision -regarding the fate of the captive. - -The Delawares showed great interest in the Mohawk medicine-bundle, and -asked a number of questions concerning it. They asked in vain, however, -for the young Mohawk only shook his head, and pretended to misunderstand -them. Fearing that further questioning might arouse his suspicions, they -immediately changed the topic of conversation. - -Although Standing Wolf had spared the lives of the Delawares, he used -every means in his power to annoy and humiliate them. For a long time he -compelled them to go about the village with their hands loosely bound -behind them, so that they were powerless to save themselves from the -attacks of the women and children whom he made no attempt to restrain. -He also kept them on the verge of starvation, and fed them with the most -unpalatable scraps from the camp. They were warned that if they -approached nearer than a bow-shot to the doorway in the stockade they -would be killed by the first person who saw them. As they were -constantly watched, and the entrance to the camp was continually closed -and barred with massive logs, the lads thought the warning quite -unnecessary. Then as the days passed they were permitted to wander more -freely about the village. However, they soon realized that to attempt to -escape would be the height of folly. Therefore, they continued to -cultivate their friendship with the son of the medicine-man in the hope -of eventually learning the secret which had brought them upon their -mission. With that once in their possession, they had implicit faith -that Getanittowit himself would offer them an opportunity to escape from -their foes. - -The Delawares had been in the Mohawk camp many days when Winaminge, -The-Time-Of-Roasting-Ears, arrived. It was at that season that the -Iroquois gathered together to celebrate the Green Corn Festival. -Sometimes the various Iroquois tribes celebrated the occasion in their -own village, and at other times they traveled to the villages of their -nearest tribesmen. Upon this particular occasion, however, it was -apparent that the Mohawks intended to observe the festival by -themselves. The Delawares watched the preparations with interest, for -they were similar to those which they had observed in their own tribe, -and they hoped that before the four days' celebration ended they might -learn the secret for which they were risking themselves. - -In celebrating the Green Corn Festival the ceremonies were begun each -day soon after dawn, and ended promptly at midday, or when the sun -reached the meridian. It was a festival of thanksgiving to Ha-weu-ne-yu, -the Great Spirit, for ripening the corn, beans and squashes. On the day -before the celebration began, the entire tribe gathered in the center of -the village to confess their wrong deeds, and promise to live better -lives. Strips of white shells, or wampum, were passed from one to -another, and each person held it while acknowledging his misdeeds, and -pledging himself to a better life in the future. The wampum was believed -to record and preserve each pledge. The women and even the older -children were required to join in the ceremony. The Delawares, however, -were barred from participating, or approaching within hearing distance. -They looked on in respectful silence from the door of their lodge. - -"Well, we have made the vows," the young Mohawk told them at the -conclusion of the ceremony. "When the next sun comes we will begin the -celebration." - -The lads would have liked to ask him if the mysterious medicine-bundle -would appear in the ceremony. They realized, however, that any reference -to it might ruin all chance of learning what they wished to know. - -"Running Fox, I believe that these people are about to do a great -thing," said Spotted Deer. "I believe Standing Wolf and the medicine-men -will have much to do with it. If we watch sharp perhaps we will find out -something about the mysterious medicine-bundle that gives this great -chief his power." - -"Yes, that is true," replied Running Fox. "But we must be very careful. -The Mohawks are as cute as Sanquen, the weasel. If they find out what we -are after it will be the end of us." - -The Green Corn Festival began at dawn the following day. The Delawares -were awakened by a number of criers, or couriers, who hurried through -the camp calling the people from their lodges. As the lads reached the -door of their lodge they saw the Mohawks gathering in the center of the -village. - -"Come, let us go over there, and see what is going to happen," proposed -Spotted Deer. - -"Perhaps that will make the Mohawks mad," suggested Running Fox. - -"Well, that may be true," replied Spotted Deer. "But I am going to see -how near I can get." - -A moment afterward they were hurrying toward the center of the camp. -They had not gone far, however, when they encountered a surly looking -old woman who instantly challenged them. Pointing toward the lodge which -they had just left she made them understand that they were to return at -once. To be ordered about by a toothless old woman was a rather -humiliating experience for the high tempered young Delawares, especially -as they saw a number of warriors looking on with great amusement. For a -moment, therefore, the lads held their ground. This drove the old woman -into a wild rage, and she immediately seized a stick and began to beat -them. Realizing that further resistance might lead to more serious -consequences the Delawares began to walk slowly toward their lodge. The -old woman was not satisfied, however, and she tried to make them run. A -great crowd had gathered to watch her, and the Delawares heard much -jeering and laughing at their expense. Carried away by anger, Spotted -Deer suddenly wheeled and sprang at his tormentor, yelling so fiercely -that the old woman dropped her stick and hobbled away as fast as she -could go. The Mohawks were quick to see the humorous side of the -incident, and laughed good naturedly. - -"I believe that old woman is a witch," Running Fox declared, angrily, -when they reached the lodge. "She made us look foolish. Some time I will -kill many Mohawks to wipe that out of my heart." - -"She made me very mad," replied Spotted Deer. "Well, I frightened her, -and now all the people are laughing about it. We must watch out. She -will try to harm us." - -Then their thoughts were diverted by the appearance of Standing Wolf and -a number of the principal men of the tribe. They stood in the middle of -the camp, and the Mohawks formed around them. There was a few moments of -silence, and then the Mohawk chief addressed his people. The eyes of the -Delawares glowed threateningly as they watched him, for he was a cruel, -relentless foe whom they had learned to hate. - -"I would like to kill that man," declared Spotted Deer. - -"I believe he bears a charmed life," said Running Fox. "We must find out -how he gets his power before we can kill him." - -"When Standing Wolf had finished speaking he called the father of the -lad who had befriended the Delawares, and the medicine-man approached -with something wrapped in a small black bearskin. Then he drew off the -robe, and presented Standing Wolf with what appeared to be a small -bundle of bird and animal skins. - -"It is the mysterious medicine-bundle!" Spotted Deer whispered, -excitedly. - -"Do not talk--watch," Running Fox cautioned him. - -They saw Standing Wolf carefully unfasten the wrappings from the -medicine-bundle, and remove a skin of the great white Medicine Owl. He -held it before him, and raised his face toward the heavens. It was -evident that he was chanting a sacred medicine-song. Then he turned -toward the four principal points of the compass, and repeated the -ceremony. The Delawares watched him with fascinated eyes. They believed -that at last the secret of his power had been discovered. Gokhos, the -mysterious white Medicine Owl, was his lucky talisman. - -"Now I know why Getanittowit put us in this camp," said Running Fox. -"Yes, I have seen the white robe of Gokhos, the Medicine Owl, and I will -not go away without it." - -"It is wrapped in the mysterious medicine-bundle," Spotted Deer warned -him. "Much harm may come to us if we open one of those bundles." - -"No, I do not believe it," replied Running Fox. "I must do as it -appeared in my dream. Spotted Deer, if we get that mysterious white -skin, I believe we will become as great as Standing Wolf." - -The thought fired their imagination. They lost all further interest in -the Green Corn Festival, and cared only to know into which lodge the -medicine-man carried the sacred bundle. They watched patiently until the -first day's ceremony ended at midday. Then they sought to keep the -medicine-man and his precious burden in sight, but in spite of their -best efforts he eluded them in the great throng of Mohawks, and their -long vigil ended in bitter disappointment. - -"I believe we will find it in the lodge of that medicine-man," declared -Spotted Deer. - -"No, I believe it is in the lodge of Standing Wolf," said Running Fox. - -"Well, if that is true perhaps some bad Medicine Creatures will kill us -if we go into the lodge," Spotted Deer suggested, solemnly. - -"Well, I cannot help it," replied Running Fox. "When I find out where -the mysterious medicine-bundle hangs I am going in to get that skin." - -"How will you get away?" inquired Spotted Deer. - -"When I have that big medicine thing I will be able to do anything," -Running Fox assured him. - -The Mohawks devoted the balance of the day to sports and games, and at -dark they gathered for the great feast of succotash, which was made of -corn, beans and squashes. The food was cooked in large clay urns, or -bowls, and each member of the tribe helped himself. Before the people -began to eat, however, one of the medicine-men started a weird, -melancholy chant, and in a few moments the entire tribe united in a -mighty chorus. It was a song of thanks to the Great Spirit, for -supplying their wants. At the end of the simple ceremony, the Mohawks -proceeded to enjoy themselves. The Delawares looked on with envious -eyes, for in spite of the hilarity and good-will which prevailed at the -feast the Mohawks showed no intention of sending any of the food to -their captives. "Perhaps this would be a good time to look for the -medicine-bundle," suggested Spotted Deer. "The Mohawks are all together -in the middle of the camp, and there will be no one to see us." - -"No, we must not go now," Running Fox told him. "If we leave this lodge -they will know about It. When we go to look for the medicine-bundle we -must know how we are going to get out of the camp." - -The Green Corn Festival continued through the three following days, and -each night the feast was resumed. The last night, however, was largely -given up to a number of sacred dances which the Delawares were not -permitted to see. While the dances were in progress the lads were bound, -and confined in their lodge. An aged warrior sat in the doorway to -prevent them from looking out. - -The following day the village was thrown into a turmoil by the return of -several Mohawk hunters who said that a large war-party of Chippewas were -approaching from the north. The Delawares learned the news from their -friend, the son of the medicine-man. He said that the Mohawks expected -the Chippewas to attack the village in revenge for the death of a number -of Chippewa hunters whom the Mohawks had surprised and killed some time -previously. - -"Yes, there will be a big fight," declared the Mohawk. "The Chippewas -are very fierce, but my people will kill them. My friends, I warn you to -be very careful what you do. If you try to get away, or try to help the -Chippewas, you will surely be killed." - -The Delawares instantly realized the significance of his warning, and -they determined to profit by it. They knew that it would be foolhardy to -attempt to escape while the camp was besieged by enemies, for it was -certain that the entrances and weak spots would be more closely guarded -than ever. Besides, they had little doubt that if they should fall into -the hands of the Chippewas the latter would