had nothing when he sought the
goose. We will even make the best of what we have, and take no risk."

"It was merely a happy thought of mine, and I didn't expect it to be
accepted. My happiest thoughts are approved by myself alone, and so I'll
keep 'em to myself. My second-rate thoughts are for others, over the heads
of whom they will not pass."

"Dagaeoga is in a good humor this morning."

"It is because I slept so well last night. Now, having had a sufficiency of
the deer I shall seek a brook. I'm pretty sure to find one in the low
ground over there."

He started to the right, but Tayoga immediately suggested that he go to
the left--the hidden body of the warrior lay in the bushes on the
right--and Robert, never dreaming of the reason, tried the left where he
found plenty of good water. Tayoga also drank, and with some regret they
left the lair in the bushes.

"It was a good house," said Robert. "It lacked only walls, a roof and a
floor, and it had an abundance of fresh air. I've known worse homes for the
night."

"Take up your buffalo robe again," said the Onondaga, "because when another
night comes you will need it as before."

They shouldered their heavy burdens and resumed the trail of the hunter,
expecting that it would soon show a divergence from its straight course.

"The rangers seem to be farther away than we thought," said Tayoga, "and
the Great Bear must eat. One goose, however pleasant the memory, will not
last forever. It is likely that he will turn aside again to one of the
little lakes or ponds that are so numerous in this region."

In two hours they found that he had done so, and this time his victim was a
duck, as the feathers showed. They saw the ashes where he had cooked it,
and as before only the bones were left. Evidently he had lingered there
some time, as Tayoga announced a distinctly fresher trail, indicating that
they were gaining upon him fast, and they increased their own speed, hoping
that they would soon overtake him.

But the traces led on all day, and the next morning, after another night
spent in the thickets, Tayoga said that the Great Bear was still far
ahead, and it was possible they might not overtake him until they
approached the shores of Champlain.

"But if necessary we'll follow him there, won't we, Tayoga?" said Robert.

"To Oneadatote and beyond, if need be," said the Onondaga with confidence.

CHAPTER XIII

READING THE SIGNS

On the third day the tr