A novice on the war-path, or an inexperienced white man, would have gone to examine the strange object more closely, but the old scout takes such unexpected finds in the light of serious warning.  Nothing appears more suspicious to him than something which seems to have been accidentally dropped on a trail over which hostile Indians are retreating.  He forthwith thinks of a decoy, and is careful not to approach.  For Topanashka it was doubly significant, for had the object purposely been placed there, it led to the disagreeable inference that the Tehua was aware of his pursuit.  In that case he was sure to lie in wait for him, and upon nearer approach he could expect an arrow-shot without the least doubt.  That shot might miss him, but at all events the lurking enemy would find out that his pursuer was an unarmed man, and that there was no danger in attacking him openly.  Then the situation would become desperate.

Still, as the old man had always kept to the right of the trail, it was possible that the enemy had not so far noticed him.  But somewhere in the neighbourhood of the suspicious object that enemy must be hidden; of that he felt sure.  It was a very serious moment, for any awkward movement or the least noise might bring about his destruction.  Under such circumstances many a one sends a short prayer to Heaven for assistance in his hour of need.  Not so the Indian; he has only formulas and ritualistic performances, and there was no time to remember the former or to think of the latter.  Topanashka strained his eyes to the utmost to find out the nature of the suspicious object that lay not far from his hiding-place, but he could arrive at no satisfactory result.  It appeared to be round, like a flat disk; but of what material it was made and for what purpose it had been manufactured, he could not discover.  At last it flashed upon him that it might be one of the circular war-sandals of the Tehua, whose tracks he had noticed from time to time, which the owner might have taken off and deposited here.  There was no doubt that the enemy must be close at hand.

Topanashka had no thought of turning back.  Flight was very difficult, since he did not know where the foe lurked.  To wait was the only thing to be done,—­wait until night came, and then improve the darkness to return to the Rito in safety.  But what of the all-important council-meeting, at which he was compelled to assist?  Crouched behind the juniper-bush, cautiously peering out from behind it now and then, the old warrior pondered over the situation.  At last he saw what to do.

Slowly extending his feet and legs backward, he little by little succeeded in laying himself flat on his stomach.  He had noticed that not far behind him there was another and much taller bush.  Toward this bush he crept, but like a crawfish, feet foremost.  Had his enemy stood otherwise than in a line with the first shelter which Topanashka had made use of, he would surely have sent an arrow during this retrograde performance.  He continued to crawfish until the tall bush was between him and the smaller one.  Once covered by the former, he raised his head and looked around.