"Arqu-wao, you're a powerful good chap, and here's my hand on it."
The Shawanoe, rather gingerly, allowed his palm to be almost crushed in that of the scout.
"He's doin' jes' what the varmint said he would," added Kenton, addressing the rest of the party. "If nothin' don't happen, he'll land us at the settlement all right, but we're goin' to be followed."
"Have you discovered anything?" asked Mr. Edwards.
"Not as yet, but they won't let us slip away in this style without some kind of a rumpus; we musn't stay here too long."
Red Crow was of the same mind, for he tugged at the rein of the leading horse, who was reluctant to abandon his feast, while the pioneer had to work as hard with the other before he would leave the spot. The lick was skirted and another trail taken on the other side, so that the journey was continued in substantially the same direction as before. Inasmuch, however, as this path must soon dissipate itself, there was some curiosity to know what their guide would do when the point of vanishing was reached. Not a member of the party, however, felt distrust of his ability and loyalty to them.
Kenton, as before, fell to the rear, for there was every reason to believe that whenever the Shawanoes chose to make a demonstration, it would be from that quarter. As anticipated, the path grew fainter as they progressed until it was hardly perceptible, but the wood remained open, and progress was comparatively easy.
For some minutes before this the whites had been sensible of a dull, roaring sound, which at times was quite distinct, and then sank again beyond their power of hearing.
"I believe that is the stream where Larry and I had so much trouble yesterday and last night," said Wharton to his father.
"I wonder whether he intends we shall cross it?"
"I guess we will not, for you know the regular trail doesn't take the other side."
"But if he means to follow a new course to the settlement, it may be necessary."
The afternoon was well along, and some of the party had eaten nothing since early morning. All were hungry, but though there was a substantial lunch in the packs carried by the horses, no one spoke of it. They were too desirous of getting forward while the opportunity was theirs, to pay any attention to their appetites.