The yellow flame threw out in distinct relief what the knife had cut there, and he saw on each arrow the rude but unmistakable outline of a bear.
The Owl might not determine the meaning of the picture, but the captive comprehended it at once.

It was the pride of Tayoga that he was of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, and here upon the arrows was his totem or sign of the Bear.
It was a message and Robert knew that it was meant for him.

Had ever a man a more faithful comrade?
The Onondaga was still following in the hope of making a rescue, and he would follow as long as Robert was living.

Once more the young prisoner's hopes of escape rose to the zenith.
"Now what do these marks mean ?" said the partisan, looking at the arrows suspiciously.
"It was merely an intoxicated warrior shooting at the moon," replied Robert, innocently, "and the cuts signify nothing." "I'm not so sure of that.

I've lived long enough among the Indians to know they don't fire away good arrows merely for bravado, and these are planted so close together it must be some sort of a signal.