Braxton is sure that something is
wrong, and so is that cunning wolf, Yellow Panther. They want to hold us
here in the village until they find out the truth; but we are willing to
stay, that we may checkmate what they do. I can work on old Gray Beaver,
whose age makes him favor caution and peace."

"An' while you are thinkin' it over," said Shif'less Sol, "jest remember
that I'm a belt bearer who has traveled a long way, an' that I'm pow'ful
tired; so I guess I'll take a nap."

He rolled over on the softest of the skins, and was as good as his word.
In five minutes he was sound asleep. Tom Ross leaned back against the skin
wall and meditated. Henry Ware arose and walked in the village; but the
moment he stepped from the lodge, all trace of the white youth was gone,
and he was again Big Fox, the chief of the belt bearers from the Shawnees.

The village was the scene of an active savage life. It had been a season
of plenty. Game and fish abounded, and, according to the Indian nature,
they ate and overate of that plenty, thinking little of the morrow. Hence
this life, besides being active, was also happy in its wild way. Big Fox
noticed the fact, with those keen eyes of his that nothing escaped.

And all in their turn noticed Big Fox here, as he had been noticed in the
Council House. Old and young alike admired him. They thought that no such
splendid warrior had ever before entered their village. Surely the
Shawnees were a nation of men when they could produce such as he. His
height, his straight, commanding glance, the wonderful, careless strength
and majesty of his figure, all impressed them. He looked to them like one
without fear, and moreover, with such strength and quickness as his, he
seemed one who had little to fear. But as he walked there, Yellow Panther
came again, and spoke to him with sly, insinuating manner:

"The belt bearer is not weary, though he has traveled far."

"No," replied Big Fox. "Manitou has been kind to me, and has given me
strong limbs and muscles that do not tire."

"Did Big Fox, in his journey from the Shawnee village, hear of white men?
It is said that a band of them have been in this region about the lake,
there to the southward. One of our warriors was slain, but we could not
find those whom we pursued."

Big Fox wondered if it was a chance shot, but he looked straight into the
eyes of Yellow Panther, which fell before the gaze of his, and replied:

"I came bearing belts, and I th