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<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>
<hr class='pb'/>
<div class='imgcenter mw100 wx320'>
<img style='width:100%' src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' />
<p class='caption'>The next instant his own arrow dropped his enemy to the ground.</p>
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<hr class='pb'/>
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<p class='line' style='font-size:1.4em;'>RUNNING FOX</p>
<p class='line'> </p>
<p class='line'>BY</p>
<p class='line'> </p>
<p class='line' style='font-size:1.2em;'>ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR</p>
<p class='line'> </p>
<p class='line'>AUTHOR OF “WHITE OTTER,” ETC. ETC.</p>
<p class='line'> </p>
<div class='imgcenter'>
<img src='images/illus-emb.png' alt='' />
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<p class='line'> </p>
<p class='line'>FRONTISPIECE BY</p>
<p class='line'>D. C. HUTCHISON</p>
<p class='line'> </p>
<p class='line'>D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</p>
<p class='line'>NEW YORK—LONDON</p>
<p class='line'>1918</p>
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<hr class='pb'/>
<div class='lgc'> <!-- center; -->
<p class='line'>Copyright, 1918, by</p>
<p class='line'>D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</p>
<p class='line'> </p>
<p class='line'>Printed in the United States of America</p>
</div>
<hr class='pb'/>
<div class='blockquote'>
<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>ACKNOWLEDGMENT</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;font-variant:small-caps;'>Elmer Russell Gregor.</p>
</div>
<hr class='pb'/>
<div class='literal-container'>
<p class='toch'>Table of Contents</p>
<div class='literal'>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t64'>I—A LONELY VIGIL</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t641'>II—INTO THE PERILOUS NORTH</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t1070'>III—A THRILLING ADVENTURE</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t1423'>IV—IN THE GRIP OF THE RAPIDS</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t1858'>V—WOLVES</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t2271'>VI—A PROWLER IN THE DARK</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t2769'>VII—THE MYSTERIOUS CANOE</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t3132'>VIII—A NARROW ESCAPE</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t3550'>IX—FORCED INTO HIDING</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t3979'>X—SPOTTED DEER DISAPPEARS</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t4354'>XI—A SKIRMISH WITH THE SHAWNEES</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t4680'>XII—SMOKE</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t4988'>XIII—SURPRISED</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t5454'>XIV—ANXIOUS DAYS</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t5924'>XV—A BATTLE WITH THE CHIPPEWAS</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t6493'>XVI—THE ESCAPE</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t7085'>XVII—PURSUED BY THE ENEMY</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t7488'>XVIII—THE IROQUOIS BLUNDER INTO A TRAP</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t7902'>XIX—THE ATTACK ON THE DELAWARE CAMP</a></p>
<p class='toc'><a href='#t8125'>XX—VICTORY</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<hr class='pb'/>
<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.4em;'>RUNNING FOX</p>
<h1 id='t64'>CHAPTER I—A LONELY VIGIL</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I will go,” Running Fox cried, impulsively.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“My father, I will do as you have told me,”
agreed Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>Running Fox entered, and stood before the medicine-man.