mistake them for Mohawks, -and kill them at once. - -"This thing is bad for us," said Running Fox. "If this fight goes -against the Mohawks they will believe that we have brought bad fortune -upon them, and perhaps they will kill us. If the Chippewas break into -the village they will kill us for Mohawks. We must do what we can to -show the Mohawks that we have nothing to do with it." - -The Delawares wisely remained in their lodge, therefore, while the -Mohawks prepared for battle. Scouts were immediately sent out to locate -the hostile war-party, while a great company of warriors assembled to -defend the camp. Standing Wolf and a number of sub-chiefs and -medicine-men hurried to the council-lodge. - -"Now perhaps we will see how this great chief gets his power," said -Spotted Deer. - -"We will try to watch him," replied Running Fox. - -The day was almost ended when the lads saw the scouts enter the camp. A -short time afterward the young Mohawk came to the lodge, and told the -Delawares that the Mohawks expected the Chippewas to attack the village -some time during the night or early dawn. He also boasted that his -people had gained a notable victory over the Shawnees, and had sent -them, fleeing toward their own boundaries in a wild panic. - -"The foolish Chippewas have come a long distance to get here, but we -will soon chase them away," declared the Mohawk lad. - -"Perhaps it will not be so easy," suggested Spotted Deer. - -"You will see," laughed the young Mohawk. - -The Delawares awaited the encounter with considerable impatience. They -had been warned against leaving the lodge under penalty of death, and -they realized that they would see little of the fight. However, they -were determined to see as much as possible, and as soon as it grew dark -they seated themselves in the doorway of the lodge. The camp was -brightly illuminated to guard against the Chippewas scaling the stockade -without being seen. Groups of warriors stood about the barred entrances, -and others patrolled the inside of the stockade. Standing Wolf and -several noted war-leaders stood in the center of the camp to give -commands. The women and children, and even the dogs, were sheltered in -the lodges. - -"See, those warriors are talking about us," said Running Fox. - -Two of the warriors with Standing Wolf were looking toward the -Delawares. In a few moments they spoke to the war-chief, and he, too, -looked toward the Delawares. - -"We have done a bad thing to show ourselves," Running Fox declared, -uneasily. - -The next moment they saw Standing Wolf call one of the fighting men, and -point at the lodge. The warrior at once turned and walked rapidly toward -the Delawares. - -"Something is going to happen to us," said Running Fox. - -"Come, we will move back into the lodge," proposed Spotted Deer. - -"No!" cried Running Fox. "We will not be frightened into our den like -rabbits. We have put ourselves here. Well, we will stay here and meet -this man." - -As the warrior approached them he began to talk fiercely, and point -toward the interior of the lodge. The Delawares had little doubt about -his meaning, and yet they made no attempt to comply with his commands. A -moment later they realized their folly, for the Mohawk raised his bow -and shot an arrow directly between them. It was a hint which they -thought it well to accept, and they immediately withdrew into the lodge. -The Mohawk entered after them, however, and proceeded to bind their -hands and feet. Then, to make matters worse, he tied buckskin bandages -over their eyes. - -"Well, we have got ourselves into this trouble," Running Fox declared, -savagely. "It was foolish to show ourselves to Standing Wolf. Now we -will see nothing. If the Chippewas get into the camp we will be killed -like Moskimus, the rabbit, when we find him in our traps." - -"It is bad," agreed Spotted Deer. - -They lay a long time listening for the sounds of battle. An unusual hush -had fallen upon the camp, and it was evident that the Mohawks also were -listening. Then the notes of Gokhos, the owl, sounded close outside the -camp. In a few moments they heard the logs being drawn from the opening -in the stockade. - -"One of the scouts has come into the camp to tell about something," said -Spotted Deer. - -"Listen!" cried Running Fox. "The Chippewas have come." - -The melancholy howl of the timber wolf rang through the forest. It rose -on four sides of the camp. Then a wild outburst of yells broke forth -close to the stockade. - -"The fight has begun!" Spotted Deer cried, excitedly. - -For some time the Mohawks and their foes contented themselves with -shouting defiance at one another. It was evident that the former felt -quite secure behind their log stockade, and had no inclination to risk -themselves in the open. It was not long, however, before the Delawares -heard sounds which led them to believe that the Chippewas intended to -force the fighting. They had apparently kindled fires on all side of the -stockade in an effort to burn the village. The possibility was somewhat -alarming to the helpless young captives in the deserted lodge. Once the -stockade caught fire they knew that it would only be a question of -moments before the dry bark lodge would be in flames. However, the noise -from the camp indicated that the Mohawks were quick to realize the -peril, and the Delawares had little doubt that they would rush out and -attempt to extinguish the fires. - -"Listen, the Mohawks are on the outside of the camp!" Running Fox cried, -a few moments later. - -The Delawares heard the fierce Mohawk war-cry ringing through the night -on every side of the village, and they knew that a great fight was -taking place on the other side of the stockade. The village was in wild -disorder. The sounds of battle had alarmed the women and children, and -roused the dogs, and all of them added their voices to the din. The camp -was lighted by the lurid glare of the flames, while dense clouds of -smoke rolled into the lodges. The Delawares feared that some of them had -already been set on fire. Then somewhere on the opposite side of the -village they heard sounds which set their hearts beating wildly. - -"I believe the Chippewas have got into the camp!" declared Spotted Deer. -"We will see if the great Standing Wolf can drive them out." - -However, in a few moments they heard the triumphant yells of the -Mohawks, and they knew that the Chippewas had been forced out or -overcome. The fight on the outside of the camp seemed to be raging in -undiminished fury. Then there, too, the Mohawk war-cry echoed -triumphantly through the night, and the Delawares believed that for the -moment at least the Chippewas had been driven off. - -"Well, the Mohawks have won a big battle," said Spotted Deer, as the -sounds of conflict gradually subsided. - -"It is good," declared Running Fox. "Perhaps it will help us. I believe -the Chippewas have made a hole into the camp. Perhaps we will be able to -crawl out." - -Soon afterward they heard the Mohawk war-party entering the village in -triumph. They marched noisily about the camp shouting, and singing their -war-songs. The Delawares wondered whether they had brought in any -prisoners. Then the young Mohawk entered the lodge, and saw the -predicament of his friends. - -"Hi, my friends, my people have done what I told you about," he cried, -as he stooped and took the bandages from their eyes. "We have killed -many Chippewas. All who escaped are running toward their lodges. -Standing Wolf ran out and killed three Chippewas at one time. He is a -great man. Perhaps this great victory will make his heart good toward -you. Perhaps he will let you go. Now I will go, and talk with my father -about it. Perhaps he will help you." - -"You are a Mohawk, but you are a good friend," Running Fox said, warmly. - -While the Delawares had little hope that the fierce Mohawk chief would -relent and give them their liberty, still they realized that an appeal -in their behalf from one of the powerful Mohawk medicine-men might go a -long way toward gaining them sufficient freedom to enable them to -escape. - -"See, they do not free our hands and feet," said Spotted Deer. "I -believe the Chippewas have made an opening into the camp." - -"Well, we must try to do something," declared Running Fox. "Pretty soon -it will get light. Then perhaps we can look around, and see what has -happened." - - - - - CHAPTER XVI--THE ESCAPE - - -The following day the Delawares waited impatiently for an opportunity to -venture into the village, and learn the result of the battle. However, -the day was more than half gone before any one came to the lodge to free -them. Then a warrior came, and unbound them. He made them understand -that they might go into the camp, and partake of food. - -"This is bad," said Running Fox, as they left the lodge. "The Mohawks -kept us tied up until they closed up the place where the Chippewas got -in. Now there is no chance to get out." - -"Yes, I believe that is true," agreed Spotted Deer. - -They found the Mohawks still jubilant over their victory. The lads -realized, therefore, that it would be foolish to show themselves too -prominently at that time. Many of the younger warriors seemed carried -away by the glory of their first triumph, and the Delawares knew that -they would be only too willing to find an excuse for attacking them. For -some time the lads had been quite free from annoyance, and they had no -desire to lose the privileges which their long stay in the Mohawk camp -had brought them. - -"Those young men are very fierce," said Running Fox. "We must be very -cautious. I believe the best thing to do is to keep away from them." - -"Yes, I am watching them," replied Spotted Deer. "We will take some -meat, and go back to the lodge." - -The Delawares made their way toward the old woman who had brought their -food. She was stirring something in a large clay urn which she had -propped up among the embers of the cooking fire. When the lads reached -her they stopped and waited expectantly. For some time the old woman -took no notice of them. Then the warrior who had unbound them shouted -some commands, and the woman immediately seized a forked stick and drew -a piece of deer meat from the urn. She gave it to the Delawares, and -motioned them away. Having learned the folly of opposing those irritable -old scolds, the lads determined to move off at once. - -At that moment, however, some of the young Mohawks spied them, and ran -forward shaking their weapons, and yelling fiercely. The Delawares -immediately stopped and stood at bay. The Mohawks rushed up to them, and -tore the meat from the grasp of Spotted Deer. They threw it upon the -ground, and kicked it about in the dirt. Then one who appeared to be the -leader picked it up, and offered it to Spotted Deer. Before Running Fox -could warn him, Spotted Deer seized the meat and hurled it into the face -of the young Mohawk. - -The next instant the enraged Mohawk and Spotted Deer were glaring -furiously into each other's eyes. The Mohawk was only a lad, but he -looked considerably older and stronger than the Delaware. However, -Spotted Deer showed no fear of him. For a moment it looked as if the -friends of the Mohawk were about to take the matter out of his hands by -annihilating both of the Delawares. The one who had been insulted, -however, warned them against interfering. It was plain that he intended -to avenge the affront without assistance. His friends held back, -therefore, watching Running Fox. The latter realized that Spotted Deer -must settle the matter alone, but he determined to rush into the fight -at the first hint of the Mohawks reinforcing their tribesman. - -Word of the impending battle had already been shouted through the camp, -and the Mohawks were running toward the spot from all parts of the -village. They formed a square about Spotted Deer and his adversary, but -showed no inclination to interfere with either of them. Running Fox -stood several bow-lengths from his friend, staring defiantly at the -young Mohawks. - -For some moments the young warriors continued to glare at each other. -Each appeared to be trying to frighten the