The leader of the Delawares saw plainly that Lone-Elk’s proposal pleased his people.
“Then shall it be as the Seneca says,” he made answer, and waiting to hear nothing more, Fishing Bird, with a glance across the lake to make certain the white boys were still fishing near the far-away shore, turned slowly into the woods. He walked with lagging steps only until the village was left well behind, then eagerly dashed forward at a run.
CHAPTER III—THE WARNING
“Now just-one more!”
“Oh, look a’here! that’s what you’ve been saying for a half hour or more! You see where the sun is, don’t you!”
“All right, then, I don’t care; but there’s-a regular whale almost on my hook and it’s too bad to-disappoint him,” the first speaker returned. Even as he answered, however, he drew in the long, heavy fishing pole he held and followed his companion’s example in winding his line on a broad, flat stick notched at both ends.
It was time, indeed, that the day’s sport be ended. The autumn sun was scarcely visible through the branches of the trees to the west. The air, so soft and warm at mid-day, was growing cold, and six miles or more lay between the young fishermen and the homely but snug log cabin which was their home, and whose pleasant fire and comforts the nipping wind now made doubly attractive.
Those of you who have read “Far Past the Frontier” or “Connecticut Boys in the Western Reserve” will have recognized in the two fisher lads thus introduced Return Kingdom and John Jerome, once more in the Ohio wilderness to complete their home-making after the trying times of the preceding spring and winter, ending, as you know, with the recovery of the hidden fortune which cost so many lives and for which so many searched in vain.
Of course it was John,—slight of figure but strong, tough and wiry as a wolf, and full of fun as a lively young fellow of eighteen or so could be, who had shown such reluctance to put away his line and yield no longer to the temptation to try for “just one more.”
Of course it was Ree Kingdom, tall and broad shouldered, who pointed out the fast-setting sun and recognized the necessity of starting homeward before darkness hid the way. Somehow it always was left to Ree to guide and direct. His quiet manner, energy, resourcefulness and thoughtfulness made him naturally the leader. He was very little older than his lifelong friend, Jerome, but the latter was always willing that Ree should be the captain in all their various enterprises. And yet it may well be said that John was a very agreeable and helpful private in all undertakings, whether in matters of work, matters of sport and recreation, or matters involving their common safety in this wild country of Ohio where they had set about to establish their home and at the same time carry on a profitable trade with the Indians.