They lay on the islet several days, meanwhile keeping a close
watch on the Indian camp. They really had little to fear except
from hunting parties, as the region was far from any settled
portion of the country, and the Indians were not likely to
suspect their continued presence. But the hunters were numerous,
and all the squaws in the camp were busy jerking meat. It was
obvious that the Indians were preparing for a great campaign, but
that they would take their own time. Most of the scouting was
done by Henry and Sol, and several times they lay in the thick
brushwood and watched, by the light of the fires, what was
passing in the Indian camp.

On the fifth night after the rescue of Long Jim, Henry and
Shif'less Sol lay in the covert. It was nearly midnight, but the
fires still burned in the Indian camp, warriors were polishing
their weapons, and the women were cutting up or jerking meat.
While they were watching they heard from a point to the north the
sound of a voice rising and failing in a kind of chant.

"Another war party comin'," whispered Shif'less Sol, "an' singin'
about the victories that they're goin' to win."

"But did you notice that voice?" Henry whispered back. " It's
not a man's, it's a woman's."

"Now that you speak of it, you're right," said Shif'less Sol.
"It's funny to hear an Injun woman chantin' about battles as she
comes into camp. That's the business o' warriors."

"Then this is no ordinary woman," said Henry.