“That’s the idee; you’re right; them canoes show that the varmints are on the travel. Most likely they’ve come from t’other side the mountains and are going back ag’in.”
“Perhaps they’re the same ones whose lodges I saw the other day, and from whom I had such a narrow escape.”
“Like enough, and it’s my opine that they’ve had something to do with the taking off of little pet.”
Harry started and stared at the hunter in amazement.
“Can it be possible? She is then a prisoner in their lands?”
“Mind I didn’t say that,” replied Old Ruff, in his cautious fashion, “but there be some things which I can’t tell you just now that make me think them varmints are mixed up in this business, some way or other, and it’ll pay to take a look around thar camp, even if we don’t l’arn nothin’.”
And with characteristic promptness, when he had fully settled in his mind upon the proper course to pursue, old Robsart started off at a rapid walk in the direction of the camp of hostile Blackfeet, determined, no matter at what risk, to learn whether there was any thing to be picked up among these savage foes.
CHAPTER IV.
BETWEEN TWO FIRES.
Two hours from the time of starting, Old Ruff and Harry Northend were within a hundred yards of the Blackfoot camp.
Fortunately for them, they halted in the midst of a dense growth of pines, where they had plenty of opportunity to maneuver and keep themselves invisible.