Find out what they intend to do, and then act accordingly. I think their advance lie concealed in the bowl. (A hollow on the Pennsylvania side of the river opposite Mongaup.) Follow me, and we will soon know. The parties threw their guns over their shoulders, and started for the Hawk Nest. Seating themselves on the pinnacle, Cahoonshee pointed up the river. Does my brother see that tall pine standing on the edge of the rocks, with dead limbs in the top? A few feet from the top of that tree is the bowl. In that bowl lie concealed the destroyers of my race. Brother, do you see the smothered smoke that arises from their Council fires? I must hear their plans. Yes, and lose your life in the adventure, said Quick. Possibly yes—probably no. But they must be circumvented. Follow me. They both started down the rocks, and reaching the river, stepped into a canoe, and paddled for the Climbing Tree. (See Appendix.) [Illustration: CLIMBING TREE] It was now dark. Quick paddled the canoe through the still waters of Long Track, through Butler’s Falls, and entered Mongaup Eddy, and continued until they were opposite the Climbing Tree. Not a word had been spoken. Cahoonshee stepped out of the canoe, and as he did so whispered in his companion’s ear: Watch, and remain silent! and then disappeared in the impenetrable darkness. Cahoonshee climbed the tree and came in full view of the Salamanques. They had gathered there in large numbers, and had with them their squaws and papooses. The fire at which the Chiefs sat was within a few feet of where Cahoonshee stood, and he could hear what they said as easily as if he had sat in their midst. It was mid-night when the Council broke up. Cahoonshee returned to the river. Don’t use a paddle. Let the canoe float. These rocks have ears. Not a word was spoken. Cahoonshee sat with his head in his hands, thinking of the past and meditating on the future. Brother, said Cahoonshee, a plot is laid to destroy the Delawares. If the Salamanques succeed, there will not be one left to tell the tale. But it must not be. The white man’s reason and the red man’s cunning must thwart their plans. And have you a plan? I have one that will wipe the Salamanques from the face of the earth. Can I assist you brother? Yes. Day after to-morrow the blow is to be struck. The Delawares must be notified and prepared, not only to defend themselves, but to annihilate their foes. To-night I will visit the Delawares. To-morrow, you and the boys go to the round, white rock on Mount William. Carry with you all the strings that you can make from bear, deer and eel skins. Prepare a large quantity of pine knots, and I will meet you there at sun-down to-morrow. Cahoonshee stepped into his canoe and noiselessly drifted down the river, and just as the silver streak of morning began to appear, he landed at the village of the Delawares, at the angle of the Neversink and Delaware rivers.