other, but neither seemed -much alarmed. Then, as his people urged him on, the Mohawk crouched and -began to circle about Spotted Deer, with his war-club in his hand. The -Delaware straightened and opened his palms, as he smiled scornfully at -his foe. For a moment the Mohawk hesitated. Then he accepted the -challenge, and threw down his weapon. A murmur of approval ran through -the Mohawks. Running Fox felt greatly relieved. - -The Mohawk continued to circle cautiously about Spotted Deer, looking -for an opening. The Delaware, however, was equally alert, and kept -turning slowly with his eyes fixed on those of his foe. Several times -the Mohawk crouched and pretended he was about to spring in, but each -time he found Spotted Deer ready for him. Then for many moments they -circled, and dodged, and tried for an advantage, while the Mohawks -shouted encouragement to their young tribesman, and Running Fox prayed -silently to Getanittowit for the success of Spotted Deer. - -Then the Mohawk thought he saw a chance, and sprang forward with the -agility and strength of a young panther. However, Spotted Deer had -anticipated the attack, and jumped back in time to escape being caught. -He wheeled about, and sought to catch his foe, but the Mohawk had -already recovered himself and resumed his position of defense. Both lads -had given a wonderful exhibition of quickness, and the Mohawks yelled -their delight. They began to realize that the Delaware was no mean -adversary for his older and larger opponent, and the prospect of a -desperate encounter filled them with enthusiasm. - -In the meantime Running Fox had remained an impassive spectator. He -never for an instant appeared to lose control of himself. To all -appearances he was absolutely confident about the outcome of the battle. -However, had the Mohawks been able to read his thoughts they would have -learned the true state of his feelings. He knew that the impulsive act -of Spotted Deer had placed them in a desperate situation, and he foresaw -serious consequences. If the young Mohawk should win the encounter, -Running Fox realized that they would be made to suffer all sorts of -indignities from the younger members of the tribe. On the other hand, if -Spotted Deer should vanquish his rival it was equally certain that the -Mohawks would find some way of avenging the defeat. Running Fox waited, -therefore, prepared to act when the emergency presented itself. - -Spotted Deer was quick to realize that the advantage rested with his -adversary, and he made no attempt to force the fighting. He had been -thoroughly trained in the art of wrestling, and he determined to remain -on the defensive until he had provoked the young Mohawk into exposing -himself. The latter, however, appeared to have been equally well -schooled in that particular style of combat, and he, too, seemed intent -upon waiting for an advantage that would give him an easy victory. For a -long time he tried to trick the Delaware by jumping forward as though he -were about to grapple with him. It appeared to be a favorite ruse, and -he seemed considerably surprised when Spotted Deer refused to be -deceived. Then the latter began to laugh at him. It was a daring bit of -effrontery which instantly roused the anger of the Mohawk and his -tribesmen. The result was exactly what Spotted Deer wished it to be, for -the infuriated young Mohawk immediately lost control of himself. -Throwing aside his caution, he rushed recklessly upon his foe. - -The Mohawk sprang toward Spotted Deer in an effort to seize him by the -throat. Spotted Deer dodged and tripped him. Then as the Mohawk stumbled -forward the Delaware sprang upon him, and bore him to the ground. The -next moment Spotted Deer found himself upon his back with his foe -striving to throttle him. Aware that he was battling for his life, the -Delaware fought with the fury of a wildcat. After a few moments of -desperate fighting he managed to wriggle free, and rise to his knees. -Then the Mohawk again forced him to the ground. This time, however, -Spotted Deer found an opening, and locked an arm about the neck of his -foe. With his free hand he began to beat the Mohawk fiercely in the -eyes. It was the only style of fighting he knew, and his foe was using -similar tactics against him. In this primitive mode of fighting there -was no thought of fair-play. The same code of honor prevailed among all -the tribes, namely to disable or kill an adversary in the quickest -possible manner, and to accept punishment and death without flinching. -Both young warriors had been trained in that rigorous code, and both -were making every effort to live up to its principles. - -It soon became apparent that unless the Mohawk speedily broke from the -grip of his foe he was doomed. Spotted Deer had forced his head down -close to the ground, and was punishing him without mercy. The Mohawk was -fighting furiously to free himself, but Spotted Deer held on with grim -determination. It was a desperate battle in which fists, feet and teeth -all played a part. - -The Mohawks were wild with excitement. They saw their young tribesman in -grave danger of defeat, and the thought drove them into a frenzy. They -began dancing madly about the fighters, yelling encouragement to the -Mohawk, and threatening his foe. Running Fox watched them with great -anxiety. He feared that the emergency he had dreaded was at hand. - -Spotted Deer was slowly choking the Mohawk into a condition of utter -helplessness. He had him entirely at his mercy, and it was plain that he -had no idea of sparing him. It was also plain that the Mohawks were -about ready to rush to the assistance of their tribesman. At that -moment, however, the battle was unexpectedly ended by the father of the -lad who had befriended the Delawares. Rushing up to the fighters the -medicine-man seized Spotted Deer and pulled him to his feet. For a -moment the furious young Delaware seemed about to attack the man who had -snatched away his victory. However, a warning glance from Running Fox -told him his peril, and he submitted to the interference. Then the -friends of the defeated young warrior rushed toward the Delawares to -avenge their tribesman. They were met by the Mohawk medicine-man who -dispersed them, and escorted the Delawares to their lodge. - -"Hi, that was a great fight," laughed Spotted Deer, when they were -safely in the lodge. - -"Yes, you were brave enough but you have done a bad thing," said Running -Fox. "Now there is no chance for us. Listen, the Mohawks are yelling out -there in front of the lodge. Pretty soon we will be taken out there and -killed." - -They heard a great commotion before the lodge, and they had little doubt -that the friends of the vanquished Mohawk were demanding their lives. -They knew better than to show themselves. In a few moments the friendly -young Mohawk came to them. - -"My friends, do you hear that noise?" he asked. "Well, do you know what -it means? The young men are very mad. They want to kill you. Do not be -afraid. My father and Standing Wolf are talking to them. Pretty soon -they will send them away. You were very brave. Some of my people feel -good toward you. But I warn you that you must not do any more fighting. -If you do you will surely be killed." - -"You have come to us like a good friend," replied Running Fox. "We will -keep thinking about your words." - -The noise ceased soon after the young Mohawk left them, and the -Delawares believed that the disturbers had finally dispersed. It was -some time, however, before they thought it wise to show themselves in -the doorway of their lodge. Then they saw that the village had -apparently become quiet. - -Several days later a large company of warriors suddenly left the camp, -and the Delawares were glad to see that most of the young men who had -annoyed them were members of the party. They wondered if it were a -war-party. It seemed unlikely, for the warriors had left the camp -without ceremony, and the people showed little interest in their -departure. - -"I believe they are either hunters or scouts," said Spotted Deer. - -"There are too many for scouts," Running Fox told him. "We must try to -find out about it I believe it is a good thing for us. Now the people -who troubled us have gone away. There are not many warriors about. It -will be a good time to try to do something." - -When the young Mohawk came to see them they tried to learn the purpose -and destination of the warriors who had left the camp. Their efforts -were in vain, however, for the Mohawk professed to know nothing about -it. When they continued to question him he grew angry, and left the -lodge. - -"Now we have done another foolish thing," said Running Fox. "We have -made that young man mad. Perhaps he might have helped us. Now he may -turn against us." - -"No, I do not believe that," Spotted Deer assured him. "He is our -friend. He will not do anything to harm us." - -"Spotted Deer, we must do something before those young men come back," -declared Running Fox. "There are three things to be done. First we must -find a way to get out of this camp. Then we must find something to fight -with. Then we must get that mysterious medicine-bundle." - -"Those are hard things to do," said Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we must do them," replied Running Fox. "When it gets dark, and -the Mohawks go to the lodges, I am going to creep around the village and -see if there is any way to get out." - -"Running Fox, if you do that you will surely be killed," warned Spotted -Deer. - -"No, I will not get caught," Running Fox assured him. - -Late that night Running Fox left the lodge, and stole quietly through -the camp until he reached the stockade. It was the first time he had -dared to approach it, and as he crept cautiously along in its shadow his -heart beat fast with excitement. He knew that if he were discovered it -would mean death not only for himself, but for Spotted Deer as well. The -thought made him careful. Stealthily, a stride at a time, he moved -toward the entrance of the camp. When he finally came near it, he -stopped to listen. All seemed safe, however, and he went on. In a few -moments he reached the great barricade of logs that closed the stockade. -He spent some time trying to move them, but without result. It was -apparent that it would require the united efforts of a number of strong -men to open the way into the village. Realizing the folly of wasting his -strength, Running Fox turned his attention to the upper part of the -stockade. He found that by climbing on top of the logs that formed the -barricade he was more than half-way to the top of the stockade. The -discovery filled him with delight. He believed that by placing Spotted -Deer on the barricade and standing upon his shoulders he might be able -to spring up and grasp the top of the stockade. Then he knew it would be -possible to draw himself to the top. Once there he felt quite sure that -he could reach down, and find a way to rescue Spotted Deer. - -When Running Fox returned to the lodge he found that Spotted Deer had -disappeared. The discovery filled him with alarm. He wondered what it -meant. All sorts of startling possibilities flashed into his mind. -However, while he was trying to puzzle it out Spotted Deer appeared. - -"Well, what have you done?" Running Fox inquired, sharply. - -"I have brought some things to fight with," said Spotted Deer. - -He had scouted about the camp, and found two bows, a war-club and a case -of arrows. Running Fox listened to the story of his exploit in -amazement. Spotted Deer said that he had entered two lodges, and moved -cautiously among the sleepers until he found what he wanted. Once he had -been compelled to lie in the shadows while a warrior passed within -bow-length of him. - -"You have been very brave," said Running Fox. "But perhaps the Mohawks -will miss these things. Then it may make trouble for us." - -"I do not believe anything will come of it," laughed Spotted Deer. - -"Well, we must hide them with great care," said Running Fox. - -"No, we must not hide them, we must use them," Spotted Deer declared, -excitedly. "Running Fox, I