Then he bent the branch of a beech tree low over the place.

He pulled down another branch over the remains of the camp-fire.

These precautions made the spot less striking.

Wetzel knew that an Indian scout never glances casually; his roving eyes survey the forest, perhaps quickly, but thoroughly.

An unnatural position of bush or log always leads to an examination.
This done, the hunter grasped Joe's hand and led him up the knoll.
Making his way behind a well-screened tree, which had been uprooted, he selected a position where, hidden themselves, they could see the creek.
Hardly had Wetzel, admonished Joe to lie perfectly still, when from a short distance up the stream came the sound of splashing water; but nothing could be seen above the open glade, as in that direction willows lined the creek in dense thickets.