Though the Indians were allowed to double on the trail, they were
not permitted to run. Nothing faster than an ordinary walk was
permitted to them, unless they found themselves sighted by the
whites.

Moreover, owing to the lack of skill on the part of the whites
in following a trail, the Indians were required to walk as usual,
making no special efforts to hide their footprints.

The whites were permitted to pursue at any gait. If they sighted
the Indians, then they were expected to yell by way of warning.
If more than half the Indians were captured before the expiration
of an hour from the first departure of the Indians, then the whites
won. Otherwise the Indians were victors.

Dick walked in advance, Dave and Tom side by side just behind him.

"We must try to think up some way to fool the fellows," muttered
Reade.

"Halt!" warned Dick, when they were barely two minutes away from
the starting point.

Darrin and Reade stopped in their tracks.

"See that low-hanging limb, and the bushes just beyond?" asked
young Prescott.

"Of course," assented Dave.