"My brother can look," Curumilla said simply.
Valentine dismounted and stooped to the ground. The Indian showed him a half-effaced footstep, which still bore, however, the shape of a horseshoe. The hunter looked at it for some time with the utmost attention, then began walking cautiously in the direction the hoof marks seemed to go. Others soon presented themselves to him. His comrades had stopped, and silently awaited his explanation.
"Well!" Don Miguel at length said.
"There is no doubt possible," Valentine answered, as if speaking to himself, "Red Cedar has passed along here."
"What," the general observed, "do you believe it?"
"I am sure of it. The chief has just shown me the perfectly formed mark of his horse's hoof."
"Oh! Oh!" Don Miguel objected, "a horseshoe is a very slight sign; all are alike."
"Yes, as one tree resembles the other," Valentine answered quickly. "Listen: the chief has observed that the squatter, I know not by what accident, is mounted on a horse shod on all four feet, while the men composing his band have theirs only shod on the front feet; in addition, this horse in stepping throws back its feet, which causes the mark to be indistinct."
"In truth," Bloodson remarked, "the observation is correct, and only an Indian could make it; but Red Cedar is at the head of a numerous party, which cannot have passed along this way, or we should notice the trail."
"That is true," the general said; "what do you conclude from that?"