Sky Dog nodded understandingly.</p>
<p>“Now I see who you are,” he said, “You are
the son of a great chief. Well, what do you
want?” he demanded, sharply.</p>
<p>Running Fox suddenly felt bewildered in the
presence of this great medicine-person. For some
moments, therefore, he maintained an awkward silence.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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!”</p>
<p>“Yes, my father sent me here,” replied Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I am listening,” declared Running Fox.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t641'>CHAPTER II—INTO THE PERILOUS NORTH</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Go in peace, my sister, I will not harm you,”
cried Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<h1 id='t1070'>CHAPTER III—A THRILLING ADVENTURE</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“It is true,” agreed Running Fox. “If you
try to help me it might do great harm.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t1423'>CHAPTER IV—IN THE GRIP OF THE RAPIDS</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe that must be the way of it,”
Spotted Deer agreed, finally.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, that is so, I have heard about it,” declared
Running Fox.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, let us go,” proposed Running Fox, as his
eyes lighted with enthusiasm.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That is a bad place,” Banning Fox said, solemnly.</p>
<p>“Come, let us hurry away,” proposed Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“See, there is Schawanammek!” Spotted Deer
cried, excitedly.</p>
<p>“Yes, I saw him,” replied Running Fox. “Look,
there goes another.”</p>
<p>They watched several large sturgeon fight their
way through the narrow channel that separated
the rocks from the island.</p>
<p>“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?”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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?”</p>
<p>“Yes, I will go,” Spotted Deer replied, quietly.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, we must swim harder,” cried Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Hi, that was a hard fight,” panted Spotted
Deer, as they sat down to recover from their exertions.</p>
<p>“Spotted Deer, I see that we have done a foolish
thing,” Running Fox said, soberly.</p>
<p>“Are you thinking about those Bad Water Spirits?”
inquired Spotted Deer, as he looked toward
the rapids.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, we have come here to kill some of those
big fish,” said Running Fox, attempting to make
light of the adventure.</p>
<p>“Yes, let us go and find them,” proposed Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Hi, here comes Sehawanammek!” cried Spotted
Deer, as he hastily prepared his bow.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That is bad,” said Spotted Deer. “We have
lost two good arrows, and Schawanammek has
fooled us.”</p>
<p>“Well, we have sent some good food to Gunammachk,
the otter,” laughed Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe it will be a good thing to do,”
agreed Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we must get away from here,” said Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, Spotted Deer, show your courage!”
cried Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, follow me!” shouted Running Fox.
“Do not waste yourself. Let the water carry you.
Watch out for the bad places.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t1858'>CHAPTER V—WOLVES</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Spotted Deer, if you feel strong enough you
must rise and follow me,” said Running Fox. “I
have found something to show you.”</p>
<p>“I will go,” declared Spotted Deer, rising stiffly
to his feet.</p>
<p>They soon reached the spot where Running Fox
had discovered the tracks, and Spotted Deer examined
them with much interest.</p>
<p>“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?”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“It is true,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Perhaps we shall see them,” Spotted Deer
suggested, hopefully.</p>
<p>“No, I do not believe it,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Pretty soon we will come to dangerous
country,” said Spotted Deer, as they continued up the river.</p>
<p>“Yes, we must keep a sharp watch for our enemies,”
replied Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps we shall see some of the creatures
that appeared in my dream,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Achtu,” whispered Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Sh,” cautioned Running Fox, as he prepared
an arrow.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That was bad work,” said Running Fox. “I
was not ready. The wind fooled us.”</p>
<p>“My arrow is sticking in that tree,” laughed
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Well, we must follow him,” declared Running
Fox. “My arrow struck too far back, but perhaps
it will make him lie down.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We will soon come up with him,” said Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“He will not run so far this time,” prophesied
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, I have done what the great medicine deer
told me to do,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>“It is good,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“What is that?” he asked Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Timmeu has found the blood trail,” said Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“They are coming fast,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now they are getting close,” cried Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, they have come out of the swamp,” replied
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps the fire has frightened them away,”
Spotted Deer said, regretfully.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, we must put some brush on the fire,”
said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“These animals are not brave,” sneered Spotted
Deer. “Come, let us run out and chase them
away.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps they will get brave enough to fight,”
laughed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“They will fight,” Running Fox assured him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That was a bad thing to do,” said Running
Fox. “Perhaps that will reach the ears of an
enemy.”</p>
<p>“It is true, Running Fox, I was very foolish,”
Spotted Deer acknowledged, guiltily.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Perhaps that is so,” agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“This is dangerous work,” said Running Fox.
