"Amokeat did not ask Deerfoot that he might ride Whirlwind," said the Shawanoe, the flash not fully gone from his eyes, and a slight tremulousness showing in his voice. "He had no business to do so," added the impulsive Victor; "I wonder that the horse allowed anyone to ride him except you." George Shelton tried to soothe his troubled friend. "I understand how you feel, Deerfoot, but it looks to me as if it will come out all right. The Nez Perces rode off on their horses, with Whirlwind in the lead. Why should they not come back the same way, with Whirlwind none the worse? Amokeat did not expect you for some time, and who can wonder that he wished to ride such a steed?" Deerfoot turned and looked in the face of the lad. "Does my brother wish Deerfoot to sit down and fold his hands and wait for days and weeks, all the time not knowing whether Whirlwind will come back again or not? Does not my brother see that there is not a day nor an hour to be wasted? Deerfoot would die many times while waiting for Amokeat; he cannot do it." This was another way of declaring that the young Shawanoe meant to set out to recover his steed without an hour's unnecessary delay. All felt in the circumstances that it was the best thing to do. No one offered further suggestion. Mul-tal-la, who had spoken hardly a word, now told Deerfoot he would find out all that was to be learned of Amokeat and his party. Left alone with the lads, the Shawanoe explained the plan he had formed. "Mul-tal-la will take my brothers to his home among the Blackfeet, where they will stay until spring comes; winter is too near for them to travel any farther toward the Ohio. Mul-tal-la will make them welcome and they will not want for food and comforts." "And what of _you_?" "When Deerfoot meets Whirlwind, the two will join his brothers and all will be together till the sun begins to melt the snow on the sides of the mountains. Then they will set out for the Ohio which they left so many months ago." "Will you make this search for Whirlwind on horseback or on foot?" "On foot; there is no horse that can help me. Whirlwind would be offended if he saw me come after him on any other of these animals. Deerfoot can travel better on foot than any other way." "You wish us to take our horses with us to the Blackfoot country?" The Shawanoe nodded. "Take the four and keep them among the Blackfeet; they will be needed by us when spring comes." "You have plenty of bullets and powder. Is there anything of ours that you would like?" asked Victor. "Yes,--_that_; it may be of help to Deerfoot." The dusky youth pointed to the spyglass suspended by a cord around the neck of George Shelton. The owner instantly slipped the string over his head. "You are welcome to it and to anything else of ours."