eart. His breath had come
painfully, and the thongs of the snowshoes were chafing his ankles
terribly. But those minutes were worth a year. Fresh air poured into his
lungs, and the muscles became elastic once more. In so brief a space he
had recreated himself.

Resuming his flight, he went at a steady pace, resolved not to do his
utmost unless the enemy came in sight. About ten minutes later he heard
a cry far behind him, and he believed it to be a signal from some Indian
to the others that the trail was found again. But with so much advantage
he felt sure that he was now quite safe. He ran, although at decreased
speed, for about two hours more, and then he sat down on the upthrust
root of a great oak. Here he depended most upon his ears. The forest was
so silent that he could hear any noise at a great distance, but there
was none. Trusting to his ears to warn him, he would remain there a long
time for a thorough rest. He even dared to take off his snowshoes that
he might rub his sore ankles, but he wrapped his heavy blanket about his
body, lest he take deep cold in cooling off in such a temperature after
so long a flight.

He sat enjoying a half hour, golden like the five minutes, and then he
saw, outlined against the bright, moonlit sky, something that told him
he must be on the alert again. It was a single ring of smoke, like that
from a cigar, only far greater. It rose steadily, untroubled by wind
until it was dissipated. It meant "attention!" and presently it was
followed by a column of such rings, one following another beautifully.
The column said: "The foe is near." Henry read the Indian signs
perfectly. The rings were made by covering a little fire with a blanket
for a moment and then allowing the smoke to ascend. On clear days such
signals could be seen a distance of thirty miles or more, and he knew
that they were full of significance.

Evidently the Iroquois party had divided into two or more bands. One had
found his trail, and was signaling to the other. The party sending up
the smoke might be a half mile away, but the others, although his trail
was yet hidden from them, might be nearer. It was again time for flight.

He swiftly put on the snowshoes, neglecting no thong or lace, folded the
blanket on his back again, and, leaving the friendly root, started
once more. He ran forward at moderate speed for perhaps a mile, when he
suddenly heard triumphant yells on both right and left. A strong party
of Iroqu