“I believe the best thing to do would be to wait
until the light comes.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t2271'>CHAPTER VI—A PROWLER IN THE DARK</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“We will be as sharp as Woakus, the fox,” replied
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Do you see that high rocky place over there?”
he inquired, turning to Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, I see it,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Do you see that big tree ahead of us?”</p>
<p>“Yes, I see it.”</p>
<p>“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?”</p>
<p>“No, I do not know about them,” replied Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“That is a good thing to know about,” declared
Spotted Deer. “Whenever I pass that place I will
always think about that brave hunter.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Hi, that is Wischalowe, the Frightener,” cried
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Wisehalowe was foolish,” replied Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Schawanachen, the warm wind, is singing the
sleep song,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps it would be a good thing for one of
us to watch,” suggested Running Fox.</p>
<p>“No, I do not believe we are in any danger
here,” said Spotted Deer. “We have not seen or
heard anything to trouble us.”</p>
<p>“That is true,” agreed Running Fox. “Well,
we will not do anything about it.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now I know that something is wrong,” Running
Fox told himself.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Do not make any noise,” cautioned Running
Fox, as Spotted Deer awakened.</p>
<p>“What has happened?” Spotted Deer inquired,
anxiously.</p>
<p>“I do not know what it is, but something is
watching us,” declared Running Fox. “Yes, I
heard it, and I saw its eyes.”</p>
<p>“Perhaps the wolves have followed us,” whispered
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“No, it is something different,” replied Running
Fox. “Listen.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe it is Timmeu, the wolf,” declared
Spotted Deer. “Perhaps he has come back to
fight us.”</p>
<p>“No, it is not Timmeu,” replied Running Fox.
“The eyes are different, and this thing moves
slower.”</p>
<p>They heard a low growl, like that of an angry
dog. Then they again saw the weird shining eyes
watching them.</p>
<p>“Perhaps some Evil Spirit lives in this place,”
Spotted Deer suggested, uneasily.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I am ready,” said Spotted Deer. “See, there
are his eyes. He sounds mad.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Do something!” cried Running Fox, as he prepared
another arrow.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“It is dead,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Perhaps,” replied Running Fox. “Quenischquney
is very cute, we must be careful.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“That is a very dangerous thing to do,” protested
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Well, I cannot help it,” replied Running Fox.
“I must not let Quenischquney get away.”</p>
<p>“I will go with you,” proposed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe that fierce Quenischquney is dead,”
declared Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“We must not be too sure,” Running Fox
warned him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I know how it is,” he whispered, excitedly.
“Quenischquney is crouching down in the high
grass. I believe he is getting ready to jump.”</p>
<p>“Shall I send an arrow over there where we
hear him?” asked Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“O Running Fox! Running Fox!” screamed
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Use your knife!” cried Running Fox.</p>
<p>The next instant he was upon the panther. He
plunged his flint knife deep behind the shoulder.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Did Quenischquney do much harm to you?”
Running Fox asked Spotted Deer. “Come over
here and let me look at you.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, you will have some marks on your body
to tell about when we get back to our people,”
laughed Running Fox.</p>
<p>“I will tell them how you killed Quenischquney,”
replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we will stop,” Running Fox said, finally,
“It will soon be light. Come, we will go back and
lie down again.”</p>
<p>“Yes, we can sleep easy, fierce Quenischquney
will not trouble us now,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<h1 id='t2769'>CHAPTER VII—THE MYSTERIOUS CANOE</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, we will soon be able to find out about
that,” replied Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“See, it sits high in the water,” he told Spotted
Deer. “If any one was inside it would be low
down and heavy.”</p>
<p>“Yes, that is true,” agreed Spotted Deer. “But
some one may be swimming on the other side of
it.”</p>
<p>“No, I do not believe it,” said Running Fox.
