With an ejaculation of amazement he jumped to his feet and went to him.
"How the deuce did you get here ?" he demanded.
"Were you asleep, Johnny ?" "I was awake--and watching!" The old hunter chuckled.
"It was so still when I come to those trees back there that I thought mebby something had 'appened," he said.
"So, I sneaked up, Johnny." "Did you see anything over the range ?" asked Aldous anxiously.
"I found footprints in the snow, an' when I got to the top I smelled smoke, but couldn't see a fire.

It was dark then." MacDonald nodded toward the tepee.

"Is she asleep, Johnny ?" "I think so.

She must be very tired." They drew back into the shadow of the spruce.

It was a simultaneous movement of caution, and both, without speaking their thoughts, realized the significance of it.