CHAPTER XVI--THE ESCAPE
The following day the Delawares waited impatiently for an opportunity toventure into the village, and learn the result of the battle. However,the day was more than half gone before any one came to the lodge to freethem. Then a warrior came, and unbound them. He made them understandthat they might go into the camp, and partake of food.
"This is bad," said Running Fox, as they left the lodge. "The Mohawkskept us tied up until they closed up the place where the Chippewas gotin. Now there is no chance to get out."
"Yes, I believe that is true," agreed Spotted Deer.
They found the Mohawks still jubilant over their victory. The ladsrealized, therefore, that it would be foolish to show themselves tooprominently at that time. Many of the younger warriors seemed carriedaway by the glory of their first triumph, and the Delawares knew thatthey would be only too willing to find an excuse for attacking them. Forsome time the lads had been quite free from annoyance, and they had nodesire to lose the privileges which their long stay in the Mohawk camphad brought them.
"Those young men are very fierce," said Running Fox. "We must be verycautious. I believe the best thing to do is to keep away from them."
"Yes, I am watching them," replied Spotted Deer. "We will take somemeat, and go back to the lodge."
The Delawares made their way toward the old woman who had brought theirfood. She was stirring something in a large clay urn which she hadpropped up among the embers of the cooking fire. When the lads reachedher they stopped and waited expectantly. For some time the old womantook no notice of them. Then the warrior who had unbound them shoutedsome commands, and the woman immediately seized a forked stick and drewa piece of deer meat from the urn. She gave it to the Delawares, andmotioned them away. Having learned the folly of opposing those irritableold scolds, the lads determined to move off at once.
At that moment, however, some of the young Mohawks spied them, and ranforward shaking their weapons, and yelling fiercely. The Delawaresimmediately stopped and stood at bay. The Mohawks rushed up to them, andtore the meat from the grasp of Spotted Deer. They threw it upon theground, and kicked it about in the dirt. Then one who appeared to be theleader picked it up, and offered it to Spotted Deer. Before Running Foxcould warn him, Spotted Deer seized the meat and hurled it into the faceof the young Mohawk.
The next instant the enraged Mohawk and Spotted Deer were glaringfuriously into each other's eyes. The Mohawk was only a lad, but helooked considerably older and stronger than the Delaware. However,Spotted Deer showed no fear of him. For a moment it looked as if thefriends of the Mohawk were about to take the matter out of his hands byannihilating both of the Delawares. The one who had been insulted,however, warned them against interfering. It was plain that he intendedto avenge the affront without assistance. His friends held back,therefore, watching Running Fox. The latter realized that Spotted Deermust settle the matter alone, but he determined to rush into the fightat the first hint of the Mohawks reinforcing their tribesman.
Word of the impending battle had already been shouted through the camp,and the Mohawks were running toward the spot from all parts of thevillage. They formed a square about Spotted Deer and his adversary, butshowed no inclination to interfere with either of them. Running Foxstood several bow-lengths from his friend, staring defiantly at theyoung Mohawks.
For some moments the young warriors continued to glare at each other.Each appeared to be trying to frighten the other, but neither seemedmuch alarmed. Then, as his people urged him on, the Mohawk crouched andbegan to circle about Spotted Deer, with his war-club in his hand. TheDelaware straightened and opened his palms, as he smiled scornfully athis foe. For a moment the Mohawk hesitated. Then he accepted thechallenge, and threw down his weapon. A murmur of approval ran throughthe Mohawks. Running Fox felt greatly relieved.
The Mohawk continued to circle cautiously about Spotted Deer, lookingfor an opening. The Delaware, however, was equally alert, and keptturning slowly with his eyes fixed on those of his foe. Several timesthe Mohawk crouched and pretended he was about to spring in, but eachtime he found Spotted Deer ready for him. Then for many moments theycircled, and dodged, and tried for an advantage, while the Mohawksshouted encouragement to their young tribesman, and Running Fox prayedsilently to Getanittowit for the success of Spotted Deer.