“It does not tremble, and it leaves no trail.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“See, it is moving toward land,” Running Fox
whispered, excitedly.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I will go out and catch it,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“This is very strange,” said Running Fox, as
he examined the weapons.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Whoever left these things in that canoe was
very foolish,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Well, I see that he kept the paddle,” replied
Running Fox.</p>
<p>“That is true, I did not see that,” said Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“We will fool them about that,” laughed Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we must hide, and watch to see who comes
after it,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I do not believe any one will come,” said Spotted
Deer, after they had watched a long time in
vain.</p>
<p>“We must wait,” Running Fox told him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We must keep very quiet,” cautioned Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We have fooled those warriors,” laughed Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“I could have sent an arrow into them,” said
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“That is true,” agreed Spotted Deer. “Well,
I will be very cautious.”</p>
<p>“Pretty soon those warriors will come back,”
said Running Fox. “We must watch sharp.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Those warriors are painted for war,” said Running
Fox, after the paddlers had passed from hearing.</p>
<p>“Yes, I saw the black marks across their faces,”
replied Spotted Deer. “Who are they going to
fight?”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe it will be the best thing to do,”
agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“What was that?” he inquired, anxiously.</p>
<p>“I am talking with Gokhos,” laughed Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“We will not talk any more about it,” said Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe it is Gokhos,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Perhaps,” replied Running Fox.</p>
<p>A short time afterward the cry was repeated
nearer at hand, and Running Fox looked at Spotted
Deer and smiled.</p>
<p>“Perhaps Gokhos is coming to talk with you,”
he said. “I believe it will be better to move
away.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now I believe it is the Mohawks calling one
another,” declared Running Fox. “We will stay
here, and watch until it gets light.”</p>
<h1 id='t3132'>CHAPTER VIII—A NARROW ESCAPE</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps they are moving through the woods
on foot,” suggested Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I will keep as still as Achpoques, the wood
mouse,” laughed Spotted Deer, as he recalled his
blunder with the owl calls.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I do not like that,” he told Spotted Deer. “No,
I do not believe it is Gulukochsun.”</p>
<p>“Well, we will listen again,” said Spotted Deer.
“I did not hear anything wrong about it.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“This is not the time when Gulukochsun sounds
his war-cry,” he declared, suspiciously.</p>
<p>“I have been thinking about that,” replied
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps some hunter is trying to draw Gulukochsun
over there,” suggested Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“No, I do not believe it,” said Running Fox.
“A hunter would come over here to find Gulukochsun.”</p>
<p>“Yes, that is true,” agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps these are the same people who talked
with the words of Gokhos,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“That will be a dangerous thing; to do,” said
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, we must be very careful,” Running Fox
told him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now watch sharp,” cautioned Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“They are Mohawks,” whispered Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe they will stay at that place until it
gets light,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>“We will watch for their fire,” said Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Well, you are the leader,” replied Spotted
Deer. “I will listen to your words.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That is strange,” whispered Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“The Mohawks have found one another,” said
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“He is one of the warriors who found the
canoe,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Perhaps he will wait there until the war-party
appears,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps the Mohawks have found the Shawnees,
and that warrior has gone to watch them,”
suggested Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Perhaps they are watching this place,” said
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Well, we will creep around as softly as Quenischquney,
the panther,” replied Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps this is the trail that leads to the great
Mohawk camp,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, we must fool those warriors, and get
a good start,” he said.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t3550'>CHAPTER IX—FORCED INTO HIDING</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“If we reach that place it will be hard for the
Mohawks to find us,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Run! If we stop we may be surrounded!”
cried Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Let us wait, and kill that warrior,” proposed
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, yes, as soon as we get to the swamp,” replied
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“How did that warrior come up with us so
fast?” inquired Spotted Deer,</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Then why did you keep calling out ‘Saganaga’?”
demanded Spotted Deer. “Now he will
know that we are Delawares.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Spotted Deer, I believe we have done a foolish
thing,” he said, bitterly. “Yes, I believe we
should have kept out of this place.”</p>
<p>“The Mohawks cannot find us here,” Spotted
Deer declared, confidently.</p>
<p>“Well, I am not sure about it,” replied Running
Fox. “But it will be hard to get away.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Listen, something is coming,” cautioned Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“Where is it?” inquired Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Sh,” breathed Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“It was only Achtu,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe it would be a good thing to do,”
agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The scouts have come to find us,” said Running
Fox. “We will fool them.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We must go back to the place we came from,”
whispered Running Fox. “The Mohawks are all
around us. We cannot get away.”</p>
<p>“We will hide until they go away,” said Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“This is a good place,” replied Spotted Deer.
