"Can't lose my skelp, 'cause I hain't got none to lose," replied Hans, lifting his hat and showing his pate, white and shining in the moonlight.
Crockett urged his proposition, and his comrade seemed quite struck with it. He debated and hesitated awhile, but finally consented, and, as the horse had become soothed and quieted by this time, he stood still, while the different articles were taken from his back.
They were carefully deposited under a large tree, standing back some distance from the path, and then Hans remounted his animal and took the reins in his hand.
By this time, Crockett began to feel some apprehension about the lovers, who ought to have been on the spot before this.
He made numerous inquiries of Hans, but learned very little. The stolid Dutchman seemed certain that it was all well with both of them, and that there was no cause for anxiety about either.
"Sebastian—he so shmart de Injins can't cotch him."
"But Katrina?"
"She so purty dat nobody never didn't hurt her, and so nobody won't never say nottin' to her—so she's all right."
"She's never had a pack of red-skins chasing her," replied Crockett, who was any thing but satisfied with the situation of things.
"Dat is why dey won't do it, den, no more."