At last came the cry of the night bird, the note of the owl, as Tayoga had predicted, rising from a point to their right and somewhat behind them, but too far away for rifle shot.

It was a singular note, wild, desolate and full of menace.
"There may have been another band of warriors in this direction," whispered Tayoga, "perhaps a group of hunters who had not yet returned to St.Luc, and he is calling to them." "No earthly doubt of it," said Black Rifle.

"Can you hear the reply, Tayoga ?" "Now I hear it, though it is very faint.

It is from the south and the warriors will soon be here.

We shall have a band to fight." "Then we'd better bear off toward the west," said Willet.