“No, I will not get caught,” Running Fox assured him.
Late that night Running Fox left the lodge, and stole quietly through the camp until he reached the stockade. It was the first time he had dared to approach it, and as he crept cautiously along in its shadow his heart beat fast with excitement. He knew that if he were discovered it would mean death not only for himself, but for Spotted Deer as well. The thought made him careful. Stealthily, a stride at a time, he moved toward the entrance of the camp. When he finally came near it, he stopped to listen. All seemed safe, however, and he went on. In a few moments he reached the great barricade of logs that closed the stockade. He spent some time trying to move them, but without result. It was apparent that it would require the united efforts of a number of strong men to open the way into the village. Realizing the folly of wasting his strength, Running Fox turned his attention to the upper part of the stockade. He found that by climbing on top of the logs that formed the barricade he was more than half-way to the top of the stockade. The discovery filled him with delight. He believed that by placing Spotted Deer on the barricade and standing upon his shoulders he might be able to spring up and grasp the top of the stockade. Then he knew it would be possible to draw himself to the top. Once there he felt quite sure that he could reach down, and find a way to rescue Spotted Deer.
When Running Fox returned to the lodge he found that Spotted Deer had disappeared. The discovery filled him with alarm. He wondered what it meant. All sorts of startling possibilities flashed into his mind. However, while he was trying to puzzle it out Spotted Deer appeared.
“Well, what have you done?” Running Fox inquired, sharply.
“I have brought some things to fight with,” said Spotted Deer.
He had scouted about the camp, and found two bows, a war-club and a case of arrows. Running Fox listened to the story of his exploit in amazement. Spotted Deer said that he had entered two lodges, and moved cautiously among the sleepers until he found what he wanted. Once he had been compelled to lie in the shadows while a warrior passed within bow-length of him.
“You have been very brave,” said Running Fox. “But perhaps the Mohawks will miss these things. Then it may make trouble for us.”
“I do not believe anything will come of it,” laughed Spotted Deer.
“Well, we must hide them with great care,” said Running Fox.
“No, we must not hide them, we must use them,” Spotted Deer declared, excitedly. “Running Fox, I have found the mysterious medicine-bundle!”