h
high grass growing luxuriantly in the open. In the grass his eye also
helped him, because at a point straight ahead the tall stems were moving
slightly in a direction opposed to the wind. He took the knife in his teeth
and went on, sure that bold means would be best.

The stalking warrior who in his turn was stalked did not hear him until he
was near, and then, startled, he sprang to his feet, knife in hand. Tayoga
snatched his own from his teeth and stood erect facing him. The warrior, a
Huron, was the heavier though not the taller of the two, and recognizing an
enemy, a hated Iroquois, he stared fiercely into the eyes that were so
close to his. Then he struck, but, agile as a panther, Tayoga leaped aside,
and the next instant his own blade went home. The Huron sank down without a
sound, and the Onondaga stood over him, the spirit of his ancestors
swelling in fierce triumph.

But the feeling soon died in the heart of Tayoga. His second nature, which
was that of his white training and association, prevailed. He was sorry
that he had been compelled to take life, and, dragging the heavy body much
farther away, he hid it in the bushes. Then, making a circle through the
forest to assure himself that no other enemies were near, he went swiftly
back to the thicket and lay down again between his blankets. He had a
curious feeling that he did not want Robert to know what had happened.

Tayoga remained awake the remainder of the night, and, although he did not
stir again from the thicket, he kept a vigilant watch. He would hear any
sound within a hundred yards and he would know what it was, but there was
none save the rustlings of the little animals, and dawn came, peaceful and
clear. Robert moved, threw off the buffalo robe and stood up among the
bushes.

"A big sleep and a fine sleep, Tayoga," he said.

"It was a good time for Dagaeoga to sleep," said the Onondaga.

"I was warm, and your Tododaho watched over me."

"Aye, Dagaeoga, Tododaho was watching well last night."

"And you slept well, too, Tayoga?"

"I slept as I should, Dagaeoga. No man can ask more."

"Philosophical and true. It's breakfast now, slices of deer, and water of a
brook. Deer is good, Tayoga, but I'm beginning to find I could do without
it for quite a long time. I envy Dave the fat goose he had, and I don't
wonder that he ate it all at one time. Maybe we could find a juicy goose or
duck this morning."

"But we have the deer and the Great Bear