have found the mysterious medicine-bundle!" - -The announcement so astounded Running Fox that it was some moments -before he was able to speak. The thing seemed impossible. He feared to -believe it. - -"Spotted Deer, your words have set me shaking like an old man," he -stammered, "I know that you have told me what is true, and still I am -afraid to believe it." - -"What I tell you is true," Spotted Deer assured him. "The mysterious -medicine-bundle is hanging in the sacred medicine-lodge." - -"How did you know about it?" inquired Running Fox. - -"I did not know about it," acknowledged Spotted Deer. "When you went out -to look for a way to get out of the camp, I said, 'Now I must do -something.' Then I thought about the mysterious medicine-bundle. I -wanted to find it. I believed it must be in the sacred lodge. I told you -about that. Well, I found the lodge, but I was afraid to go in. Yes, I -was afraid of the Bad Spirits that help the Mohawks. Well, I was ashamed -about that. I went in. I moved around. I saw the mysterious -medicine-bundle hanging on three sticks. Then I heard a noise. Something -squeaked like Achpoques, the wood-mouse. I believe it was a Bad Spirit. -Well, I was afraid to touch that mysterious medicine-bundle, because -nothing wonderful has ever happened to me. You have seen the Medicine -People. Nothing can harm you. Now you must go to the sacred lodge, and -carry out the mysterious Medicine Thing that gives Standing Wolf his -power over our people. It will soon be light. You must not wait." - -Running Fox hurriedly told his plan for escaping from the village. He -told Spotted Deer to wait for him near the entrance into the camp. Then -he hastened away to secure the sacred medicine-trophy. As Spotted Deer -had said, the night was three-quarters gone, and Running Fox knew that -there was not a moment to spare. Still he realized that it might be -fatal to his chances to postpone the attempt until the following day. He -knew, too, that the company of warriors might return at any moment, and -he believed that the wisest course would be to take advantage of the -opportunity which had presented itself. - -As Running Fox saw the outlines of the sacred lodge looming up before -him, he stopped and raised his face toward the heavens. He prayed -fervently to Getanittowit to help him in the great thing he was about to -attempt. Then he spent some time listening. The camp was still, and he -advanced toward the lodge. He had almost reached it when he was stopped -by a noise behind him. Some one was approaching. His heart jumped wildly -at the thought. Still he determined to stand his ground. Having got that -near to the prize, he had no idea of surrendering without a struggle. -Spotted Deer had given him one of the bows and a handful of arrows, and -he prepared to surprise and attack whoever was stealing upon him under -cover of the night. - -The moments passed and no one appeared. Running Fox grew impatient. He -looked anxiously toward the east and thought he detected the first faint -trace of dawn. Each instant he delayed strengthened the chance of -failure. The thought made him reckless. He turned to enter the lodge. At -that moment he heard a low threatening growl close beside him. Then the -truth instantly flashed through his mind. One of the dogs had got his -scent. He had been long enough in the camp to win the confidence of the -surly wolf-like creatures that abounded there, and once the dog -recognized him he had little fear that it would raise an alarm. Still he -determined to take no chances. As it came close to him, growling and -sniffing, he drove an arrow through its heart. It fell without a sound. -The next moment Running Fox entered the sacred lodge. - -Once inside, the lad hesitated, for his heart suddenly became filled -with superstitious fear. He had heard many stories about the fierce -Medicine-Spirits whom his people blamed for the remarkable success of -Standing Wolf and his warriors, and he had little doubt that something -terrible was about to happen to him. Then he suddenly recalled the words -of Spotted Deer, "You have seen the mysterious Medicine People. Nothing -can harm you." The assurance gave him confidence. He believed that to -hesitate longer would show lack of faith in Getanittowit, in old Sky Dog -and in the powerful Medicine Beings that had appeared in his dream. - -Moving carefully toward the rear of the lodge, Running Fox located the -tripod of poles which held the mysterious medicine-bundle. For a moment -the Delaware feared to touch it, lest he should be instantly destroyed -by some strange Medicine Being. However, the thought of helping his -people made him bold, and he reached out and removed the bundle from the -poles. Then for some moments he worked feverishly at the fastenings. -When the bundle lay open before him his eager eyes quickly discovered -the sacred white pelt of Gokhos, the Medicine-Owl. As he finally held it -in his hands, the superstitious lad believed that he had suddenly -received the power of the famous Mohawk war-chief. Hastily retying the -medicine-bundle, he hung it in its accustomed place, and hurried from -the lodge. - -Running Fox was running toward the stockade when he suddenly encountered -some one walking through the camp. They were face to face before either -of them realized it, and there was little chance of avoiding -recognition. Running Fox tried to withdraw into the night, but the -Mohawk jumped forward and peered intently into his face. He identified -him at once. Running Fox tried to use his bow, but the Mohawk was too -close. He seized the Delaware, and shouted to rouse the camp. He was a -large, powerful man, but Running Fox was too quick for him. He jabbed an -arrow directly into his face, and as the Mohawk shrank back the lad -wrenched himself free and darted toward his goal. - -"Jump up there!" shouted Running Fox, when he reached Spotted Deer. - -They climbed nimbly to the top of the log barricade that closed the -entrance to the village, and then Running Fox clambered upon the -shoulders of Spotted Deer. The camp was in a wild turmoil, and they knew -it was only a question of moments before the Mohawks would be upon them. -Running Fox found that he was almost a bow-length from the top of the -stockade. The distance was greater than he had expected to find it, and -for a moment he lost hope. Then, as he realized what it would mean to -fail, he sprang frantically upward. His fingers closed about the tops of -the logs, and he struggled furiously to hold fast. For a moment or so it -seemed as if he must slip back. Then he found a toe-hold against one of -the logs, and improved his grip on the top of the stockade. The next -moment he had drawn himself to the top. - -"The Mohawks are here, jump down and save yourself," cried Spotted Deer. - -Running Fox took no heed of the warning. Instead he lay across the top -of the stockade, and reached down to rescue Spotted Deer. - -"Jump up, I will help you!" he shouted. - -A moment later they had clasped hands, and Spotted Deer was struggling -desperately to reach the top of the stockade. Arrows were already -whizzing past them, but as yet the darkness had saved them from harm. -Once Spotted Deer had gained the top of the stockade in safety, they -turned about and dropped to the ground on the outside of the camp. They -heard the Mohawks struggling frantically with the logs that closed the -doorway. - -"Come, we must ran fast!" cried Running Fox, as he dashed for the woods. - -"I will follow you," replied Spotted Deer. - -Then they heard a wild babel of sounds behind them, and they knew that -the Mohawks were rushing from the camp. Above the tumult sounded the -fierce cry of Nianque, the lynx, the danger signal of the Mohawks. It -seemed to come from the top of the stockade, and the Delawares believed -that the Mohawks were sending a warning to the warriors who had left the -camp earlier in the day. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII--PURSUED BY THE ENEMY - - -The Delawares bounded through the woods like frightened deer, for they -knew that the Mohawks were close at their heels. Then they heard -something that filled them with dread. The dogs were baying fiercely on -their trail. - -"Listen, the Mohawks have sent their dogs after us," Running Fox cried, -savagely. "They will follow us like wolves. It will be hard to get -away." - -"Well, if they come up with us, we will stop and kill them," said -Spotted Deer. - -"We have few arrows," Running Fox warned him. - -"Perhaps we will not need them," replied Spotted Deer. "These dogs have -seen us there in that camp many days. Perhaps when they find out who we -are they will not trouble us." - -"That may be true," Running Fox agreed, hopefully. - -They noted that the savage baying had already grown weaker in volume, -and they believed that most of the dogs had abandoned the chase, and -were barking from the edge of the camp. There were some, however, that -seemed intent upon overtaking the fugitives. In fact it was only a few -moments before the lads heard them bounding through the undergrowth a -short distance behind them. Realizing that flight would only invite an -attack, the lads instantly stopped and waited for the dogs to come up -with them. - -"Here they are--watch sharp!" cried Running Fox. - -The next moment four great wolf-like creatures overtook them. As the -lads faced them and ordered them off the curs seemed to recognize them. -They circled cautiously about them, sniffing and bristling, but showed -no disposition to attack. There was one, however, that suddenly grew -threatening as the Delawares attempted to resume their flight. It -snarled viciously, and rushed toward Spotted Deer. He waited until it -came within arm's reach, and cracked its skull with the Mohawk war-club. - -"Now we will get away," he laughed, as the other dogs drew their tails -between their legs and scurried toward the village. - -Without the help of the dogs the Mohawks soon blundered from the trail, -and it was not long before the lads heard them signaling on all sides of -them. What disturbed them was the fact that some of the Mohawks seemed -to be ahead of them. They could scarcely believe that their foes had -actually passed them, and they wondered if it might not be some of the -warriors who had left the camp early in the day. - -"The Mohawks have surrounded us," Spotted Deer said, uneasily. - -"No, I am not afraid about that," replied Running Fox. "They have lost -the trail, and they are scattering to find it. If we watch sharp we will -get by them." - -When it grew light the lads began to look for certain landmarks which -they had fixed in their memory. They planned to skirt the edge of the -lake where they had blundered into the Shawnees, and then make directly -toward the river. As the day progressed and they continued to avoid -their foes they began to feel more confident. Running Fox had little -doubt that the skin of the great white Medicine Owl was beginning to -exert its power. - -"When the Mohawks find out that we have taken away the skin of Gokhos I -believe they will be afraid to follow us," said Spotted Deer. - -"No, I feel different about it," replied Running Fox. "When Standing -Wolf finds out what we have done I believe he will bring a great -war-party to fight us. Yes, I believe he is already on our trail. We -must travel fast to warn our people." - -The sun was disappearing behind the western hills when the Delawares -finally reached the northern end of the lake. They had traveled at top -speed ever since their escape from the camp, and they were tired and -hungry. Nevertheless they feared to stop. They had little doubt that at -least some of the Mohawks were close behind them, and they knew it might -be fatal to sacrifice even part of their lead. - -"We must keep going," Running Fox said, grimly. "If the Mohawks do not -come up with us pretty soon I believe they will begin to hold back." - -They continued along the shore of the lake, and had gone about half of -its length before night finally overtook them. Then a big red moon rose, -and flooded the forest with its light. It blazed a broad silver