Then the Mohawk thought he saw a chance, and sprang forward with theagility and strength of a young panther. However, Spotted Deer hadanticipated the attack, and jumped back in time to escape being caught.He wheeled about, and sought to catch his foe, but the Mohawk hadalready recovered himself and resumed his position of defense. Both ladshad given a wonderful exhibition of quickness, and the Mohawks yelledtheir delight. They began to realize that the Delaware was no meanadversary for his older and larger opponent, and the prospect of adesperate encounter filled them with enthusiasm.
In the meantime Running Fox had remained an impassive spectator. Henever for an instant appeared to lose control of himself. To allappearances he was absolutely confident about the outcome of the battle.However, had the Mohawks been able to read his thoughts they would havelearned the true state of his feelings. He knew that the impulsive actof Spotted Deer had placed them in a desperate situation, and he foresawserious consequences. If the young Mohawk should win the encounter,Running Fox realized that they would be made to suffer all sorts ofindignities from the younger members of the tribe. On the other hand, ifSpotted Deer should vanquish his rival it was equally certain that theMohawks would find some way of avenging the defeat. Running Fox waited,therefore, prepared to act when the emergency presented itself.
Spotted Deer was quick to realize that the advantage rested with hisadversary, and he made no attempt to force the fighting. He had beenthoroughly trained in the art of wrestling, and he determined to remainon the defensive until he had provoked the young Mohawk into exposinghimself. The latter, however, appeared to have been equally wellschooled in that particular style of combat, and he, too, seemed intentupon waiting for an advantage that would give him an easy victory. For along time he tried to trick the Delaware by jumping forward as though hewere about to grapple with him. It appeared to be a favorite ruse, andhe seemed considerably surprised when Spotted Deer refused to bedeceived. Then the latter began to laugh at him. It was a daring bit ofeffrontery which instantly roused the anger of the Mohawk and histribesmen. The result was exactly what Spotted Deer wished it to be, forthe infuriated young Mohawk immediately lost control of himself.Throwing aside his caution, he rushed recklessly upon his foe.
The Mohawk sprang toward Spotted Deer in an effort to seize him by thethroat. Spotted Deer dodged and tripped him. Then as the Mohawk stumbledforward the Delaware sprang upon him, and bore him to the ground. Thenext moment Spotted Deer found himself upon his back with his foestriving to throttle him. Aware that he was battling for his life, theDelaware fought with the fury of a wildcat. After a few moments ofdesperate fighting he managed to wriggle free, and rise to his knees.Then the Mohawk again forced him to the ground. This time, however,Spotted Deer found an opening, and locked an arm about the neck of hisfoe. With his free hand he began to beat the Mohawk fiercely in theeyes. It was the only style of fighting he knew, and his foe was usingsimilar tactics against him. In this primitive mode of fighting therewas no thought of fair-play. The same code of honor prevailed among allthe tribes, namely to disable or kill an adversary in the quickestpossible manner, and to accept punishment and death without flinching.Both young warriors had been trained in that rigorous code, and bothwere making every effort to live up to its principles.
It soon became apparent that unless the Mohawk speedily broke from thegrip of his foe he was doomed. Spotted Deer had forced his head downclose to the ground, and was punishing him without mercy. The Mohawk wasfighting furiously to free himself, but Spotted Deer held on with grimdetermination. It was a desperate battle in which fists, feet and teethall played a part.
The Mohawks were wild with excit
ement. They saw their young tribesman ingrave danger of defeat, and the thought drove them into a frenzy. Theybegan dancing madly about the fighters, yelling encouragement to theMohawk, and threatening his foe. Running Fox watched them with greatanxiety. He feared that the emergency he had dreaded was at hand.
