conceive, and yet, when he stood erect in the full glare of the
noonday sun, not a scratch or scar spoke of those fearful affrays in
the depth of the forest, among the hills and mountains and along the
Shores of the rivers of Kentucky and Ohio.

I have said that he was so hated by his own people that he felt his
presence near the settlements to the eastward was more to the
disadvantage than the help of his friends, and that was one of the
causes which led him to bid adieu forever to his friends.

It has been intimated also that still another reason actuated him,
and that reason shall appear in due time.

When Deerfoot assured Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub that they
might slumber in peace, he spoke the truth; it has been shown that
not the first breath of danger touched them during the darkness, and
the morning meal was partaken in the same enjoyable fashion.

But before the subtle young Shawanoe reached the spot where he left
his canoe, he was disturbed by discovering the imprint of moccasins
along shore. They led away from his friends and toward the canoe.
A few minutes showed the latter had "received" some visitors since
its owner left it.

It was utterly destroyed. The knives and tomahawks of several,
warriors had hacked be bark structure to pieces. Even the paddle
had been broken into a half dozen parts. Nothing was left of which
use could be made, the blanket of the owner of course being absent.

Deerfoot looked on the wreck with something like dismay, which