“But,” said Victor, sympathizing with the depression of his friend, “he is so wise a creature he surely understood why you left him.” “Yes; he understood, and that is why his heart was sad, for he knew that Deerfoot had no right to treat him so.” The Blackfoot now summed up the question by a remark with which the brothers ardently agreed. “They will not kill Whirlwind, for they have no reason to do so. He will be alive _somewhere_; he will seek Deerfoot and Deerfoot will hunt for Whirlwind, and _he will find him_!” The boys noted the flash in the eyes of the Shawanoe as he said: “Yes; Deerfoot will find him if he has to hunt many moons and follow Whirlwind among tribes that are hundreds of miles away and who seek the life of Deerfoot.” All understood the feelings of the youth who thus condemned himself for an act whose wisdom at the most was an open question. Having uttered the words, the Shawanoe showed an indisposition to say anything further about the matter. He took the spyglass from the hands of George and once more pointed it at the incoming ship. He could make out the sails more plainly, and even caught the white rim of foam curling from the bow. He noted too that the wind was blowing briskly enough to make the vessel careen considerably under the impulse of the bellying canvas. As it was still early in the day, it was evident the ship would be at the mouth of the river by nightfall. It would have been an interesting visit if the little party had pressed on and met the captain and his crew. It is not impossible, too, that had it not been for Deerfoot’s anxiety over his horse he would have modified the original plan to the extent of rounding out the journey across the continent by touching the Pacific itself. But after all, what did it matter? The continent had already been crossed and, as the leader had said, the days and nights had become of the utmost value. Mul-tal-la believed it was safe to return to his people, and in point of fact he had grown homesick. Moreover, there was something in the fact that they were so many hundred miles from home that made George and Victor Shelton quite ready to give up the plan of going any farther. And so our friends now turned their backs upon the Pacific and once more faced eastward. “Now for home!” was the thought in the minds of all four. And here we must pause for the time. The incidents through which our friends passed and their adventures will be told in the final volume of the NEW DEERFOOT SERIES, under the title of “DEERFOOT IN THE MOUNTAINS.” [THE END.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------