Does my brother see that tall pine standing on the edge of the rocks, with dead limbs in the top? A few feet from the top of that tree is the bowl. In that bowl lie concealed the destroyers of my race. Brother, do you see the smothered smoke that arises from their Council fires? I must hear their plans.
Yes, and lose your life in the adventure, said Quick.
Possibly yes—probably no. But they must be circumvented. Follow me.
They both started down the rocks, and reaching the river, stepped into a canoe, and paddled for the Climbing Tree. ([See Appendix.])
CLIMBING TREE
It was now dark. Quick paddled the canoe through the still waters of Long Track, through Butler’s Falls, and entered Mongaup Eddy, and continued until they were opposite the Climbing Tree.
Not a word had been spoken. Cahoonshee stepped out of the canoe, and as he did so whispered in his companion’s ear:
Watch, and remain silent! and then disappeared in the impenetrable darkness.
Cahoonshee climbed the tree and came in full view of the Salamanques. They had gathered there in large numbers, and had with them their squaws and papooses. The fire at which the Chiefs sat was within a few feet of where Cahoonshee stood, and he could hear what they said as easily as if he had sat in their midst. It was mid-night when the Council broke up. Cahoonshee returned to the river.