"Suppose we follow it, Great Bear. It is our business to keep guard and carry word to Amherst."
"Good enough. Lead and I'll follow."
"It is not the step of a warrior hunting," said Tayoga, as they pursued the traces. "The paces are even, regular and long. He goes swiftly, not looking for anything as he goes, but because he wishes to reach a destination as soon as possible. Ah, now he stopped and he leaned against this bush, two of the stems of which are broken! I do not know what he stopped for, Great Bear, but it may have been to give a signal, though that is but a surmise. Now he goes on, again walking straight and swift. Ah, another trail coming from the west joining his and the two warriors walk together!"
The two followed the double trail a mile or more in silence, and then it was joined by the traces of three more warriors. The five evidently had stood there, talking a little while, after which they had scattered.
"Now, what does that mean?" exclaimed the hunter.
"I think if we follow every one of the five trails," said Tayoga, "we will find that the men lay down in the bush. It is certain in my mind, Great Bear, that they were preparing for a battle, and they were but a part of a much larger force hidden in these thickets."
"Now, that's interesting, Tayoga. Let's look around and see if we can find where more of the warriors lay."
They circled to the right, and presently they came upon traces where three men had knelt behind bushes. The imprints of both knees and toes were plain.
"They were here a long time," said Tayoga, "because they have moved about much within a little space. In places the ground is kneaded by their knees. And lo! Great Bear, here on the bush several of the young leaves are burned. Now, you and I know well what alone would do that at such a time."
"It was done by the flash from a big musket, such a musket as those French Indians carry."