“No, we must wait until we are sure they have found us,” cautioned Running Fox.
A moment afterward they saw the wisdom of his advice, for the two Mohawks turned and disappeared after their comrades. The Delawares looked after them in wide-eyed astonishment. They could scarcely believe that they had gone.
“See, the robe Wisawanik gave us hides us from our enemies,” said Running Fox. “Yes, Ahas flew over us, and could not find us. Then the boastful Mohawks looked into this tree, and could not see us.”
“Perhaps the Mohawks have gone to tell their friends about us,” suggested Spotted Deer. “Perhaps they will come back.”
“No, they would not leave us here to get away,” replied Running Fox. “I believe that warrior was looking at this great tree. Yes, I believe he was telling his friend something about it. Perhaps something happened to him at this place. I do not believe he saw us.”
However, the lads watched anxiously for some time after the Mohawks had disappeared. More than once they thought they heard them returning, but as the time passed and they failed to appear the Delawares began to hope that they had actually left the swamp. They had little doubt that other Mohawks were stationed along the boundaries of the swamp, and they believed it would be folly to attempt to leave their hiding place before their foes had abandoned the search. They felt quite certain that the Mohawks would loiter along the edge of the swamp through the night, hoping that the fugitives would attempt to escape under cover of darkness. Therefore, the wily Delawares determined to remain in the swamp until the following day.
“It is the best thing to do,” declared Running Fox. “If the Mohawks do not hear anything of us when it grows dark, then I believe they will give up the hunt. Yes, I believe they will go away before the next sun appears.”
“You are a good leader,” Spotted Dear declared, loyally, “You have fooled the Mohawks. Now I believe we will get out of here.”
CHAPTER X—SPOTTED DEER DISAPPEARS
The night passed without alarm, and at daylight the Delawares began to listen for signals. As the time passed, and they neither saw nor heard anything of the Mohawks, they believed that they had finally abandoned the pursuit.