They saw him examine the bear tracks and heard him muttering to
himself as he followed with trained eyes the trail leading into the
thicket where the boys and the Indian were hiding.
He drew quite close to the bushes where the three lay; so close,
indeed, that they could hear him muttering as he lost the trail
because of the darkness. Presently, he turned back.
"I think I understand," he said hoarsely. "Two of the boys were
treed by bears and Oje rescued them. I presume they are half way
to the cabin before this."
He started along the trail by which the boys had reached the tree
but presently turned back. He stood in the light of the fire for a
moment and then set off in the direction of the hills.
"Safer there than here!" they heard him growl as he passed them by.
Oje waited until the sound of the fellow's footsteps were heard no
more, and then arose to his feet, Without speaking a word, he, too,
faced toward the hills, passing through the snow at a swinging gait.
"What's he going to do now?" queried Sandy.
"I wish I knew!" replied Thede. "Say, look here!" the boy
continued, "hadn't we better make a break for the cabin? I don't
see any sustenance in wandering around in the snow all night!"
"Oje has something on his mind!" Sandy declared.
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