The chief stood irresolute a moment, then as silently returned to the lodge and related the circumstance, and asked the advice of the rest whether he had better wait or proceed.
"I think Minawanda is our friend, and we had better do his bidding," said the trapper.
Silently they remained a few moments, when the sound of a light step fell on their ear, and the Fawn, a child of twelve years, and a daughter of the guide stepped within the lodge, and with a startled look stood irresolute for a moment, then going up to Jane, nestled close to her side fixing her dark starry eyes on hers with a bewildered gaze.
"What would you with me?" inquired the young girl, as she endeavored to reassure her.
"My father can no longer protect the white strangers," she replied, "but he can save them if they will place themselves under his directions."
"What says the young squaw?" asked the chief, whose acute ear had caught the low tones of the child.
Jane repeated what the fawn had said, when the trapper placed himself by her side and demanded what they were to do.
"I do not know, except that, when the Whippoorwill is heard behind the lodge, you are all to go out silently, and as the cry is heard, you are to follow the sound until you meet others who will be in waiting for you——"
"To lead us to the stake!" said the chief. "Is my brother mad, that he listens to this chattering, and will he run into the snare laid to entrap him?"
"Really, chief, you see through the treachery of these savages better than any one else, and do credit to your education," said Sidney.