He had not said that they should remain in her company, and it was not his will that they should do so, any longer.
He wished for none but her whom he had chosen for his bride beside him, so he had sent the others away.
A terrible fear took possession of her mind that he had sent them apart to take their lives, that it might not be done before her very eyes.
Filled thus with terror and despair, she went onward, while every step her strength seemed to fail her, while her heart lay like lead in her bosom.
Through the rest of the day until night came on, she managed to keep her feet, but when the shadows gathered thick in the forest she sunk down upon the earth and declared that she could go no further.
A short halt was made here, in which some food was prepared and offered her; but she could not eat a mouthful.
It seemed to her that it would have choked her, but she attempted to swallow a morsel.
Finding that it was in vain to urge her to do so further and seeing also that she was unable to proceed of herself, the chief raised her in his own strong arms, and again they went forward.
He would not feel sure of his bride until he had her in his own lodge and among his own people.
So long as they were in the forest, there was a chance that she might be wrested from him.