For, when he looked down, he saw that there had gathered quite a quantity of dead wood within the cavity. It had not dried out since the last rain, some time before, which must have driven into the cleft. And plainly he could see marks there that must have been made by Sandy! This gave him an idea, and he wondered why he had not thought of it before. Of what use was his forest training if he could not ascertain whether Sandy had issued from the tree before, or after, the fire? Down he dropped on his hands and knees. The very first thing he discovered was the positive impression made by one of his brother's new moccasins, given to him by Colonel Boone before the great hunter had said good-bye. It was plainly made after the fire had passed, of that Bob felt certain; and the fact gave him the keenest of pleasure, since it assured him of Sandy's having passed through the siege unharmed. But why had he not answered his shouts? Where could he have wandered to, that he failed to hear a far-reaching hail, such as the strong lungs of his brother had sent sounding through the forest? Bob began to follow the footprints. At least Sandy must have intended to seek him, for he had commenced to chase _after_ the fire. "Oh!" gasped the boy, suddenly coming to a stop, and gazing in alarm at some new marks that met his eyes. They were also moccasin tracks! More than that, they seemed to mingle with the smaller ones made by Sandy. Bob bent closer, his heart seeming to leap into his throat as a dreadful fear clutched him. One thing he noted that gave him this new chill--every one of the new footprints _toed in_! He knew what this signified. White men seldom tread that way, but it is the universal custom of Indians to walk after the fashion called "pigeon-toe" as nature undoubtedly intended should be done. Then Indians had been here,--after the fire, too; and poor Sandy must have fallen into their hands! CHAPTER XIX CAPTURED BY THE SHAWANEES "GLORY! but that was a hot time!" Sandy thrust his head out of the hollow tree as he gasped these words. The fire had swept past as he crouched there, trying to hold his breath, and wondering if it would reach into the aperture and seize hold of his garments. And now it was gone. He could hardly believe the truth, and that he had really escaped without any injury. Down the wind he could see the angry glow that marked the fire line. Here and there little blazes still remained, where a winrow of the dead leaves had offered fat pickings for the flames. And smoke curled up everywhere, sickening smoke that made the eyes smart. "But what of Bob?" That was the chief thought that surged through the mind of the boy as he crouched there inside his refuge and stared out at the strange scene. "Oh! what if he did not find a place to hide? What if he was caught in the open? I can stand this suspense no longer. I _must_ know the worst!"