The current carried him a little distance down the stream, and he landed some ten or twelve yards below the spot where Red Goliath had left his boat.
Thanks to his buckskin garments, the water did not soak through, and after emerging from the river Mason found himself little the worse for his swim.
What to do now might have puzzled some old stagers; but the boy's action was prompt and to the point.
Stepping up to the boat, he felt along the side until his hand came in contact with a ring, and when this was found he gave an exclamation of satisfaction.
Leaving the water he struck off in the same direction the giant had taken but a few moments before, passing by the dead Indian without even halting to examine the body.
Red Goliath must have been moving very slowly and cautiously after his fight, for Mason, who had, either through good luck or excellent management, hit upon the exact line of travel pursued by the giant, caught up with him before the outskirts of the village were gained. A moving form, crouching low, and yet showing the immense bulk in spite of this proceeding, was seen not ten yards ahead of him.
This was what attracted Mason's eye and kept him on the watch.
When the first lodges were passed, the danger thickened around our boy friend.
He had two sources to guard against, the giant on the one hand and the inhabitants of the village he was in the midst of on the other.
It may be surmised from this that Mason was very careful of his movements.