At once the old man stopped, cowered behind a juniper, and waited.
A novice on the war-path, or an inexperienced white man, would have gone to examine the strange object more closely, but the old scout takes such unexpected finds in the light of serious warning.

Nothing appears more suspicious to him than something which seems to have been accidentally dropped on a trail over which hostile Indians are retreating.

He forthwith thinks of a decoy, and is careful not to approach.

For Topanashka it was doubly significant, for had the object purposely been placed there, it led to the disagreeable inference that the Tehua was aware of his pursuit.

In that case he was sure to lie in wait for him, and upon nearer approach he could expect an arrow-shot without the least doubt.