ed, lying with his ear to the ground.

"Dunno. T'ree--four mebbe."

They had not long to wait. Almost as Jerry was speaking the figure of an
Indian came into view, running with that tireless trot that can wear out
any wild animal that roams the woods.

"Copperhead!" whispered Cameron, tightening his belt and making as if to
rise.

"Wait!" replied Jerry. "One more."

Following Copperhead, and running not close upon him but at some
distance behind, came another Indian, then another, till three had
passed their hiding-place.

"Four against two, Jerry," said Cameron. "That is all right. They have
their knives, I see, but only one gun. We have no guns and only one
knife. But Jerry, we can go in and kill them with our bare hands."

Jerry nodded carelessly. He had fought too often against much greater
odds in Police battles to be unduly disturbed at the present odds.

Silently and at a safe distance behind they fell into the wake of the
running Indians, Jerry with his moccasined feet leading the way. Mile
after mile they followed the trail, ever on the alert for the doubling
back of those whom they were pursuing. Suddenly Cameron heard a sharp
hiss from Jerry in front. Swiftly he flung himself into the brush and
lay still. Within a minute he saw coming back upon the trail an Indian,
silent as a shadow and listening at every step. The Indian passed his
hiding-place and for some minutes Cameron lay watching until he saw him
return in the same stealthy manner. After some minutes had elapsed a
soft hiss from Jerry brought Cameron cautiously out upon the trail once
more.

"All right," whispered Jerry. "All Indians pass on before." And once
more they went forward.

A second time during the afternoon Jerry's warning hiss sent Cameron
into the brush to allow an Indian to scout his back trail. It was clear
that the presence of Cameron and the half-breed upon the Ghost River
trail had awakened the suspicion in Copperhead's mind that the plan to
hold a powwow at Manitou Rock was known to the Police and that they were
on his trail. It became therefore increasingly evident to Cameron that
any plan that involved the possibility of taking Copperhead unawares
would have to be abandoned. He called Jerry back to him.

"Jerry," he said, "if that Indian doubles back on his track again I mean
to get him. If we get him the other chaps will follow. If I only had a
gun! But this knife is no use to me."

"Give heem to me," said Jerry ea