He was glad when the bonds were cut and the party took up its westward march.
The Indians, though somewhat quieter, displayed the same carelessness: they did not hurry, nor use particular caution, but selected the most open paths through the forest.

They even halted while one of their number crept up on a herd of browsing deer.

About noon the leader stopped to drink from a spring; his braves followed suit and permitted the white prisoners to quench their thirst.
When they were about to start again the single note of a bird far away in the woods sounded clearly on the quiet air.

Joe would not have given heed to it had he been less attentive.

He instantly associated this peculiar bird-note with the sudden stiffening of Silvertip's body and his attitude of intense listening.