It need not be said that both made good use of their eyes and ears. Although beyond sight of the house, it was too soon to think themselves safe. If a collision took place between Tall Bear and the new-comers, some of the Indians were likely to be skurrying backwards and forwards on their ponies, and it was probable they would come upon the fugitives. Whenever Red Feather should meet his fellows there would be a sensation, but he was not the warrior to shrink the test, though he wished it to be deferred until the brother and sister were beyond the resentment of every one of his tribe. CHAPTER TEN AN OLD FRIEND--SEPARATED Suddenly Red Feather stopped. Melville did the same, wondering what the cause could be. The youth stood so near that he saw the chief was looking to the right, as though he had heard a suspicious sound or saw something in that direction. The lad gave close attention, since he could detect nothing. The Indian resumed his walk more slowly than before, but did not utter a word. His glances, however, to one side showed he was not free from misgiving, and by-and-by he stopped walking and listened intently as before. "What is it?" asked Melville, giving way to his curiosity. "Me hear something," was the reply, the Indian going still slower. "I can't detect anything," said the lad, as though the fact ought to lighten the fears of the other. Red Feather now tenderly placed Dot on her feet. The little one was half asleep, and rubbed her eyes after the manner of children when disturbed. A whispered word from her brother kept her quiet, and, kneeling down, Red Feather pressed his ear to the ground, holding it there for a full minute. Then he raised his head a few inches, looked off into the darkness, placed the side of his face against the ground for a few seconds more, after which he rose to his feet. Instead of explaining, he turned to Melville. "You see Red Feather do--you do same as him." Melville promptly obeyed, assuming the same posture that his friend had taken. Closing his eyes, so as to shut out everything that might distract his senses, he gave all his efforts to that of hearing. Yes, he _did_ hear something--just the faintest irregular beating on the ground--so faint indeed that he would not have believed it anything except for what the Sioux had said. "Hear nuffin?" asked the other, as the boy came to his feet. "Yes, I think I did hear a faint noise." "What him be?" "That's more than I can tell, Red Feather." "Hoss--hear hoss walking--dat what hear." "Is that the fact?" asked Melville, somewhat startled, peering toward the same point of the compass at which the chief had gazed though the lad had no other idea of the right course. "Hoss--he come dis way." "If that is so there is likely to be someone on him, and I don't think it is well for us to meet him." To this wise remark Red Feather gave no answer, but continued peering in the same direction as before.