"Did you see them?" Running Fox asked, anxiously.
"No, I did not see them but I heard many signals," Crooked Foot told him.
"It is enough—we must go," said Running Fox.
When they returned to their companions, they found Dancing Owl crouching above the Shawnee and threatening to drive his knife into his heart. He rose as Running Fox hurried forward, and laughed mischievously. Running Fox went to the Shawnee chief, and commanded him to sit up. Big Dog obeyed. Then Running Fox addressed him.
"Big Dog, listen to my words," he said. "I am about to give you your life. I am doing this thing because I went to your village and took my brother from your people. If your people had killed my brother, I would have killed you. I told them I would let you go. I am a Delaware. A Delaware makes his words come true. Now listen close. I am about to take that thing out of your mouth. Then I am going away. If you shout out before I am far away, I will come back and kill you. If you keep quiet a long time, you will live to see your brothers. Yes, I believe they will find you. Keep my words."
Running Fox stooped and untied the buckskin gag. Then the other Shawnee sat up. Running Fox laughed fiercely.
"Striking Bear, I will leave you as you are," he said. "You did many bad things to my brother. He wants to kill you. If you know my words, listen sharp. Take care what you do if you wish to live."
"Come, Delaware, untie my hands and give me my weapons," Big Dog cried, angrily.
"Wait for your brothers," laughed Running Fox. "But do not try to call them. Remember what I have told you."
The Delawares left the enraged Shawnees and hurried down the eastern slope of the ridge. They felt quite certain that the sly Shawnee chief would lose little time in calling his tribesmen. They were barely half-way down the ridge when they heard him shouting.