However, as the familiar gobble again rolled through the woods Running Fox was compelled to acknowledge that he found it entirely natural. Still he was not satisfied.
“This is not the time when Gulukochsun sounds his war-cry,” he declared, suspiciously.
“I have been thinking about that,” replied Spotted Deer.
Then as they continued to listen they heard an answer. It sounded as if it came from the opposite side of the river. The lads looked at each other and nodded significantly. When they heard the call a second time they detected several strange notes that proclaimed it false. They felt certain that it came from a human throat.
“Perhaps some hunter is trying to draw Gulukochsun over there,” suggested Spotted Deer.
“No, I do not believe it,” said Running Fox. “A hunter would come over here to find Gulukochsun.”
“Yes, that is true,” agreed Spotted Deer.
The counterfeit call was soon answered, and then the gobbling ceased. The lads were filled with suspicion. They began to mistrust that both calls were false. They believed that Iroquois scouts were again exchanging signals.
“Perhaps these are the same people who talked with the words of Gokhos,” said Spotted Deer.
“Yes, that may be true,” replied Running Fox. “Well, I believe they are going to meet down there at the water. We will steal down there and have a look at them.”