trail -across the water, and as they watched it they suddenly saw the black -phantom-like forms of three canoes sweep swiftly across the path of -light. They were within bow-shot of the shore, and were apparently -making for the end of the lake. - -"The Mohawks have fooled us," said Running Fox. "Now they will get to -the river ahead of us. Perhaps they will wait at the end of this water. -We must keep a sharp watch." - -He had barely finished speaking when a loon called a short distance -farther down the lake. The Delawares felt certain that it was a signal -from the canoemen. In a few moments they were sure of it when they heard -a fox yapping on the opposite shore. Then close behind them sounded the -call of Gokhos, the owl. - -"The Mohawks are all around us," whispered Spotted Deer. - -They believed that there was a shorter trail between the Mohawk camp and -the head of the lake, which accounted for the Mohawks overtaking them. -It was evident that they hoped to intercept them before they reached the -river. Spotted Deer proposed that when they reached the end of the lake -they should make a long detour toward the east, and gradually circle -back to the river. Running Fox promptly decided against it. - -"No, that would take a long time," he said. "We have done what we set -out to do. Now we must take the shortest trail to our people. I believe -we will find danger any way we go. The best way is to go ahead until we -strike the river." - -"We will do as you say," agreed Spotted Deer. - -Then for three long days they skulked through the forest endeavoring to -reach the headwaters of the river. Twice they were turned back, and -compelled to make long, wearying detours. When they finally reached -their goal near the end of the fourth day, they were almost on the point -of collapse. However, the sight of the river gave them new strength, for -it seemed like a friendly trail to their own village. - -"Now we will soon be with our people," laughed Spotted Deer. - -"We will find much danger before we reach them," Running Fox warned him. - -The Delawares had little doubt that the Mohawks had canoes concealed -somewhere near the headwaters of the river, but they believed they had -already been put to use by their owners. Therefore, the lads determined -to take no chances trying to find them. Their one thought was to reach -their people in time to warn them against the great war-party that they -felt sure would follow them to the Delaware camp. - -Late the second day they suddenly came in sight of a single canoe -directly ahead of them. It contained three Mohawk warriors, and was -close to the shore along which the Delawares were traveling. The -paddlers appeared tired, and the lads felt certain that they had paddled -desperately down the river in a last effort to overtake them before they -reached the Delaware hunting grounds. - -"Look, those warriors are coming to the shore," whispered Spotted Deer. - -Shortly afterward the Mohawks brought the canoe to land, and two of the -paddlers stepped out. The third, however, remained in the canoe, and -paddled across to the opposite shore. Then, he, too, landed, and drew -the canoe into the bushes. Then all three Mohawks disappeared into the -woods. - -"Those warriors have come a long ways ahead of the war-party to look for -us," whispered Running Fox. "If they do not find us they will wait until -their people come." - -The lads were fearful of colliding with the canoemen who had disembarked -on their side of the river, and they determined to hide themselves until -darkness made it safe to advance. While they were waiting, Spotted Deer -suddenly formed a daring plan for outwitting their foes. - -"When it gets dark I am going to swim across the water, and get that -canoe," he told Running Fox. - -The latter shook his head. It was some moments before he replied. - -"No, you must not do that," said Running Fox. - -"Yes, I am going to do it," declared Spotted Deer. "You are the leader, -but you must stay here until I see what happens to me. Yon have done a -great thing. You will bring great power to our people. It would be -foolish for you to get killed. If I get that canoe I will come back and -get you before it gets light. If I do not come back by that time you -will know that I have been killed. Then you must do the best you can to -reach our people. Now I am not going to talk any more about it. - -"Spotted Deer, you are very brave," said Running Fox. "If you get that -canoe it will be a good thing for us. Yes, then we can get away from the -Mohawks, and go to our people very fast. But you must not let anything -happen to you. Perhaps the Mohawks have set a trap. Perhaps the warrior -who dragged the canoe into the bushes is watching. You must be very -careful." - -"I will watch sharp," Spotted Deer assured him. - -Spotted Deer did not wait long after darkness fell. He believed that his -chances for success would be better if he made his attempt during the -early part of the night. He felt quite sure that at that time the -Mohawks would still be intent upon watching, but he feared that if he -waited until later they might become discouraged and decide to abandon -their vigil. Running Fox held the same opinion. - -"Now I am going," Spotted Deer whispered, when he was ready. "It may -take me a long time, but you must creep down close to the water and keep -listening. If I get the canoe I will come back near this spot. When I -get near the land I will slap the water like Amoch, the beaver. When you -hear that you must throw a little stone into the water. It will make a -splash like Maschilamek, the trout, and the Mohawks will think nothing -of it. But I will know what it means. Now I am going." - -"Go. I will watch for you," said Running Fox. - -A moment later Spotted Deer disappeared into the dark as silently as a -shadow. He turned directly toward the river, and when he came in sight -of the water he stopped to listen. Clouds filled the sky, and the night -was black and still. Spotted Deer raised his face toward the heavens, -and asked Getanittowit to aid him in his task. Then he advanced to the -edge of the water. For a moment or so he stood there looking and -listening. Then he waded carefully from the shore. - -The river was narrow and still at that spot, and Spotted Deer crossed it -without difficulty. As he approached the shore he ceased swimming, and -turned upon his back. He floated a long time, listening for a warning of -danger. Then as he heard nothing to arouse his suspicions he swam to the -shore. - -It took only a few moments to wade from the water, and cross the narrow -beach between the river and the stand of willows in which the Mohawk had -concealed the canoe. Spotted Deer entered the cover with great caution, -for he feared an ambush. His fears proved groundless, however, and he -reached the canoe in safety. Then he hesitated. The most perilous part -of his task was still before him, and he was somewhat in doubt as to -just how to proceed. He doubted his ability to carry the canoe to the -water, and still he realized that if he attempted to drag it through the -dense tangle of bushes he might make sufficient noise to warn the -Mohawk. Still there seemed to be only those two alternatives, and he -knew that every moment he delayed he increased his peril. He lifted the -how of the canoe to the level of his knees, and saw at once that it -would be almost impossible to get it to his shoulders. The question was -decided, therefore he would be compelled to drag it. - -Holding his bow and arrows in one hand, Spotted Deer started to draw the -canoe from the willows. It was not an easy task, and the young Delaware -trembled at the noise he made. Each moment he expected to find the -Mohawk at his throat. Once out of the willows, however, he made better -progress. He had almost reached the water when he heard a twig snap at -the edge of the woods. Believing that he had been discovered, he threw -off his caution, and dragged the canoe toward the water with no attempt -to conceal the noise. As he launched it and clambered in over the side, -he heard the Mohawk running toward the river. Several strong paddle -strokes carried him from the shore, and then the night hid him from his -foe. - -As Spotted Deer paddled frantically toward the opposite shore of the -river, he heard the Mohawk yelling furiously to warn his friends. The -anxious lad realized that once they reached the river it might be -impossible to rescue Running Fox. The thought drove him to still greater -exertions. As yet the two scouts had failed to answer the frantic -appeals of their tribesman. Then, when Spotted Deer was two-thirds of -the way across, he heard them signaling with the notes of the owl. Still -they seemed to be some distance back from the water, and he had hopes of -picking up Running Fox before they could reach the river. - -Once within bow-shot of the shore, Spotted Deer ceased paddling and -struck the water a resounding whack with the blade of his paddle. Then -he listened anxiously for the splash of a stone. Several moments passed, -and the silence remained unbroken. Spotted Deer again struck the water -with his paddle. Still there was no answer. Spotted Deer suddenly grew -weak with fear. He believed that something had happened to Running Fox. -The possibility staggered him. He was unable to rally his wits. Then he -heard the Mohawk on the opposite side of the river imitating the scream -of Nianque, the lynx. A moment afterward the signal was answered from -the edge of the woods, a bow-shot farther down the river. The next -instant a stone struck the water within a bow-length of the canoe. - -Wild with joy, Spotted Deer paddled furiously toward the shore. Running -Fox waded out to meet him. As he stepped into the canoe, an arrow sang -harmlessly past them. The next moment they heard the Mohawks rushing -into the water below them. - -"Paddle hard!" cried Running Fox. "They will swim out and try to catch -us." - -"We will get by them," declared Spotted Deer. "Keep watching ahead." - -He turned the canoe toward the opposite side of the river, and put all -his strength into his paddle strokes. Then, when he was half-way across, -he turned down the river. They had gone several arrow-flights when -Running Fox called a warning. A moment later they flashed past one of -the Mohawks, who was floundering desperately within three bow-lengths of -them. - -"Now we are safe," said Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, I believe we have got away," replied Running Fox. "You have done a -great thing." - -Spotted Deer asked Running Fox why he had been so slow in replying to -his signal. Running Fox said that at the time he heard it one of the -Mohawks was somewhere within a few bow-lengths of him, and he had feared -to make the slightest move. He had been compelled to wait, therefore, -until the Mohawk moved away. - -"Well, we have fooled them," declared Spotted Deer. - -"Yes, that is true," replied Running Fox. "But I believe they will bring -a great war-party to fight us." