But the feeling soon died in the heart of Tayoga.  His second nature, which was that of his white training and association, prevailed.  He was sorry that he had been compelled to take life, and, dragging the heavy body much farther away, he hid it in the bushes.  Then, making a circle through the forest to assure himself that no other enemies were near, he went swiftly back to the thicket and lay down again between his blankets.  He had a curious feeling that he did not want Robert to know what had happened.

Tayoga remained awake the remainder of the night, and, although he did not stir again from the thicket, he kept a vigilant watch.  He would hear any sound within a hundred yards and he would know what it was, but there was none save the rustlings of the little animals, and dawn came, peaceful and clear.  Robert moved, threw off the buffalo robe and stood up among the bushes.

“A big sleep and a fine sleep, Tayoga,” he said.

“It was a good time for Dagaeoga to sleep,” said the Onondaga.

“I was warm, and your Tododaho watched over me.”

“Aye, Dagaeoga, Tododaho was watching well last night.”

“And you slept well, too, Tayoga?”

“I slept as I should, Dagaeoga.  No man can ask more.”

“Philosophical and true.  It’s breakfast now, slices of deer, and water of a brook.  Deer is good, Tayoga, but I’m beginning to find I could do without it for quite a long time.  I envy Dave the fat goose he had, and I don’t wonder that he ate it all at one time.  Maybe we could find a juicy goose or duck this morning.”

“But we have the deer and the Great Bear had nothing when he sought the goose.  We will even make the best of what we have, and take no risk.”

“It was merely a happy thought of mine, and I didn’t expect it to be accepted.  My happiest thoughts are approved by myself alone, and so I’ll keep ’em to myself.  My second-rate thoughts are for others, over the heads of whom they will not pass.”

“Dagaeoga is in a good humor this morning.”

“It is because I slept so well last night.  Now, having had a sufficiency of the deer I shall seek a brook.  I’m pretty sure to find one in the low ground over there.”

He started to the right, but Tayoga immediately suggested that he go to the left—­the hidden body of the warrior lay in the bushes on the right—­and Robert, never dreaming of the reason, tried the left where he found plenty of good water.  Tayoga also drank, and with some regret they left the lair in the bushes.

“It was a good house,” said Robert.  “It lacked only walls, a roof and a floor, and it had an abundance of fresh air.  I’ve known worse homes for the night.”

“Take up your buffalo robe again,” said the Onondaga, “because when another night comes you will need it as before.”

They shouldered their heavy burdens and resumed the trail of the hunter, expecting that it would soon show a divergence from its straight course.