But it was joy to him to know that the squaw had escaped, and still more so that she had been mistaken for a man. This their excited conversation among themselves revealed, and when questioned he boldly gave the name of Muck-a-kee!
Dragged into the center of the wigwams he was bound to the post of torture, and great rejoicing at his capture followed. And the very thing he had at first feared came to pass. He was known, and the air rung with the name of "Beaver Tail!"
CHAPTER XIV.
PLOTTING.
"Naudoway—see!" had been the exclamation of the brother of the Burning Cloud when he dashed almost breathless into her wigwam and flung himself panting upon the floor.
She did not question further at the time. The word 'enemy' convinced her, as she had before believed, that the renegade Parsons had proved as treacherous to her nation as he had been to his own, and with the remarkable patience of her race she waited for further revelation, brought water and bathed the feet of the nearly exhausted runner, gave him food and stimulating drinks, and then filled, lighted and handed him a pipe.
"The trail of my brother has been long and swift. He has known neither rest or sleep. Will he tell his sister what he has seen?"
He related the story, taking a long time for what could have been condensed into a few words. He had followed the white man—had seen him camp with a number of his own race—armed men—with plenty of wagons and horses—had told them a false story about his wife having been captured by the red-men and that she was destined to die of torture. And, believing this, they had promised to come and help kill the entire tribe and rescue her. But he was to come first—they follow more slowly and wait in ambush until he gave the signal. Then they were to rush forward, pour in their murderous rifle-shots and slaughter indiscriminately men, women and children.
"Is that all?" questioned the girl, trembling with suppressed passion.