“If we keep still it will be hard to see us in here.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Where shall we go?” asked Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Come, I will find a place,” Running Fox assured
him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“No, I do not see anything of you,” replied
Spotted Deer, after he had walked carefully about
the tree.</p>
<p>“That is good,” said Running Fox. “Now you
must climb up here.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“No, Wisawanik has told us how to hide, and
we will fool them,” laughed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Ahas is warning us,” whispered Running Fox.
“We must watch sharp.”</p>
<p>“Ahas is a good friend,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“That is true,” agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we will see what is going to happen,” said
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Keep very still,” cautioned Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“See, those other birds are going away,” Spotted
Deer whispered, excitedly, a few moments
afterward.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The Mohawks are here,” whispered Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, these warriors are alone, let us kill them
before they tell their friends about us,” whispered
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“No, we must wait until we are sure they have
found us,” cautioned Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Perhaps the Mohawks have gone to tell their
friends about us,” suggested Spotted Deer. “Perhaps
they will come back.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“You are a good leader,” Spotted Dear declared,
loyally, “You have fooled the Mohawks.
Now I believe we will get out of here.”</p>
<h1 id='t3979'>CHAPTER X—SPOTTED DEER DISAPPEARS</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“It is good,” declared Spotted Deer. “Now we
will hurry away from here,”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Well, we will stay here,” agreed Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we are safe,” laughed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“If they know who we are, it will be hard to
get near their camp,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe it is the best thing to do,” said
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“We will watch out,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Yes, I am here,” laughed Spotted Deer, as
Running Fox continued to stare at him in speechless
amazement.</p>
<p>“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?”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Running Fox, you must not talk that way,”
replied Spotted Deer. “Perhaps it will never happen
again. You were very tired.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Well, what did you find?” inquired Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“I found a big war-party,” declared Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“Tell about it,” Running Fox said, eagerly.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, Running Fox, how do you feel about it?”
asked Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“We will go and find them,” replied Running
Fox.</p>
<h1 id='t4354'>CHAPTER XI—A SKIRMISH WITH THE SHAWNEES</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Does that look like the water you saw!” Running
Fox asked Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, it is the same,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>Then he turned toward the west, and pointed out
the route which the unknown war-party had followed.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, that is how I feel about it,” agreed Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Well, I do not know about those things, but I
believe that what you say is true,” said Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We must keep together, and watch sharp,” he
warned Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“It must be that those warriors have stopped
there,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“It is mysterious,” replied Running Fox. “If
those people are on the war-trail why do they
make a fire?”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Yes, that may be true,” agreed Running Fox.
“But there is something strange about it.”</p>
<p>“What is it?” inquired Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I am ready,” declared Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“What was that?” Spotted Deer whispered,
anxiously.</p>
<p>“Sh,” cautioned Running Fox.</p>
<p>They listened many moments but the silence was
unbroken.</p>
<p>“Perhaps it was some one paddling a canoe,”
said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“I believe it was a big fish,” replied Running
Fox. “Perhaps it was Maschilamek, the trout.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“It is only Sasappis, the fire-fly,” whispered
Running Fox.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We have run into a trap,” Running Fox whispered,
savagely. “Come, we must get to the
water. It is the only chance.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Let us climb into a tree,” proposed Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, we must fight our way to the water!”
he cried.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We will swim ahead until we are a long ways
above this place,” proposed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t4680'>CHAPTER XII—SMOKE</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The Shawnees are close, we must travel
faster,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I do not see any other way to do,” replied
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps it is not near that water,” suggested
Spotted Deer. “Perhaps we have gone the wrong
way.”</p>
<p>“No, I do not believe it,” said Running Fox,</p>
<p>“I am thinking about something different. The
Mohawks are at war with the Shawnees. Perhaps
they are afraid to make fires.”</p>
<p>“Then how can we find the camp?” inquired
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“I believe it will be a hard thing to do,” replied
Running Fox. “We must ask Getanittowit
to help us.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“No matter what you see, come back when it
gets dark,” said Running Fox,</p>
<p>“I will do as you tell me,” agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I must watch out for that person,” Running
Fox told himself.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe some one is talking to the Mohawk
camp,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We have found each other—it is good,” said
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“It is good, my brother,” replied Running Fox.