Spotted Deer was slowly choking the Mohawk into a condition of utterhelplessness. He had him entirely at his mercy, and it was plain that hehad no idea of sparing him. It was also plain that the Mohawks wereabout ready to rush to the assistance of their tribesman. At thatmoment, however, the battle was unexpectedly ended by the father of thelad who had befriended the Delawares. Rushing up to the fighters themedicine-man seized Spotted Deer and pulled him to his feet. For amoment the furious young Delaware seemed about to attack the man who hadsnatched away his victory. However, a warning glance from Running Foxtold him his peril, and he submitted to the interference. Then thefriends of the defeated young warrior rushed toward the Delawares toavenge their tribesman. They were met by the Mohawk medicine-man whodispersed them, and escorted the Delawares to their lodge.
"Hi, that was a great fight," laughed Spotted Deer, when they weresafely in the lodge.
"Yes, you were brave enough but you have done a bad thing," said RunningFox. "Now there is no chance for us. Listen, the Mohawks are yelling outthere in front of the lodge. Pretty soon we will be taken out there andkilled."
They heard a great commotion before the lodge, and they had little doubtthat the friends of the vanquished Mohawk were demanding their lives.They knew better than to show themselves. In a few moments the friendlyyoung Mohawk came to them.
"My friends, do you hear that noise?" he asked. "Well, do you know whatit means? The young men are very mad. They want to kill you. Do not beafraid. My father and Standing Wolf are talking to them. Pretty soonthey will send them away. You were very brave. Some of my people feelgood toward you. But I warn you that you must not do any more fighting.If you do you will surely be killed."
"You have come to us like a good friend," replied Running Fox. "We willkeep thinking about your words."
The noise ceased soon after the young Mohawk left them, and theDelawares believed that the disturbers had finally dispersed. It wassome time, however, before they thought it wise to show themselves inthe doorway of their lodge. Then they saw that the village hadapparently become quiet.
Several days later a large company of warriors suddenly left the camp,and the Delawares were glad to see that most of the young men who hadannoyed them were members of the party. They wondered if it were awar-party. It seemed unlikely, for the warriors had left the campwithout ceremony, and the people showed little interest in theirdeparture.
"I believe they are either hunters or scouts," said Spotted Deer.
"There are too many for scouts," Running Fox told him. "We must try tofind out about it I believe it is a good thing for us. Now the peoplewho troubled us have gone away. There are not many warriors about. Itwill be a good time to try to do something."
When the young Mohawk came to see them they tried to learn the purposeand destination of the warriors who had left the camp. Their effortswere in vain, however, for the Mohawk professed to know nothing aboutit. When they continued to question him he grew angry, and left thelodge.
"Now we have done another foolish thing," said Running Fox. "We havemade that young man mad. Perhaps he might have helped us. Now he mayturn against us."
"No, I do not believe that," Spotted Deer assured him. "He is ourfriend. He will not do anything to harm us."
"Spotted Deer, we must do something before those young men come back,"declared Running Fox. "There are three things to be done. First we mustfind a way to get out of this camp. Then we must find something to fightwith. Then we must get that mysterious medicine-bundle."
"Those are hard things to do," said Spotted Deer.
"Well, we must do them," replied Running Fox. "When it gets dark, andthe Mohawks go to the lodges, I am going to creep around the village andsee if there is any way to get out."
"Running Fox, if you do that you will surely be killed," warned SpottedDeer.
"No, I will not get caught," Running Fox assured him.
Late that night Running Fox left the lodge, and stole quietly throughthe camp until he reached the stockade. It was the first time he haddared to approach it, and as he crept cautiously along in its shadow hisheart beat fast with excitement. He knew that if he were discovered itwould mean death not only for himself, but for Spotted Deer as well. Thethought made him careful. Stealthily, a stride at a time, he movedtoward the entrance of the camp. When he finally came near it, hestopped to listen. All seemed safe, however, and he went on. In a fewmoments he reached the great barricade of logs that closed the stockade.He spent some time trying to move them, but without result. It wasapparent that it would require the united efforts of a number of strongmen to open the way into the village. Realizing the folly of wasting hisstrength, Running Fox turned his attention to the upper part of thestockade. He found that by climbing on top of the logs that formed thebarricade he was more than half-way to the top of the stockade. Thediscovery filled him with delight. He believed that by placing SpottedDeer on the barricade and standing upon his shoulders he might be ableto spring up and grasp the top of the stockade. Then he knew it would bepossible to draw himself to the top. Once there he felt quite sure thathe could reach down, and find a way to rescue Spotted Deer.
