Part 52 (1/2)
”Not the warriors,” he added quietly.
”What in heaven's name do you mean?” I demanded. But we were already within sight of the others, and I heeded the cautioning touch of his hand on my arm, and was silent.
When we came up to them I said:
”There are no riffles to indicate a ford”--which was true enough--”and on the sand were only moccasin tracks a week old.”
”The Black-Snake saw them,” said the Wyandotte, so frankly and calmly that my growing but indefinite suspicions of his loyalty were arrested for the moment.
”Why did not the Black-Snake report them?” I asked.
”They were St. Regis, and a week old, as my brother says.” And he smiled at us all so confidingly that I could no longer believe ill of him.
”Nevertheless,” said I, ”we will range out on either flank as far as the ford which should be less than a mile down stream.” And I placed the Wyandotte between both Oneidas and on the forest side; and as the valley was dry and open under its huge standing timber, I myself led, notching the trail and keeping a lively eye to the left, wherever I caught a glimpse of water sparkling.
Presently the Mohican halted in view of the river-bank, making a sign for me to join him, which I did, briefly bidding the Stockbridge Mole to notch the trees in my stead.
”A canoe has pa.s.sed,” said the Sagamore calmly.
”What! You saw it?”
”No, Loskiel. But there was spray on a boulder in a calm pool.”
”Perhaps a deer crossed, or a mink or otter crawled across the stone.”
”No; the drops were many, but they lay like the first drops of a rain, separate and distinct.”
”A great fish leaping might have spattered it.”
”There was no wash against the rock from any fish-swirl.”
”Then you believe that there is a canoe ahead of us going with the current?”
”An hour ahead--less, I think.”
”Why an hour?”
”The sun is low; the river boulders are not hot. Water might dry on them in an hour or less. These drops were nearly dry, save one or two where the sun made them s.h.i.+ne.”
”A careless paddle-stroke did it,” I said in a low voice.
”No Indian is careless.”
”What do you mean by that?”
”I mean, Loskiel, that the boulder was splashed purposely, or that there are white men in that canoe.”
”Splashed purposely?” I said, bewildered.
”Perhaps. The Black-Snake had the river watch--until you changed our stations.”