“Have you looked around?”</p>
<p>“Yes, I have circled all around this hill; there
is no one hiding here,” Spotted Deer assured him.</p>
<p>“Then we will sit down and talk,” said Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Perhaps that smoke was sent up by the Shawnees,”
he suggested. “Perhaps a Mohawk scout
was talking with the war-party.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That is what happened,” concluded Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe there must be a trail going toward
that camp,” declared Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Well, I did not hear our people say anything
about it,” replied Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That will bring us near the place where you
saw something that looked like smoke,” he told
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Spotted Deer, there are two things that trouble
me,” Running Fox said, finally.</p>
<p>Spotted Deer remained silent. He knew that
it would not do to question a war-leader unless
the latter chose to enlighten him.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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——”</p>
<p>“Stop!” Running Fox interrupted, excitedly.
“I see smoke rising behind that ridge.”</p>
<p>They saw a misty blue haze drifting above the
top of a low ridge directly ahead of them.</p>
<p>“That is the place I was looking at,” said Spotted
Deer. “Yes, I know it by that big mountain
over there.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I believe we will find it,” Spotted Deer replied,
confidently.</p>
<p>“Well, that smoke looks like camp smoke, but
I am not sure about it,” said Running Fox.</p>
<h1 id='t4988'>CHAPTER XIII—SURPRISED</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I do not see what I expected to find—it is
bad,” whispered Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>Running Fox made no reply. He appeared to
be listening.</p>
<p>“That smoke must have been another signal,”
said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Where are the fires?” demanded Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Then we will go down there and find it,” Spotted
Deer proposed, impulsively.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I will keep singing the sacred songs to help
you,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, that will be a good thing to do,” agreed
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“No, I will not run away,” he whispered, savagely.
“I will stay here, and see what is going to
happen to me.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Hi, now I know about it,” he told himself.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe some warriors have come back
from the fight with the Shawnees,” said Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Do the boastful Delawares send boys to fight
their enemies?” he inquired, sarcastically.</p>
<p>Running Fox made no reply.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Spotted Deer!” Running Fox cried in a tense
whisper.</p>
<p>“Yes, Running Fox, I am here,” replied Spotted
Deer. “This is very bad. Now I know that
there is no chance for us.”</p>
<h1 id='t5454'>CHAPTER XIV—ANXIOUS DAYS</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now I have told you how I came here,” concluded
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Well, I see that you could not help it, but it
is very bad,” replied Running Fox.</p>
<p>Then he related his own experiences. When he
told how he had defied the great Mohawk war-chief,
Spotted Deer exclaimed in astonishment.</p>
<p>“That was a foolish thing to do,” he declared.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“No, Running Fox, I believe the Mohawks will
kill me, too,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“It is no use to fight that way,” Spotted Deer
told him. “No, we must wait until we get a better
chance.”</p>
<p>“That is true,” agreed Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That warrior is very fierce,” said Spotted
Deer, as the footfalls died away.</p>
<p>“Well, he did not frighten us,” boasted Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“That made him mad,” laughed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Running Fox, what I hear makes me feel bad,”
Spotted Deer said, uneasily. “Perhaps the Mohawks
are getting ready to kill us.”</p>
<p>“We must be brave,” Running Fox told him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Yes, we will fool the Mohawks until we find
a chance to get away,” whispered Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“They are sharp,” Running Fox warned him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I do not like that,” said Running Fox. “I
believe some one is turning the Mohawks against
us.”</p>
<p>“Perhaps they are talking about something different,”
Spotted Deer replied, hopefully. “Perhaps
a war-party is going out to fight the Shawnees.”</p>
<p>“No, I do not believe it,” said Running Fox.
