The Lords of the Wild | Page 4

by day moved slowly to the northeast, and toward the
lake. Stepping cautiously he followed his sign, thrilled at the doing of
the miracle, his eyes on his flying guide, his ears attuned to warn him if
any danger threatened from the forest so near.
It never occurred to Robert that he might not be led aright. His faith
and confidence were supreme. He had lived too much with Tayoga not
to share his belief that the hand of Manitou was stretched forth now to
lead those who put their trust in him.
The blue flame that was a living bird flew slowly on, pausing an instant
or two on a bough, turning for a short curve to right or left, but always
coming back to the main course that pointed toward Andiatarocte.
He walked beside the little brook from which he had drunk, then across
it and over a low hill, into a shallow valley, the forest everywhere, but
the undergrowth not too dense for easy passage. His attentive ear
brought no sound from either flank save those natural to the woods,

though he was sure that a hostile call would come soon. It would be
time for the bands to talk to one another. But he had no fear. The
supreme intervention had been made in his favor, and he kept his eyes
on his flying guide.
They crossed the valley and began the ascent of another and high hill,
rough with rocky outcrops and a heavy growth of briars and vines. His
pace became slower of necessity and once or twice he thought he had
lost the blue flame, but it always reappeared, and, for the first time
since its flight from the bough, it sang a few notes, a clear melodious
treble, carrying far through the windy forest.
The lad believed that the song was meant for him. Clearly it said to him
to follow, and, with equal clearness, it told him that safety lay only in
the path he now traveled. He believed, with all the ardor of his soul,
and there was no weariness in his body as he climbed the high hill.
Near the summit, he heard on his right the long dying Indian cry so full
of menace, its answer to the left, and then a third shout directly behind
him. He understood. He was between the horns of a crescent, and they
were not far away. He left faint traces only as he fled, but they had so
much skill they could follow with speed, and he was quite sure they
expected to take him. This belief did not keep his heart from beating
high. They did not know how he was protected and led, and there was
the blue flame before him always showing him the way. He reached the
crest of the hill, and saw other hills, fold on fold, lying before him. He
had hoped to catch a glimpse of the lake from the summit, but no glint
of its waters came, and then he knew it must yet be miles away. His
heart sank for a moment. Andiatarocte had appealed to him as a refuge.
Just why he did not know, but he vaguely expected to find safety there.
Perhaps he would meet Willet and Tayoga by its shore, and to him the
three united always seemed invincible.
His courage was gone only an instant or two. Then it came back
stronger than ever. The note of his guide, clear and uplifting, rose again,
and he increased his speed, lest he be enclosed within those horns. The
far slope was rocky and he leaped from one stony outcrop to another.
Even if he could hide his trail only a few yards it would be so much

time gained while they were compelled to seek it. He was forced to
watch his steps here, but, when he was at the bottom and looked up, the
blue flame was still before him. On it went over the next slope and he
followed at speed, noticing with joy that the rocky nature of the ground
continued, and the most skillful warrior who ever lived must spend
many minutes hunting his traces. He had no doubt that he was gaining
and he had proof of it in the fact that the pursuers now uttered no cry.
Had they been closing in on him they would have called to one another
in triumph.
Well for him that he was so strong and sound of heart and lung! Well
for him too that he was borne up by a great spirit and by his belief that
a supreme power was working in his behalf. He felt little weariness as
he climbed a ridge. His breath was easy and regular and his steps were
long and