But scarcely had he done so, when, to his surprise, the bird responded.
“Well,” said Tom, “you think I’m your mate, I guess; and if you choose to give me your company, I shall not object, it is so lonely here!”
So he answered the robin again.
Instantly the bushes parted, and Long Hair stepped into view. His eyes were bloodshot, his blanket torn, and his whole appearance indicated that something unusual had happened.
“Why, Long Hair!” exclaimed Tom, greatly startled; “what is the matter?”
The Indian glanced warily about, then laid his ear to the ground, listening intently, and arose quickly, saying,–
“Indian come. Much fight. Kill white man; kill white squaw; kill pappoose.”
“What of my father and mother?” inquired Tom, excitedly. “Have they been murdered?”
“Long Hair save ’um little; father shoot one, two, tree, ten Injun. Long Hair been up to Fort. 197 Sojer no bleeve Long Hair; say he spy. Long Hair come for Tom to get sojer. Injun see Long Hair; be here pretty soon–one, two, tree, ten, twenty, fifty! Kill Long Hair, kill Tom, take scalp. Tom go with Long Hair. He save him. Horse know way home.”
Tom saw, from Long Hair’s manner, that it was no time for delay, and, leaping from the wagon, with marvellous quickness the Indian turned the horse’s head about, facing home, and, striking him smartly, the spirited animal rapidly retraced his way.