“Spotted Deer, I believe we will soon be killed.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Pretty soon we will know what is going to happen
to us,” said Running Fox. “Do you feel
brave?”</p>
<p>“I believe we are in great danger, but I am not
afraid,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Be brave,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>“I am a Delaware,” Spotted Deer replied,
proudly.</p>
<p>One of the Mohawks stooped and freed Running
Fox from his bonds.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Keep still,” said Running Fox. “You must
keep alive to finish this thing. I am not afraid
to die. Tell my father those words.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, you were very boastful when you came
here; do you feel brave now?” demanded Standing
Wolf.</p>
<p>“A Delaware is always brave,” replied Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“Well, we will see about it,” Standing Wolf
declared, warningly.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Have you any words now?” he inquired scornfully.</p>
<p>Running Fox was covered with welts and gashes,
but his eyes flashed as defiantly as ever. He ignored
the taunt, and remained silent.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“O Getanittowit, help me,” whispered Running
Fox. “O Getanittowit, make me strong.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<h1 id='t5924'>CHAPTER XV—A BATTLE WITH THE CHIPPEWAS</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, let us go over there, and see what is going
to happen,” proposed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Perhaps that will make the Mohawks mad,”
suggested Running Fox.</p>
<p>“Well, that may be true,” replied Spotted
Deer. “But I am going to see how near I can
get.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I would like to kill that man,” declared Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“I believe he bears a charmed life,” said
Running Fox. “We must find out how he gets his
power before we can kill him.”</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“It is the mysterious medicine-bundle!” Spotted
Deer whispered, excitedly.</p>
<p>“Do not talk—watch,” Running Fox cautioned
him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe we will find it in the lodge of that
medicine-man,” declared Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“No, I believe it is in the lodge of Standing
Wolf,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>“Well, if that is true perhaps some bad Medicine
Creatures will kill us if we go into the lodge,”
Spotted Deer suggested, solemnly.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“How will you get away?” inquired Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“When I have that big medicine thing I will
be able to do anything,” Running Fox assured
him.</p>
<p>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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now perhaps we will see how this great chief
gets his power,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“We will try to watch him,” replied Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The foolish Chippewas have come a long distance
to get here, but we will soon chase them away,”
declared the Mohawk lad.</p>
<p>“Perhaps it will not be so easy,” suggested
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“You will see,” laughed the young Mohawk.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“See, those warriors are talking about us,” said
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“We have done a bad thing to show ourselves,”
Running Fox declared, uneasily.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Something is going to happen to us,” said
Running Fox.</p>
<p>“Come, we will move back into the lodge,” proposed
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“It is bad,” agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“One of the scouts has come into the camp to
tell about something,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Listen!” cried Running Fox. “The Chippewas
have come.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The fight has begun!” Spotted Deer cried, excitedly.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Listen, the Mohawks are on the outside of the
camp!” Running Fox cried, a few moments later.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe the Chippewas have got into the
camp!” declared Spotted Deer. “We will see if
the great Standing Wolf can drive them out.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, the Mohawks have won a big battle,”
said Spotted Deer, as the sounds of conflict gradually
subsided.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“You are a Mohawk, but you are a good
friend,” Running Fox said, warmly.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“See, they do not free our hands and feet,” said
Spotted Deer. “I believe the Chippewas have
made an opening into the camp.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<h1 id='t6493'>CHAPTER XVI—THE ESCAPE</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe that is true,” agreed Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Yes, I am watching them,” replied Spotted
Deer. “We will take some meat, and go back to
the lodge.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Hi, that was a great fight,” laughed Spotted
Deer, when they were safely in the lodge.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“You have come to us like a good friend,” replied
Running Fox. “We will keep thinking
about your words.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“I believe they are either hunters or scouts,”
said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“No, I do not believe that,” Spotted Deer assured
him. “He is our friend. He will not do
anything to harm us.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Those are hard things to do,” said Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Running Fox, if you do that you will surely
