They rose and returned to the prisoners. The sun was dropping toward the western ridges. The day was far spent. Running Fox was impatient. He had planned to make his bold attempt to free Spotted Deer early in the night. He realized that there was little time to learn what he wished to know. He watched anxiously as Yellow Wolf approached the Shawnees and addressed them in their dialect.
"Come, come, Big Dog, open your eyes," he said, sharply, as he studied the faces of his foes.
Two of the Shawnees glanced quickly at their companion. His face clouded with anger. Yellow Wolf laughed and turned to Running Fox.
"There is the great chief Big Dog," he said, as he pointed toward the Shawnee who had been betrayed by his friends.
"It is good," declared Running Fox.
As Turning Eagle continued to watch the prisoners, the other Delawares again withdrew to talk. Then Running Fox explained his plans.
"Yellow Wolf, you are as sly as Sanquen, the weasel," he laughed. "My brothers, Yellow Wolf found out what we wished to know. It is good. Now I will tell you what I propose to do. I am going to talk to those Shawnees. I am going to tell them about Spotted Deer. I am going to tell them that they must help us. I am going to ask one of those warriors to go to the Shawnee village with me. I am going to ask him to talk to his people. When he gives them my words, I believe they will let Spotted Deer walk out."
"Running Fox, if you do this thing I believe you will surely be killed," Painted Hawk declared, soberly.
"That Shawnee will tell his people to kill you," said Dancing Owl.
"No, I do not believe it," replied Running Fox. "Come, we will go and tell the Shawnees about it. You must listen sharp to my words."