The Indian was absent the greater portion of the day, and when he
returned, Walter was half a mile from the camp, up the river.
"What's the matter?" the boy asked, as the Indian approached suddenly,
looking disturbed.
"White man come; down shore, huntin' for trail! "
Walter dropped his axe in dismay. He could think of but one reason why any
person should seek him, and that was to arrest him for stealing Samuel
Haines's horse.
"They mustn't see me," he muttered. "Go back to the camp, that they may
think it is you who has been doing this work, and I win strike off into
the forest."
Sewatis handed Walter the gun, and silently turned to retrace his steps.
CHAPTER V STEPHEN KIDDER
Walter's first impulse was to bury himself in the depths of the forest,
and he had already started toward the denser portion when the thought
occurred to him that he was reasonably safe in the vicinity of the camp,
where he would be able to learn when the newcomer retraced his steps.
"If it is a white man I'll guarantee to keep out of his way, and yet
remain near enough to hear what may be said," he muttered to himself, as
he halted suddenly, and then moved cautiously toward the lean-to.
After ten minutes had elapsed he could distinguish the sound of voices,
and a few seconds later he was running at full speed toward the person
from whom he had previously been trying to escape.
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