A BLUNDER.
Blazing Arrow possessed the subtlety of a serpent and the cunning of a
fox. Underneath his actions lay his unextinguishable hatred of the white
race. His anger against it seemed always to be flaming at white heat.
But the slyest and wisest of animals and men are liable at times to
overreach themselves. Had the imp been content with what was
unquestionably a remarkable exploit he would have held Wharton Edwards
at his mercy, but he must needs spoil all by his attempt to make
assurance doubly sure.
He had not seen the youth after he watched him disappear across the
clearing where the back trail entered the woods. He never suspected that
he was not on his front on the return, and failed to see his last leap
across the torrent. Confident, however, that he was not far off, he
began a search for him, with the hope of getting matters in better shape
before rejoining his comrades with an account of his experience.
It happened, therefore, that when young Edwards made his dove-call to
Larry Murphy, Blazing Arrow was so near that he heard it. He knew that
it came from none of his people, and consequently must be from one of
the whites.
With extraordinary cleverness he replied by several notes, whose
resemblance to those causing them was so wonderfully close as to be
perfect. Fearful, however, that he might not have hit the exact note, he
repeated the call.
And in doing so he made the fatal blunder. One of the unchangeable laws
governing Wharton Edwards and Larry Murphy at such times was that under
no circumstances was either to repeat a signal without a minute or two
interval. It was the violation of this rule that apprised the youth of
his peril and gave him time to save himself.
Suspecting that it was Blazing Arrow who was near, Wharton retreated
farther into the wood. In making the movement he used all the caution he
could, and believed that no one had overheard him. What followed looked
as though he was right in the conclusion, for the Indian, without moving
from his tracks, signalled again, making the same mistake as before by
repeating it, in his effort to repress his impatience at the delay in
the response.
"I don't think I'll be in a hurry to open a conversation with you,"
thought Wharton; "I'm looking for somebody else."
He was still in a dangerous situation, however, and continued edging
away from the locality where he had come so near falling a victim to the
resentment of the warrior, who was among the most cunning of his tribe.
Wharton's heart sank when, despite the extreme care he used, he caught
his foot in a running vine and narrowly escaped falling. He instantly
straightened up and waited for the attack that he was sure was coming;
but, as the minutes passed, he concluded the Indian was already so far
off that the slight rustling did not reach him. It was probable that
the Shawanoe, in trying to outwit the youth, had moved away from him,
and the two were now separated by a considerable space.
How was it that this Indian was in possession of the signal which the
two youths used when in danger?
In the case of Wharton, however, there was little of the anxiety of his
friend. The latter heard the call before emitting it himself, so that it
was impossible that Blazing Arrow should have got it from him; and,
since Wharton Edwards was the only other person that possessed it, the
misgiving of the Irish lad was warranted.
But with Wharton the case was different. Blazing Arrow's signal
succeeded his, and, therefore, was but a clever imitation.
"It may be that he got it from Larry," reflected our young friend, "but
the chances are against it. Where can the fellow be?"
It was an exasperating reflection that for hours the work had been of a
blind nature, as may be said. The youths had been separated, there had
been a fierce race, fighting, and running back and forth, and all
manner of incidents, and yet matters stood as at the beginning.
While this was a cause for gratification in one respect, inasmuch as the
two were still safe from the most dreaded tribe of Indians in the West,
the disheartening fact was that the boys were just where they were when
the danger broke upon them. They had not advanced a rod along the trail
to the block-house, where Wharton's parents would probably arrive that
evening. The prospect was poor for the boys appearing until long after
the hour they were expected.
"We ought to have had an understanding before we separated; but then,"
added Wharton disgustedly, "I don't see how we could, or what good it
would have done. Larry wouldn't leave as long as he thought I was in
trouble, and I'm sure I wouldn't desert him. I wonder now----"
A new thought had come into his mind--that of withdrawing from the
neighborhood, making all haste to the block-house, and bringing back
aid. There was always a number of the most skilled rangers of the
frontier at this post, and they were ever ready to respond to any call
for help. Probably Daniel Boone or the great Simon Kenton was at hand,
with unerring rifle and marvellous woodcraft.
Wharton could reach the block-house before daylight, and be back while
the day was yet young, with his new friends. Learned in the ways of the
woods and the red men, they would quickly become the hunters instead of
the hunted, and teach the marauders a lesson to be remembered forever.
Had the question presented itself as it did after his vanquishment of
Blazing Arrow, the youth would have continued his flight along the
trail, and been back with his friends before or by the time the sun was
on the horizon. As it was, he debated the question a long time, and then
decided not to continue the journey until he gained some definite
knowledge of Larry; his own movements depended upon that. If the other
had fallen, then Wharton should not lose a moment hurrying away from the
accursed neighborhood. If his comrade was a prisoner of the Shawanoes,
he must be equally prompt in securing assistance, since he unaided could
do no good; but if the other was still his own master, then both would
give an exhibition of rapid travelling toward the block-house.
"No," said young Edwards, resolutely, "I don't go till I learn something
about Larry. I'll do just as he would do if in my place."
And he might have added, truthfully, "and just what he is doing at this
moment."
Manifestly there was but one way to learn the truth, and that was by
investigating, and the only way to investigate was to keep moving, which
he did.
The night was so far along that the Shawanoes were quite certain to have
kindled a camp-fire somewhere in the woods. This was their custom, and
it was this beacon light, as it may be called, for which young Edwards
now began hunting.