Within the following hour the Shawanoe, riding Whirlwind, came face to face with the horsemen, whom he recognized from their dress and general appearance as Blackfeet. He saluted and addressed them in their own tongue, causing manifest surprise. They replied to his signs and expressions of good-will and checked their animals to hear what he had to say. Let us interpret the conversation with more than usual freedom. "Do my brothers belong to the Blackfoot tribe of red men?" asked Deerfoot. "We are of that tribe," replied the one who acted as leader. "I come from the Shawanoes, who live a long way toward the rising sun." "Why does the Shawanoe travel so far from the lodges of his people?" "I am seeking friends who are with the Blackfeet. They left many moons ago, but parted company with me in the land of the Nez Perces. I am trying to join them. They are two pale-faced lads who have as their guide a good Blackfoot, Mul-tal-la, that has made the long journey to the home of the Shawanoes." Upon hearing these words the latter turned his head and spoke for several minutes to his companions, but his words were so low that Deerfoot could not overhear them. "Is Mul-tal-la in the home of my brothers?" "No," was the response. "He does not live there." "Where does he live?" Instead of directly answering this question the Blackfoot leader said: "He lives in another village. What is the name of his chief?" "He told me it was Taggarak." "He is the great war chief of the Blackfeet. There is no sachem or chief like him. His arm is powerful and has slain many Assiniboines and Nez Perces and Shoshones." "The words of my brothers were told to me long ago by Mul-tal-la. I am sure they are true. Where shall I seek Taggarak?" The Blackfoot pointed to the northwest. "Ride that way till night comes and the sun is again overhead, and he will look upon the village of Taggarak and the home of Mul-tal-la." This was acceptable information, but a vague fear caused Deerfoot to inquire further. "Have my brothers seen Mul-tal-la since he came home from his long journey?" "No; we have heard that he has come back, but he did not bring his comrade with him." "Have my brothers met the pale-faced youths who went to the village of Taggarak?" "No; we have not seen them, nor have we heard of them." This was discomforting news, for it would seem that if tidings had come of the return of Mul-tal-la, something also would have been said of his companions, who belonged to another race. Deerfoot asked only a few more questions, when he bade the Blackfeet good-bye and set out to hunt the village of the war chief Taggarak, where, if all had gone well, he would meet Mul-tal-la and the brothers, George and Victor Shelton. CHAPTER XI. IN WINTER QUARTERS.