here
were no signs of the Pawnees, who, it was more than probable, had passed
down the river shore and away from the vicinity.

"Now we have done a good deal of tramping back and forth," reflected the
youth, "and those redskins are so sharp that the chances are ten to one
they will come upon our footprints. It won't do to sit here all day
until some of them tumble over me."

It was clear to Jack that the hostiles had started out on what was
likely to be an extended reconnoissance, and, therefore, were sure to be
gone a considerable while. As the canoe lay only a short distance off,
he passed through the wood and undergrowth until he reached the spot
where it was drawn only a few inches up the bank.

He surveyed it with natural curiosity, though he had seen many similar
ones further to the east. It was about fifteen feet long, made of bark,
sewed together, and the cracks filled with gum. The ends were curved
over, so there was no difference between them, and each was ornamented
with paintings which composed a symphony in black, red and yellow.

Two long paddles lay lengthwise in the boat. They were double--that is,
the handle was in the middle, the ends being dipped alternately by
whomsoever was propelling the craft. Jack looked behind him several
times, before resting his hand on the gunwale. Something else which lay
at the further end interested him, but he could not make it out at once.
Leaning forward, he reached it with his bow, and then observed that it
was a scalp. The barbarous trophy, by some unusual accident, had dropped
unnoticed from the belt of one of the Pawnees, for it is not to be
believed that he would have left such a prized souvenir behind him, no
matter on what duty engaged.

The ragged patch of skin that had been torn from the crown of some
vanquished foe was three or four inches in diameter, and the tuft of
hair was long, black and coarse. Whoever had succumbed and borne the
outrage, one thing was certain--he was not a Caucasian, but belonged to
the same race as his conqueror.

Jack, who had seen such trophies many times, raked this one still closer
and picked it up. The dryness of the skin showed that several weeks had
passed since it was taken. More than likely it was the accompaniment of
some fight that took place while the Pawnees were pushing their
explorations toward the Mississippi.

"Wouldn't that be a pretty thing for me to carry?" remarked the youth,
placing the hand which held it