Dave did not understand, but White Buffalo quickly interpreted the speech. "He has," answered the youth. "Does he expect to stay there, or move still further westward?" "He is going to stay." At this the great chief gave Dave another close look. Then he turned away and said no more. "What do you make of this, White Buffalo?" asked Dave, after they had left the Indian village a goodly distance behind them. "Pontiac likes not the fact that Dave's father has settled down on the Ohio," was the slow answer. "Pontiac wishes the English to keep close to the shores of the Great Waters." "I must say he looks like a great chief," said the youth thoughtfully. "He is a great chief, and his power is as wide-spreading as a great summer storm," answered White Buffalo. "The red men everywhere listen to him with all ears." "Do you suppose he came to see that medicine man?" "It may be so--he did not tell White Buffalo. But Pontiac is a magician--he can work wonders when he will, so I have heard." Dave did not believe this, but said nothing on the point to his companion, for he knew it would be useless to attempt to uproot so deep--set a superstition. "I sincerely hope Pontiac does not try to make trouble for my father," he went on. "He will do nothing at present--the time is not ripe. The war hatchet is not dug up when the snow covers the ground." "I know that. But we want no trouble in the spring either." At this, White Buffalo shrugged his shoulders. "Who can tell what the moons to come will bring forth?" he said. "The sun comes up and man is alive; it sets, and the last rays fall upon his grave. The Great Spirit of the happy hunting ground rules, but the face of the Great Spirit is hidden from the eyes of the red man and the eyes of the white man as well." CHAPTER XVII THE ATTACK ON THE PACK-TRAIN With the coming of spring, both James Morris and Dave looked eagerly for the time when Henry and Barringford should return to the trading-post with many articles which were much needed, and with what was better yet, news from home. "I can hardly wait for Henry to get here." said Dave one day. "There is so much I want to know about." "You must be patient, Dave," returned his parent. "The trails are by no means good yet, and it may be that they have not got started on the journey." The Indians were now bringing in many beaver skins, to exchange for blankets and powder, but James Morris had nothing to offer them. Many came from a great distance and were much disappointed, so it was not long before the trader looked for the coming pack-train as anxiously as did Dave. "If they don't come soon, I'll lose what trade I have established," he said. "They will take their skins and furs where they are sure of making an exchange."