"And don't yer love him? Ef he am er likely young feller, and will git ter be er warrior some day, I don't see why you shouldn't do so."
"She loves but one."
"Wal," he replied, with a laugh, and not even then penetrating through her disguise, "I never knew er woman ter take er likin' ter two men at the same time."
"Let the pale-face drink and try to sleep," she said. "The child of the red-man will stay and watch him as long as she dares. Then she will pray the Great Spirit to keep guard over him until she comes and brings him food in the morning."
"Yes. I do feel kinder sleepy, but I know I hain't more'n half thanked yer fer what yer've done. Howsomever I will do so when I get better. But can't yer git me er drink of cool water fust? I'm dry as er stump that has been dead for forty years."
"The spring is not distant," she replied, going quickly to comply with the request.
"I can't understand the actions of ther red-skinned critter at all," he muttered to himself under his breath. "She am ther pootiest squaw I ever sot my eyes on, and has saved my life and bin very good ter me. I wonder ef she kin have taken er fancy ter me? Here she comes ergin, and ef I hain't er fool, I'll find out what it all means, and ef she would consent ter take pot-luck with er poor trapper like me, I shan't be backward, fer ter tell ther truth I never saw er woman I sot so much store by."
After the water had been drank and a brief conversation followed, the scout stretched himself out for slumber, her last words being:
"I will watch until the pale chief sleeps soundly. Then I will go to my wigwam, for I must not be missed from there. Should he wake he must drink of this (pointing to a muckuc of birch bark) and when she comes again all pain will have left him and he will be fit to take the trail."
"Wal Cloud, yer ther dearest and best Medicine I ever knew. Good-night."