“The Shawnees are close, we must travel faster,” said Running Fox.
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.
“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.”
“I do not see any other way to do,” replied Spotted Deer.
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.
“Perhaps it is not near that water,” suggested Spotted Deer. “Perhaps we have gone the wrong way.”
“No, I do not believe it,” said Running Fox,
“I am thinking about something different. The Mohawks are at war with the Shawnees. Perhaps they are afraid to make fires.”
“Then how can we find the camp?” inquired Spotted Deer.
“I believe it will be a hard thing to do,” replied Running Fox. “We must ask Getanittowit to help us.”