“The rangers seem to be farther away than we thought,” said Tayoga, “and the Great Bear must eat.  One goose, however pleasant the memory, will not last forever.  It is likely that he will turn aside again to one of the little lakes or ponds that are so numerous in this region.”

In two hours they found that he had done so, and this time his victim was a duck, as the feathers showed.  They saw the ashes where he had cooked it, and as before only the bones were left.  Evidently he had lingered there some time, as Tayoga announced a distinctly fresher trail, indicating that they were gaining upon him fast, and they increased their own speed, hoping that they would soon overtake him.

But the traces led on all day, and the next morning, after another night spent in the thickets, Tayoga said that the Great Bear was still far ahead, and it was possible they might not overtake him until they approached the shores of Champlain.

“But if necessary we’ll follow him there, won’t we, Tayoga?” said Robert.

“To Oneadatote and beyond, if need be,” said the Onondaga with confidence.

CHAPTER XIII

READING THE SIGNS

On the third day the trail of the Great Bear was well among the ranges and Tayoga calculated that they could not be many hours behind him, but all the evidence, as they saw it, showed conclusively that he was going toward Lake Champlain.

“It seems likely to me,” said the Onondaga, “that he left the rangers to seek us, and that Rogers meanwhile would move eastward.  Having learned in some way or other that he could not find us, he will now follow the rangers wherever they may go.”

“And we will follow him wherever he goes,” said Robert.

An hour later the Onondaga uttered an exclamation, and pointed to the trail.  Another man coming from the south had joined Willet.  The traces were quite distinct in the grass, and it was also evident from the character of the footsteps that the stranger was white.

“A wandering hunter or trapper?  A chance meeting?” said Robert.

Tayoga shook his head.

“Then a ranger who was out on a scout, and the two are going on together to join Rogers?”

“Wrong in both cases,” he said.  “I know who joined the Great Bear, as well as if I saw him standing there in the footprints he has made.  It was not a wandering hunter and it was not a ranger.  You will notice, Dagaeoga, that these traces are uncommonly large.  They are not slender like the footprints of the Great Bear, but broad as well as long.  Why, I should know anywhere in the world what feet made them.  Think, Dagaeoga!”

“I don’t seem to recall.”

“Willet is a great hunter and scout, among the bravest of men, skillful on the trail, and terrible in battle, but the man who is now with him is all these also.  A band attacking the two would have no easy task to conquer them.  You have seen both on the trail in the forest and you have seen both in battle.  Try hard to think, Dagaeoga!”