His low, melodious voice startled me from my thoughts, and I looked around at him inquiringly.

“I will go,” said the Wyandotte, smiling.

“One man will never draw fire from an ambush,” said the Grey-Feather cunningly. “The wild drake swims first into the net; the flock follows.”

“Why does my younger brother of the Oneida believe that we need fear any ambush at yonder ford?” asked the Wyandotte so frankly that again I felt that I could credit no ill of any man who spoke so fairly.

“Listen to the crows,” returned the Oneida. “Their evening call to council is long and deliberate — Kaah! Kaah! Kaah — h! What are they saying now, Black-Snake, my elder brother?”