The Masters of the Peaks | Page 8

had our little fire in the
hollow," he said.
"So we were, as far as the body is concerned," rejoined Willet, "but we
didn't know then where the Indian camp lay. We've at least increased
our knowledge. Now, I'm thinking that you two lads, who have been
awake nearly all night and also the half of the morning that has passed,
ought to sleep. Time we have to spare, but you know we should
practice all the economy we can with our strength. This place is pretty
well hidden, and I'll do the watching. Spread your blankets on the
leaves, Robert. It's not well even for foresters to sleep on the bare
ground. Now draw the other half of it over you. Tayoga has done so
already. I'm wondering which of you will get to sleep first. Whoever
does will be the better man, a question I've long wanted to decide."
But the problem was still left for the future. They fell asleep so nearly
at the same time that Willet could tell no difference. He noticed with
pleasure their long, regular breathing, and he said to himself, as he had
said so often before, that they were two good and brave lads.
Then he made a very comfortable cushion of fallen leaves to sit upon,
and remained there a long time, his rifle across his knees.
His eyes were wide open, but no part of his body stirred. He had
acquired the gift of infinite patience, and with it the difficult physical
art of remaining absolutely motionless for a long time. So thorough was
his mastery over himself that the small wild game began to believe by
and by that he was not alive. Birds sang freely over his head and the
hare hopped through the undergrowth. Yet the hunter saw everything
and his very stillness enabled him to listen with all the more acuteness.
The sun which had arisen great and brilliant, remained so, flooding the
world with golden lights and making it wonderfully alluring to Willet,

whose eyes never grew weary of the forest's varying shades and aspects.
They were all peaceful now, but he had no illusions. He knew that the
hostile force would send out many hunters. So many men must have
much game and presently they would be prowling through the woods,
seeking deer and bear. The chief danger came from them.
The hours passed and noon arrived. Willet had not stirred. He did not
sleep, but he rested nevertheless. His great body was relaxed
thoroughly, and strength, after weariness, flowed back into his veins.
Presently his head moved forward a little and his attitude grew more
intent. A slight sound that was not a part of the wilderness had come to
him. It was very faint, few would have noticed it, but he knew it was
the report of a rifle. He knew also that it was not a shot fired in battle.
The hunters, as he had surmised, were abroad, and they had started up a
deer or a bear.
But Willet did not stir nor did his eyelids flicker. He was used to the
proximity of foes, and the distant report did not cause his heart to miss
a single beat. Instead, he felt a sort of dry amusement that they should
be so near and yet know it not. How Tandakora would have rejoiced if
there had been a whisper in his ear that Willet, Robert and Tayoga
whom he hated so much were within sound of his rifle! And how he
would have spread his nets to catch such precious game!
He heard a second shot presently from the other side, and then the
hunter began to laugh softly to himself. His faint amusement was
turning into actual and intense enjoyment. The Indian hunters were
obviously on every side of them but did not dream that the finest game
of all was at hand. They would continue to waste their time on deer and
bear while the three formidable rangers were within hearing of their
guns.
But the hunter was still silent. His laughter was wholly internal, and his
lips did not even move. It showed only in his eye and the general
expression of his countenance. A third shot and a fourth came, but no
anxiety marred his sense of the humorous.
Then he heard the distant shouts of warriors in pursuit of a wounded

bear and still he was motionless.
Willet knew that the French and Tandakora suspected no pursuit. They
believed that no American rangers would come among the lofty peaks
and ridges south of the border, and he and his comrades could lie in
safe hiding while the hunt went on with unabated zeal. But he was sure
one day would be sufficient for the task. That