be killed,” warned Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“No, I will not get caught,” Running Fox assured
him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, what have you done?” Running Fox inquired,
sharply.</p>
<p>“I have brought some things to fight with,”
said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“You have been very brave,” said Running
Fox. “But perhaps the Mohawks will miss these
things. Then it may make trouble for us.”</p>
<p>“I do not believe anything will come of it,”
laughed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Well, we must hide them with great care,”
said Running Fox.</p>
<p>“No, we must not hide them, we must use them,”
Spotted Deer declared, excitedly. “Running Fox,
I have found the mysterious medicine-bundle!”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“What I tell you is true,” Spotted Deer assured
him. “The mysterious medicine-bundle is
hanging in the sacred medicine-lodge.”</p>
<p>“How did you know about it?” inquired Running
Fox.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Jump up there!” shouted Running Fox, when
he reached Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The Mohawks are here, jump down and save
yourself,” cried Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>Running Fox took no heed of the warning. Instead
he lay across the top of the stockade, and
reached down to rescue Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Jump up, I will help you!” he shouted.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Come, we must ran fast!” cried Running Fox,
as he dashed for the woods.</p>
<p>“I will follow you,” replied Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t7085'>CHAPTER XVII—PURSUED BY THE ENEMY</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Well, if they come up with us, we will stop and
kill them,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“We have few arrows,” Running Fox warned
him.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“That may be true,” Running Fox agreed,
hopefully.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Here they are—watch sharp!” cried Running
Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we will get away,” he laughed, as the
other dogs drew their tails between their legs and
scurried toward the village.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The Mohawks have surrounded us,” Spotted
Deer said, uneasily.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The Mohawks are all around us,” whispered
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“We will do as you say,” agreed Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we will soon be with our people,” laughed
Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“We will find much danger before we reach
them,” Running Fox warned him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Look, those warriors are coming to the shore,”
whispered Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“When it gets dark I am going to swim across
the water, and get that canoe,” he told Running
Fox.</p>
<p>The latter shook his head. It was some moments
before he replied.</p>
<p>“No, you must not do that,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“I will watch sharp,” Spotted Deer assured
him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Go. I will watch for you,” said Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Paddle hard!” cried Running Fox. “They
will swim out and try to catch us.”</p>
<p>“We will get by them,” declared Spotted Deer.
“Keep watching ahead.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Now we are safe,” said Spotted Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, I believe we have got away,” replied
Running Fox. “You have done a great thing.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well, we have fooled them,” declared Spotted
Deer.</p>
<p>“Yes, that is true,” replied Running Fox. “But
I believe they will bring a great war-party to fight
us.”</p>
<h1 id='t7488'>CHAPTER XVIII—THE IROQUOIS BLUNDER INTO A TRAP</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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!”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“How do you know that?” Black Panther
asked, sharply.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Sky Dog, I will do as you tell me,” replied
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“The river was covered with canoes,” declared
an excited Delaware scout.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<h1 id='t7902'>CHAPTER XIX—THE ATTACK ON THE DELAWARE CAMP</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“My son, you have done a good thing,” he told
Running Fox.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“That is good,” declared Black Panther. “Now
we know that the Mohawks are all together.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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!”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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!”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h1 id='t8125'>CHAPTER XX—VICTORY</h1>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Light the fires! Light the fires!” cried the
warriors near the point of attack.</p>
<p>“No, no, not yet!” shouted Black Panther.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Light the fires! Light the fires!” screamed the
Delawares.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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!”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“It is the Medicine Spirits!” cried the Delawares,
as they ran to his support.</p>
<p>“Yes, I have the power!” shouted Running Fox.
“Come, you must follow me!”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;'>THE END</p>
<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43864 ***</div>
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