The following day they again scouted carefully through the woods in search of the Mohawk camp. This time, however, they remained together and turned toward the north. Running Fox felt convinced that the village was somewhere in that direction, and as he was the leader Spotted Deer was content to rely upon his judgment.
“I believe there must be a trail going toward that camp,” declared Spotted Deer.
“Well, I did not hear our people say anything about it,” replied Running Fox.
Nevertheless they determined to keep a sharp watch for anything that looked like an opening through the forest. They continued toward the north for half of the day, and then Running Fox proposed that they should circle toward the west.
“That will bring us near the place where you saw something that looked like smoke,” he told Spotted Deer.
“Well, I am not sure about what I saw, but I believe it would be a good thing to go over there, and look around,” said Spotted Deer.
Then for a long time they traveled in silence. Running Fox seemed moody and thoughtful, and Spotted Deer made no attempt to rouse him. The latter realized that a war-leader had many responsibilities, and he felt quite sure that Running Fox was meditating upon some plan for bringing success to his undertaking.
“Spotted Deer, there are two things that trouble me,” Running Fox said, finally.
Spotted Deer remained silent. He knew that it would not do to question a war-leader unless the latter chose to enlighten him.
“First I am troubled because I have not found Gokhos, the great white Medicine Owl,” continued Running Fox. “If we had the skin of that mysterious bird I believe much good would come of it. But I am troubled about another thing. Yes, I am troubled about the Shawnees. They have come into this country to fight the Mohawks. It is a bad thing for us. I believe the Mohawks will keep many warriors around the village. Well, now I will tell you something different. I have set out to do this thing, and I am going through with it no matter what happens to me.”