THE council had sat long. When it rose the sky was pink with dawn, and the velvety black pall that had edged the clearing had changed into ranked trees and underbrush. The swampy floor beneath lay dull, save where some lost pool gleamed suddenly silver. Azure mists curled softly upward. To the east, beyond the edge of the woods, the broad meadow glittered with the sparkling dew-jewels left by the parting night. Far to the left a gleam of broken silver showed where the Thames river rolled.
The spot, as Tecumseh had said, was between the Indian and the British lines. It lay just behind the apex of an obtuse angle, one leg of which ran along the edge of a fringe of beech trees wherein the British were entrenched. The other leg bordered the narrow marsh where the Indians waited. Neither woods nor swamp were deep nor dense. Behind them the light gleamed through glades that gave upon the open country.
Jack made no attempt to escape. He knew it would be useless. Besides, he was minded to play the game out. He had come for his wife, and, now that day had come, he could not hope to find her save by Tecumseh’s aid. This he determined to invoke; and this, in spite of the deadly peril, he welcomed the chance to invoke. After all, he had come to Ohio by Tecumseh’s invitation. He had some rights which even a savage must respect. Almost eagerly he stepped toward the place where Tecumseh waited.
Abruptly the red chief raised his hand and the iron arms of the two braves caught Jack and dragged him back. At another gesture they stepped before him, screening him from the sight of an officer, clad in the red coat of the British, who was striding into the circle.
Swiftly the officer came on, and Jack saw that he was Brito Telfair. Close to Tecumseh he halted, and without salutation or formality he spoke.
“Is Tecumseh a coward that he needs the help of squaws?” he demanded, hotly. “Will he keep the daughter of Delaroche here during the battle? Or will he send her away?”
Tecumseh’s face darkened. His hand sprang to the hatchet at his belt. If Brito saw it, he did not heed.
“In an hour a wagon with wounded starts to the rear,” he said. “Send the girl with it. If we win today you can find her again and protect her. If we lose she will be safe. Send her away, I beg of you.”
Abruptly the man’s voice broke. “You needn’t fear me,” he said. “I can’t leave here, and you know it. But—but a battle is no place for a woman! Send her where she will be safe.”
Tecumseh’s lips moved. “I will consider,” he promised. “Go now and return within an hour. Perhaps I will let the Star maiden go.”