ound. It was the Shawanoe and Sauk who now "had the drop" on the
Pawnee.

By way of putting matters in a business-like shape, Deerfoot called to
Hay-uta to keep his gun at a level, while he disarmed the prisoner. The
Sauk obeyed, and Deerfoot walked quietly forward, and in the most
matter-of-fact manner drew the knife of the Pawnee from its sheath at
his girdle, extracted his tomahawk, and then gently removed the rifle
from his nerveless grasp. Distributing the first two weapons about his
person, the Shawanoe stepped back several paces, holding his bow in one
hand and the gun in the other.

Supposing Hay-uta had not been present, what would have been the result?

I haven't a particle of doubt that the Pawnee would have been vanquished
by Deerfoot. The former could not have stood forever with his gun aimed,
and when he lowered it he would have presented an "opening" of which the
Shawanoe would have availed himself with the quickness of the lighting
stroke.

While Deerfoot was disarming the sinewy warrior, Hay-uta explained his
wish to show him such consideration as to win his friendship. That being
done, probably some way would open by which he could be used in tracing
Otto Relstaub.

"My brother is wise," commented Deerfoot, who admired the cleverness of
the Sauk, "but let him beware that the Pawnee does not betray him."

No one would have supposed from the deliberation of the Shawanoe that he
was in fear of any thing, but, if it can be said that he was ever
nervous over any thing, such was his condition now, through fear of
irruption by a part or all of the Pawnee war-party. He felt that the
danger increased every moment.

No time, therefore, was lost. The Pawnee was directed to move on, the
course taken being directly away from the camp-fire, and close to the
open space between the woods and river. No fault could be found with the
promptness displayed by the captive, who strode off as though on his way
to a marriage feast.

It was not necessary to keep a close watch over the prisoner, since the
most he could do was to try to ran away, and he was not likely to
attempt that when two loaded guns almost touched him.

But the Pawnee did do something, which, under the circumstances, was a
daring act.

The procession had proceeded for a hundred feet or so, when he gave
utterance to a ringing whoop, which could have been heard a half mile.
Deerfoot was astounded, and half raised the gun with the intention of
shoo