But a short interval elapsed after the departure of Colonel Hall, when the door opened and War-Cloud entered. Edgar, seizing the hand of his friend with warmth, and wringing it cordially, led him to a seat beside his own, near the fire.
“I have a purpose, my friend, in thus sending for you,” said Edgar. “You are aware of my helpless situation, unable assist myself, or even her who is dearer to me than life itself; for this reason have I sought you, as the only one to whom I could unhesitatingly reveal my grave suspicions. I also have a plan to unfold. Should it succeed, every thing may again be righted; however, its undertaking entails many hazards, perhaps death.”
“War-Cloud is always ready to aid his white brother.”
“Thanks, my faithful friend! To you, then, will I confide my suspicion—in you do I place my last, my forlorn hope. Draw near to me, that not a single word I speak may escape you; for should this fail, then all is lost!”
Looking cautiously around to see that he could not be overheard, Edgar commenced in a low, whispering tone to disclose to the scout the plan of which he had spoken.
It was evident by the startled manner of War-Cloud, so foreign to his natural stoicism, that he was a listener to a disclosure that surpassed his most extravagant conceptions.
After a long conversation, they both arose. The sad, dejected features of Edgar were now lighted up by a more hopeful look, while on the countenance of War-Cloud there was an expression of settled determination to be successful in this enterprise, could human efforts effect such a result.
Moving toward the door, their eyes met, and in that gaze each read the depth of friendship’s love. The two friends clasped hands affectionately, and with a mutual farewell, the next moment the Indian was gone.
The following morning anxious inquiries were made at the fort concerning the whereabouts of War-Cloud, but he was nowhere to be found.
He had quietly made his exit, unknown to any of the garrison; but as these sudden and mysterious disappearances were of no uncommon occurrence, they created no suspicion.