Rodney did not dare to argue the matter, and there was silence for a long time. In the flickering firelight the old chief's face was ghastly. The boy fell into an unpleasant reverie. Soon would come the moment when he must flee, for to remain, he was sure, would mean his death. The difficulties of escape, because of the uprising among the Indians, had greatly increased. "Between here and La Belle Riviere are many Mingoes, Delawares and Shawnees. Little Knife cannot fly nor leap from tree to tree like panther. He must be brother of Ahneota." The boy was startled. It seemed to him that the Indian had been reading his thoughts. "The paleface comes and Ahneota's brother must take his scalp. That Little Knife cannot do," Rodney replied. Silence of many minutes followed. Rodney became uneasy and was about to leave when the chief, taking a stick in his trembling hand, drew it over the sand and began to describe the country which lay between them and the Ohio River. "Before another moon," he said, "the palefaces will come in many canoes to the Indians' country. Little Knife will run to meet them. He will not be the brother of the chief. He must go to his people. He must go like the fox." The following day Ahneota called in several men of the village and Rodney. Then, giving his rifle to the boy, he said: "Little Knife has been brother of Ahneota, has brought him meat when he starved. He must have gun to bring more meat, for the chief is old and cannot hunt." The Indians did not look pleased, for the rifle was a valuable one and much coveted. One said, "White blood must be washed away," but, as the old chief made no reply, they went away. As the boy started to leave the lodge the Indian lifted his head and said, "When Little Knife points the old chief's gun at man, let him not see the colour of skin." Rodney now began to store up, against the emergency he knew was approaching, a stock of dried venison, and hominy and parched corn. His experience when surrounded by hostile savages had taught him the difficulty of securing food on the march. As he lay in the shadow of a bush one day he noticed a little worm travelling along a twig. It was the variety commonly called an "inch worm," which advances by pulling its rear up to its forward feet, its back in a curve, and then thrusts forward its length. As the boy watched its laborious progress he thought, "If one may only keep going he'll get there in time," and somehow he felt encouraged. Had he not thought it his duty to remain and care for the old chief he would have set forth that very hour. As he came near the village several guns were fired in quick succession down at the creek and he knew a party of savages had returned from one of their raids! The inmates of the village hurried down to meet the newcomers, but the boy lagged behind. Soon they came running back and formed two lines. Some captive must run the gauntlet!