“Well, that may be true,” replied Spotted Deer. “But I am going to see how near I can get.”
A moment afterward they were hurrying toward the center of the camp. They had not gone far, however, when they encountered a surly looking old woman who instantly challenged them. Pointing toward the lodge which they had just left she made them understand that they were to return at once. To be ordered about by a toothless old woman was a rather humiliating experience for the high tempered young Delawares, especially as they saw a number of warriors looking on with great amusement. For a moment, therefore, the lads held their ground. This drove the old woman into a wild rage, and she immediately seized a stick and began to beat them. Realizing that further resistance might lead to more serious consequences the Delawares began to walk slowly toward their lodge. The old woman was not satisfied, however, and she tried to make them run. A great crowd had gathered to watch her, and the Delawares heard much jeering and laughing at their expense. Carried away by anger, Spotted Deer suddenly wheeled and sprang at his tormentor, yelling so fiercely that the old woman dropped her stick and hobbled away as fast as she could go. The Mohawks were quick to see the humorous side of the incident, and laughed good naturedly.
“I believe that old woman is a witch,” Running Fox declared, angrily, when they reached the lodge. “She made us look foolish. Some time I will kill many Mohawks to wipe that out of my heart.”
“She made me very mad,” replied Spotted Deer. “Well, I frightened her, and now all the people are laughing about it. We must watch out. She will try to harm us.”
Then their thoughts were diverted by the appearance of Standing Wolf and a number of the principal men of the tribe. They stood in the middle of the camp, and the Mohawks formed around them. There was a few moments of silence, and then the Mohawk chief addressed his people. The eyes of the Delawares glowed threateningly as they watched him, for he was a cruel, relentless foe whom they had learned to hate.
“I would like to kill that man,” declared Spotted Deer.
“I believe he bears a charmed life,” said Running Fox. “We must find out how he gets his power before we can kill him.”
“When Standing Wolf had finished speaking he called the father of the lad who had befriended the Delawares, and the medicine-man approached with something wrapped in a small black bearskin. Then he drew off the robe, and presented Standing Wolf with what appeared to be a small bundle of bird and animal skins.
“It is the mysterious medicine-bundle!” Spotted Deer whispered, excitedly.
“Do not talk—watch,” Running Fox cautioned him.