No further words issued from the already compressed lips of the Indian; but after he had, also, placed his horse by the side of black Star, he took his position near Waltermyer and awaited the issue that was forced upon them.
There was silence long enough for the heart to throb scarce a score of times, and then, at the same instant, Black Eagle rode upon the plateau from one side, and the Mormon entered on foot from the other.
CHAPTER XVII.
A DUEL IN THE WILDERNESS—A STARTLING REVELATION.
Thus the savage and the Elder met, man to man, on equal terms, the Indian only having an advantage in the possession of his horse. Waltermyer and Osse ’o had succeeded in securing their horses, and retreating behind an abutment of the rocks, waited for the stormy interview which was sure to follow the contact of these fiery spirits.
Black Eagle rode close to the Elder with a reckless dash, that threatened to trample him under the hoofs of the half-wild steed.
“Where is the young pale-face?” he questioned, stooping his plumed head, and hissing forth the words in a half-whisper.
“That is the very question I wish to ask you,” replied the Elder.
“When your white-faced warriors crept like serpents among our braves and fired on them, she escaped,” answered the chief, sullenly.
“Well, that is, so far, your loss—no, not yours, for I have paid you well, and you know where the girl is. Take me to her hiding-place, or give back my gold.”
“Does the pale-face think the Black Eagle a fool?” answered the chief, with a cold sneer.