“By that time, I hope, we will be far from here. I wished to keep them from molesting us when we leave.”
“I had guessed that. Why did you ask the chief for a big load of dried meat and pemmican and maize meal?”
“So that we can have plenty to eat on our journey, and need not stop to hunt.”
“I can understand that, too. But why did you tell them to let the Snake go?”
“He has not really done any harm, although he wished to do harm. If he loses his money, that will be a sufficient punishment for him. You must go to the village, Dove-eye, and see if all is going on well there, and if they released Burnt Face. If they do release him, send him or bring him here; but he ought not to be seen coming here.”
Old Blaze had been released from captivity before Dove-eye reached the village, and was in the council-lodge with the old men, who were giving him instructions concerning his mission to the Crows. He had been greatly astonished at the turn his affairs had taken, but had prudently kept his astonishment to himself. He was sure that Silverspur and Dove-eye had had something to do with his release, and he resolved not to do or say any thing that might interfere with their plans.
When the chief told him that he had been informed that the Burnt Face was a friend of the Crows, and that he would be willing to undertake a mission of peace to them from the Arapahoes, he guessed who the informant was, and readily assented to both propositions. He only asked that his rifle should be returned to him, and expressed his willingness to set forth at any moment. Having received his instructions as ambassador, he was dismissed from the council-lodge, and soon met Dove-eye in the village. She said only a word to him, and left him, but joined him after a little while, in a ravine a short distance from the village. She then led him to the lodge at the foot of the cliff, giving him, by the way, a brief outline of the doings of Silverspur and herself.
The hunter thanked his friend for his rescue, and complimented him upon his tact and adroitness.
“It was nothing,” replied Silverspur “It was only fun to me, and I was really quite selfish about it. It was necessary to get Dove-eye out of the scrape, and you know that I could not get along without you.”
“It’s a heap to me, boy, and I’m obleeged to ye all the same. Here I am, a-livin’, and I’ve got old Jule back, too, when I didn’t hev the least idee that I’d ever set eyes onto the old critter ag’in.”