On their way back "the Owl" got separated from the rest of the party, and he climbed a tree to see if he could discover his comrades.

While in the tree a war party of the Chippeways came in sight and stopped quite near the tree to make their camp.
The Owl was in a sad predicament; he knew not what to do to effect his escape.

As he knew he had not the power to contend with his enemies, he determined to have recourse to stratagem.

When it was quite dark he commenced hooting like an owl, having previously transformed himself into one.

The Chippeways looked up towards the tree and asked the owl what he was doing there.