The Indian heard the question and understood.
"All things must be as Manito will," he repeated; and Arnold, catching swiftly at the words, demanded sharply—
"Is it willed that we be bound, as the Dacotahs of old bound their captives for burning?"
This was evidently a point of view that had not occurred to the redskin, for he was at a loss for an immediate reply. He looked first at one man and then at the other, after which he repeated half aloud, half to himself, as if he were conning the exact meaning of the words—
"When the moon is round, and they rise out of the silver waters—— "
"Yes, yes!" interrupted Arnold, and speaking at guesswork. "That is true. We know that—'out of silver waters'—but is anything said about bonds?"
The old man shook his head. He was deeply puzzled.
"The pale-face speaks true, and it may be that the redman is wrong. There are many trails, but only one that leads to good hunting-ground. How shall the redman's eyes see right?"
Then Arnold assumed an air of indifference as he remarked carelessly, though not without a certain sneer in his tone—
"Does Swift Arrow ask a question of his white brothers, or does he talk as old squaws chatter—foolish words like running water? We could tell him much, but it is well to know with whom one speaks. Words may be wasted as rain upon rocks."