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII--THE IROQUOIS BLUNDER INTO A TRAP - - -Two days later the lads reached the Delaware village. Their sudden -appearance caused a great commotion. "Running Fox has come! Running Fox -has come!" cried the Delawares. The news brought a great crowd to the -edge of the water. The enthusiasm was intense. Many of the younger -warriors waded out, and dragged the canoe to the shore. Then Running Fox -held up the sacred medicine-trophy, and the people went into ecstasies -of joy. "See, Running Fox has brought the scalp of Gokhos, the -mysterious white Medicine Owl," they cried, excitedly. - -As soon as the exhausted young warriors stepped from the canoe they were -surrounded by a great throng of friends who instantly began to ply them -with questions. Running Fox left Spotted Deer to struggle with them, -while he hurried away to find his father. - -Black Panther showed little surprise as his son entered the lodge, and -offered him the famous trophy for which he had risked his life. However, -the lad's mother flung herself upon him, and wept for joy. When he had -tenderly freed himself from her arms, Running Fox turned toward the -stern Delaware war-chief. The latter showed his pride and his joy in his -eyes, and the young warrior was satisfied. - -"My son, you have come back," said Black Panther. "It is good. I see -that you have brought the scalp of Gokhos, the Medicine Owl. Where did -you find it!" - -"I found it in the sacred Medicine Bundle, which hangs in the Medicine -Lodge of our enemies, the Mohawks. I believe it is the thing that gave -Standing Wolf his power over us. Yes, I saw him talking to the Medicine -Spirits with this thing in his hands." - -"Well, my son, you have done a great thing," declared Black Panther, -striving hard to conceal his emotion. "You are only a boy, but you have -done more than the bravest warrior. But you must not think about that. -No, you must find out how to get those mysterious powers, so that you -can help your people, and become a great chief. Take this thing to Sky -Dog, and ask him what to do." - -"Yes, I will go, but first I must warn you that a great war-party of -Mohawks are coming to fight us," said Running Fox. - -"How do you know that?" Black Panther asked, sharply. - -"The scouts followed us a long ways down the river, and the Mohawks are -very mad. I believe Standing Wolf will bring a great war-party here to -try to get back this mysterious Medicine Thing." - -The warning seemed to make a strong impression upon Black Panther. He -immediately summoned a picked company of scouts, and sent them away to -watch for the Mohawks. Then he called a council of the principal -war-leaders to form plans for defending the village. It was evident that -the possibility of Standing Wolf leading his great war-party against the -camp filled even Black Panther with considerable uneasiness. - -In the meantime Running Fox had hastened to the lodge of old Sky Dog. As -usual the aged medicine-man showed little interest as the visitor -entered the lodge. A moment afterward, however, when he learned who it -was he began to grow excited. - -"Hi, I see that you have lived to come back," he said. "That is because -I helped you. I have done some wonderful things, but this is the -greatest. Well, tell me what has happened to you." - -When Running Fox showed him the medicine-trophy, and related his -experiences since he left the camp, Sky Dog looked at him in -astonishment. It was apparent that he found difficulty in believing the -story. He gazed searchingly into the eyes of the lad, and examined the -medicine-trophy many times before he committed himself. Then he seemed -satisfied that the exploit was genuine. - -"My son, I have listened to your words," he said, soberly. "At first I -did not believe them. But now I know that you have told the truth. Yes, -I see that you have done the greatest thing I ever knew about, But you -must not feel too big about it. You must prepare yourself to become a -great leader. Take this sacred Medicine Thing, and keep it about you -whenever you are about to do anything big. It will give you great power. -But you must not give it to any one else. If you do that, something bad -will surely happen to you. Now I will tell you something. Standing Wolf -and his people will come here to get that great Medicine Thing. Yes, -they will come here before two suns pass. There will be a great battle. -Many people will be killed. Perhaps the Medicine Thing will help you. -Perhaps it will still help Standing Wolf. If it helps him, then you must -get rid of it. Sometimes these things turn out that way. There is only -one way to find out about it. You must carry it into the thick of the -fight. If it gives you power you will do great things. If it turns -against you, you will surely be killed. Now you must go and rest. I have -spoken." - -"Sky Dog, I will do as you tell me," replied Running Fox. - -Several days passed and still there was no word of the Mohawks. The -Delawares began to hope that they had been needlessly alarmed. Some of -them even began to doubt that the skin of the white Medicine Owl had -really come from the Mohawk medicine-bundle. However, they were careful -to keep their suspicions from reaching the ears of Running Fox or his -father. Others declared that Standing Wolf was afraid to fight without -the protection of his medicine charm. Still Black Panther and his -war-leaders continued to make preparations for the battle. They knew -Standing Wolf too well to deceive themselves by believing that he would -surrender his most valued possession without making a desperate attempt -to regain it from his foes. The delay only strengthened their fears, for -they believed he had sent runners to induce some of the neighboring -tribes of Iroquois to join in the attack on the Delaware camp. - -Then the suspense was suddenly ended by the return of one of the scouts. -He said that a great company of Iroquois were coming down the river in -canoes, and the Delaware scouts had little doubt that many more were -traveling through the forest on foot. He declared that the Delawares -would be greatly outnumbered, as it appeared that the Mohawks had been -strongly reinforced by some of their neighbors from farther to the -westward. - -The Delawares became greatly disturbed at the news. They had fought more -than one losing fight with the fierce Mohawk chief and his savage -warriors, and they fully realized the nature of the task that confronted -them. Besides, the village sheltered many women and children, and the -warriors dreaded to think what might happen if the Mohawks forced their -way into the camp. They knew from experience that once roused, the -Mohawks would kill every man, woman and child that fell into their -hands. For a time, therefore, the Delawares thought of abandoning the -camp and fleeing southward to the village of their tribesmen, the Minsi, -another tribe of the Lenape nation who lived a full day's journey -farther down the river. However, when Black Panther heard of their fears -he immediately called them to assemble in council. - -"Men of the Lenape nation, what has happened to your hearts?" demanded -the Delaware war-chief. "Have the Delawares turned into rabbits? Do you -tremble when you hear the name of Standing Wolf? Come, you must answer -me." - -The stern rebuke was received in silence. More than one stalwart warrior -lowered his eyes in shame as Black Panther challenged him. Then as no -one spoke, the chief continued. - -"You have heard that the Mohawks are coming to fight us. Well, what will -you do about it? Do you feel like running away? I do not believe it. You -say that Standing Wolf has mysterious power over us. Well, I will tell -you that he has lost it. Running Fox has taken it away from him. The -great Mohawk war-chief is like a bear without claws. He can do no harm. -Running Fox will carry the mysterious Medicine Thing into the fight. If -you follow him he will lead you to victory. It is true that we have -never beaten Standing Wolf, but this time it will be different. Yes, Sky -Dog will tell you that. Come, I will tell you what to do. First we will -send scouts down the river to ask our brothers, the Minsi, to come and -help us. Then we will send the women and children down the river in -canoes. A warrior will sit in each canoe. Whoever is afraid of Standing -Wolf must leave his weapons, and go with the women and children. The -rest of us will stay here, and meet the boastful Mohawks. Now, my -brother, let me see who is afraid to stay." - -Not even the youngest boy responded. The Delawares answered the -challenge with a great shout of defiance that seemed to shake the hills. -Then they began to sing their war-songs, and parade about the camp. In a -few moments they called for Running Fox to address them. - -"My brothers, I am a young man, and I have not much to say," Running Fox -told them, modestly. "I have brought you the thing which gave Standing -Wolf his mysterious power over us. Now I am going to carry it into the -thick of the fight. I believe we will win a great victory. Now we must -get ready to fight." - -Then old Sky Dog rose and delivered a fiery harangue that instantly -roused the fighting mood of the warriors. He told them that Running Fox -had done the most wonderful thing in the history of the tribe. He -declared that the possession of the Mohawk medicine-trophy not only -insured them against defeat, but made victory certain. Then he called -upon them to go forth, and fight as they had never fought before. - -In the meantime Spotted Deer and a young warrior named Little Snake had -already departed down the river to summon aid of the Minsi. The canoes -had been launched, and the women and children were getting into them. -Now that the Delawares had become eager to fight, it was difficult to -get warriors to accompany them. However, Black Panther selected the -escort, and chose the young untried warriors and a few of the older men -who had been disabled in previous fights. - -The refugees had barely left the village when scouts brought word that -the Mohawks had disembarked about a half day's journey from the camp. -The scouts said that it was evident they intended to advance through the -woods on the north side of the camp. - -"The river was covered with canoes," declared an excited Delaware scout. - -Black Panther immediately called for a company of volunteers to go out -and lie in wait for the Mohawks. Most of the warriors responded, and he -chose a third of his entire force. Then he appointed Running Fox the -leader. It was an unusual honor for a lad of his years, but he had -proved his ability, and the Delawares were ready to follow him. They had -little doubt that the Mohawk medicine-trophy would bring him the same -powers which they believed it had bestowed upon Standing Wolf, and they -expected to see him accomplish equally wonderful feats. - -"My son, I have made you the leader of this war-party," said Black -Panther, as the lad came to him for final instructions. "You are very -young, and you have not been in many fights. You must listen to what I -am about to say. There are some great war-leaders in your party. There -is Broken Hand, and Two Elks, and Painted Dog. All those men are great -leaders. You must ask them to help you. But I have made you the leader. -You must know what to do. Now I will tell you. The Mohawks have left the -canoes. They will probably come down along this side of the river. You -must send good scouts ahead of you to find which way the Mohawks are -coming. It will be necessary to send some scouts across the river, for -the Mohawks may come down that side. Well, when you have found out which -way the Mohawks are coming you must put your warriors in their way. You -must hold them back until I get a chance to prepare the camp. You must -find a good place to hide in. Do not show yourselves until the Mohawks -are right between you. Then you must rush in and fool them. You must try -to kill as many as you can, and drive back the others. That may hold -them off until we can get ready to fight. However, if they are too -strong for you, you must fight your way back to the village. I have -finished." - -"My father, I will do as you have told me," replied Running Fox. "I will -talk with Broken Hand, and Two Elks and Painted Dog. We will try to make -a good fight." - -Running Fox and his companions left the village in silence, for Black -Panther had cautioned the Delawares against making a demonstration. The -sun was low in the west, and the valiant company of fighters hurried -through the woods in the hope of finding the Mohawks before it grew -dark. Several of the scouts who had already located the enemy were sent -on ahead, and three other scouts were sent across the river in a canoe -to watch along the opposite shore. - -By the time darkness finally closed down the Delawares had traveled a -considerable distance along the river. Then they stopped, and waited to -hear from the scouts. It was not long before one of them brought word -that the main Mohawk war-party was close at hand. He said that they were -following the Delaware hunting trail, and had sent a number of scouts -ahead of them. The Delawares lost little time in concealing themselves -along the sides of a narrow ravine. Then they waited anxiously for the -Mohawks to blunder into the ambush. - -A short time afterward the Mohawk scouts entered the ravine. The -Delawares allowed them to pass through in safety. However, when the -war-party attempted to follow, the Delawares rose from concealment and -attacked them with great fury. The Mohawks were completely surprised, -and for a time they were thrown into great confusion. The Delawares had -little trouble in driving them from the ravine, and elated at their -success they attempted to turn the surprise into a rout. It was only a -few moments, however, before they discovered that they had made a -serious blunder. What they had mistaken for the war-party was only an -advance guard following the scouts. When the main war-party rushed up a -few moments later, the Delawares found themselves outnumbered by four to -one. Still Running Fox had no idea of retreating. He had been sent to -delay the Mohawks as long as possible, and he determined to make them -fight every stride of the way to the Delaware camp. Calling upon his -war-leaders to follow him, the young warrior fought with a reckless fury -that amazed his foes. Stimulated by his example, the Delawares not only -held their ground, but actually forced the Mohawks to give way. The -advantage was only temporary, however, for the Mohawks soon rallied, and -attacked so fiercely that the Delawares in turn were compelled to yield. -They retreated slowly, however, fighting so stubbornly that the Mohawks -began to grow cautious. - -Running Fox had many narrow escapes, for he threw himself into the -thickest of the fighting. Twice he was compelled to fight desperate hand -to hand encounters with his foes, and each time he came off victorious. -At another time he was attacked by three Mohawks at once, but he -succeeded in dodging behind a tree and killed two of his assailants, and -wounded the third. The Delawares began to believe that the sacred white -Medicine Owl had made him invincible. Running Fox himself believed it, -and the thought gave him confidence. - -The Delawares held back the Mohawks until daylight, and then the latter -suddenly retired. Running Fox knew better than to attempt to follow -them. He feared that the withdrawal was part of some clever stratagem, -and he immediately called a council of his war-leaders. - -"I believe the Mohawks will wait until it gets dark again, and then they -will try to circle around us," said Broken Hand. "I believe the best -thing we can do is to go back to the village. We have held back the -Mohawks until our women and children are safe. We can do no good by -staying here and throwing away our lives. I believe we can make a better -showing with our people at the village." - -"I feel strange about this thing," declared Two Elks. "You have done -some wonderful things, but if you stay here I believe you will be -killed. I cannot help telling you this, because that is how I feel about -it." - -"I feel like Broken Hand," said Painted Dog. "I have not seen Standing -Wolf in this fight. I believe he is somewhere about with another big -war-party. I saw many Oneidas in this war-party. Yes, I believe I killed -an Onondaga. Those people may be coming to help the Mohawks. Running -Fox, you are a good leader. You have done some wonderful things. But -there are only a few of us. Some of our friends have already been -killed. The Mohawks are too strong for us. If we stay here they will -come back and destroy us. I believe we must try to get away." - -"Well, my brothers, I have listened to your words, and I see that you -all feel the same way about it. I would like to stay and fight some -more, but I believe it would be foolish. We have done what we came here -to do. We have held back the Mohawks so that our people can get ready to -fight It is enough. Come, we will go." - - - - - CHAPTER XIX--THE ATTACK ON THE DELAWARE CAMP - - -When Running Fox and his companions returned to the camp they found -everything in readiness for an attack. As there was no stockade about -the village, the Delawares had hastily thrown up a number of barricades -made of logs and stones. Inside of the camp were several large -brush-piles to be lighted if the Mohawks attempted to enter the camp -under cover of the darkness. Water had been brought from the river, and -two boys had been selected to climb to the roof of each lodge as soon as -the fighting began to watch for fire-arrows. - -Running Fox went to Black Panther and gave him a full account of the -fight with the Mohawks. The Delaware chief seemed much pleased, and said -that if the Mohawks had not been intercepted and held up they would have -reached the village before he had a chance to prepare for defense. - -"My son, you have done a good thing," he told Running Fox. - -Soon afterward the scouts who had been sent across the river came into -the camp, and said that they had seen nothing of their foes. - -"That is good," declared Black Panther. "Now we know that the Mohawks -are all together." - -The Delawares had little fear that the Mohawks would begin their attack -before dark, still they determined to be ready for any emergency. -Therefore, as the sun sank slowly toward the hilltops they gathered in -the center of the camp to receive their final instructions from the -war-chief. - -"My brothers, I have little to tell you," said Black Panther. "You know -what has happened. Now the Mohawks have come to fight us. Running Fox -has broken the power of their great chief, Standing Wolf. I believe we -will be able to overcome him. We must all be brave. We must keep our -enemies outside of the camp. Pretty soon our brothers, the Minsi, will -come to help us. No matter what happens we must keep fighting until they -get here. Do not let anything make you afraid. If we win this great -battle, the Mohawks will never trouble us again. I have finished." - -When Black Panther finished speaking the Delawares stationed themselves -along the edge of the camp to watch for their foes. The night was well -advanced, however, before they heard anything to rouse their suspicions. -Then they heard the Mohawks signaling on two sides of the camp. It was -evident, therefore, that there were either two distinct war-parties, or -else the Mohawks had separated to attack the village on two sides. - -The Delawares waited calmly at their posts, each man grimly determined -to avenge the long list of tribesmen who had died at the hands of those -fierce and implacable foes. The signals soon ceased, and then for a long -time all was still. The Delawares waited in trying suspense. A little -group of warriors huddled behind each barricade, and between them, at -the edge of the camp, were others to close the gaps. Black Panther and -the war-leaders moved back and forth between them. - -The stillness was suddenly broken by a piercing yell, and a moment later -it was answered by another on the other side of the camp. Then the -Mohawks began their attack. They rushed toward the village shouting -fiercely, but the Delawares faced them without a tremor. They waited -until their foes were within a few bow-lengths of them, and then they -rose and met them with such a deadly volley of arrows that the astounded -Mohawks recoiled in confusion. - -Then the Delaware war-cry rang triumphantly through the night, and the -Mohawks rallied at the sound. Roused to a fury by the stubborn -resistance of their foes, they fought with a reckless daring that -carried them to the very edge of the camp. There they met the Delawares -in a fierce hand to hand encounter. Although they had a tremendous -advantage in numbers the Mohawks found themselves outfought at every -point of contact with their courageous foes. Strive as they might, they -were unable to gain a foothold in the camp. They heard the familiar -voice of Standing Wolf urging them to victory, but it had suddenly lost -its power. The Mohawks began to realize that the fight was going against -them. Aware that they were wasting themselves in vain, they suddenly -became demoralized, and retreated in wild disorder. - -The Delawares were frantic with delight. They had beaten back the -boastful Mohawks for the first time since Standing Wolf had begun to -make war upon them. Still they dared not become too hopeful, for they -feared that their success might prove to be only temporary. They had -little doubt that the Mohawks would speedily renew the attack, and they -knew that next time the fortunes of war might again turn in their favor. -However, their temporary victory gave them confidence, and they -determined to fight even harder when the Mohawks resumed the battle. -They believed that the sacred medicine-trophy had already made them -invincible. - -"My brothers, we have beaten off the boastful Mohawks, but we are not -through," cried Black Panther. "Do not feel too sure. They will come -again. Next time they will fight harder. They are much stronger than we -are. Yes, I believe there are three Mohawks for every Delaware. But I -saw some Oneidas and Onondagas. It is a great war-party. We must fight -very hard to keep alive until help comes. Now we must watch." - -Darkness had given way to the soft gray light of dawn when the Mohawks -made their second attempt to enter the village. This time they attacked -the camp on three sides, and the fighting was even fiercer than in the -first encounter. They were led by Standing Wolf and some of the most -noted Iroquois war-chiefs, and for an instant the Delawares lost -confidence. The Mohawks were quick to see their advantage, and they -fought recklessly to make the most of it. Rushing to the barricades they -struggled desperately with the gallant men who defended them. In one or -two places they overwhelmed them by force of numbers, and succeeded in -breaking through the line. - -"Come, my brothers, we must fight harder!" shouted Black Panther, as he -ran boldly along the edge of the camp. "Standing Wolf has lost his -power. Running Fox has found it. Come, drive these boastful enemies from -the camp!" - -Then Running Fox threw himself into the thick of the fight. Gathering a -little company of followers, he led them against the Mohawks who had -reached the edge of the camp. Waving the sacred medicine-trophy, and -calling upon his companions to follow him, he attacked his foes with -such ferocity that they fell back astounded. Before they could recover -from their surprise, the Delawares rallied, and drove them beyond the -barricades. - -Then a warning came from the other side of the camp. Again Running Fox -led a gallant company to meet the invaders. This time, however, their -task was more difficult, and for a time the Delawares were unable to -dislodge their foes. Then in a thrilling hand to hand encounter Running -Fox killed the warrior who led the attack, and the Mohawks suddenly lost -their courage, and fell back. - -Word of his prowess was instantly spread among the Delawares, and they -were finally convinced that the mysterious Mohawk medicine-trophy was -responsible for his remarkable success. The thought strengthened their -confidence, and filled them with such dogged determination that the -Mohawks were again compelled to fall back before their stubborn -resistance. - -"Well, my brothers, you have made a great fight," Black Panther cried, -enthusiastically. "The Mohawks have found out that we are men. They -tried to get into the camp, but we were too strong for them. Running Fox -has done some great things. It must be that the mysterious Medicine -Thing is helping him. But we are not through with this fight. I believe -it will last a long time. Well, we will not give in. No, we will keep -fighting no matter how long it takes. See, the Mohawks have disappeared -into the woods. The full light has come. It is good. I do not believe -the Mohawks will begin to fight again until it gets dark. Perhaps they -have gone away. Well, we will not let them fool us. We will keep -watching." - -The Delawares saw nothing further of their foes until near the end of -the day, and then they again heard them signaling on both sides of the -camp. It was evident that they were preparing to renew the