Robert, following his gaze, saw a stag about a hundred yards away, a splendid fellow with head upraised, not in alarm, but to nuzzle some tender young leaves.
"I will go to the right," whispered the young warrior, "and will you, my friend, remain here ?" Robert nodded, and Tayoga slid silently among the bushes to secure a nearer and better position for aim.

The Indian admired the stag which, like himself, fitted into the forest.

He would not have hunted him for sport, nor at any other time would he have shot him, but food was needed and Manitou had sent the deer for that purpose.

He was not one to oppose the will of Manitou.
The greatest bowman in the Northern wilderness crouched in the thicket, and reaching his right hand over his left shoulder, withdrew an arrow, which he promptly fitted to the string.

It was a perfect arrow, made by the young chief himself, and the two feathers were curved in the right manner to secure the utmost degree of speed and accuracy.