But it was not the first time he had attempted such dangerous undertakings, and so far he had never failed.

With the configuration of the ground and the landmarks in vegetation and scenery he was far better acquainted than the Tehua.

Furthermore, he enjoyed the material advantage that the latter could not have noticed him.
Everything depended on ascertaining unseen as much as possible about the enemy's movements.
From some of Shotaye's gesticulations the maseua had concluded that the Tehua would proceed on the old trail leading from the Rito to the Puye, or at least keep himself very near that trail.

He was confirmed in it by the direction which the friend of the woman took after leaving her.
Topanashka maintained, therefore, the same course, going slowly and with the greatest caution.

He kept on the alert for the least noise that struck him as suspicious, or for which he could not at once account.
In consequence of the heat of the day, the forest was remarkably still.
Not a breeze sighed through the tops of the pines, for the wind that blows toward a coming storm and heralds its approach rises later in the day.