attack. The -Delawares knew what to expect. Still there was not one among them who -showed the least trace of anxiety. They waited calmly, determined to -fight if need be until the last of them was killed. - -The attack was renewed at sunset, and the Delawares were astounded to -find that on this occasion their foes were Oneidas and Onondagas. They -knew at once that the wily Mohawk war-chief had been holding these hardy -fighters in reserve, and had called upon them to relieve his own -warriors when the latter showed signs of weakening before the deadly -resistance of the Delawares. - -"Hi, my brothers, the Mohawks have sent others to do what they cannot do -themselves!" cried Black Panther. "Come, we will show these people how -to fight!" - -Although the unexpected appearance of the new fighting force filled them -with dismay, the Delawares fought as stubbornly as ever. The odds were -all against them, however, and they realized that only the timely -arrival of their tribesmen, the Minsi, could save them from disaster. - - - - - CHAPTER XX--VICTORY - - -Fighting continued at intervals throughout the night, and daylight found -the exhausted Delawares still keeping weary vigil at the edge of the -camp. They had lost almost half of their number, and they were -discouraged and hopeless. They watched the dawn of the new day with -gloomy forebodings, for they feared to imagine what might happen before -it ended. The Iroquois showed no intention of abandoning the fight, and -the Delawares knew that unless their tribesmen arrived to help them it -would be only a short time before they were finally overcome. They felt -sure that the three war-parties would unite for the final attack, and -they knew that there was little chance of holding them off. Each grim -Delaware warrior felt defeat and death hovering over him. - -"My brothers, a new day has come," said Black Panther. "Before it ends I -believe our brothers, the Minsi, will come to help us. Pretty soon we -will hear them shouting the war-cry. Then the Iroquois will run like -rabbits. We must keep our hearts brave. We have killed many of our -enemies. They tried to get into our lodges, but we beat them back. Now -they are hiding out there in the woods. Yes, they are afraid to face us -in the light. Come, we will let them hear our war-cry." - -Roused by the words of their chief, the Delawares rallied from their -gloom and sent their war-cry ringing through the forest. The Iroquois -immediately answered the challenge, and the Delawares shook their heads -soberly. However, as the time passed, and the Iroquois made no further -attempts against the village, the Delawares began to take heart. They -believed that their foes were waiting to make one supreme effort under -cover of the night, and they hoped that the Minsi war-party would arrive -in the meantime. - -Then as the long day finally passed and their tribesmen failed to appear -the Delawares again lost heart. The approach of night filled them with -dread. They feared that long before daylight they would be overcome by -the superior numbers of their foes. The possibility staggered them. They -suddenly realized what it meant. They would be wiped out, destroyed from -the land, and their women and children would be homeless. The thought -filled them with new determination. They pledged themselves to fight -even harder than they had fought before. - -As the ominous black shadows finally settled over the camp, the -Delawares nerved themselves for their task. They knew that the attack -would come suddenly, at any moment, and the thought kept them in trying -suspense. Then as the night dragged on and nothing happened, they began -to grow suspicious. They wondered if the Iroquois were stealing silently -upon them under cover of the darkness. They strained their ears to catch -a warning. All was still. The Delawares were bewildered. The uncanny -silence strained their nerves. Each moment they expected to hear the -terrifying Iroquois war-cry, and see their foes within arm's reach of -them. Then some one shouted a warning from the end of the camp. The -suspense was ended. The fight had begun. The Delawares felt relieved. - -"Light the fires! Light the fires!" cried the warriors near the point of -attack. - -"No, no, not yet!" shouted Black Panther. - -Then a streak of fire flashed through the night, and fell into the -village. It was a fire-arrow. The boys were ordered to the tops of the -lodges. A moment afterward the great Iroquois war-party rushed upon the -camp. They had approached close up to the barricades before the -Delawares discovered them. Then at the proper signal they rose, and -grappled with them. The Delawares fought desperately, but they were -hopelessly outnumbered, and it seemed to be only a matter of moments -before the Iroquois would force their way into the camp. - -"Light the fires! Light the fires!" screamed the Delawares. - -This time Black Panther realized the necessity for it. Then as the -flames roared through the piles of dry brush, and flooded the village -with light, he saw the Iroquois at the edge of the camp. They were -fighting recklessly to gain a foothold in the village, but the Delawares -were attacking them like a swarm of angry bees. Onondagas, Oneidas and -Mohawks had combined, and Standing Wolf himself was leading them. For a -time the Delawares held them off, but the odds against them were too -great, and the Iroquois eventually fought their way into the camp. - -For an instant the Delawares faltered. Then they rallied about their -gallant war-chief and fought with the fury of despair. They had gathered -in force at one end of the camp, and the Iroquois were unable to -dislodge them. The Delawares knew that if they were scattered and driven -from the village they would be surrounded and annihilated. Therefore, -they determined to stand together until the end. - -Running Fox was in a frenzy of despair. He realized that he alone was to -blame for the plight of his tribesmen, and the thought drove him to -distraction. It seemed as if his perilous journey to the Mohawk camp had -been in vain. The mysterious Medicine Creatures had apparently deceived -him. The sacred medicine-trophy for which he had risked his life seemed -powerless against the famous Mohawk war-chief. Getanittowit appeared to -have turned against him. Instead of aiding his people, the distracted -lad believed that he had brought about their destruction. He had fought -with a recklessness that had astounded both his tribesmen and their -foes, and still it seemed to have been in vain. Running Fox was beside -himself with grief. In the midst of the desperate encounter be raised -his arms toward the sky and called upon Getanittowit to help him. "O -Getanittowit, see what has happened to me. O Getanittowit, give me power -to help my people. O Getanittowit, send the powerful Medicine Creatures -to aid me," he shouted excitedly. - -Then a loud mocking laugh rose above the sounds of battle. Running Fox -did not need to look. He knew instinctively that it came from Standing -Wolf. A moment afterward he saw him fighting recklessly at the head of -his warriors. As usual be seemed to bear a charmed life. His tribesmen -were dropping on both sides of him, but as yet he was unharmed. - -"See, we cannot harm that man!" the Delawares told one another in -superstitious awe. "It is useless to fight him. He will kill us all!" - -"No! No! He cannot harm you, for I am going to kill him!" Running Fox -cried, hysterically. "See, I have the skin of Gokhos, the great white -Medicine Owl. My brothers, I have taken away the power from Standing -Wolf. I have just found out about it. Now you will see something. I am -going to kill that man. I am going to bring our brothers, the Minsi. -Pretty soon you will hear them. Now you must watch me." - -The next moment he bounded past his astonished tribesmen, and advanced -fearlessly upon the Mohawk chief. The latter shot an arrow at him, but -it flew harmlessly past his head. Then, as Running Fox laughed and -pointed to the medicine-trophy which hung upon his breast, Standing Wolf -uttered a yell of rage and rushed forward, war-club in hand. Before he -had taken two strides Running Fox drove an arrow through his heart. - -"See, my brothers, see what I have done!" screamed Running Fox, as he -drove back several Mohawks who had rushed upon him to avenge the death -of their chief. - -"It is the Medicine Spirits!" cried the Delawares, as they ran to his -support. - -"Yes, I have the power!" shouted Running Fox. "Come, you must follow -me!" - -He led the Delawares in a furious attack that utterly routed the -faltering Mohawks. The death of their famous chief had demoralized them, -and as they saw their comrades falling before the deadly arrows of the -wild-eyed young Delaware and his followers they suddenly became -panic-stricken and fled from the camp. - -At that very instant the Delaware war-cry rang through the night and a -moment afterward a great company of Minsi fighting men poured into the -village. They threw themselves upon the bewildered Oneidas and Onondagas -and completely overwhelmed them. The Minsi gained a quick and easy -victory, for the superstitious Iroquois believed that some powerful -Medicine Spirit had suddenly come to the aid of their foes, and they -made little attempt to resist them. Finding themselves in danger of -being speedily annihilated by the fierce fighters who had suddenly -appeared before them, they, too, retreated from the camp in wild -disorder, and sought safety in flight. However, the Delawares were -determined to make the most of their victory, and they followed their -fleeing foes far into the wilderness, exacting a terrible vengeance for -the many wrongs which they had suffered at the hands of Standing Wolf -and his followers. - -Late the following day when the last of the Delaware fighting men had -returned to the camp, Black Panther called upon all to assemble and give -thanks for the victory. It was a notable gathering, and the stern -Delaware war-chief looked upon his warriors with great pride. Then his -eyes sought out Running Fox, and for a moment he was almost overcome by -his emotion. - -"My people, we have won a great victory," said Black Panther. "Standing -Wolf, the great Mohawk war-chief, is dead. Many of his people have -followed him. The warriors who escaped are running toward their -villages. It will be a long time before they come here again. Do you -know how all this came about? Well, I will tell you. It is because -Running Fox went into the Mohawk camp, and brought away the skin of the -mysterious white Medicine Owl. Spotted Deer went with him. Those young -warriors have done the greatest thing that has ever been done by a -Delaware. But Running Fox has done something bigger than that. He has -killed the great chief Standing Wolf. That fierce warrior killed many of -our people. Yes, he killed many of our women and children. He destroyed -our crops, and burned our lodges. We wished to live in peace, but he -would not let us. He brought great trouble upon us. Now he will never -trouble us again. Running Fox has brought it to pass. He is very young, -but he has become a great warrior. Yes, he must have a place in the -council-circle. I have finished." - -The Delawares greeted the announcement with shouts of approval. They -called Running Fox and Spotted Deer to stand in the center of the camp, -while the great war-party paraded around them, singing the songs of -victory. Then they suddenly stopped, and raised their voices in the -great tribute which was only given to the famous war-chiefs of the -nation. It was a high honor, and the happy lads strove hard to conceal -their pride as they looked joyfully into each other's eyes. - - THE END - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Running Fox, by Elmer Russell Gregor - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUNNING FOX *** - -***** This file should be named 43864.txt or 43864.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/8/6/43864/ - -Produced by Roger Frank - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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