The canon near which he had surprised Shotaye and her ally lay some distance in his rear and to the right, for the old trail crosses it at its upper end, and the canon bends to the north.
Topanashka intended to reach this upper terminus.

He expected in case other Tehuas should be about, that they would be hidden in that vicinity.

He wanted to strike the path first, and survey it, if from a distance only, then keep on again in a line parallel to its course until it crossed the ravine.

Afterward he would go back to the Tyuonyi, if possible, with the sandal as corroborative evidence.
He almost chided himself now for not having picked up the foot-gear.

The more he reflected, the more he became convinced that his suspicions about some ambush having been prepared by means of the sandal were groundless.