Dawn was showing in the east when they finally neared the end of the trail. Running Fox stopped and imitated the bark of Woakus, the fox. He expected an immediate response. It failed to come. He listened uneasily. The silence aroused his suspicions. In a few moments he repeated the signal. Many moments passed. The baffling silence continued.
"It is mysterious," he whispered.
"Are our people here?" Spotted Deer asked, anxiously.
"Yes, they were close by," Running Fox assured him.
Fear had suddenly gripped his heart. He was perplexed and startled by the strange silence of his comrades. It suggested alarming possibilities. Perhaps the Shawnees had escaped. It seemed impossible. Perhaps a company of Shawnees had found and overpowered Yellow Wolf and his companions. His courage weakened at the thought.
"Something bad has happened," he told Spotted Deer. "We must watch out."
"Listen," whispered Spotted Deer.
A twig had snapped somewhere in the undergrowth beside the trail. They fitted arrows to their bows, and looked expectantly into the shadows. The woods were still dark, and it was impossible to see into the cover. They listened in trying suspense. Then they heard the low, plaintive notes of the little white-throated sparrow. It was close at hand. Running Fox took hope.
"It must be Yellow Wolf; that is his signal," he said.
"Be cautious," Spotted Deer warned him.