The Indian lifted his hand for silence, and pointed off toward the hills.  Then, motioning the boys to follow him, he led the way into a thicket and crouched down.

Directly the panting and puffing of a man exhausted from a long run, was heard, and the familiar figure of Antoine dashed into the circle of light!  He glared about for a moment and then dropped down on the snow, evidently completely exhausted.

CHAPTER XIX

THE SIGNAL FROM THE HILLS

“That’s a funny proposition, too!” whispered Sandy.

“That’s the gink who tried to feed us poisoned tea,” Thede whispered back.  “I wonder what he’s running for.”

The Indian drew at the boys’ sleeves to enforce silence, and all three sat perfectly still for some moments.  Then Antoine lifted himself to his feet and looked cautiously about.

They saw him examine the bear tracks and heard him muttering to himself as he followed with trained eyes the trail leading into the thicket where the boys and the Indian were hiding.

He drew quite close to the bushes where the three lay; so close, indeed, that they could hear him muttering as he lost the trail because of the darkness.  Presently, he turned back.

“I think I understand,” he said hoarsely.  “Two of the boys were treed by bears and Oje rescued them.  I presume they are half way to the cabin before this.”

He started along the trail by which the boys had reached the tree but presently turned back.  He stood in the light of the fire for a moment and then set off in the direction of the hills.

“Safer there than here!” they heard him growl as he passed them by.

Oje waited until the sound of the fellow’s footsteps were heard no more, and then arose to his feet, Without speaking a word, he, too, faced toward the hills, passing through the snow at a swinging gait.

“What’s he going to do now?” queried Sandy.

“I wish I knew!” replied Thede.  “Say, look here!” the boy continued, “hadn’t we better make a break for the cabin?  I don’t see any sustenance in wandering around in the snow all night!”

“Oje has something on his mind!” Sandy declared.  “And I think we’d better find out where he’s going.”

“All right!” answered Thede.  “I’m game, only I’m wondering what George is thinking about all this time.”

It was cold and dark in the forest, and the snow was deep, but the boys trudged bravely on in the direction of the hills.  At least they supposed that they were going in the direction of the hills.  They could scarcely see a yard in advance of their noses under the thick foliage and so trusted entirely to the Indian, who led them along at a pace which was exhausting to say the least.

There would be a moon shortly after eight, but soon after that time they hoped to be snugly tucked in their blankets in the cottage.  For a time they could see the dry tree which they had fired blazing in the distance, but at length it dropped out of sight.