“I’ll lean on you and walk,” Angry Wolf replied.
Little Eagle kicked dirt over the fire. He brushed about the camping place with a small branch. It wasn’t possible to hide the signs that they had been there, but by brushing over the ground, Little Eagle made it difficult for anyone to judge how long they had been gone.
Angry Wolf had difficulty walking. The first two or three steps he was able to go by placing his hand lightly on Little Eagle’s shoulder. He rapidly grew weaker and had to lean heavily on Little Eagle. They went slowly, stopping often to rest. The day was half gone by the time they reached the stream. Angry Wolf was so exhausted that he sprawled on the ground and immediately fell asleep.
The next few days were busy ones for Little Eagle. Twice a day he made a scouting trip around their camp. He built a lean-to which would protect them in case of a storm. He brought the rest of the meat into camp and tied it in a nearby tree. Whenever he could find time, he added to the supply of firewood.
Angry Wolf gained strength slowly. The first two days after his long walk to camp, he spent most of the time sleeping. The third day he managed to walk to the creek for water. That evening the poultice fell from his wound. When Little Eagle looked at the wound, he found that it was completely closed.
“In another day or two I’ll be able to travel,” Angry Wolf said confidently.
“I’m sure you will,” Little Eagle agreed.
The fourth morning Little Eagle started the day by making his usual scouting trip. He crossed the stream and went south to the first row of hills. As he was going up the hill, he stopped and sniffed the air. The wind was blowing from the other side of the hill toward him. It carried a faint odor of wood smoke. He used all the skill he had to reach the top of the hill without giving warning to whoever was on the other side of it.
His first glance from the top of the hill showed him that there was no one camping in the valley below. There were only two trees in the valley. The branches on them were so high that Little Eagle would have been able to see any camp under them. But the smell of smoke was stronger.
“The camp must be across the hill on the other side of this valley,” Little Eagle told himself.