When Running Fox returned to the lodge he found that Spotted Deer haddisappeared. The discovery filled him with alarm. He wondered what itmeant. All sorts of startling possibilities flashed into his mind.However, while he was trying to puzzle it out Spotted Deer appeared.
"Well, what have you done?" Running Fox inquired, sharply.
"I have brought some things to fight with," said Spotted Deer.
He had scouted about the camp, and found two bows, a war-club and a caseof arrows. Running Fox listened to the story of his exploit inamazement. Spotted Deer said that he had entered two lodges, and movedcautiously among the sleepers until he found what he wanted. Once he hadbeen compelled to lie in the shadows while a warrior passed withinbow-length of him.
"You have been very brave," said Running Fox. "But perhaps the Mohawkswill miss these things. Then it may make trouble for us."
"I do not believe anything will come of it," laughed Spotted Deer.
"Well, we must hide them with great care," said Running Fox.
"No, we must not hide them, we must use them," Spotted Deer declared,excitedly. "Running Fox, I have found the mysterious medicine-bundle!"
The announcement so astounded Running Fox that it was some momentsbefore he was able to speak. The thing seemed impossible. He feared tobelieve it.
"Spotted Deer, your words have set me shaking like an old man," hestammered, "I know that you have told me what is true, and still I amafraid to believe it."
"What I tell you is true," Spotted Deer assured him. "The mysteriousmedicine-bundle is hanging in the sacred medicine-lodge."
"How did you know about it?" inquired Running Fox.
"I did not know about it," acknowledged Spotted Deer. "When you went outto look for a way to get out of the camp, I said, 'Now I must dosomething.' Then I thought about the mysterious medicine-bundle. Iwanted to find it. I believed it must be in the sacred lodge. I told youabout that. Well, I found the lodge, but I was afraid to go in. Yes, Iwas afraid of the Bad Spirits that help the Mohawks. Well, I was ashamedabout that. I went in. I moved around. I saw the mysteriousmedicine-bundle hanging on three sticks. Then I heard a noise. Somethingsqueaked like Achpoques, the wood-mouse. I believe it was a Bad Spirit.Well, I was afraid to touch that mysterious medicine-bundle, becausenothing wonderful has ever happened to me. You have seen the MedicinePeople. Nothing can harm you. Now you must go to the sacred lodge, andcarry out the mysterious Medicine Thing that gives Standing Wolf hispower over our people. It will soon be light. You must not wait."
Running Fox hurriedly told his plan for esc
aping from the village. Hetold Spotted Deer to wait for him near the entrance into the camp. Thenhe hastened away to secure the sacred medicine-trophy. As Spotted Deerhad said, the night was three-quarters gone, and Running Fox knew thatthere was not a moment to spare. Still he realized that it might befatal to his chances to postpone the attempt until the following day. Heknew, too, that the company of warriors might return at any moment, andhe believed that the wisest course would be to take advantage of theopportunity which had presented itself.
As Running Fox saw the outlines of the sacred lodge looming up beforehim, he stopped and raised his face toward the heavens. He prayedfervently to Getanittowit to help him in the great thing he was about toattempt. Then he spent some time listening. The camp was still, and headvanced toward the lodge. He had almost reached it when he was stoppedby a noise behind him. Some one was approaching. His heart jumped wildlyat the thought. Still he determined to stand his ground. Having got thatnear to the prize, he had no idea of surrendering without a struggle.Spotted Deer had given him one of the bows and a handful of arrows, andhe prepared to surprise and attack whoever was stealing upon him undercover of the night.
