He saw three Indians seated around it, smoking, and appearing as if they had just finished their morning meal.

It seemed, also, as if they were discussing some matter that deeply interested all.

The mumbling of their voices could be heard, and one of them gesticulated quite freely, as though he were excited over the conference.

There was not even the most remote possibility that what they were saying was of the least concern to the trapper; and so, after watching them a few moments, he moved cautiously by.
It was rarely that Tim ever had a mishap at such perilous times as these, but to his dismay something caught his foot so dextrously, that in spite of himself he was thrown flat upon his face.

There was a dull thump, not very loud, it is true, but he feared it had reached the ears of the savages.