The moments passed and no one appeared. Running Fox grew impatient. Helooked anxiously toward the east and thought he detected the first fainttrace of dawn. Each instant he delayed strengthened the chance offailure. The thought made him reckless. He turned to enter the lodge. Atthat moment he heard a low threatening growl close beside him. Then thetruth instantly flashed through his mind. One of the dogs had got hisscent. He had been long enough in the camp to win the confidence of thesurly wolf-like creatures that abounded there, and once the dogrecognized him he had little fear that it would raise an alarm. Still hedetermined to take no chances. As it came close to him, growling andsniffing, he drove an arrow through its heart. It fell without a sound.The next moment Running Fox entered the sacred lodge.
Once inside, the lad hesitated, for his heart suddenly became filledwith superstitious fear. He had heard many stories about the fierceMedicine-Spirits whom his people blamed for the remarkable success ofStanding Wolf and his warriors, and he had little doubt that somethingterrible was about to happen to him. Then he suddenly recalled the wordsof Spotted Deer, "You have seen the mysterious Medicine People. Nothingcan harm you." The assurance gave him confidence. He believed that tohesitate longer would show lack of faith in Getanittowit, in old Sky Dogand in the powerful Medicine Beings that had appeared in his dream.
Moving carefully toward the rear of the lodge, Running Fox located thetripod of poles which held the mysterious medicine-bundle. For a momentthe Delaware feared to touch it, lest he should be instantly destroyedby some strange Medicine Being. However, the thought of helping hispeople made him bold, and he reached out and removed the bundle from thepoles. Then for some moments he worked feverishly at the fastenings.When the bundle lay open before him his eager eyes quickly discoveredthe sacred white pelt of Gokhos, the Medicine-Owl. As he finally held itin his hands, the superstitious lad believed that he had suddenlyreceived the power of the famous Mohawk war-chief. Hastily retying themedicine-bundle, he hung it in its accustomed place, and hurried fromthe lodge.
Running Fox was running toward the stockade when he suddenly encounteredsome one walking through the camp. They were face to face before eitherof them realized it, and there was little chance of avoidingrecognition. Running Fox tried to withdraw into the night, but theMohawk jumped forward and peered intently into his face. He identifiedhim at once. Running Fox tried to use his bow, but the Mohawk was tooclose. He seized the Delaware, and shouted to rouse the camp. He was alarge, powerful man, but Running Fox was too quick for him. He jabbed anarrow directly into his face, and as the Mohawk shrank back the ladwrenched himself free and darted toward his goal.
"Jump up there!" shouted Running Fox, when he reached Spotted Deer.
They climbed nimbly to the top of the log barricade that closed theentrance to the village, and then Running Fox clambered upon theshoulders of Spotted Deer. The camp was in a wild turmoil, and they knewit was only a question of moments before the Mohawks would be upon them.Running Fox found that he was almost a bow-length from the top of thestockade. The distance was greater than he had expected to find it, andfor a moment he lost hope. Then, as he realized what it would mean tofail, he sprang frantically upward. His fingers closed about the tops ofthe logs, and he struggled furiously to hold fast. For a moment or so itseemed as if he must slip back. Then he found a toe-hold against one ofthe logs, and improved his grip on the top of the stockade. The nextmoment he had drawn himself to the top.
"The Mohawks are here, jump down and save yourself," cried Spotted Deer.
Running Fox took no heed of the warning. Instead he lay across the topof the stockade, and reached down to rescue Spotted Deer.
"Jump up, I will help you!" he shouted.
A moment later they had clasped hands, and Spotted Deer was strugglingdesperately to reach the top of the stockade. Arrows were alreadywhizzing past them, but as yet the darkness had saved them from harm.Once Spotted Deer had gained the top of the stockade in safety, theyturned about and dropped to the ground on the outside of the camp. Theyheard the Mohawks struggling frantically with the logs that closed thedoorway.
"Come, we must ran fast!" cried Running Fox, as he dashed for the woods.
"I will follow you," replied Spotted Deer.
Then they heard a wild babel of sounds behind them, and they knew thatthe Mohawks were rushing from the camp. Above the tumult sounded thefierce cry of Nianque, the lynx, the danger signal of the Mohawks. Itseemed to come from the top of the stockade, and the Delawares believedthat the Mohawks were sending a warning to the warriors who had left thecamp earlier in the day.
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